Beginner Camera

kassie

Hi Guys

I want to get into photography but really unsure what camera to get i have this idea in my head that one of those cameras with the big twisting lense is a good camera!!!:eek: Could someone please suggest a good, reasonably priced camera for a beginner?!?!?

Ta, kas

sheesh

ahem


theres a sticky there for this

Zillah

What you want is a simple 35mm "SLR".

SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex, and its an important step above the usual point-and-shoot. Do some shopping online (Christ almighty make sure you get most of your camera equipment online, Irish street prices are mental). Find one that gets good reviews but has a price you can afford.

Then its very important you read as much as you can about photography online. Learn the basics, they're quite easy. Ask questions here, there's loads of people who'll go out of their way to help you. Then buy a few rolls of film and go out experimenting.

If you're any way computer literate it might be worth your while getting the shop to scan your negatives instead of printing them, it'd be cheaper and easier to organise. Keep track of what you tried with different shots so you can see how they came out and learn from your mistakes.

This is the first camera I ever had: http://nikonimaging.com/global/products/filmcamera/slr/2000-2004/f55/index.htm

Simple, robust, cheap enough and does the job fine.

If you decide you really like photography and can afford it then perhaps you could upgrade to a Digital SLR, but they're very expensive (500e+ for the cheapest) and it'll be a while before you should start thinking about that.

Thirdfox

To follow up on what Zillah said - dSLR photography may be more expensive at the outset but the film is free (or practically free) with digital. Printing all those 4x6" will cost an immense amount of money.

Having said that - the Canon powershot (A650, 710IS) has a wide range of manual features that someone who doesn't want to spend an overly large amount of money can get into. They are much smaller than a dSLR (handy for snaps if you want those) and give you a good grounding in how photography works.

And if you get a dSLR in the end these little cameras will still be there for you to take snaps with/bring to concerts/places where a dSLR would not be convenient.

kassie

Thanx Zillah and Thridfox - i'll do a little research into those cameras and see which is in my price range!

Thirdfox

Try dpreview.com 's camera search function - it'll find all the cameras that match your specifications.

kassie

hi guys

missed out on 2 good cameras on ebay today:(!!! A Canon EOS 3000N and a canon EOS 3000V only priced at €60 - €80!!! gotta pay p&p after that but still a bargin! I'll continue to keep an eye on ebay!

Fionn

some of the new point and shoot cameras are really good for someone dipping their toe into the photography pond.
You get to learn all about the technical details and still get the safety of full auto and you can venture into various degrees of the 'creativity' side of it too as it suits without any pressure.

so i'd say go for a good P&S rather than an old second hand film

good luck whatever you go for..:)