suggestions for my first legit camera

[flyI4]

I'm looking to buy my first quality camera, and I know nothing about it. I know some on here are into photography or at least own a nice camera, so I was hoping I could get some advice. Some questions I have are:

1) Is the camera or the lens more important?

2) What are some brands you guys like ? My buddy has a Nikon that I have found takes some nice shots, but I'd like to hear from some others also.

3)Are there quality cameras that take both digital and film shots? I kind of like the idea of still getting a print shot now and then if I want to.


Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.

 

[Lonewolve]

Fly,
depends what size camera you are looking for, there are some excellent point n shoots and then there is the DLSR which means digital lens single reflex. In nature photography as well as sports Canon leads the way . They set the bar with Image stabilization as well as you go to any big sporting event or on a Safari where folks take pictures of Wildlife for a living chances are the majority of folks are using Canon EOS cameras, also they have a huge amount of lens to choose from . Nikon was at the pinnacle when film was around the F4 body is considered a photo journalists standard. But when digital took hold Canon year in year out takes center stage. Btw the pics I took of you and Landleer were taken with an older Olympus point n shoot 1030SW . It would help to know what range your wallet is open to spend.
IMHO for fishing and hunting a point n shoot is hard to beat . The newer DLSR's however have the ability to also shoot video as do the point n shoots. Make sure if you buy a camera you buy a decent storage bag with room for more camera stuff. IMHO Lowepro makes the best out there designed by hiking/mountain enthusiasts who also were camera enthusiasts that wanted better bags built. They have padded corners compare them to a Tamrac or other brand you will see the difference right away.
You also want anything bigger than 8 megapixels, at 8 megapixels it is hard for the average person to see deficiencies in the photo or image. A good tripod or monopod maybe something you might want for the future as well as a few good filters if you buy a DLSR. Remember one thing the point and shoots will have the ability to be waterproof as well as freeze proof an drop proof to a certain degree. DLSR's have not come that far, much more sensitive device, but the options are endless with DLSR's. With point n shoot you are limited to what the camera has to offer with out other add ons or lens.

 

[Trout Guy]

I'm looking to buy my first quality camera, and I know nothing about it. I know some on here are into photography or at least own a nice camera, so I was hoping I could get some advice. Some questions I have are:

1) Is the camera or the lens more important?

2) What are some brands you guys like ? My buddy has a Nikon that I have found takes some nice shots, but I'd like to hear from some others also.

3)Are there quality cameras that take both digital and film shots? I kind of like the idea of still getting a print shot now and then if I want to.


Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.

Why whats wrong with your iPhone??? LOL

IF your going the DSLR route Id suggest Nikon or Cannon.

I have a Nikon D60 and I like it alot. Uses all the same Nikon A/F lenses as the other cameras. You can calso pick them up used pretty inexpensivley.

The D90's have also come down in price too, they offer more options like recording HD video and other shit, along with having more MP's.

You should see if your collage offers a digital photography course, either that or read on photography web forums to gain a basic understanding of photography.

 

[tomfly]

If were looking for a “Ligit” Camera. I would make sure the serial number was still intact before I purchased it.

 

[dcabarle]

Fly,
depends what size camera you are looking for, there are some excellent point n shoots and then there is the DLSR which means digital lens single reflex. In nature photography as well as sports Canon leads the way . They set the bar with Image stabilization as well as you go to any big sporting event or on a Safari where folks take pictures of Wildlife for a living chances are the majority of folks are using Canon EOS cameras, also they have a huge amount of lens to choose from . Nikon was at the pinnacle when film was around the F4 body is considered a photo journalists standard. But when digital took hold Canon year in year out takes center stage. Btw the pics I took of you and Landleer were taken with an older Olympus point n shoot 1030SW . It would help to know what range your wallet is open to spend.
IMHO for fishing and hunting a point n shoot is hard to beat . The newer DLSR's however have the ability to also shoot video as do the point n shoots. Make sure if you buy a camera you buy a decent storage bag with room for more camera stuff. IMHO Lowepro makes the best out there designed by hiking/mountain enthusiasts who also were camera enthusiasts that wanted better bags built. They have padded corners compare them to a Tamrac or other brand you will see the difference right away.
You also want anything bigger than 8 megapixels, at 8 megapixels it is hard for the average person to see deficiencies in the photo or image. A good tripod or monopod maybe something you might want for the future as well as a few good filters if you buy a DLSR. Remember one thing the point and shoots will have the ability to be waterproof as well as freeze proof an drop proof to a certain degree. DLSR's have not come that far, much more sensitive device, but the options are endless with DLSR's. With point n shoot you are limited to what the camera has to offer with out other add ons or lens.

