jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You just got your first camera with interchangeable lenses. Now what?

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/2347821072/fresh-out-of-the-box-getting-started-with-your-first-interchangeable-lens-camera

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Jerry, I am going to give you my take on this. A beginner should not begin by buying the best and the latest. A used entry camera if money is an objection, is more than enough to start and grow.
Those cameras usually come with a very good kit lens and it is my recommendation to use that lens till the time comes when the operator understand what he or she likes to shoot more often and the focal lengths that are most often used. That is the beginning of knowing exactly what lens should be bought next.
Reading the instruction manual is in my humble opinion the most important first step to learn the camera. If not into photography reading and learning the basics is as important as reading the manual. With basic photographic knowledge the camera can be used creatively and not as a point and shoot.
We have many questions in the forum about what camera to buy and what lens to go with it. I am sure that with basic photographic knowledge and one of those entry cameras and kit lenses the operator will soon be in a position to buy what he or she needs without help from others.

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

we're talking 1970 here, for my first one. a tower 35mm rom sears. a slr with a 50mm and 100mm lens. as was the sears policy it had an odd thread so that you couldn't other brads lenses.

bnsf

Minolta X300 film camera with two lens 50mm and 70 to 300mm.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Yes, mine too... 1972. My tellie was 200mm. HEAVY. I still have the lenses M-42 threads. The camera was made by Ricoh. I used it for many years ... great "tell me what to do" camera.
Second was a Minolta 7000i... it had a mind of it's own and would not easily violate camera decisions when i tried to be creative... But those lenses are still in use on my Sony 65

bnsf

The same camera I had. Had this one until I picked up an a300 digital camera, from there l got the a77m2. Then l got an a99m2 for my birthday, love them both.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

1967--First SLR was a Yashica TL Super with 50mm f/1.8, a Vivitar 135mm and a Vivitar 300mm. Later I got a Pentax Spotmatic which was able to use the same lenses. I also added a set of extension tubes and a bellows unit to round out my kit. Had a lot of other, different cameras since then. When I was in Vietnam, my Spotmatic and a 50mm f/1/4 served me well.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

1958 I bought a used Argus C44 Rangefinder with wide angle, normal and tele lenses. Shot Kodachrome (ASA10)- used a tripod for most travel images. Fantastic quality imagery for a jr high student!.

mremery Loc: From Maine, living in Virginia

Most everyone's having so much fun reminiscing, no one's discussing the article. The camera used in the article is an entry-level SLR, Nikon's D3400; though the most recent iteration of that line. I think the article is basic enough, without getting into the weeds on various issues of flash, lighting, and shooting mode. Thanks Jerry.