sharpeyes

Hi everyone, I've always had an interest in photography. I have taken a class photo tips from a pro1 just to get familiar with all the different options and photo language before I purchase a camera. (I will be taking photo tips 2 in a few weeks. What camera should I purchase? I would appreciate your help and input.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

It depends...
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.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Choose a camera with more features than you think you currently would like that is within your budget. For example make sure it has manual control along with the aperture, shutter and program features. There are many with fun features and if they look interesting consider that camera.
Make sure it has a broad range of interchangeable lenses in a broad range of price points. There is also an advantage if all the independent lens makers make their models for that camera.
If size or weight is an issue there are brands like Olympus that have overall lighter and smaller systems with the same quality as the heavier and bulkier systems. Do not get hung up on mirrorless or not as most mirrorless claim to be smaller (They are) but once you put their 70-200mm f2.8 lens on them they are as heavy and big as most any non pro DSLR.
Finally if possible visit a store and hold the camera with the types of lenses you are interested in. Or ask friends, co-workers or family to try their camera out.
Good luck.
I own Canon and like the system overall and that all the EF lenses ever made work with every EOS camera ever made. That cannot be said for the other systems so with them you have to be careful with getting a used/older lens that might not function with your camera body.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

Budget and interest. If your budget allows, and your interest is genuine, then you should stay away from "entry level" cameras. I am familiar with Nikon, not canon or other brands, so I will use Nikon as a reference. The Nikon D3xxx and D5xxx series cameras are beginner, or entry level cameras. They are very decent cameras, but if your interest in photography is genuine, you will out grow these models soon. I would suggest a Nikon D7200 at the very least for quality images and a camera that will last you for some time for general photography. If you are interested in action, such as sport photography, or birds in flight, I would suggest the Nikon D500. The above mentioned cameras are "cropped sensor", or DX model cameras. For a full frame camera, I would suggest a D750, or a D810, both made by Nikon. The new D850 would be a top of the line camera. What ever body you choose, I would recommend purchasing only FX lenses, as you will grow with your photography and may decide on a full frame body in the future. You will be able to use the FX lenses on a DX camera body, but you will not be able to use a DX lens on a full frame body.
I am sure that Canon makes great models as well. If you have a quality camera store in your area, stop in and get a feel for the different models and see which camera body fits your hand the best and ask questions to the sales person. Good luck on whatever you choose.

sharpeyes

Thank you. Would you buy Canon or Nikon?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Great advice from Orrie. I second it as a Nikon guy.Welcome to UHH forum

whwiden

I use Nikon because I have a number of older manual lenses which I use on a Nikon F2 film camera. I have mostly used Nikon cameras and lenses (in addition to Leica film cameras). The Nikon d3300 is a very good camera that might be had at a bit of a discount. I suspect the d3400 would produce similar images. I personally prefer a dslr over mirrorless--and they can be pretty small and light. Battery life is usually pretty good on a dslr compared to mirrorless. And focus speed is usually pretty solid. I gather Canon makes some good products. I use Nikon for legacy reasons and remain pretty happy with this choice.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

For the most comprehensive system Canon eos is the largest. It has full frame pro, 50mp sensors for ultimate detail of any DSLR, crop sensor DSLR include the SL2 which is incredibly small and light, the whole series of video cameras that all use EF lenses and most other video camera makers have adopted the EF mount and finally the mirrorless series that use every EF lens and accessory as well as the diminutive and light M series lenses. Hard to beat a complete system with it all covered from beginner stills to pro video and over 90 lenses to choose from.

sharpeyes

Thank you. I've used both before and really don't favor one over the other. Price and camera options, price and the fact that I'm new to this will be the deciding factors.

whitewolfowner

Great advise and well written too.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

Seriously consider Fuji and Sony mirrorless cameras. I spent over a year going back and forth, but finally settled on Sony alpha cameras. Fuji would have been a good option. There are many reasons I moved from my Canikons to the MILC. They will do everything my DSLRs would do but they have some additional features that you won't see in DSLRs until you get into the professional level. (Eye autofocus, faster follow-focus, etc.)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You have lots of decisions to make. Do you want a DSLR, a mirrorless, a compact, a bridge camera?

DSLR or mirrorless -
https://www.lightstalking.com/considerations-mirrorless-cameras/
http://www.lightstalking.com/mirrorless-vs-dslr/
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/dslr-vs-mirrorless-cameras,news-17736.html


When you narrow down your choices, compare them using some comparison sites.
Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
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

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Tony Northrop on YouTube

RECOMMENDED PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:

STARTER CAMERAS:
Basic Starter Camera ($280 used at Amazon): Canon T3 http://help.tc/t3
Better Starter Camera ($500 at Amazon): Nikon D5300 http://help.tc/d5300
Better Travel Camera ($500 at Amazon): Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II http://help.tc/em10ii

LANDSCAPE CAMERAS:
Good ($550 at Amazon): Sony a6000 http://help.tc/a6000
Better ($1,400) at Amazon: Nikon D5500 http://help.tc/D5500 & Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 http://help.tc/s35
Best ($3,150) at Amazon: Pentax K-1 http://help.tc/K1 & Pentax 24-70 f/2.8 http://help.tc/p24

PORTRAIT CAMERAS:
Beginner ($950 at Amazon): Canon T6i http://help.tc/t6i & Canon 50mm f/1.8 http://help.tc/c50
Better ($3,000 at Amazon): Nikon D610 http://help.tc/d610 & Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 http://help.tc/t200
Best ($5,300) at Amazon: Nikon D810 http://help.tc/d810 & Nikon 70-200 f/2.8E http://help.tc/n200e

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

There's not a nickel's worth of difference between a Canon and a Nikon (some on both sides will call me a liar for saying this, but it's true). And I agree that you should probably buy something used until you know what you really want. You might also look into something mirrorless, since that seems to be the way the industry is leaning right now.

cthahn

You have to decide what camera you want. Most economical way to go is find a used one in your price range. Read reviews on the various types of cameras.