Canon fanboy huh!

I've been a Nikon user all of my life. I wouldn't buy a Canon because all of my lenses are Nikon and I'm very fluent with the Nikon menu system. You'll find professionals who use one or the other brand and no brand is that much better than the other. They both have their pluses and minuses. Whichever body (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, etc...) you choose to purchase, you'll need to learn how to use it. I cringe when I see people with high end expensive cameras shooting in what they think is Auto mode when they're really shooting in aperture priority mode.

You can search the web for both Nikon photography and Canon photography. With the right person behind the controls, I can guarantee with certainty you won't be able to tell the difference which camera was used simply by looking at the picture.

The camera and the lens are both important but what you really have to ask yourself is what will you be using this camera for and what is your budget.

If you're going with a less expensive camera, don't skimp on the lens. You'll need it. If you're going with a more expensive camera, you should consider a high end lens to compliment it but with today's camera's, you can bump up the ISO to compensate for the slower lens. This is ideal for some who want a great camera body but doesn't have the cash to spend on a premium lens at the time of purchase. You can always upgrade to a better lens but sometimes the lenses are more expensive than the camera bodies!

You can print out all of your digital pictures just like you did with film. It's even easier now than ever. No more waiting. I upload mine to a lab, get in my car, and by the time I get there, they are ready!

If you have any other questions, I'm sure myself or the Canon fanboy can help you.
So what's your budget?

A few websites I visit ... fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom, dpreview.com, and others but these two sites is where you'll find tons of great information and some really great photography from all different types of users and camera. I like Fred Miranda because there's a really great classifieds forum where you can pick up some great stuff for a great price.

----edit----
One more thing. I have Nikon lenses that are 20 +yrs old and work just fine on my newer camera body's.

 

[Lonewolve]

Canon fanboy huh!

I've been a Nikon user all of my life. I wouldn't buy a Canon because all of my lenses are Nikon and I'm very fluent with the Nikon menu system. You'll find professionals who use one or the other brand and no brand is that much better than the other. They both have their pluses and minuses. Whichever body (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, etc...) you choose to purchase, you'll need to learn how to use it. I cringe when I see people with high end expensive cameras shooting in what they think is Auto mode when they're really shooting in aperture priority mode.

You can search the web for both Nikon photography and Canon photography. With the right person behind the controls, I can guarantee with certainty you won't be able to tell the difference which camera was used simply by looking at the picture.

The camera and the lens are both important but what you really have to ask yourself is what will you be using this camera for and what is your budget.

If you're going with a less expensive camera, don't skimp on the lens. You'll need it. If you're going with a more expensive camera, you should consider a high end lens to compliment it but with today's camera's, you can bump up the ISO to compensate for the slower lens. This is ideal for some who want a great camera body but doesn't have the cash to spend on a premium lens at the time of purchase. You can always upgrade to a better lens but sometimes the lenses are more expensive than the camera bodies!

You can print out all of your digital pictures just like you did with film. It's even easier now than ever. No more waiting. I upload mine to a lab, get in my car, and by the time I get there, they are ready!

If you have any other questions, I'm sure myself or the Canon fanboy can help you.
So what's your budget?

A few websites I visit ... fredmiranda.com: Specialized in Canon - Nikon SLR Cameras, Forum, Photoshop Plugins, Actions, Reviews, Hosting and Digital Darkroom, dpreview.com, and others but these two sites is where you'll find tons of great information and some really great photography from all different types of users and camera. I like Fred Miranda because there's a really great classifieds forum where you can pick up some great stuff for a great price.

----edit----
One more thing. I have Nikon lenses that are 20 +yrs old and work just fine on my newer camera body's.

DC,
Actually when it comes to outdoor photography My money is on Canon EOS High End ..not the damn rebel series.
When I did film photography I liked the Nikon F4 as well as my dads Pentax he got over in Japan on R&R, My ex had a pentax that was good too. You are correct when it comes to great photos glass is everything. The two major players are Canon & Nikon yes there's Leica and Olympus too, but for photography the Canon Lenses are hard to beat, the Nikon also has quite a selection. Canon glass is clearer to my eyesight. to each their own, funds and subject matter will decide what you go with.

 

[dcabarle]

Ypu disappoint me canon fanboy! Where are your pics.. would be nice to see what others on this forum are shooting .

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

[Joe D]

Tough to beat 50 years of reliability, though the 126 film is getting harder to find at reasonable prices. Last roll of Ektachrome I found was $19 and it only expired Oct. 1976.

 

[dcabarle]

Tough to beat 50 years of reliability, though the 126 film is getting harder to find at reasonable prices. Last roll of Ektachrome I found was $19 and it only expired Oct. 1976.

