DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

Sorry to hear that. For me, the key to happiness in retirement is to keep busy. The first time I retired (from the paying job) I started working full time on the farm, which had been a part-time occupation previously. When I found myself not keeping up with things sufficiently I retired again. I kept the photography hobby and added a few more. Now I don't know how I ever found the time to work.

Note that physical activity is essential while aging, so don't limit yourself to tabletop photography. Get out in the world and move your joints before they start to lock up.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I think the most pertinent recommendations so far involve education. I’v only been a serious photographer for a few years, but I have been a musician all my life. If someone came to me and said they wanted to start playing guitar, i would tell them to get a good (not beginner) guitar and start getting lessons from a teacher who was willing to teach the type of music they liked. Get together with others and have fun. You will inevitably improve.

It seems to me that photography is the same. You need to know at least the basics to get early successes, and you learn the advanced nuances as you shoot the types of things that float your boat. Let the satisfaction of accomplishment inspire the direction of your development and the path of your selection of tools (lenses, cameras, hardware, software, etc.). Hopefully, you enjoy the journey and the challenge, and you will have a satisfying hobby.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Very WELL said ! ....

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Hi, after seeing 5 pages of responses, three stand out as solid advice - two suggest looking at a Sony RX10M4 - Imagemeister and Dennis2146. The other is to join a photo club. And one, to look at Ken Rockwell's site would be a mistake for too many reasons, but somehow neophytes seem to be directed there anyway. You are not at that point where you'd be able to discern what little factual information you could glean from his outrageously self-promoting website, and the rest of the mostly entertaining chaff.

Nature photography takes three basic approaches - wildlife/birds for which you will need a very capable camera with a long lens, landscape which requires lenses with medium-short to medium-long focal lengths, and closeup which for nature is usually a longer macro lens. In terms of focal lengths, they would be roughly 300mm-600mm for the first category, 35-100mm for the second category, and 150mm-200mm for the last category - all of these would be for a full frame camera. If using a cropped sensor camera, then you would divide these focal lengths by 1.5 more or less, because the smaller sensor has the effect of narrowing the field of view, similar to using a longer focal length. If this doesn't make sense, that is the reason to join a photo club. You will likely find someone to explain this an many other mysteries that will come up.

The reason why the Sony RX10M4 is a good candidate is that it is an extremely capable and flexible camera - provides a very good "fixed" lens (it is non-interchangeable) that has an equivalent focal length of 24-600, the best autofocus performance in the industry - comparable to their bigger and more expensive cameras, and overall is a real joy to use. It is $1700 and it has a small sensor but for getting started I think you'll find it checks all the boxes. It is not likely to be the last camera you will buy, but until you get your feet fully immersed, I think you'll find that it is a camera you can grow with. Here are a few natural subjects I have taken with it.

_DSC4343-DSC-RX10M4--(28-04-19)-2 by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC0061-DSC-RX10M3--(28-11-17) high res by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC2864-DSC-RX10M4--(19-08-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC2876-DSC-RX10M4--(19-08-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC2866-DSC-RX10M4--(19-08-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC1851-DSC-RX10M4--(20-01-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC0740 by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC3649-DSC-RX10M4--(17-12-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC3445-DSC-RX10M4--(03-12-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC2793-DSC-RX10M4--(23-05-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

_DSC2771-DSC-RX10M4--(23-05-18) by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

Doc Mck Loc: Terrell,Texas

I hate to name brands, however, I’m mostly a Canon guy;but, try a Sony Rx10 mk 4. Probably, the best bridge camera in the world. I bought a used one, a year ago for $1300. Now, when I can’t decide which camera to use, I just grab the Sony. It does everything you might need. Except it won’t zoom when doing movies. A bit challenging to learn to use, but, lots of u-tube instructional u-tubes to learn from. I wouldn’t take for the specialty cameras, but, that RX10Mk4 is a work horse. New they are $1700. With the balance of your $5000, keep it for awhile and see where your interests go. This camera is a great birding camera also. When I wrote this reply, I hadn’t seen the prior post. He seems to agree with me.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Welcome to UHHs.Time to remember one has to learn to crawl before walking and walk before running. Learning photography for your retirement will help you to see the world differently.

