I need advice on "the best" for a beginner
Sep 9, 2013 10:46:01 #
jeanne vinson wrote:
I am new to the forum. Excited to begin by buying "the best" camera for a beginner, like me. Any ideas? I am looking for something comfortable to hold on too, if that is possible. Thanks
Well I would recommend the Canon 60D or 6D. These two cameras are really great to work with.
Sep 9, 2013 11:09:54 #
jeanne vinson wrote:
I am new to the forum. Excited to begin by buying "the best" camera for a beginner, like me. Any ideas? I am looking for something comfortable to hold on too, if that is possible. Thanks
Jeanne, This forum always has such wise and sage advice. I have learned a lot, coming here as you an amatuer. My suggestion is that in addition to going to a camera shop see if you can find a camera club or photography club in your area. I live in a rural NC area and we are devoid of Camera shops, only big boxes with lots of stuff in a mock camera department, We also did not have a camera club and with 6 friends we started one. Our membership is near 100 and it is a valuable resource. Good luck in finding what is just right for you.
A
Sep 9, 2013 11:50:10 #
jeanne vinson wrote:
I am new to the forum. Excited to begin by buying "the best" camera for a beginner, like me. Any ideas? I am looking for something comfortable to hold on too, if that is possible. Thanks
Be sure which lens you are going to want. Go to a camera store and have the person show you what is available for each camera you might be interested in. Do not wind up with a lens that will remain in the drawer while you use the lens you really like.
Sep 9, 2013 13:07:33 #
jeanne vinson wrote:
I am new to the forum. Excited to begin by buying "the best" camera for a beginner, like me. Any ideas? I am looking for something comfortable to hold on too, if that is possible. Thanks
If you have a camera store close by go see them and spend some time holding them. If you have a Costco near by, check out some of the kits they have and purchase one. They have a good return policy so if it doesn't fit your needs, return it.
Sep 9, 2013 13:14:58 #
saichiez
Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon
jeanne vinson wrote:
I am new to the forum. Excited to begin by buying "the best" camera for a beginner, like me. Any ideas? I am looking for something comfortable to hold on too, if that is possible. Thanks
There is NO BEST. That said, most of the camera's you can buy, including P&S starting at $300 and over will happily amaze you.
That said, my passive response is based on the reality that your first camera is you "learning experience" and it is from that camera that you will learn what you really want.
Odds are that about a year out, you will know what most people on this forum have learned and be looking for your second camera. Rest assured that there is no BEST first digital camera, particularly without knowing a lot more about what photographic skills you now have and what you hope to develop, as well as your budget.
Also, keep in mind that if you really become an enthusiast, you'll be rolling camera's over at clip of one per every two years, or sooner simply based on technology advances.
Yesterdays BEST camera is todays TURD!!!!!!!
Sep 9, 2013 13:20:56 #
oldmalky
Loc: West Midlands,England.
DSLR is the camera that cannot be beaten why settle for second best
Sep 9, 2013 13:21:33 #
saichiez
Loc: Beautiful Central Oregon
RetiredPhotog wrote:
Going to Walmart for a camera is kind of like going to a hardware store for groceries. I guess it would be ok if you wanted to get the physical feel for one but a rare thing to find a clerk with camera knowledge. Best Buy maybe a little better.
Walmart is a hardware store, and our Walmart has the biggest grocery section in town. Oh, and Walmart steaks are some of the best award winning steaks in the world. Haven't you been watching "Master Chef" on television, sponsored by Walmart?
However, I would certainly go to BEST BUY in the absence of a real camera store. Best Buy usually has a fairly wide range of cameras...sorry no groceries... but they do have one hell of a candy section to spike your blood sugar and loosen up your wallet.
Sep 9, 2013 13:42:43 #
Sep 9, 2013 13:46:31 #
Pippasmum
Loc: Scotland, Uk
I agree with Saichiez totally. And how does anyone really know what they really like to photograph until they start taking lots of different photos and situations. I thought I would only take photos of my grandchildren...but I don't now.
Sep 9, 2013 14:13:20 #
patcam
Loc: chelmsford essex uk
how many times is this question asked? always the answer is what do you shoot, how much knowledge do you have, do you want a point & shoot or are you serious about photography, once you have told us that maybe we can help
Sep 9, 2013 15:09:14 #
GaryS1964
Loc: Northern California
Lots of good suggestions here. Now to see if she comes back and provides the additional information required to fine tune those suggestions.
Sep 9, 2013 18:42:51 #
Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I am looking at the Cannon 600D. It is a bit overwhelming, so glad everyone has given good suggestions. I am not wanting to focus on family and friends, although it will be used for that. My goal is to get pictures of older people and emotions captured in the moment. I will let you know which one we decided on. Any further suggestions?
Sep 9, 2013 19:52:25 #
GaryS1964
Loc: Northern California
Taking pictures of older people to capture emotions in the moment would mean taking their picture without them knowing they are being photographed. For that you need a lens with some reach. I like to take candid pictures also. I've always used the Canon 15-85 which takes good sharp pictures and makes a good walk around lens. But it may not be the best lens for taking candid shots.
Because you said 600D I'll assume you are somewhere in Europe. You should look to get that camera in a two lens package which can be done here in the US and probably where you live. You get the camera, an 18-55 lens, and a 55-250 lens. The 55-250 lens will allow you to get far enough away that people are less likely to see you photographing them. The 18-55 you will use for photographing friends, family, events, landscapes, and street scenes not involving people.
I also suggest that you Google "street photography" as that is basically what you are doing. Learn as much as you can on the subject and also check the local laws on the subject.
Because you said 600D I'll assume you are somewhere in Europe. You should look to get that camera in a two lens package which can be done here in the US and probably where you live. You get the camera, an 18-55 lens, and a 55-250 lens. The 55-250 lens will allow you to get far enough away that people are less likely to see you photographing them. The 18-55 you will use for photographing friends, family, events, landscapes, and street scenes not involving people.
I also suggest that you Google "street photography" as that is basically what you are doing. Learn as much as you can on the subject and also check the local laws on the subject.
Sep 9, 2013 20:00:36 #
MT Shooter wrote:
I always suggest finding a camera shop where you c... (show quote)
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Sep 10, 2013 16:15:51 #
jeanne vinson wrote:
Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I am looking at the Cannon 600D. It is a bit overwhelming, so glad everyone has given good suggestions. I am not wanting to focus on family and friends, although it will be used for that. My goal is to get pictures of older people and emotions captured in the moment. I will let you know which one we decided on. Any further suggestions?
The 600D (T3i) is a great camera, a lot of camera for the money. I would suggest you by the body only, do not buy the 18-55 lens that comes with it. For just a little more money you can buy a much better lens. The Sigma 18-200 or 18-250 come to mind, but I'm sure there are comparable lenses from other manufacturers. Any of these lenses would be a huge step up from the kit lens.
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