Any help I can get

Mr&Mrs · 05-02-2011, 12:38 AM

Hi,

I would like to get a nice camera to take pictures with. I know nothing at all about them. Our current camera is like a 100$ Wal-Mart special. I just want a good starting platform that can be upgraded in the future if this is something I want to get deeper into.

The hobby has always got my attention, and I do find myself going through pictures almost daily wishing I could duplicate the shots. The bad pictures our current camera takes is also due to my lack of knowledge, not just because it is a cheap camera.

So what I hope you all can help me with is:

1) A good platform (upgradeable) to start with at a price point of $600 or less.

2) A good book or site that covers all the basics I will need to know to start off in the hobby.

3) A decent photo editing software that is easy to use, or at least has good support for me to find my own answers.

4) Any tips or things that have stuck with you from your first few months (or years) of learning.

Thanks!

daisuke149 · 05-02-2011, 12:47 AM

Nikon D3000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens 25462 B&H

or

Canon EOS Rebel T3 18-55mm IS II Kit 5157B002 B&H Photo Video

!

Mr&Mrs · 05-02-2011, 02:24 AM

Thanks! any input on my other questions?

Parkerman · 05-02-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

1) A good platform (upgradeable) to start with at a price point of $600 or less.

Go with either entry level Nikon or Canon, before you buy one, go to the stores and play around with them to make sure you like the ergonomics of the camera. That is really why I went with Nikon over canon, at the time I liked the menu layouts and the placements of the buttons better than Canon [I haven't played with canons that much since... so things might have changed]

2) A good book or site that covers all the basics I will need to know to start off in the hobby.

Check out Understanding Exposure by Bryan Petterson. It is a good read and if you don't know anything about camera's and their settings it helps out with that. Another good book will be your owners manual. A good website would be to read through threads on places like Photocamel.com or photography-on-the.net

3) A decent photo editing software that is easy to use, or at least has good support for me to find my own answers.

Photoshop Elements would probably cover what you need to do. There is almost endless support out there for Photoshop. I use a combination of Lightroom and Photoshop.

4) Any tips or things that have stuck with you from your first few months (or years) of learning.

Learn to handle critiques, and don't listen to your family on if a picture is good [they tend to be a bit biased]

Thanks!

Hope this helped some!

daisuke149 · 05-02-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

Thanks! any input on my other questions?

As a photographer once told me (actually i read this some where but it makes sense)

a camera is only as good as the person using it. So it doesnt matter if you buy a entry level canon/nikon or the 5000$ one if you dont know how to use it. But the entry level ones mentioned above are pretty damn good, can do alot of things. Ive had a entry level onef or about 5 years and im still learning how to use it (i havnt put in much effort yet).

Im sure others with alot of experience will be able to answer specific questions or help you more. But like the one guy posted, once you buy something, learning exactly what everything means and does = better than spending thousands on accesories.

Mr&Mrs · 05-02-2011, 01:10 PM

Thanks parker! In my job we are critiqued all the time so I am used to that. It only makes you better at what you do.

daisuke very true on your points, and they go with a lot of my hobbies in the past. Paintball, R/C racing, Car/Motorcycle Racing and some others. I never had the most expensive, newest, highest quality items out there but I still managed to dominate after learning the sport.

Parkerman · 05-02-2011, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr&Mrs

Thanks parker! In my job we are critiqued all the time so I am used to that. It only makes you better at what you do.

daisuke very true on your points, and they go with a lot of my hobbies in the past. Paintball, R/C racing, Car/Motorcycle Racing and some others. I never had the most expensive, newest, highest quality items out there but I still managed to dominate after learning the sport.

That's good, I run into a lot of people where their family thinks their pictures are amazing, but they really aren't... and then they get butt hurt because you pointed out what was wrong.

To touch on photoshop again, it really isn't easy to use if you are fresh to it... to add to that, there is usually several different ways to achieve the same result in it. But, it is the most used probably, so you can easily go through tutorials and youtube videos.

Mr&Mrs · 05-03-2011, 01:44 AM

Maybe I should go to a class or something for all of this the more I look into it the more difficult it seems. That is why I always have respect for people with this talent. Im still going to get one of those cameras dais posted though, prob the Nikon.

dP3NGU1N · 05-03-2011, 02:16 AM

For tips starting out, this guy has been awesome: PhotoTips.biz
entertaining and educational when it comes to photography.