The funny thing about this... I actually own that exact camera right now. How about those little words under the Kodak logo, "Made in the U.S.A".

 

[Lonewolve]

The funny thing about this... I actually own that exact camera right now. How about those little words under the Kodak logo, "Made in the U.S.A".

was the first camera I learned about photography with when I was little in the 70's

 

[TR]

I'm looking to buy my first quality camera,...[snipped - let's get to the beefy part]



Thanks for any advice you guys can offer.

------

Sure.

For all you swingers out there and I know, for a fact, there are a few.

We have the following.

Act now! They are going quick.!

 

[ajfromnj]

After having lots of experience with this a Canon beats a Nikon to death. I've seen images from both. However, you need the highest end one. I own a 5D Mark ii and my friend has three mark iii cameras. His livelihood depends on it. If you want to chat about it I'll be at the January show. I'm not doing the November tying thing. About the lenses get a 50 prime, 24-105 and a 100-400 all 1.8 glass. You'll be happy. Also, you can find good used stuff.

 

[golden beetle]

After having lots of experience with this a Canon beats a Nikon to death. I've seen images from both. However, you need the highest end one. I own a 5D Mark ii and my friend has three mark iii cameras. His livelihood depends on it. If you want to chat about it I'll be at the January show. I'm not doing the November tying thing. About the lenses get a 50 prime, 24-105 and a 100-400 all 1.8 glass. You'll be happy. Also, you can find good used stuff.

Canon beats Nikon?

Cabarle uses Nikon, so I believe it.

 

[dcabarle]

After having lots of experience with this a Canon beats a Nikon to death. I've seen images from both. However, you need the highest end one. I own a 5D Mark ii and my friend has three mark iii cameras. His livelihood depends on it. If you want to chat about it I'll be at the January show. I'm not doing the November tying thing. About the lenses get a 50 prime, 24-105 and a 100-400 all 1.8 glass. You'll be happy. Also, you can find good used stuff.

1. Shouldn't you be in AC right now for a teachers convention.
2. Canon doesn't beat nikon to death and I think any reasonable professional photographer will explain that to you. For every reference you show me saying so, I'll provide 3 saying the total opposite, and this is why I would never say that Nikon beats Canon to death. Stick with fishing...

I'd also throw a challenge out there to anyone willing to take it. I'll provide both Nikon pics and canon pics. I'll remove the exif info and you tell me which camera they came from.

 

[golden beetle]

Cabarle, my understanding is that the Canon is better than the Nikon, because it makes the fish look bigger.

AJ knows this. Obviously BHC does not.

 

[Pete]

1. Shouldn't you be in AC right now for a teachers convention.........

Going to those things can be hazardous to your career...
N.J. teacher is suspended, denied pay raise after being filmed on hidden video at NJEA conference | NJ.com

 

[Alan_B]

If it is mainly for fishing pics go with a point and shoot. I picked up an Olympus TG2 this year its fully waterproof to 30 meters, shoots 1080P HD video, is very rugged and fits perfectly in a vest pocket, takes stunning pictures. almost as good as my DSLR.

Which for you CANIKONS is an Olympus E2 with the IS built into the body not the lens, rainproof and everyone knows Olympus has the best glass in the business.

 

[dcabarle]

JC... You might also want to look into a gopro. It comes with suction mounts for your boat. The pictures aren't bad, unless it's not too bright out, then they're not so great. You can control the newer gopros with your smartphone too which is a nice feature.

 

[HydeLowRider]

fly14

I researched and compared digital cameras for about two years and purchased a LEICA D-LUX6 3 months ago. This may be the last digital camera I purchase for very long time. I would highly recommend checking out the reviews on their cameras and stopping by a LEICA store to check out the models. It is a high quality German engineered product that places very focus on the optics, durability and design.

I am a novice, but my peers, who are much more accomplished photographers, are very impressed with the photo results.


Leica Camera AG - Photography - D-LUX 6Leica Camera AG - Photography - D-LUX 6

 

[flyI4]

JC... You might also want to look into a gopro. It comes with suction mounts for your boat. The pictures aren't bad, unless it's not too bright out, then they're not so great. You can control the newer gopros with your smartphone too which is a nice feature.

Dennis, I've tried the go pros and do like them for capturing cool video of fish rising/getting the take on your fly....but I felt like I kept missing out on the landscape type shots I wanted to get. Thats really what I'm looking for with this new camera...being able to capture space and size in landscape shots so that when you look back at the shot the impressiveness of the scene is still there in the picture. I'm willing to spend $600-800 bucks on this thing just to make sure its the real deal and I wont need another camera.