 Debbie |
i need help and advice... Hello, i'm a 16 year old potentional photographer. I fell in love with photography about 6 months ago when I went to a local gallery. I knew right away that this is a hobby I was going to persue. It was soon after that I realized I had no idea where to start. I would love to hear some insight about where you all started, and some of your experieces, and the best camera for a girl with just a summer job. I want a film-based camera that I can shoot action photos and nature/animals. ANY insight would be greatly appreciated.
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Rachael M. Gasperoni |
Well, I started out in high school with a basic B&W class learning on my trusty Pentax K1000 (I managed to repeat the second class, B&W photo II every semester for the rest of my high school career). Now I'm studying photography at an art school in Detroit (in the fall I get to start color printing and studio lighting, yay!) My advice as far as cameras go is to decide what kind of camera you want to buy...SLR? Point and shoot? Heres a link to the buyers guide on this site http://www.betterphoto.com/buyers/WhatCameratoBuyDD.php . Also, if you can take a basic class like I did in school, or at a community center, etc., it will teach you a lot about how images are actually made. Good luck! ~Rachael
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
A used slr, like a canon A2 or film nikon to stay within budget. And if it's going to be only your money, I'd say you're only going to be getting one lens. Unless you got a good summer. And the lens is what's going to be the major role in being able to shoot sports and nature. So if you've already got what kind of images you want to shoot in your head, you may have to accept that what you can afford isn't going to allow that yet. If you can't afford a bigger telephoto than what's available, then you use a smaller one but try moving yourself closer. So be it a 50mm, 135 telephoto, or a typical 75-300 zoom, when it comes to first time cameras/lenses, it's really a matter of learning how to use what you have to get a good photo.
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Karen Lewis-Gunn |
Hi Debbie, I guess your choice of camera should be dictated by what you want to accomplish in your photos? If you want total control of the final outcome and be able to be creative, I believe your choice has to be an SLR. I started out on a shoe string budget about 2 years ago with a pentax K1000, which is a very basic film SLR and the 50mm lens that came standard with it. I found this camera fantastic for learning the nuts and bolts of photography, as you have to choose what settings to use! The camera cannot think for its self so YOU have to! This quickly gave me a greater understanding of everything! I had no money for lessons so I read a lot and put into practice what I was reading. I made a lot of mistakes ( and still do!!) but as I wrote down each setting I used for each shot I was able to go back and see where I went wrong and was able to learn from my mistakes. I have just upgraded to a more modern SLR with all the features built in but my pentax K1000 is still my first choice to use, purely because I know it so well, it has become an extension of me! (and it still takes top shots!)
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Tom Walker |
I agree with all the above with one addition, the pentax K1000 can still be found in camera shops (used ) and also on ebay. It takes the pentax K mount lenses that are plentiful at a low price.
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Debbie |
Wow, thank you all so much for the information. It's gotten me much farther then I ever thought! I'm well on my way to buying a Pentax K1000 from a local photography shop that sells used cameras. I'm getting a good deal because I know someone who knows the owner. I think I can also twist my moms arm into paying for a little bit. maybe a lens. since I can't take a photography class in my high school until senior year (and i'm only going to be a junior this year)i'm going to look around for a class in my community. I'm also looking up anything and everything I can about developing my own pictures, which is a skill I would also like to master. i'm so glad that I developed this intrest at such an early age, and I will be able to mature my skills throughout the years, and i'm also thankful for all of you who have given me any advice, and i'll be sure to come back often because everyone on this site is so full of knowledge. Thank you again -Debbie
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- Gregory LaGrange Contact Gregory LaGrange Gregory LaGrange's Gallery |
If a k1000 is the only one in your budget, or if that's what you want, you'll be fine with it. But there really isn't anything that you learn from it that you wouldn't with an aperture/shutter priority camera. It has a meter just like any other camera that runs into the same exposure compensation situations. But the main thing is learning how the camera works, and paying attention to subject and surroundings of what you're taking a picture of, once you get a camera, regardless of which one you buy.
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