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RE: Can I get some camera advice?

Posted by pictureguy (A) on October 13, 2014 at 20:29:23

In Reply to: Can I get some camera advice? posted by Mike B. on October 13, 2014 at 12:49:52:

simply telling you what to get or recommending a 'best' setup is nearly futile.

Are you interested in doing anything in a studio? Macro? Action? is Available light performance important? or video performance?

Do you know or even CARE if the camera has a full-size or APS 'C' sensor? Canon, for example makes a series of glass which is APS C only. Won't work on full-sized sensors.

Who ever suggested taking a class had it right. I'll be even MORE specific and say to ALSO go to the ART DEPARTMENT (you know, PAINTING) and take a 2-D design course. Learn the elements of composition. The photography department will teach darkroom, perhaps, still AND camera system with a dose of physics tossed in for good measure. The relationship / limits of Aperature, Shutter speed and ISO Sensitivity. The difference between film grain and digitial noise. Contrast and how to manipulate it. What is shadow detail? Blown highlights? Why is the ONLY filter you really NEED is a circular polarizer? (besides a UVhaze/skylight for protection)
Go to some photo exhibitions. See what people like. And why. Take away those things YOU value in a photo. Color saturation? Composition?

ME? I'd recommend starting with a USED / inexpensive DSLR of a generation or 2 off the pace. Start to learn the difference between 'good' and 'lots'. My sis in law just handed me a memory card with OVER 430 images of which I would IMMEDIATELY delete about 1/3. Some of the keepers are NOT good art, but rather of sentimental value.

ANY camera you like and keep should be ergonomically compatible with your and your developing style. Buy a NORMAL LENS and use JUST THAT for at least 6 months. Zooms just add a layer of unnecessary complexity to the mix. For now. Some cameras have Very Small buttons. I don't like those, personally. Go thru the menu system and as you learn more, you'll be able to apply customization TO the camera and learn where IN the menu system those things you most frequently use are located.

Don't just rush out and get 1200$ worth of Nikon, Canon or whatever. And as for GLass? Are you going to make wall prints? Enlargements beyond say, 8x10? You might not NEED premium or even mid-level glass. My old Canon 50mm 1.8 was the CHEAPEST lens Canon makes. Plastic EVERYWHERE. But, it was the same formula as old and was easily enlargable with minimal crop and from f4 to say f11. For THAT cheap a lens? A Wonder.

Even my SONY can make huge enlargements that are razor sharp. The 14x60 on my wall is crazy sharp from edge to edge and corner to corner. Color saturation is good. The file was OVER 40 meg from an in-camera Panorama, after my processing.
If you get really hung up on this, you'll learn about Camera Raw and leave the JPG stuff for watching the 'rushes' on TV or making prints up at Costco.
Too much is never enough

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