sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Not sure what a starter camera is. Although I marvel and admit envy at some of the newest models, I still enjoy the simplicity of my "starter" FF Canon 5D.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

My starter camera was a Konica auto reflex with a 50 mm lens. Loved that 1/2 frame feature. Traded it in on a Nikon FTN in 1969 with the 105mm 2.5 lens as my first lens.

glyphtrix

What is the reason for this annoying trend of readership engagement topics, recently?

To cite "A life in the day of Ivan Denisovich":
How can a person whose warm understand a person who is cold?

How is a first time camera operator going to be able to handle the overwhelming number of controls and settings on a pro camera when they might otherwise not even be able to fully operate a point and shoot?

The reason to buy a more simple to use camera is to be able to learn how to use a camera.
The inherent problem here is that a seasoned pro, with a lifetime of knowledge
has forgotten that he himself began at a point where he didn't know how to even turn his camera on.


Ive graduated from cellphone photography
to dslr
to a mirrorless.

And frankly, I put one of those cameras back in the box and haven't used it because I'm frustrated with my lack of ability to use the damn thing'
EVEN though i have learned about many of the settings that need to be incorporated.
I haven't yet obtained the experience to operate it.

Geez why not buy a $300,000 NASCAR formula racing car if you think you are interested in driving?
Why hey! IF you happened to get good at it you could ALSO use it for racing !!
Yeah,But because you lack the skill and experience to use it: it wont do you much good.

Worse, you'll probably break it IF it doesn't kill you first.


And one of the new super techno camera's i bought is now killing my former passion for photography.

MidnightManiac

A starter DSLR camera will not break the bank and let you get started in the DSLR world. Lots of learning ahead. Your investment would not be near as much as if you were to jump into a 5DIV right out of the box. You may decide that it's not something you care for or don't have the time to advance your knowledge. With a starter you don't have as much invested. If you decide to go forward invest in good glass, practice with that. After time you may outgrow your current camera body, at that time you can upgrade. Keep in mind if you invest in a system and have lenses for that system, unless you sell off everything you need to stay with that system be it Canon, Nikon or any other. We all started somewhere and I think a starter is a great way to begin.

Mike59 Loc: New York City

Thanks for clarifying the taking versus making photos. For one who feels that innate sense, it'll help me in my choice of what equipment to get.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

If you can set the iso, shutter speed, aperture, flash strength, and shutter delay timer on any camera, what else is there to know? I never read the manual for anything. I just use it as a reference for the things I already know I want to do.

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

Perhaps they had not found this forum yet?
Perhaps they were upgrading from a bridge camera and knew almost nothing about better cameras or how much they would be learning in the future?
Perhaps they and their significant other shopped at Costco?

I am still new to this and will stick with my "starter D3300" until I really figure out what I am missing. Or maybe until I can convince hubby to upgrade from his Sony bridge and take my starter camera, so I can buy a new one sooner! I already started hinting . . . . And yet, I remain happy with my camera, so far.

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Some people can drive a race car and some struggle with a bicycle. Each has to determine what is right for them.
I think some people would be better off starting in manual, but it also depends if they want to learn and understand photography or not.
That is why most people use cell phones and tell each other that their photos online are "Great".
Some people can start at a level others may never reach or care to reach.
I think a lot of people by a starter kit because it is relatively inexpensive, their main reason and probably because they may lack knowledge otherwise.

Best,
Todd Ferguson

Motorbones Loc: Fair Oaks, CA

I suspect that many people (like me) may initially purchase a starter camera (my first was a D5100) simply because they feel that it'll do what they believe it'll do for their wants or needs at the time. To many, starter cameras may seem awesome and they really don't want to invest a lot of mony. In other words, their perception of photography comes from a limited base of experience and knowledge. Many realize that after a period of time and exposure to photography (no pun intended) there's a lot more to it than they originally thought.

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

for me my starter camera was an old canon digital rebel or as its also known the eos 300d.
I chose it specifically for the lack of built in enhancements which I knew would force me to learn techniques to get it right in camera .
I do not regret the decision one bit

SoftLights Loc: New Orleans, LA

I'm asked this quite often and I usually suggest that they research the packaged deals at Best Buy and Costco. Recently a neighbor approached me wanting to know what to get his grandson who wants to "get into photography". Knowing he didn't have a lot of extra cash at the end of the month instead of my suggesting something new I offered up one of my old Nikon D70's with a 18-55 kit lens I had laying around for $50 with a bag, entry level tripod, remote shutter release, filter, CF card, reader and a few other accessories to get him started. I told him instead of paying for it he could help my wife and I around the house planting flowers, mowing, washing cars etc until it is paid for. The kid was so excited and grateful and worked so hard to pay for it I bought him a copy of Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure. And I was excited to find a kid who capable and willing to push a lawn mower :)

BebuLamar

I am not trying to engage conversation as you can see there are much fewer responses to my post than others.
A Point and Shoot camera isn't simple. They are among the most complex things to learn. Cost is prohibitive to many but high end cameras are among the simplest to use. Easy to learn on.

IBM

If it's your first and you know nothing it's a no brainer , sure you can go out and buy a costly camera , but you won't know what you have . And when you do your going to be saying to your self , oh! Crap I should have got the x,y or z instead of this dung pile ,
If you bought the $500 model you will or should know what features you will want in your $2000 or $6000 camera , if money
No object buy what you want. Over and over tell you get it right

radiojohn

I wish it was a joke...it wasn't! There was a whole crop of "fauxtogaphers" who popped up about 10 years ago. More interested in what their logo should look like versus what an F/stop was. Some got by on full auto, but others used peoples' special moments as an experiment to see how things worked.

radiojohn

My $1,200 Minolta Dimage is now $4.99 at shopgoodwill.com!