For full photogear reviews and opinions: KenRockwell.com: Photography, Cameras and Taking Better Pictures
Breaks down the essentials of what you need and what's marketing hype out there. I strongly suggest reading some of the articles about megapixels and ISOs so you don't get cheated by sales hype.

Boost_lee · 05-03-2011, 02:45 AM

All the above info is great. I also agree on reading Understanding Exposure by Peterson, I have a copy right next to me!

Parkerman · 05-03-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dP3NGU1N

For tips starting out, this guy has been awesome: PhotoTips.biz
entertaining and educational when it comes to photography.

For full photogear reviews and opinions: KenRockwell.com: Photography, Cameras and Taking Better Pictures
Breaks down the essentials of what you need and what's marketing hype out there. I strongly suggest reading some of the articles about megapixels and ISOs so you don't get cheated by sales hype.

I have a suggestion, don't listen to Ken Rockwell.

tonytone · 05-03-2011, 10:55 PM

I would give Lightroom a try, very easy and GREAT!

Red__Zed · 05-08-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parkerman

I have a suggestion, don't listen to Ken Rockwell.

Why is that?

Parkerman · 05-08-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Why is that?

Because a lot of what he says is just his opinion, its nothing set in stone. I use to listen to what he had to say, then quickly realized its best just not to.

dP3NGU1N · 05-09-2011, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parkerman

Because a lot of what he says is just his opinion, its nothing set in stone. I use to listen to what he had to say, then quickly realized its best just not to.

Funny, that just sounds like an opinion and not something set in stone.

In all seriousness though he does provide a lot of good advice on what to look for when first starting out, ESP if you're on a budget.

05-02-2011, 12:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	Any help I can get Hi, I would like to get a nice camera to take pictures with. I know nothing at all about them. Our current camera is like a 100$ Wal-Mart special. I just want a good starting platform that can be upgraded in the future if this is something I want to get deeper into. The hobby has always got my attention, and I do find myself going through pictures almost daily wishing I could duplicate the shots. The bad pictures our current camera takes is also due to my lack of knowledge, not just because it is a cheap camera. So what I hope you all can help me with is: 1) A good platform (upgradeable) to start with at a price point of $600 or less. 2) A good book or site that covers all the basics I will need to know to start off in the hobby. 3) A decent photo editing software that is easy to use, or at least has good support for me to find my own answers. 4) Any tips or things that have stuck with you from your first few months (or years) of learning. Thanks! __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

05-02-2011, 02:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	Thanks! any input on my other questions? __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

05-02-2011, 01:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	Thanks parker! In my job we are critiqued all the time so I am used to that. It only makes you better at what you do. daisuke very true on your points, and they go with a lot of my hobbies in the past. Paintball, R/C racing, Car/Motorcycle Racing and some others. I never had the most expensive, newest, highest quality items out there but I still managed to dominate after learning the sport. __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

05-03-2011, 01:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mr&Mrs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa Posts: 4,207 Drives: RZ34 Rep Power: 31940	Maybe I should go to a class or something for all of this the more I look into it the more difficult it seems. That is why I always have respect for people with this talent. Im still going to get one of those cameras dais posted though, prob the Nikon. __________________ Project Z <--Click - Check out the link too many mods to list!

05-03-2011, 10:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
tonytone Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Homestead Posts: 18 Drives: Black beast Rep Power: 16	I would give Lightroom a try, very easy and GREAT! __________________ My Flickr Page Facebook

05-02-2011, 12:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
daisuke149 My *** is famous! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA Posts: 4,849 Drives: 2013 Boss 302 PW Rep Power: 31	Nikon D3000 SLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens 25462 B&H or Canon EOS Rebel T3 18-55mm IS II Kit 5157B002 B&H Photo Video !

05-03-2011, 02:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
dP3NGU1N A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Irvine Posts: 1,682 Drives: 13 PW sport 6mt Rep Power: 18	For tips starting out, this guy has been awesome: PhotoTips.biz entertaining and educational when it comes to photography. For full photogear reviews and opinions: KenRockwell.com: Photography, Cameras and Taking Better Pictures Breaks down the essentials of what you need and what's marketing hype out there. I strongly suggest reading some of the articles about megapixels and ISOs so you don't get cheated by sales hype.

05-03-2011, 02:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
Boost_lee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SATX Posts: 2,813 Drives: 09 370Z TT 6MT Rep Power: 29	All the above info is great. I also agree on reading Understanding Exposure by Peterson, I have a copy right next to me!