pumakat

Hi all!
I'm new to the forum. In the 70's I took a photography course with a manual Minolta camera that I used for many years thereafter. I am interested in getting into photography, but technology has leaped way beyond what I knew back then. Can you good folks suggest some references to bring me up to date on the subject and jargon. At present I only have a pocket sized range finder camera I detest, and of course, my phone. I would like to eventually purchase a good camera for a beginner that will not be too limiting. Shutter response speed is critical. Thank you in advance for your responses. I will read all replies avidly!
Pat

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Suggest you start with The Great Courses Introduction to Photography course, taught by Nat Geo photographer Joel Satore.

And read the latest edition of Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Exposure.

Jack Cheasty Loc: Tennessee

Get yourself a used Nikon D700, a couple of Manual AI Lenses (either a 28mm f2.8, or a 35mm f2, a 50mm f1.4, and perhaps a 105mm f2.5) Get the Nikonian press book on that camera and read it with the camera in hand. I use mine in manual mode all the time. The lot will cost you used about $1K and its all you need. The D700 uses a Compact Flash card and with the firmware upgrade (on line download) you can use 32 Gb CF cards now. The old glass is very good. You need to avoid abused lenses, I get mine on eBay from Japanese sellers and have never been burned. Watch their ratings. Mint or near mint, nothing lower than that. (Excellent is not!) The 105 is the sharpest portrait lens out there even today. I don't care for auto anything , perhaps because I have been using Nikons since 1966 and am very comfortable with manual cameras and total control over the process. The D700 will give you up to ISO 6400 and a 12mp full frame sensor... more than adequate.

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

These are good starts, and I recommend, too, the Foundations of Photography courses by Ben Long. You can find his courses on Lynda.com. Lynda has partnered with many local libraries and, if your local library is one of them, you will have free access to Lynda if you are a member of the library.

Welcome to the digital world! I, too, began in the 70's with a Minolta SRT-101, upgraded to the SRT-201, and my final Minolta was the Maxxum 7000. I still have the 7000 and only recently went deep into the digital world---August 21, 2017, to be exact.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Scott Kelby has a series of easy to read and understand books called the digital photography book. I suggest you start with volume 1 and go from there.
As for hardware, it boils down to what style of camera do you want and how much do you want to spend. There's high end bridge cameras; these are cameras that offer the features and functionality of DSLR'S but are smaller and don't have interchangeable lenses. Some are so sophisticated they cost more than many DSLR'S. Then you have interchangeable lens cameras; DSLR'S and Mirrorless. Mirrorless cameras don't have a mirror that moves out of the way when taking a photo, they don't have a pentaprisim or pentamirror and they have electronic viewfinders. Each type has advantages and disadvantages but in the end they all record digital images.
I could go on and on but it's late and I'm tired. Best of luck in your new adventure.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

You can do much better with modern equipment, and for less money. Look at the kits Costco sells. Both Nikon and Canon kits are excellent.

Angel Star Photography Loc: Tacoma, WA

Additional thought...

You will find many good recommendations on hardware, reading material, and courses. I wish to share a little from my personal experience. Aside from using my cell phone, my entry into the digital as I had stated earlier in August 2017, was with a hand-me-down, Canon Rebel XT 350D. I took some practice shots just to get familiar with it and then off I went to attempt to capture the solar eclipse. Almost all my shots were blown out, and I discovered Adobe Lightroom to salvage what I could. Sadly only three, I believe, and those aren't even keepers in my opinion, but they have memories of the joy, excitement of the experience, discoveries, and the experiments associated with them. Afterward, I decided to dive into what this digital world was all about with the thought of improving upon my efforts with the Rebel XT. I essentially binged on a lot of online material and, more specifically, the courses by Ben Long. This definitely helped me to couple my past experience in photography with the current technology. As I dove deeper into the materials, I experimented more with the Rebel, became more excited about the possibilities and ultimately contracted a VERY serious case of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) as I learned from another UHH member. I even didn't realize there was a term for such a condition until UHH and I laughed at the thought, but it was indeed true.

What I am trying to say is that if you get your hands on a loaner or a hand-me-down then do so for the sake of familiarization. Peruse the books and courses recommended by all of us here and then begin working with thoughts on what you wish to have in a camera. There are many discussions on this forum but ultimately hit the Costco, the local photography shops, and play around with the cameras a bit. It will take some time, but I would not recommend rushing it. Using the pro mode on my cell phone substituted well until I was ready to take the leap. My sister pushed me over the ledge with her Rebel hand-me-down. The books, courses, and four months digestion erupted into my GAS situation which launched me out of the solar system.

You have come to a great forum here---great people, great conversations, lots of information, experience, and laughs.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

If you used film cameras back in the 70s, then the principals remain the same.
Aperture, shutter speed ISO (film speed), composition and of course the photographer.

Welcome the HOG.
Enjoy the forum and your photography.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

If you learned manual you have a leg up on those who never did.

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

Find a local camera club or adult education course you can take on BASIC digital photography.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Most libraries have many of The Great Courses DVDs.

Kaleva

In addition to the resource material recommendations, I recommend that you spend some personal time trying to nail down what your subject material will be. Once you have a good feel for your subject, your study will become focused, as will your equipment pursuit.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

Welcome back and welcome to the forum. Many of use at one time were in the same position as you are right now. It's a long but fun learning curve and you just keep on learning. Have fun!

fourlocks Loc: Londonderry, NH

Several Hoggers recommended these references and I'll add my affirmative vote to theirs. The Satore DVDs offer a series of 40-minute lectures (with homework) starting with the most basic basics, and getting more in-depth from there. Like you, I was a 35mm guy back in the '70's and worked my way into DSLRs this century (literally). These were good resources for going digital. There are lots of good entry- and mid-level DSLRs in the thousand dollar range but when you're ready act, let us know what your budget and preferred photography subjects are and we'll narrow down the list. Just beware, some people in this forum seem to feel nothing less than a Nikon D5 or Canon EOS-1D would be acceptable for a "real" photographer.

mgoldfield

A superb introduction to digital photography.

https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Photography-Dummies-Julie-Adair-ebook/dp/B01G9FLC8I

Read the book before you buy any camera or lens.

I have over fifty years of Photography experience including a
one year on-site course at the Germain School of Photography back
In the early 60s.

Digital photography is quite different from traditional film
Photography. I don't think anyone can learn digital
Photography by buying a camera and playing with it.

Stick with it; digital photography can be very exciting
and rewarding. Don't get caught up with accumulating
gear. A crop sensor Canon or Nikon is a good start.

Good luck!