Bill at Burkphoto (and some others) has given you a good suggestion about reading what you want to shoot and articles about how to shoot. That is very important to making any decisions. Listing what you want and need out of a camera will also help. If you have a smartphone with a "pro" mode to it, you might want start your learning there before spending your hard earned money. It can be used to teach how the basic controls of photography work. The suggestion of purchasing Bryan Peterson's book on exposure is a very good suggestion. Using jerryc41's listing of cameras will be useful in getting an idea about which cameras you might want to check into. You can always start with a cheap all-in-one camera, with manual controls available to it, for learning purposes and then upgrade to something more expensive. Or you can rent a camera or two to see if it is what you want and/or need. The most popular formats (sensor size) are full-frame, APS-C, 4/3rds, and 1". Each format has its own pros and cons ( there is no one perfect camera). In general full-frame tends to be the biggest, heaviest, and most costly and progresses down from there as far as size, weight, and cost. Usually, 1" sensors are non-interchangeable lens cameras. For the subjects you have indicated, an interchangeable lens camera is advised. I would also advise starting with good but less costly part of whatever brand system you might choose and add on from there. Or you can also choose to jump into the "deep end of the pool" and get a much better starter system.

My personal opinion is smaller, lighter, and less costly is better and will be used more often. My two suggestions if you go 4/3rds are a cheaper beginning system of Olympus E-M10 mkIV with the 14-150 lens or going "whole hog" with the E-M1 mkIII and 12-100 f4 Pro IS lens.

Good luck with all your research and have fun shopping. Show us some pictures done with your new camera when you get the chance. Again, welcome to Ugly HedgeHogs.

RCKBSL

Congratulations, nature photography can be a great motivator to get out of the recliner. That's why I came back after being away for 15 years. The very first thing you need to investigate is any camera stores left in your area. Not big box or discount stores but stores filled with people interested in photography. If you find one that you feel you can trust then consider their advice carefully. If they carry used equipment consider it. New models come out every 12 to 18 months and have features you didn't even know you needed. Something a year or two old will be much cheaper and be capable of exceeding your expectations. You have healthy budget but don't spend it all at first. Wait until you have a need you can't accomplish with what you have. Don't be seduced into becoming a camera equipment collector instead of an image maker.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

A number of respondents have suggested Olympus. I have nothing against the cameras but wonder about the long term viability of the brand given its change of ownership. For OP it's a long term decision.

joealdrich Loc: Texas

There are a lot of great posts and good information already in reply to your question- I would ask you to consider:

"What type of photography are you MOST interested in?" you mentioned nature - does that include landscape, wildlife & astro-photography? What about on the small side of things - tiny plants & bees macro photography?

"Are you thinking about shooting wildlife?" You'll need a long, fast, quick autofocusing system for birds and just about anything else that moves and you're going to shoot from a distance! You'll be using a tripod/monopod with a big lens, so camera size/weight doesn't matter much

"Are you interested in carrying your camera with you for lengthy periods of time?" You might want to consider a smaller format camera if you're retirement age (like me) and plan on using your camera all day long. I'm seeing some pretty big names going for micro four thirds (MFT) these days. I'm using an APS-C system for on the go work.

You can't really go wrong these days with mirrorless, DSLR or even medium format systems like Fuji (your budget might be a constraint for new gear in medium format). However, it IS pretty important to choose a SYSTEM and stick with that. My Full Frame and APS-C lenses have the same mount so there's interchangeability. THe major benefit I see to a MFT system is that there's no vendor-specific mount so any MFT lens will fit on any MFT camera - unlike Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fuji etc. systems. I'm a big proponent of third party lenses as well - there's really no comparison in pricing and performance varies - but you'll find acceptably performing lenses compared to the typically more pricey camera brand alternatives.

Hope this helps!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

One more thought that Gene51 brought up that is good. Once you choose an all-in-one camera or a system camera, joining a good camera club will help your learning. If there are no good camera clubs near your, I would suggest looking at your community center or local college for photography classes. It may be useful to do both classes and a club.

