Decided today is the day
Jun 23, 2016 20:51:37 #
Just retired from the LA Police Dept after forty some years. My wife was killed in mugging when my daughter was four. She's married now with two kids. She says it's time to stop watching soap operas and to get a hobby. I've always been interested in photography but I don't have a clue where to begin. I stumbled on this site looking around for help. So I am looking for help. I have an answer for any question you want to ask and that is, I don't know. I know I don't want to go used or refurbished and I have about a grand or so to start this out. Can you help a little?
Doug
Doug
Jun 23, 2016 21:13:12 #
Hi Doug , Welcome to the UHH . I'm sure lots of help and advice will be coming to you from the members of this site. I live in New Zealand so cant help with advice on your finances but I'm sure with a grand you will get something to start with , maybe a Canon mirrorless SX50 or 60 is a good place to start?
Jun 23, 2016 22:01:01 #
Hello Doug welcome to the forum hang in here for a while and do some research and see were it takes you. There are very many choices to consider.
in the way of photography keep in touch with any concerns or questions when you gather a little more information on your venture into this hobby.
Saying hello from Pittsburgh.p.s point and shoot camera or interchangeable lens camera?
in the way of photography keep in touch with any concerns or questions when you gather a little more information on your venture into this hobby.
Saying hello from Pittsburgh.p.s point and shoot camera or interchangeable lens camera?
Jun 23, 2016 22:02:58 #
LA Doug wrote:
Just retired from the LA Police Dept after forty s... (show quote)
Welcome to the hog. I am retired from the LAUSD, Garfield High was my last school but within the LA city limits I taught at Franklin in Highland Park and Marshall in Silver Lake. I started in 1974.
I am a Canon shooter, but just about any of the brands are good today. Some better than others. Canon and Nikon refurbished are good and in the case of Canon have the same factory guarantee as new. It will stretch your money to a bit better set of gear.
What is called a bridge camera might be the thing for you. From what I read in the reviews the Nikon P900 is just about the top of the heap and among current production the Canon SX60 is real good, Panasonic and Sony make some good bridge cameras also. If I was buying one I would probably get the Nikon. It would have no problem fitting in with my Canons since a bridge camera has a fixed zoom lens. The P900 has a lens that goes from the equivalent of 24 mm (wide angle for landscapes etc) to 2000 mm (super zoom starts at about 400-500 mm so the P900 has a long reach for birds, wildlife, sports in a large stadium etc.). A bridge camera won't quite get the image quality of a DSLR with top of the line lenses, but it is a jack of all trades, more compact and a darn good place to start. There are a lot of people who never feel the need to go beyond a good bridge camera.
If you want to start off with an interchangeable lens DSLR I will stick to Canon, they are what I know. For around $1000 I would recommend the Canon T6i or T6s. The "s" has controls closer to the higher level cameras and would make moving up easier if you do that in a year or two. The T6i is going for about $750 to $850 depending on the lens and other stuff bundled with it. Usually the 18-55 mm lens. The T6s usually comes with the much better 18-135 lens and that setup is about $1049 at Canon's own store, Adorama or B&H. The T6 is the same camera as the T6s or T6i but with everything simplified to make it a bit cheaper. The T6 series and the 80D (much more expensive) have Canon's latest 24 mp sensors.
Well now I will watch as the Nikon, Olympus, Sony etc users recommend their choices to you.
Jun 23, 2016 22:16:51 #
Well Doug, I was in the same boat as you 5 years ago as far as not knowing enough to know what questions to ask. I had a smaller budget than you at the time but looked at some cameras at Best Buy and got lucky with having a salesman that was actually a photographer. He pointed out a few things and showed me some of his work and what was possible. I don't reccomend Best Buy though as the place to start. Go to a dedicated camera store. Talk to knowledgeable people there. Hold various cameras. Ask about a good lens you can use that will fit a variety of situations. You'll probably not know right away what type of photography you're interested in, so a lens that will work for different situations will get you started. Probably a medium zoom.
Photography can be daunting at first, there is so much to learn. You'll need to learn about exposure, how to operate your camera, post processing of images, etc. you've already found the best photography forum on the web so read the posts in the digest daily. Ask questions here as they arise, post photos to get critique and to find out what could have been done better. Study composition, look at others photos & ask yourself what about them do you like, dislike?
Here is a web site that has a lot of free videos that answer questions about many of the topics you'll want to learn, broken down into beginner, intermediate and advanced categories: http://www.photographycourses.biz
Welcome to UHH by the way.
Walt
Photography can be daunting at first, there is so much to learn. You'll need to learn about exposure, how to operate your camera, post processing of images, etc. you've already found the best photography forum on the web so read the posts in the digest daily. Ask questions here as they arise, post photos to get critique and to find out what could have been done better. Study composition, look at others photos & ask yourself what about them do you like, dislike?
