mariahS0105

hey so i recently discovered my love for photography and i’ve been shooting a lot of portraits of friends and landscapes with a Canon T70 35mm. i’m looking to upgrade to digital but can’t decide where to start camera wise. does anybody have any advice or suggestions on what model to start with? thank you!

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

How much do you want to spend? Will you use your existing lenses?

wetreed

I would highly recommend the Nikon D5600 with the 18-140 kit lens or the slightly more affordable Nikon D3500

agillot

D3500 kit , under $ 500

jim quist Loc: Missouri

You just can't go wrong with the Canon 1d bodies. I bought my first one several years ago and it is all I will ever buy.

new
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1220852-REG/canon_eos_1d_x_mark_ii.html

used
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon%201d&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=&usedSearch=1

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I think it is funny you think that digital is “upgrading”. Digital cameras are certainly more modern and you get instant results. Digital pics are easily stored and shared. There is a lot to be said for digital technology.

I am not going to tell you what Camera to get but I will suggest some things for you to consider.

First decide on your budget.

Since you are shooting with Canon, if you have Canon SLR lenses they may fit the Canon Digital bodies. I say “may” because I’m a Nikon guy so I am not sure about backward compatibility with Canon lenses. Why not look at the Canon web site and see if you like any of their products?

If you don’t have any existing lenses then you are starting fresh, and your choices are wide open. The first thing to decide is if you want to go mirrorless (the future) or use the mature technology of the past (D-SLR).

Next thing to think about is format. There are many to choose from. M43, APS-C, Full Frame, Medium Format.

There are many good cameras available today. Take your time and have fun buying your new camera!

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

What is your budget? I'm just guessing you're female, do you prefer a larger or smaller camera body. Do you have many FD lenses you plan on using with new camera? Do you want full frame or crop frame image sensor?

I recommend either the Canon EOS SL2, EOS M50 or EOS 80D, and, if cost is not an issue, the EOS R. If you don't want an interchangeable lens camera, the Canon G1X III.

The SL2 and 80D are DSLR camera bodies, both 24 megapixel crop sensor bodies. The SL2 is smaller than the 80D, about half the cost and doesn't have as many features as the 80D. I own both and my wife prefers the SL2 over the 80D.

The M50 and EOS R are MILC (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera) bodies. The M50 is 24 megapixel crop sensor and the R is 30 megapixel full frame. The M50 costs about one fourth the cost of the EOS R and the body is smaller, similar in size to the SL2. With a 0.71X adapter, the M50 can shoot simulated full frame. I own an M50 but, since I already own a EOS 5D mk IV, do not own an EOS R.

The Canon G1X III is their top of the line fixed lens camera. It has a 24 megapixel image sensor similar to the 80D and M50.
This is my favorite pocket camera. It has pretty much all the functionality of a much larger DSLR or MILC and is capable of taking excellent photos. I carry mine pretty much everywhere I go.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Although the 1D series are all excellent top of the line bodies, the 1DX bodies are big, heavy and expensive and the older ones are big, heavy and quite frankly, obsolete by today's standards.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

EOS 80D

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Hello, mariahS0105, and welcome. Admittedly it’s a bit of a change jumping from film to digital photography. The principles remain the same, but the mode differs. My suggestion is to go online and find some video tutorials that can teach you about digital photography and digital cameras. They will explain the difference in sensor sizes and systems, which can be confusing, the differences between full frame, APS-C crop sensor, micro 4/3 systems, etc. I think you would do better than trying to glean information on UHH. Not to disparage UHH, as there are many folks here who are more than generous in their willingness to share their expertise. There is also a book called “Digital Photography,” which would be good to read.

As for cameras, if you prefer to stay with Canon, visit their website and look at the different cameras, then go online and check out some of the professional reviews, such as DPreview, Imaging Resource, Camera Labs, etc. and see what they say about whatever camera catches your eye. You will have to decide if you want to stay with an SLR type camera, which in the digital world is a DSLR—Digital SLR, or a mirrorless camera system. There are compact cameras with fixed lenses, some that zoom and others single focal length. Do a little research until you find something that seems to fit your needs. Then read the reviews, and if possible, visit a camera store and actually handle and feel that camera and see how or if it actually feels right to you. That is one very important thing—the fit and feel of a camera.

If there is a camera club in your area, check that out. You’d be amazed at how much valuable information you can learn from a camera club. Members are always happy to share what they know.

Finally, there is the budget factor. You didn’t state what your budget is, but DSLR “kits” can range anywhere from around $500.00 to well over $1000.00. All in one compact cameras, sometimes erroneously referred to as “point and shoot” cameras, mainly because of their small size, don’t require extra lenses, and some of them are quite sophisticated. Prices range all the way up to $1200.00. Bridge cameras, cameras that are designed to resemble DSLR’s but have the lens as a permanent part of the camera offer some impressive zoom range and can cost up to $1600.00.

Lots to learn, but it’s fun to learn something new. Have fun in your quest, and remember, there aren’t any really “bad” cameras, and one brand isn’t necessarily better than another, but each brand has its fans.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

My recommendation is that you skip DSLR cameras and go for a mirrorless system instead. DSLRs still have a mirror box, which makes the cameras larger and boxier. They really are only semi-digital. DSLRs are based on old technology that is gradually being phased out. So I would not invest in something that will not be around in 5-10 years.

There are a number of good manufacturers on the mirrorless side that offer systems of different size and price points: Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Olympus. Do your research (lots of good stuff on Youtube), go to camera stores to check things out.

Good videos to explain the difference between DSLR and mirrorless (MILC):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5PvHlk3yig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxMRykqTrIA

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

If you can, try before you buy. If there's a local camera store, you can find one that best fits your hands and physical stature and abilities or problems. Or you can rent one.

khorinek

Knowing what I know now and my experiences with several Canon bodies and lenses, and depending on your budget and how far you want to take your photography, I would recommend a full frame body with L lenses. Over the years I've bought and sold a lot of stuff just because someone "suggested" I needed it. Go with a 5D mark IV with a 24-70 lens (either f/4 or f/2.8) and if you can afford it, a 70-200 (either f/4 or f/2.8) and you will be set for years. Of course you could jump right in to mirrorless cameras and the RF lenses. Doing that would take you right to the front line of technology.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You have three big decisions: price, format, brand. Do you want a DSLR or a mirrorless? No modern cameras are bad, so whatever you buy will serve you well.

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
https://www.lightstalking.com/six-points-consider-transition-mirrorless-system/
http://www.diyphotography.net/love-breaks-sold-mirrorless-camera/
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-the-switch-from-dslr-to-mirrorless-changed-how-i-edit-photos/

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

The most expensive decision you have is not budgeting enough on you first digital camera. Your decision be controlled by cost and then only discover, in a year down the road, that you wish you would have gone a step higher. So you upgrade and try to sell the first camera, or rationalize that you want a second body, so you keep it. Then you discover that the lenes are not the ones you want, and Friend this is where the dollars are.

So on your first camera, spend twice as much on body and lens as you are now thinking and down the road you'll be a Happy Shooting Hog, and one with more pennies in your pocket.