Amateur photographer in need of camera help: Hi there, I’m happy to be part of this forum. I have a very strong desire to become a better photographer by enrolling in some classes. I’m...

LucyCO7

Hi there,

I’m happy to be part of this forum. I have a very strong desire to become a better photographer by enrolling in some classes. I’m in need of a good camera to start with. From what I’ve read, in a beginner type of class they want you to have a camera that can switch to manual but, also be digital?? I have friends that are all about Cannon cameras. I’m open for suggestions, and am also on a very tight budget. Any suggestions are welcome:)

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

I suggest looking at the used market. I wouldn’t worry so much about brand at this point. Look for a DSLR that has a manual mode in addition to automatic and semiautomatic modes, and start off with a moderate kit lens. That will get you started just fine, IMHO.

Quinn 4

Hi, The question I am asking do you need a film camera or digital? If it a film camera got a Canon AE-1 or Pentax K1000. Both cameras can be found for under $60.00. Both are not hard to use. If it digital, how much do you want to pay? There are people here at UHH that can help you find a digital camera at your price ranger.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Welcome to the forum. There are plenty of cameras that qualify as an entry-level camera. Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc. Always check the features to see what it offers. You pay extra for certain features. And you may not necessarily need them. For example, most cameras offer video. I never use that feature. You may or may not want mirrorless. It's a choice for you to make. Good luck.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Your needs? (DSLR vs. compact for starters). There are many good cameras out there. My best advice is go to a camera shop and look at some, hold them and see if where the controls are will work for you. It should be a good "fit" also. Are they comfortable to hold and use. Talk to friends who have cameras and find out what they like or dislike about the brand that they have.

Welcome to the forum.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

I'd suggest look at the features offered on each camera. Pick out features you want most. Then go to YouTube let them explain the variances..

Welcome have fun.

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

I'm sure that you will get a lot of opinions on this subject.

In my opinion, you will want a digital SLR camera. Film is expensive, and expensive to process. With digital, it costs nothing until you commit the image to paper.

As mas24 said, just be sure the camera has a manual mode. I never have used the video feature either, so I would suggest looking at an entry level DSLR. The mirrorless cameras are still pricey, and you can pick up an entry level DSLR for quite a bit less.

The brand isn't terribly important, other than to pick a brand that has accessories available. Canon, Nikon & Sony all fall into this category.

The main thing is to learn what the various controls do, learn the basic theory of photography and shoot lots of photos.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

Before I bought my first dslr and lenses I bought a used Fujifilm Finepix HS10 bridge camera. It can be bought used on ebay or online camera vendors for about $100. It can be used in full manual mode. It has a lens that goes from 24mm to 720mm (wide angle to telephoto). It uses 4 rechargeable AA batteries. It's a great camera to learn on.

JPL

Rab-Eye wrote:

I suggest looking at the used market. I wouldn’t worry so much about brand at this point. Look for a DSLR that has a manual mode in addition to automatic and semiautomatic modes, and start off with a moderate kit lens. That will get you started just fine, IMHO.

This is a good advice.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

JPL wrote:

This is a good advice.

Thank you, JPL.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

LucyCO7 wrote:

Hi there,

I’m happy to be part of this forum. I have a very strong desire to become a better photographer by enrolling in some classes. I’m in need of a good camera to start with. From what I’ve read, in a beginner type of class they want you to have a camera that can switch to manual but, also be digital?? I have friends that are all about Cannon cameras. I’m open for suggestions, and am also on a very tight budget. Any suggestions are welcome:)

If you have friends with Canons, ask them what model(s) they have and what they'd suggest. There's a lot to be said for having someone available you can ask real-time questions to. It's even better when that person has the same / similar equipment as reference for answering questions. From the people who have commented, I don't know where a film camera came into the discussion ... If you don't bring a digital camera to a entry-level photography class, you likely cannot participate. An "entry level" camera from any of the major manufactures is a "good camera" for purposes of getting started. Buying used will get you more camera for less money than buying the same model or class of camera new. With a tight budget, "lightly used" is the best way to go.

repleo Loc: Boston

LucyCO7 wrote:

Hi there,

I’m happy to be part of this forum. I have a very strong desire to become a better photographer by enrolling in some classes. I’m in need of a good camera to start with. From what I’ve read, in a beginner type of class they want you to have a camera that can switch to manual but, also be digital?? I have friends that are all about Cannon cameras. I’m open for suggestions, and am also on a very tight budget. Any suggestions are welcome:)

I'm a Sony guy and would normally recommend the A6000 for a beginner through enthusiast. However, if your friends are all Canon fans it makes sense to go Canon. They will be better able to give you tips on how to use it, you may be able to borrow lenses from them and may be able to buy their cast-offs.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

LucyCO7 wrote:

From what I’ve read, in a beginner type of class they want you to have a camera that can switch to manual but, also be digital??

The type of camera you need will depend on whether the class is for digital or film.

SteveR Loc: Michigan

I would suggest getting a used Nikon D7100 and a lens that I used from my film days, a 35-80mm f4-5.6 (get the f4-5.6, there are two 35-80mm lenses, the other is a 4.5-6), which you should be able to pick up fairly inexpensively (I found it for $29.95). An alternative to that would be a used 50mm f1.8 or 35mm f1.8. The advantage of the D7100 over lower numbered Nikon's is that the 7100 has a focus motor in-camera which will focus lenses that don't have focus motors within the lenses.

I've used that lens on my D7000 and it's a wonderful combination. It provides an excellent range of focal lengths, esp. considering the crop factor.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

LucyCO7 wrote:

Hi there,

I’m happy to be part of this forum. I have a very strong desire to become a better photographer by enrolling in some classes. I’m in need of a good camera to start with. From what I’ve read, in a beginner type of class they want you to have a camera that can switch to manual but, also be digital?? I have friends that are all about Cannon cameras. I’m open for suggestions, and am also on a very tight budget. Any suggestions are welcome:)

Lucy, welcome to the Hog!
The classes I have taken, and the ones I'm familiar with will not allow anything less than a DSLR or equivalent. No Bridge or P&S cameras.
Get a Canon 20d with a lens for probably $200 or less! Listen to your Canon friends, they can help you learn the camera. Good luck
SS