gretchenk wrote:
Hello,
I came from point and shoot and love taking pictures. I enrolled in a photography class in Feb and have been using a borrowed Nikon D3200 with kit lenses on photo taking field trips. But for recent travel I bought a Lumix FZ1000 (my point and shoot died).
If I continue with photography, I'll need to have a DSLR of my own because I should return the D3200 to its owner.
I figure I'll keep the camera I'll buy for a long time. I don't want to part with oodles of money on upgrades. I decided against mirrorless because I don't like to have to change batteries often. I figured I'd go with D7500. I didn't want the heavy weight of FF.
But when I talked to my teachers, they thought I should go FF. And when I read this forum, it seems many people say they never look back once they have a FF.
So I did some more research and decide if I go FF, it will be D750.
And I'm torn. D7500 vs D750 vs mirrorless vs D3200 until owner demands it back (but then I have to know what to buy) vs forgetting about DSLR and just be happy with Lumix FZ1000 (although if I stick with the photography class for the next few years, DSLR is a must).
What kind of photos do I take or do I want to learn to take? Almost everything. I love to hike in national parks and take pictures of mountains, wildlife, waterfalls, flowers, birds. My grandchildren are involved in sports, so I'll have to learn sports photography. I haven't done much portraits, but I have 2 beautiful grandchildren to take pictures of.
I appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance.
Hello, br I came from point and shoot and love tak... (
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Lensrentals.com
Borrowlenses.com
Both the above rent cameras and lenses and other accessories.
At this stage, I'd wait as long as possible before buying. RENT to TRY before you buy. It avoids buyer's remorse!
Don't write off mirrorless just because a FEW select models drink battery juice by the six pack. Most of the innovation in the industry is happening in that arena these days.
If your intention is to be a professional, know that we use many different formats. Full Frame has its merits. But so do APS-C (Nikon DX) and Micro 4/3. Medium Format gear is available, too, but is priced in the stratosphere. Then there's still large format film (4x5/8x10) and a few folks still use 35mm perforated film and size 120 roll film.
So don't let someone convince you to spend money you don't have! Study the gear reviews carefully. Know what each format does, and why/when/where it is useful.
Will you make really big prints of highly detailed subjects quite often? Consider Full Frame, Medium Format digital and film, and even large format view cameras. Either dSLR or mirrorless will be fine.
Do you need to travel light? Just post images on the Web and make prints smaller than 13x19? Consider Micro 4/3 cameras from Panasonic and Olympus.
Do you need to make great low budget cinematic videos (i.e.; "film")? Consider Micro 4/3 cameras from Panasonic.
Do you want the sweet spot compromise between size, weight, cost, image quality, and features? Consider APS-C/DX and lenses unique to that format. Either dSLR or mirrorless will be fine.
Always remember, the most important tool in all of photography isn't found in a camera, but six inches behind it! Invest first in knowledge, training, study, practice, and experience, and you will learn what you need for the images you want to make.
I, too, started (in 1968) with a friend's borrowed camera. It was a Canon FX. A year later, I bought a Nikkormat FTn, then a Nikon FTn fell into my lap via inheritance. I used both Canons and Nikons (SLR and dSLR) for decades, along with a LOT of medium format gear, long roll film portrait cameras, and a 4x5. Now I use Panasonic (I need to travel light and record equal amounts of stills and video.).
My take? It's all photography. Use the right tool for your job. It won't necessarily always be the same tool.
Remember, too, when 99% of people look at your work, they won't give a flying rat fink what camera you used! They'll remember what you made them think and feel, because photography is a visual language that communicates on many levels. The message is more important than the medium.