taking up photography

scruff321

im thinking about taking up photography what sort of camera would you need starting off?any other essential items?tips etc?

thanks

AnimalRights

/prepares 800 page essay.

ThOnda

Read the FAQ thread, please :-)

Calina

scruff321 wrote: »

im thinking about taking up photography what sort of camera would you need starting off?any other essential items?tips etc?

thanks

Hi Scruff.

A lot depends on what you want to do, how much money you have to spend. When you ask us "what do we need", the simple answer to the question is "I dunno. We dunno". There's an FAQ which is massively informative if you have half an idea of what you're asking.

Me personally, I'd advise someone to start off with a decent enough bridge camera. There's no real point in kitting yourself out with a DSLR and five lenses if you discover that it's not for you, really. Most people here I think are recommending the Canon G9 but you don't have to go for that if you don't want right now. Ultimately, what you buy will be coloured by what you want to photograph.

I shot with a compact camera for a very long time, before I got a decent film SLR. After that, I shot with a compact for a while again. A lot of the learning experience is using a camera with some limitations so that you can identify what exactly it is you want to do. Then maybe consider going for an SLR of some description if you can identify what your compact isn't giving you.

I don't know if this helps, but realistically, you can start taking photographs with any camera; it is only by taking photographs that you can figure out what it is you need.

5uspect

I'd get a half decent compact/bridge to start off with. The likes of the Canon A720 IS offers standard point and shoot options (party "mode") as well as manual settings (exposure and aperture control). If its not for you then you have a decent camera for gereral use instead of an expensive dSLR and more expensive glass.

shepthedog

I started off with a bridge camera when I began to get interested in photography, one of the H series from Sony and it was a great little camera. You will be amazed at the features on modern bridge cameras and they will teach you a lot and give you a great idea of whether its for you or not..

People here will give you a better idea if you say a little more about what you want to shoot as there is a great mix of people here with huge number of interests. eg sports., landscapes etc.

AnCatDubh

the idea of a bridge is a good one - careful though on what you spend. Theres a slim differentiator between a *good* P&S bridge type camera and an entry DSLR. For example the G9 mentioned already will probably cost in or around 350 euro. We've recently seen threads where the cheapest entry level DSLR (and those mentioned were all really good for entry level) will be 380 euro - i think it was a Nikon, the Pentax was 399 euro and other models were posted. So if you've a little experience of photography (perhaps a P&S) which is giving you your inkling towards doing more with it then you may be better looking at entry DSLR's in terms of the investment that you will make. But if you get a chance to pick up a bridge type somewhat cheaper then its still a great option.

Cheers.

sheesh

I'd go for a compact camera that way if you find that photography as a hobby is not for you you can just use the camera for taking holiday snaps and the like. Modern point and shoot cameras are good enough that you can do alot with them.
Make sure they have a optical view finder.
I was shooting with a canon a620 for a while and I thought it was fine. Just to get you started.

nilhg

I have to say that, unless the OP's budget is really tight, I disagree with the advice to buy a bridge model, as long as you are willing to learn, an entry level DSLR will always outperform a bridge model when conditions are anything other than ideal.

God knows DSLRs have never been better value.


OP, i think you should do a trawl through the FAQ and the last couple of weeks posts here, there are some very informative threads.

gloobag

nilhg wrote: »

I have to say that, unless the OP's budget is really tight, I disagree with the advice to buy a bridge model, as long as you are willing to learn, an entry level DSLR will always outperform a bridge model when conditions are anything other than ideal.

God knows DSLRs have never been better value.


OP, i think you should do a trawl through the FAQ and the last couple of weeks posts here, there are some very informative threads.

As someone who's just starting out myself, having bought my first DSLR just a few weeks ago, I would have to agree with this.

I had used point and shoot/bridge cameras for years before making the jump to an SLR and I learned absolutely nothing.

Buy yourself an entry level DSLR and switch it to manual mode. Then read a **** load about aperture, shutter speed etc. . . .

I'd reccommend buying a copy of 'Understanding Exposure' by Bryan Peterson also.

Thirdfox

sheesh wrote: »

I'd go for a compact camera that way if you find that photography as a hobby is not for you you can just use the camera for taking holiday snaps and the like. Modern point and shoot cameras are good enough that you can do alot with them.
Make sure they have a optical view finder.
I was shooting with a canon a620 for a while and I thought it was fine. Just to get you started.

+1 - this way the compact camera won't become redundant if you get a dSLR and if you don't want to go to the next level it's no biggie - you'll stick have a good compact camera.

5uspect

Diving in head first into your first dSLR is a good idea, but can quicly become a problem when you decide that you only want to take snaps and that bulky sSLR just sits on the shelf. I think thats the advantage of the likes of a compact or bridge.

Heck, even pick up a second hand camera. Ruu picked up an old Nikon with lenses for $40.

PixelTrawler

Get the best camera you can afford now...

If you want to get into photograph, at least go for an entry level dslr.

If you do get a bridge now and in 3 months time want more and you buy a dslr you'll end up never using the bridge and itll be cash wasted.

If you find you tire of the photography you'll probably more easily sell the dslr then a bridge also...

Best thing though is to pop into a high street store and try them in your hands...

The basics of a dslr are no harder to learn then a point and shoot. Its when you come up from the basic zones the options might bewilder you for a while!

Great fun learning though...

tywy

If you're looking for a compact with full manual functions, the canon powershot A570 IS is excellent. I love it. I think there's one for sale second hand on adverts.ie aswell. Very affordable and easy to use.

scruff321

thanks for all the replys i really should have looked at the FAQ first but the responses ive gotten have been great.

cheers

5uspect

Good luck with whatever you decide to get. Don't be a stranger either!

AnCatDubh

Update on the investment part of the thread. Happened to be in Argos today (liffey valley) returning a camera bag and noticed a special at the moment on the Pentax K100D DSLR with Kit lens for 362 euro all in. Seems really good. Just thought i'd mention - others may be interested.