 BetterPhoto Member |
comparing cameras for the first time slr buyer okay, read a few questions and answers on what the reccomeneded slr's to buy as a first time camera buyer. next term, ill be taking intro photography at school, and wil need a manual 35mm slr. (i guess they mean maunal and automatic, since id be using the camera for my own time as well). ive hesitated buying an slr for 2 years, because I have been unsure what to get. recently ive been reading up on different kinds, and talking to a couple ppl in the dorm, ahd I hear "go with pentax or minolta" but then im looking at my photog magazines (jus suscribed) and they say the best starter is the canon rebel 2000 (my roommate has this same one, but hasnt used it yet.) and pentax zx-60. now, after all this reading up, im still a lil clueless! what am I looking for, I havent even learned all the parts of the camera yet! whats a girl with a prolonged desire for the art to do??
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Jon Close |
The best camera is the one that you like. Really. Any of the models mentioned, plus the Minolta Maxxum 5, Nikon N65, Canon Rebel Ti, and Pentax ZX-7 would be perfect for you. The camera makers' own 28-80 zoom lens that comes with these cameras is ok (but not great), but check with your instructor. Each manufacturer makes a very cheap (<$100), very sharp, 50mm f/1.8 lens that would be useful in low light and better demonstrate how different apertures affect the look of a photograph.
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Jeff S. Kennedy |
Another consideration should be about your future in photography. Choose a brand that you can grow with. If you decide to continue and add equipment in the future you would be wise to choose a brand that offers the most variety (like Canon or Nikon).
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Michael F. Harrington |
Tanesha, I really have to go along with what Jeff said. If you are taking a photo course, you are going to need a camera you can grow into, and while the Rebel Ti is an excellent camera, you'll probably want more than that. Since you didn't mention budget, I'll splurge for you: #1) Go Nikon or Canon. They have the best metering systems in the industry, and best lenses. #3) Canon's Elan 7 is another good choice. And a slew of lenses to choose from, too. Each camera has trade-offs, but neither will let you down. (IMHO, go N80!) The thing to remember is lens base! It's the lenses you build around, not a camera!
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John A. Lind |
I emphasize Michael's last line: "It's the lenses you build around, not a camera!" The camera manufacturers and their marketing departments would like you to think the camera body is all important because buying that channels you into buying their lenses and other accessories. They're for-profit corporations in the business of making camera systems and selling them. Outwardly their goal is maximizing revenue from sales (inwardly it's maximizing profit from the revenue stream). Your goals are different from theirs. I consider an SLR camera body to be little more than a durable, reliable film and lens holder with an accurate shutter. Those are the *essentials* and everything else is a convenience. OK, I'll admit a few things can be very convenient but they're still not absolutely essential. The most important thing to me is The Glass (the lenses). Photography makes "recordings" of light and "plays them back" later in the form of prints or projected slides. The only part of the camera between the subject material and the film while the photograph is being made (shutter is open) is the lens. In planning a camera system for general photography, research and plan the lens system first. You should end up with just a few bodies to consider from no more than two manufacturers. -- John
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Tony Peckman |
Tanesha, Why would I submit anything after all the other great advice already, BUT, if you're taking a Intro class, you can't go wrong by learning photography with an older model manual camera for under $100 on Ebay. Suggestions would be a Minolta X-370, or a number of XD and XG models; Canon AE-1 or AV/AT models; Pentax K1000 (but I never really cared to that one) and older Nikons (not sure of the models). Any of those in great condition along with a 50mm lens would be a great inexpensive camera for you to learn photography basics with. Setting these older cameras aperture and shutter speed is so much easier than manual settings on the newer automatic cameras. Have a great time in photo class.
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