Here is a web site that has a lot of free videos that answer questions about many of the topics you'll want to learn, broken down into beginner, intermediate and advanced categories: http://www.photographycourses.biz
Welcome to UHH by the way.
Walt
Jun 23, 2016 22:18:23 #
I'm sure you'll get a lot of suggestions for a Nikon this, or a Canon that, or maybe a Pentax, or Olympus something. But my suggestion, if you can stretch that budget to $1500, is a Sony RX10 Mk III. This may be all you'll ever need ... or, it may be way more than what you're looking for. Check out the reviews for any camera on-line, whatever you do, go to a camera store and actually put whichever camera in your hand to see how it feels. Some are too small, some are too big, or too heavy. Check out the ergonomics of the camera.
Then, after you actually start taking photos, there are computer skills and Post-Processing, and perhaps some books to read to further your understanding. Good luck and welcome to the Hog.
Then, after you actually start taking photos, there are computer skills and Post-Processing, and perhaps some books to read to further your understanding. Good luck and welcome to the Hog.
Jun 23, 2016 22:21:04 #
Welcome to the Hog and hope what you read hear will help you in you retirement hobby.
You have to decide what kinds of pictures are most appealing: scenery, high points of trips, people & street, flowers, insects, birds, portraits, etc.
One thing you will learn here is that the lens is far more important than the camera. It would be wise not to get a whole big package at first, so it might be prudent to start small, like with a point & shoot or a bridge. Realize that you have to lug all your gear if you are to use it - another reason to start small.
Folks spend a lot of time hear talking about post processing (PP, in parlance). So do you have a computer and image editing software. Hog members have tried everything and can advise about software that won't cost an arm and a leg.
I have been a Mac user for 30 years, so am biased. I got into Adobe Photoshop back when a local computer store was selling off inventory on the cheap, it was version 2.5.1 and came on a bunch of floppy disks. I quit updating Photoshop at version CS4. But to get into Photoshop now its a monthly fee or big bucks (over 500 probably) and you commit yourself to learning it, which cuts into the shutter clicking.
Good luck to you and let us see your masterpieces. Even rotten pictures are masterpieces because they report a point in time of your travels.
You have to decide what kinds of pictures are most appealing: scenery, high points of trips, people & street, flowers, insects, birds, portraits, etc.
One thing you will learn here is that the lens is far more important than the camera. It would be wise not to get a whole big package at first, so it might be prudent to start small, like with a point & shoot or a bridge. Realize that you have to lug all your gear if you are to use it - another reason to start small.
Folks spend a lot of time hear talking about post processing (PP, in parlance). So do you have a computer and image editing software. Hog members have tried everything and can advise about software that won't cost an arm and a leg.
I have been a Mac user for 30 years, so am biased. I got into Adobe Photoshop back when a local computer store was selling off inventory on the cheap, it was version 2.5.1 and came on a bunch of floppy disks. I quit updating Photoshop at version CS4. But to get into Photoshop now its a monthly fee or big bucks (over 500 probably) and you commit yourself to learning it, which cuts into the shutter clicking.
Good luck to you and let us see your masterpieces. Even rotten pictures are masterpieces because they report a point in time of your travels.
Jun 23, 2016 22:35:53 #
Welcome to UHH.
Here is a link to Nikon's entry level DSLRs. http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/dslr-cameras/entry-level-dslrs.page
Canon also makes good cameras, but since I'm a Nikon user I am not familiar with what they offer.
I buy most of my photography gear from B&H Photo on line http://www.bhphotovideo.com , Adorama and one or two others are also reliable. Stay away from places like 47th St. Photo and others that offer gear at prices below market.
Here is a link to Nikon's entry level DSLRs. http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/dslr-cameras/entry-level-dslrs.page
Canon also makes good cameras, but since I'm a Nikon user I am not familiar with what they offer.
I buy most of my photography gear from B&H Photo on line http://www.bhphotovideo.com , Adorama and one or two others are also reliable. Stay away from places like 47th St. Photo and others that offer gear at prices below market.
Jun 24, 2016 00:26:14 #
Hello and welcome aboard.
Don't know what your knowledge level of photography is so I'll speculate you're a beginner.
Some folks may or may not agree but one way to get started is with books designed for beginners. These is a series of paperback books from an author/photographer named Scott Kelby. The series is called The Digital Photography Book. The books run around $15 per book. They are easy to read and follow and even a bit entertaining. These books will teach you the art of digital photography. There are also a gazillion videos on YouTube, many of which are actually really good and educational and will help you learn digital photography. A photographer who use to write books for Microsoft, his name is Tony Northrup, he and his wife do educational videos about photography.