I also agree with Gene51 about a lot of the U-Tube "masters". U-Tube is OK for learning how to use a camera feature or lens feature, but I would not use it for anything else. Too many of the "masters" have an agenda of their own rather than a neutral position.

When I started photography, I chose my camera after much reading. My choice was for a smaller and lighter camera system of bodies and lenses. At the same time of my purchase, I took paid classes from one of my coworkers who had been a successful professional photographer in California before moving to Colorado. His teaching and my joining a good camera club has served me well from 1975 on.

And reading, and then practicing what you read, will also teach you a lot of what you need to know.

hrblaine

>DSLR cameras are slowly being replaced by mirrorless.

Not in my house they ain't. Harry

hrblaine

Chg Canon writes:

"Someone already mentioned using Ken Rockwell's site as source of camera reviews. He's an interesting read. Today's equipment from all the options / brands are excellent and you'll see that high regard in his individual reviews. Take any suggestions for specific cameras and lenses and go read his reviews of those specific equipment, as well as using other online sources."

I've seen a lot of crit of KR here and there on the web but I think he's more than worth the time to read. I started in 35mm photography in the '60s, got good enough to make a magazine cover, have private shows and then quit. Started up again recently with digital. I'm an amateur and sponge like, I absorb what I'm expose to. And Rockwell is a long way from the worst thing on the web. As has been said, Canon, Nikon, Sony etc make equipment that eceeds most amateurs capabilities so just jump in wherever you feel comfortable. Harry

Hip Coyote

What a fun can of worms getting into the hobby...you will get a lot of opinions...many of which are spot on..but different. Each photog has his/her own needs, desires, uses, etc..so one has to determine exactly what it is they want from the hobby, the shooting environment they will be operating in (vacations, family, sports, low light, landscapes, landscapes while hiking, foreign travel where weight is a consideration, use of flash, etc.) In my case, I changed early from rather heavy equipment (Canon) to much lighter Olympus because we travel, hike, etc. but Canon is by far the most popular brand with access to used lenses, bodies, aftermarket gear, etc. As my needs change, I may just change my system (think of grandkids playing sports inside). As the saying goes, "you rent the camera but marry the lenses" meaning you can switch camera bodies rather easily but over time, you drop 4 or 5 zeros on lenses you wont want to change systems. Too expensive. I am married to Oly because of that...but get new bodies on occasion.

Twer me, I'd take a look at what I wanted out of the hobby THEN decide what to get. Become very familiar with the various brands and their products. If there is a photo club near you, join it...vast amounts of experience there. They may have a mentoring program that might help you get your groove.

Frankly, if you are dead set on getting equipment now, I'd go for a mirror-less Canon camera. It is widely supported, a lot of used options, etc. Other systems, Nikon, Sony, Fuji are great, but as I travel the world, Canon is by far and away, the most used camera I see. Probably full frame and one good lens to start. Any camera is more capable than you are at this point. If I see an Oly shooter, it is rare...and we usually talk like we are long lost friends. I like the compactness of Oly compared to all other systems. And they are high on the "cool" factor, even though I am kinda low on that scale!

Good luck

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

This may help you to decide between a DSLR and a Mirrorless camera: https://backcountrygallery.com/mirrorless-advantages-and-disadvantages-for-wildlife-photography/
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

1) Over 113 lenses from Olympus, Panasonic, Voigtlander, Leica, and several others are interchangeable on Olympus, Panasonic, and Black Magic cameras.

2) Panasonic remains committed to Micro 4/3. They just introduced the Lumix GH5 Mark 2, and announced that the GH6 is coming later this year. They introduced a new 50-100mm f/1.7 Panasonic Leica zoom.

Both companies have small but loyal followings. Micro 4/3 is a great choice for those who want interchangeable lenses, the best image stabilization, light total kit weight, and excellent optical performance at much lower prices.

Drawbacks are 2/3 stop more noise than APS-C, 2 stops more noise than full frame (on average, at same ISO), and the increased depth of field at any field of view and same distance. 20 MP may not be enough for some.

That said, some of us rely on it daily with very satisfying results.