zoeymcfee Loc: Haifa, Israel

Hi Larry welcome to the HOG. i generally "listen" to the discussion and have learned a lot from these experts. They know photography are happy to share their knowledge. Thanks you all. I currently own a Nikon D3300 and love it. As someone said, photography can be an expensive hobby and I concur Go and play with the cameras and see what feels good to you and what suits your needs. I upgraded from a bridge camera, a Sony cybershot dsc 100 X . It is a great camera, allows me to change all parameters, f stop, iso, white balance. It has a 30 times zoom. I used to own a yashica film slr, and currently I take pictures of wildlife, particularly birds and wanted a camera that I could change lenses. Along with the stock lens, I also purchased a 300 time zoom. Before I made Aliyah to Israel where I currently live (Haifa) I found an expert at Best Buy who guided me and helped me decide on this camera. The only thing I miss is not having an articulated live view ( the sony has one) . That is available on the D5300. but my budget only allowed me to purchase the D3300. And I am very happy with it. Good luck with your Biblical Hebrew studies. At least there you have the nikudot, the vowels under the letters, unlike modern Hebrew which has none.

Impressionist

Welcome to the club. Most people here will be right in the systems they recommend. I have Nikons, Sony, and Canon all are good. My Sony a6000 goes everywhere while the others have become a mood type of thing or going to shoot something specifically thing.

The suggestion here is to download David D Busch's Digital SLR Cameras and Photography for Dummies along with Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure. Check out a Best Buy and get a feel for the systems that might interest you. You can put cards in floor models and check out images sometimes on the demo computers they have there. Or if you have a laptop, check them out with your significant other over lunch. Chances are Mr. Busch will have a book on the camera you choose. Yes there are other writers just as good. Point however is much of your enjoyment will depend on you picking the right system for you. We will be here when you do.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Welcome to our forum!

As far as I'm concerned,a DSLR is a "real" camera, but there are other types, of course. Here's my standard list of camera comparison links.

(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu
http://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/compare/

Jcmarino

Welcome. You wont go wrong with any of the Nikons, Canons or Sonys. I suggest making a list starting with budget, the photos you like to shoot, (landscapes, sports, grand kids) the features on a camera you want most, (lens changes, weight, easy to travel with, etc...) then go to a store where you can handle each brand with those features and see which one feels better in your hand. Then go back home and look on you-tube for features, reviews and set up. Then decide. I know its a long process but you want it to last, grow with you and most of all, something that you will use and easily see through the viewfinder or LCD screen. Sorry but at this age, that last one is important, I can verify. Enjoy your journey, you will have a blast.

sr71 Loc: In Col. Juan Seguin Land

Hey mate, went to school in Arcata back in 64 - 66, was stationed at the coast guard station out at Samoa for awhile. Any how know Hum county well. A thought for you, might want to look at the Panasonic FZ1000 or Sony RX10 II, The FZ is cheaper than the Sony but they are of the same digital goodness (payin for the name doncha know) the FZ has a long zoom of 24-400 very good all across the board. Although this is what is known as a bridge camera it is top o the line.... There is a working photographer in Austin tx that has used the fz in his work and now uses the Sony rx10III as one of his bodies. You can use these bodies as a learning tool to find pit what your niche is going to be and get the gear you need for that or just keep fz or rx10 they are that good, and you don't have to purchase a whole lot of lenses or carry em around.... just a thought mate...

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Welcome Larry, lots of great guys 'n gals here with great advice that they willingly share. Remember, Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc., ALL are great camera systems. Just listen to all of the great advice, do your own research and then buy something. There are a lot of great deals on Canon, and Nikon refurbs. There are also a few great retailers, such as Adorama, B&H, Cameta, etc. Beware of "Gray Market" equipment and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, run away! Now dive right in, there has never been a better time to embrace and enjoy photography.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Welcome aboard Larry. I love my nikon D7100. If you have grandkids who play outdoors sports, look @ buying a 70-300mm lens.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Notorious T.O.D. Loc: Harrisburg, North Carolina

Welcome Larry. Lots of good choices in gear these days.
One thing to think about is how interested you are in shooting stills vs shooting video.
Some cameras are more or less capable in the video area if that matters to you.

Best,
Todd Ferguson
Harrisburg, NC

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Fairfax is showing up in your "Personal Info" next to your icon so you might want to update that.

As far as used, both B & H, as well as Adorama, are the most reputable online dealers. Those of us here on UHH, swear by them, but there will be a few others thrown in. These stores stand behind their products and ratings.

Stay away from 42 Street, or you will get burned.

