beginner camera (Page 6): Hello young man. Congratulations of picking a hobby that is rewarding and fun and something that you can do at any age. I would look at a used camera with a...

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beginner camera

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Apr 9, 2020 14:09:42 #

bicyclerepairman Loc: North Central Texas

schaner_130 wrote:

Hi guys, I was wondering what is the best brand out there for a beginner camera? I have never had my own camera I usually use my friends or the camera from my phone.

Hello young man. Congratulations of picking a hobby that is rewarding and fun and something that you can do at any age. I would look at a used camera with a low shutter count. There are plenty of them out there. The Nikon d90 is a great example. It's a great camera that really get you started and something you could use for a very long time. And it takes great pictures in the right hands. You can easily pick one up for less than $300. KEH and ebay are good places to look. Good luck in your quest and let us know what you decide.

Apr 9, 2020 14:16:56 #

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

ggab wrote:

The Canon Version of that lens is terrible. Always has been.
Canon makes a very affordable 70-300mm lens that is killer.
Some would say it is a "Sleeper", or at least I would.

Thanks. Beat me to it. The old 75-300 is slow to focus and frustrating for most uses for which one would buy a long telephoto. The newer 70-300 is much better.

Apr 9, 2020 14:26:32 #

dborengasser

Canon T7i equals (
Almost) Canon 80D

Apr 9, 2020 14:29:33 #

ehall123 Loc: From Philly live in Tucson

dsmeltz wrote:

Thanks. Beat me to it. The old 75-300 is slow to focus and frustrating for most uses for which one would buy a long telephoto. The newer 70-300 is much better.

Oh ok, thanks. I just bought my T7 in November with the 75-300mm lens included. So can I assume I have the newer one?

Apr 9, 2020 14:31:13 #

ggab Loc: ?

ehall123 wrote:

And which lens is that?

All versions of the Canon EF 75-300mm lens are terrible.

The EF-70-300 f4-5.6 IS II USM is a really good lens, and it is cheap.
It focuses as fast as an L lens and has really good IQ.
It is lightweight as well.
Canon has it refurb for $398.00

Apr 9, 2020 14:39:00 #

DBrock4316

Depends strictly on your budget. Any camera will do, it's more about learning composition, exposure and lighting. Start slowing in terms of purchases because it can get out of control and you'll be broke like the rest of us.

Apr 9, 2020 14:40:28 #

rangel28

As someone who has used Nikon cameras for many years, I can highly recommend the Nikon D3500. It is small, light, and inexpensive with the 18mm-55mm AF-P lens kit lens. It also produces great results and for a beginner is easy to use, with a mode on the camera that provides some instruction. Note that in some of the big box stores I have seen the kit come with the 70mm-300mm AF-P DX lens, without VR. I would definitely spend extra and get that lens with VR, as it is helpful for telephoto use. Nikon makes a DX and FX version of the 70mm-300mm AF-P lens. Both will work with the D3500 but the DX version will be less expensive.

I am sure Canon probably offers something similar as well. I own the D3500 and it is a very small and very capable camera.

Apr 9, 2020 14:50:39 #

ggab Loc: ?

WOW! 6 Pages.
I'm impressed!!

Apr 9, 2020 14:51:38 #

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

schaner_130 wrote:

Hi guys, I was wondering what is the best brand out there for a beginner camera? I have never had my own camera I usually use my friends or the camera from my phone.

Just so you know, I agree that one can be just as amateur or professional with a cellphone as they can be with system camera. It is the learning that separates the "wheat from the chaff".

Since you have expressed an interest in system cameras and an ~$400 starting point, I would suggest the entry level 4/3rds Panasonic and Olympus system cameras. There are many cameras in many formats that meet your two requirements of a system camera and ~$400. The reason I suggest a 4/3rds system is, should you continue on further into the fantastic world of photography, the 4/3rds systems will be smaller, lighter, and less costly than the larger format camera systems. Also, there are more than 110 lenses to choose from and more being made for 4/3rds every year. Be sure to go to a camera store and examine the various cameras before you purchase a camera. It is helpful to understand how it fits in your hand and where the controls are. I wish you success in finding your camera.

Apr 9, 2020 15:04:19 #

Argus

A great starter camera is the Nikon D3500 with the 18-55mm AF-P with Vibration reduction for just $399 at any Best Buy. It's a lightweight camera that has a built in how to guide that will answer questions while you are out shooting that comes in handy for a beginner. The lens is super sharp and would cover almost anything as you are just starting out. You can always add lenses later. The pop up flash is great for indoors on basic subjects and works well for outdoor fill flash. Just don't let the salesman (or woman) try to sell you the two lens kit as the 70-300mm AF-P is not the VR version and you'll only end up selling that lens on ebay for a loss. If you want to get the 70-300mm make sure it's the VR version as it really helps in longer shots.

If you would rather go for a Canon camera the Rebel T7 and T7i are basically the same camera but might be a bit more on price.

Apr 9, 2020 15:10:36 #

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

tonyantony wrote:

looks are not everything, i am proud of my point and shoot...it does everything my friends $3,000 outfit does and better. and it fits in my pocket. a good eye helps, it"s not the camera.!

You may be a better photographer than your friend. It depends on what you shoot. Hard to believe a point and shoot is better than a $3000 outfit for things like low light sports or birds in flight.

Apr 9, 2020 15:11:24 #

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

ehall123 wrote:

Oh ok, thanks. I just bought my T7 in November with the 75-300mm lens included. So can I assume I have the newer one?

He was referring to the new 70-300, not 75-300. But don't fret, the 75 may be slower, but it usually gets there. It may not have the IQ, but it is not terrible.

Apr 9, 2020 15:16:45 #