Camera
Apr 1, 2019 17:59:34 #
I thought of this site when a friend of mine wanted to know the best camera to go with for a beginner photographer, she wants to get a simple to use dslr camera that will take crisp pictures and has a good zoom lens for 25ft. away. She wants to spend 500.00 dollars or less and doesn't want anything complicated to use and needs a camera that will function great in low lighting. She is interested in taking pictures of people, at weddings, birthday, graduation etc. also of her horses, flowers, birds, etc. Thanks in advance for your responses!
Apr 1, 2019 18:10:52 #
Low light capability and "cheap" don't go together. She may have to compromise a bit. All the manufaturers have very good entry level cameras.
Apr 1, 2019 18:14:07 #
endeavor wrote:
I thought of this site when a friend of mine wante... (show quote)
If she is a beginer she would find a mirrorless easier to use than a DSLR.
This outfit would suite her perfectly.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-A6000-Mirrorless-16-50mm-55-210mm-lenses-Plus-Four-Batteries-NO-RESERVE/293031129856?hash=item443a043300:g:D24AAOSwgaNcokjw
Apr 1, 2019 18:14:17 #
endeavor wrote:
I thought of this site when a friend of mine wante... (show quote)
Nikon Coolix B500 Cost $260 Great 40X Zoom, Low Light Sensor
https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/compact-digital-cameras/coolpix-b500.html
Welcome to the forum
Apr 1, 2019 18:16:48 #
LXK0930
Loc: Souh Jersey
Almost any DSLR (or mirrorless) camera will do the job. Brand is not really that important. However, sensor size (physical size, not pixels) is.
Main considerations:
1. Does she want "nice pictures" or quality photographs. A quick scan through this site will quickly show the difference!
2. How large does she plan to blow up the pictures.
3. How much time and effort is she willing to spend learning the ropes of photography?
4. Does she think that more advanced photography is something she will grow into?
5.How much weight can she handle?
Note that many adult courses are available to help her get started. LLP
Main considerations:
1. Does she want "nice pictures" or quality photographs. A quick scan through this site will quickly show the difference!
2. How large does she plan to blow up the pictures.
3. How much time and effort is she willing to spend learning the ropes of photography?
4. Does she think that more advanced photography is something she will grow into?
5.How much weight can she handle?
Note that many adult courses are available to help her get started. LLP
Apr 1, 2019 18:32:37 #
I would suggest a 'bridge' camera may fit the bill for a beginner. It provides many options including having one lens zoom, a full range of settings such as PASM and video. It takes most people about 2 or 3 years to progress to the intermediate stage where maybe a full frame/DSLR is perhaps needed for serious photography. Thats how I started. Developing photographic skills is incremental. If they goes for a bog standard DSLR within the price range range they will soon find the kit lens(es) will be inadequate and became challenging. At least with a bridge camera you you can develop skills over time and then be in a much better to decide which camera model is likely to be most suited to you
DT
DT
Apr 1, 2019 20:21:54 #
All cameras would take crisp picture at 25ft. You need to be more clear about this such as doing a head shot at 25ft, a full length shot at 25ft for example. A $500 is reasonably easy to use but generally the higher end (more expensive) are easier and simpler to use. The lease expensive one (Point and Shoot type) are the most difficult to use. Yeah they are called point and shoot but if you do just that they won't give you good pictures. They indeed can deliver good pictures but it would take more work than a high end camera.
Apr 1, 2019 20:29:27 #
endeavor wrote:
I thought of this site when a friend of mine wante... (show quote)
This is a really good question, and one to which there is not a good answer, unfortunately. There are a lot of people who want to get started in photography and want to spend about $500 - very reasonable. But there is nothing available that will be a stepping stone into a system. There is a crying need for a serious entry level camera in that price range.
I am going to mention a Canon product, because that is what I am familiar with. I would get a Canon factory refurbished Rebel. Now she has a foothold into a system that can grow to meet her needs, rather than a dead end. Canon factory refurbish equipment is a really good way to go in my experience. Nikon shooters and mirror-less enthusiasts will have other suggestions that are just as good as mine.
There need to be better entry level options. For now, you have to be creative. I see young people starting out using film with some terrific camera that they got for next to nothing, for example.
Mike
Apr 2, 2019 02:24:30 #
My GF wanted the same sort of thing, and was not interested in learning a lot and becoming a serious photographer. She wanted to remain a snapshooter, but have a bit more reach, and capability, and yet remain primarily an auto everything 'artist'. I suggested a Nikon B700 bridge camera. She went with that, and has loved it. She does not use more than about 10% of the features it has available, but she does love that superzoom power. The B500 is a cheaper version of the same thing with a few less features, and and a bit less reach. The B700 lists at $499.95, while the B500 lists for $259.95. It has 16MP, a 40X zoom, a tilting screen, and VR, while the B700 has 20.2MP, a 60X zoom, VR, and 4K video at 30fps, and 25fps. Check nikonusa.com. My GF loves her Coolpix B700. You friend would probably love a B500.
Apr 2, 2019 07:09:19 #
Apr 2, 2019 08:17:01 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
repleo wrote:
If she is a beginer she would find a mirrorless easier to use than a DSLR.
This outfit would suite her perfectly.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-A6000-Mirrorless-16-50mm-55-210mm
This outfit would suite her perfectly.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-A6000-Mirrorless-16-50mm-55-210mm
That's what I just picked up... a bit of a learning curve with all the features, but, using it more than my 7Dii. Superb little camera. Tiny, handy, and takes excellent pictures if you do your job.
Dik
Apr 2, 2019 09:15:27 #
For $500 or less she will not find the lens she is looking for. Sharpness will depend more on her than on the lens. I do not understand very well what is meant by a zoom that is good at 25 feet away. Does she mean 25 feet away from the camera?
The "best" camera is the camera that she will use when making photographs...and it could be a cell phone.
The "best" camera is the camera that she will use when making photographs...and it could be a cell phone.
Apr 2, 2019 09:33:26 #
While there are lots of possibilities, the Sony option positions well for future growth. Many of the others available in this price range may lead to loss of system support in the not to distant future. Sony is well established to weather the expected market downturn in camera sales over the next few years as the % of the population purchasing advanced cameras returns to historical norms. There was a boom in camera sales brought on by the advent of (relatively) inexpensive digital cameras that ran from the early 2000's to 2015 or 16. It is now leveled off and dropping back to the levels of the 80's and 90's. The boom fueled a lot of R&D that has benefited photographers. Expect to see companies narrow their product lines in the next few years and drop niche lines. Many expect the big players (Canon and Nikon) to focus on mirrorless lines and reduce innovation on the DLSR lines. While I expect Canon and Nikon to take up bigger and bigger shares of the mirrorless market, Sony is the one minority line that seems positioned to make it through the tough times ahead.
Apr 2, 2019 10:09:54 #
I feel that bridge cameras can be a good starter camera, especially those who don’t want to get deeper into photography. When I started out as a beginner I had 2 Nikon P520’s. Both took pretty good pictures for learning, had a reasonable amount of options, and cost about $200 each for refurbished. I now have several 5xxx series cameras with a variety of zoom lenses one which cost just under $500 with two starter lenses & and are easy to use.
Apr 2, 2019 10:41:10 #
Picture Taker
Loc: Michigan Thumb
go to a store and let her look, handle and get comfortable with one.
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