CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

New to digital photography, but not photography. Had my own dark room back in the 70s. Divorce ended that go around and sold all by large format cameras and kept my Canon 35mm cameras and lens'. Now I want to get back into an old hobby and am looking for a new camera, biased to Canon, but also considering Nikon. Reading all I can on this site and others trying to avoid mistakes on the dollar outlay. Any advice given regarding camera and lens procurement would be welcomed.

Lead Foot

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here are some links for comparisons of cameras and lenses. Aim high, rather than low. Few people complain that their equipment is too good. Don't ignore refurbished and used.

http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/lenses
http://lenshero.com/lens-comparison
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx
http://www.lenstip.com/lenses.html
http://www.dxomark.com/Lenses/Compare

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Hi Lead Foot.

I'm a Canon guy who's been shooting for many, many years. I'm primarily video but I do lots of stills as well.

I always recommend this brand because I've had excellent luck with their gear, no problems over several years of using their dslr cameras.

I currently shoot a t3i and really enjoy it.

Best of luck in your re-start of an old hobby.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Welcome. If you tell us a little more about your old cameras / lenses , what you liked about them and what you like to photograph, that could help us give you more focused suggestions.

Good luck.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

First of all, thank you all for such a quick response. My main interest prior was shooting B/W and finishing the process in my own darkroom. Shot some color but realized once you got the color correct you were done developing that particular negative. I enjoyed my time in the dark room.

My main interest was keeping a photographic record of the family as we grew. In addition I enjoyed shooting life outside, landscapes, animals, etc. Had and still have a bellows for extreme closeups. I will be mainly focused on outside landscapes along with wildlife and closeup of insects, flowers, etc. Will be looking at lens that have not only good zoom capability but offer image stabilization and weight.

The software I will be using is also an open topic and learning how to manipulate the image as I did in the darkroom is important to me. I realize that most of what I shoot will be great (hopefully) straight on but on occasion you can make an OK preint great with this ability.

My old Canon 35 set up included lens from an 18mm wide angle, 55/1.4 base lens, 105mm for portraits, a Sigma zoom mid range to 300mm and a 600 Mirror. I have been reading a whole lot in the last month or so and realize I can update some of these lens to work on a new camera and will consider that after I get a basic body/lens and the software upgrade. Will hold off on the specialty lens until I realize what I need in the digital arena. Looking seriously at a Canon Rebel 6ti with one of the zoom lens from 18-130 range of zoom. The reviews I have read on lens with this capability blow my mind when I think back to the 70s. Camera and lens have exceeded what we envisioned just like the computer industry. Anyhow, this is me and what I am looking to do.

Lead Foot

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

"My main interest was keeping a photographic record of the family as we grew. In addition I enjoyed shooting life outside, landscapes, animals, etc. Had and still have a bellows for extreme closeups. I will be mainly focused on outside landscapes along with wildlife and closeup of insects, flowers, etc. Will be looking at lens that have not only good zoom capability but offer image stabilization and weight."

For those uses and criteria you should give serious consideration to Micro 4/3 system cameras, specifically the Olympus OM-D EM-1 and it's PRO lens line.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

"My main interest was keeping a photographic record of the family as we grew. In addition I enjoyed shooting life outside, landscapes, animals, etc. Had and still have a bellows for extreme closeups. I will be mainly focused on outside landscapes along with wildlife and closeup of insects, flowers, etc. Will be looking at lens that have not only good zoom capability but offer image stabilization and weight."

For those uses and criteria you should give serious consideration to Micro 4/3 system cameras, specifically the Olympus OM-D EM-1 and it's PRO lens line.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Me to on the 70's darkroom part, but not the divorce. I lost mine in a job change that required a move.

Back in those days, there seemed to be a particular Nikon, Canon or Pentax body that you would "invest in" at it would last a long time. Now I think you have to put on a set of blinders after you buy. The darkroom has been replaced by Lightroom and fantastic digital image files can come from such a wide variety of cameras that you can only have "the right one" for a few months. Once you pick any of them, don't look back. Try to wear it out.

The complexity of cameras has increased exponentially. All of them that cost more than a few hundred dollars will let you control them they way you did it in the '70s. But, each of them will have a hundred more features you may or may not need or enjoy. My point is that if you can spend $1000 and choose randomly or based on what is discounted for the week you won't get a bad camera.

Another thing that digital has changed is the availability of "hybrid" and "bridge" cameras. Look at the Panasonic FZ1000 for an example of image quality and versatility.

Digital has also changed the need for flapping mirrors. We can "see through the lens" electronically. Sony, Panasonic, Olympus and even Samsung are providing us with wonderful options while Nikon and Canon are (mostly) sticking with what they know best.

How we buy cameras is different too. The internet, economy and life style have all but eliminated the local camera store. Instead we get promotional packages from places like Costco or order from places like B&H. B&H has redefined the practices of selection and guaranteed customer satisfaction.

Good luck and have fun.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Also look at T6s and EF-s 10-18 mm along side the 18 - 135 STM.

EF 70 - 300 mm IS is worth checking out especially used.


http://www.dpreview.com/articles/2862951741/canon-rebel-t6s-t6i-lab-report-added-to-first-impressions

Many more options of course...., both within the Canon eco system and other good brands...

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Are you looking for a general all around solution or something more specific - sports, macro, landscape, portraiture, astrophotography, wildlife, birds in flight etc etc etc.

What is your budget?

How will you view your output - printed, computer, projected, etc.

My advice is to make some of those decisions, then select the best camera system to address your needs - not the other way around.

CLF Loc: Raleigh, NC

Again, I thank you all for the great advice. I am considering all I can learn from reading the forums and the additional direction you all are giving including brands, and budget. I will refrain from jumping in until brand meets budget.

Lead Foot

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

If you are one who enjoyed darkroom work, you'll love the digital darkroom. The Adobe CC photographers package for $10 a month lets you "lease" the newest versions of Lightroom and Photoshop - should give you a ton of fun. It fits my budget and keeps me busy learning and experimenting as well as finishing my photos for post or print.

And BTW, if you kept your old lenses, many mirrorless cameras can use just about any lens ever made with cheap adapters. Have fun!

RKL349 Loc: Connecticut

As usual, excellent advice Jerry.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Both brands make fine cameras. Of course it's a matter of preference and I prefer Nikon, although I like Canon non-DSLRs better.

The major difference I can see is that Canon lenses don't fit all Canon cameras, whereas most Nikon lenses, old and new, fit more Nikon cameras.

I've been known to be wrong. :lol:

Magicman

If you do considerable research you will see that mirrorless cameras are slowly taking over from dslr for many good reasons. Sony A 6000 is a great choice. I use the sony G pro lens 28-105 f4, the zeiss 24 f1.8, and the sony 50-f1.8 . Also use a carry sling for travel I would suggest a dedicated a 6000 book to learn all its many capabilities. Look into it.