For your first purchases, personally, I would stay away from both Amazon and Craigs List. Until you have educated yourself about specific models of cameras and lenses, you could get stuck with either inferior or out of date equipment. With lenses especially, upgrades replace older models for specify reasons.

For example, with the Canon 100-400 mm zoom lens, the version 1 has a trombone style slide out zoom action, that could cause the lens to slam out to full length if you had the tension on the slide loose, and were letting the camera and lens hang down from your neck strap. Originally I purchased this lens used, but I returned it because of that problem. I was lucky enough to receive a brand new version 2 of this lens from my cousin as as gift.

Look into taking a Digital Photography course either as an Adult Ed class at your local High School, or a course at your local Community College. You can't beat the hands on experience that you'll get from the class(es). Just be sure to ask the instructor in advance if they have any hands on experience with your brand or model camera. My last class was with an instructor who told us to read our users manual to learn about our own cameras. She was very hands off with our actual cameras, and basically only taught styles of photography, rather than techniques, or getting the most out of your own camera.

But, not all instructors are alike. My cousin is a professional photographer, and teaches Digital Photography classes. She groups her students in seating arrangements by camera brand, because they will often help each other, until she can get to the students with the questions, to help them resolve the issues with their cameras. It helps that she used to teach Music and History at the High School level, before she turned her avocation with photography into her profession. She pushes you to use your creative side, and what you learned in class to go out and improve your shooting techniques and final results.

Also look into joining a photography group in your area once you obtain your camera equipment. Some groups will be simply meet and shoot groups, while others could offer a little more in the way of learning experiences.

Just a note, when you go to choose your camera bag or backpack, allow for enough room to grow. At some point, you will add lenses and a separate flash unit, that you will need room for in your bag. Then there are things like a bulb style blower to puff dust off of your lens or out of the camera, along with spare batteries for your camera and flash, the charger for your camera battery, lens wipes, an extra SD card for your camera, and the list could go on, but you should get the picture. I started out with an over the shoulder camera bag that I already had, but before my class ended I had purchased my Flipside 300 backpack. This backpack will fit all but one of my two longer lenses inside. Both of those lenses have their own manufacturer supplied carry cases.

Also, don't forget a good sturdy tripod as as future purchase. Do your homework here, and get one that will be stable under a decent amount of weight (heaviest lens you might consider purchasing in the future & your camera). Different models will extend to different heights, so if you are on the tall side, make sure that you are comfortable with the maximum hight of the tripod without the center post extended, and that you don't find yourself leaning down to look through your viewfinder most if the tine.

Early on in my photography experience, I purchased a really inexpensive, light weight tripod, but it won't hold my new Canon 100-400 lens mounted on my camera. Then years later, I inherited a good, but heavy Manfrotto tripid, that I still lug around with me today. Manfrotto now has a line of much lighter weight tripods on the market today, but there are any number of brands that are out there to choose from. Just use the search option at the top of the UHH page and start reading about them. When you get ready to purchase your tripod, consider ordering at least one extra mounting plate for it, I have 3 for my Manfrotto, and I find them a huge time saver to have them pre-mounted on my camera body, my zoom lens, and on a spotting scope that I occasionally take with me.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Welcome. There is a lot of help here, just ask. Don't make any decision about which camera before handling them. Feel is probably the most important thing in choosing any tool. Are all the controls in the "right" right place. Is it too heavy or too light. If it doesn't feel right it isn't for you. I have been taking pictures since the 60's one of these days I will get it right.

mymike Loc: Tucson, AZ

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy photography.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

Welcome Larry! Are you sure you want a DSLR? There are a lot of alternatives out there now and more all the time.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

Welcome to the world of photography and retirement.

I would recommend Canon because I have used Canon equipment for decades. Once you invest money in a manufacturer, you pretty much are going to stay with that manufacturer. You will notice I do have a point and shoot Nikon camera. Both manufacturers are excellent, although you will also hear about Sony, Panasonic, etc. Each indidvidual has his/her favorites.
Anyway, welcome, you will generally find very friendly folks who are more than willing to share their knowledge and experience. Good luck, remember the only dumb question is the one not asked.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Me again; just read the postings and must say, there's some good info there. The D3300 is a great starter DSLR and it's very inexpensive. I have one in my collection but it currently doesn't get used much. The 80D is a more expensive but, it's 2016 technology, has more features and functionality and is built sturdier and better weather and dust sealed then the D3300. Both will produce great images. A friend has a refurbished 80D she bought from Canon and it's just as good as the one I bought new in a camera store. Have fun with your new past time, it's an addictive hobby.