You say you don't want refurbished gear. I strongly recommend that you reconsider this. Canon factory refurbished gear is as good as new and comes with a full warranty, just like new, and you will get a whole lot more for your money. Go to the Canon USA Web site and check out what they currently have for sale. You will find several good entry level DSLR'S with two zoom lenses for well under $1000 and there are even some higher end DSLR'S with 1 zoom lens for under or around $1000.
I've purchased refurbished gear from Canon and have never had a problem with it. I currently own 11 Canon DSLR'S, of which 5 are refurbished, purchased from Canon. 10 of the 11 still work as good as new. One of them, the 40D, which was not a refurb, has a thumb wheel that occasionally slips.
Best of luck with your new hobby. It can be a whole lot of fun and good for the mind and soul.
Don't know what your knowledge level of photography is so I'll speculate you're a beginner.
Some folks may or may not agree but one way to get started is with books designed for beginners. These is a series of paperback books from an author/photographer named Scott Kelby. The series is called The Digital Photography Book. The books run around $15 per book. They are easy to read and follow and even a bit entertaining. These books will teach you the art of digital photography. There are also a gazillion videos on YouTube, many of which are actually really good and educational and will help you learn digital photography. A photographer who use to write books for Microsoft, his name is Tony Northrup, he and his wife do educational videos about photography.
You say you don't want refurbished gear. I strongly recommend that you reconsider this. Canon factory refurbished gear is as good as new and comes with a full warranty, just like new, and you will get a whole lot more for your money. Go to the Canon USA Web site and check out what they currently have for sale. You will find several good entry level DSLR'S with two zoom lenses for well under $1000 and there are even some higher end DSLR'S with 1 zoom lens for under or around $1000.
I've purchased refurbished gear from Canon and have never had a problem with it. I currently own 11 Canon DSLR'S, of which 5 are refurbished, purchased from Canon. 10 of the 11 still work as good as new. One of them, the 40D, which was not a refurb, has a thumb wheel that occasionally slips.
Best of luck with your new hobby. It can be a whole lot of fun and good for the mind and soul.
Jun 24, 2016 03:54:36 #
welcome Doug. A Bridge might be a good start, it hasn't got many of the bells and whistles of a DSLR camera..but are easy to use and they have tremendous zoom capabilities, and you can get great shots. I have a canon sx50, and I would possibly say it was the best selling camera in the world until very recently, as canon have stopped making it in favour of the sx60...what ever camera you get enjoy your new hobby and post some of your shots on the hogg.
Jun 24, 2016 05:33:23 #
Doug, welcome to UHH. You have just gotten a lot of good advice. I prefer Canon, have had other brands, but migrated back to canon. If you decide to go DSLR, then try to get something above the entry level, i.e. T6i or T6s instead of the T6. Another jump up is the 80D. If you want to start with something less expensive look at the bridge cameras like the Canon SX 50 (hard to find new) or the SX 60. They have super zoom capability. You will find some of the hoggers using such cameras and producing great photos, especially of birds and animals. Make sure that whatever you buy has the capability of taking photos in raw. Good luck and looking forward to seeing your pictures as you start your new hobby.
Bud
Bud
Jun 24, 2016 05:35:20 #
Welcome Doug, You will find this site is full of folks who will share their expertise and experience with you. My advice is to start out small, get a point and shoot and play with that. Since I shoot Canon, I would recommend a SX50 or SX60. You might try looking at the Canon Refurbished Site for some savings. One thing to remember is that the more important, if you will, of the camera is the lens, the body is secondary. If you have money, spend it on the "glass" not the body. There are many books on photography, one of the best and one that is recommend here is "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson, the Fourth Edition is available through Amazon or any good bookseller. Good Luck, Mike
Jun 24, 2016 06:39:44 #
LA Doug wrote:
Just retired from the LA Police Dept after forty s... (show quote)
Welcome to our forum!
There are not only different brands but also different types of cameras. You can find info about them online. I prefer DSLRs. Refurbs are a good deal.
Some comparison sites.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
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.imaging-resource.com/cameras/compare/
Jun 24, 2016 07:06:42 #
Welcome, Doug. Lots of good advice, much of which depends on what you'd like to do. That SX50 so many like is inexpensive, has a huge reach, and can give you some excellent images. But only you can choose the type of photography you like, and there are many sub-forums here to give you an idea of the possibilities.
But choose something fun--you'll stick with it better, and then you might branch out as your knowledge of your new hobby increases.
But choose something fun--you'll stick with it better, and then you might branch out as your knowledge of your new hobby increases.
Jun 24, 2016 09:18:06 #
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