Re portraits etc.

shawnee

I enjoy photographing people , particularily old people and am doing a project which will feature a number of them . I also enjoy landscapes . I have used a compact digital Olympus c765 with a 10x zoom for the last few years. I like the camera and find it easy to carry around in a small case or in a jacket. I am considering purchasing a digital slr to improve my photo quality. I know that Nikon , Canon and indeed Olympus are quality cameras. However I am wondering if anyone would recommend one suitable for above work. I suppose a separate flash would also be required and what kind of lens would be best for portrait phots. Your advice would be appreciated.;)

melekalikimaka

shawnee wrote: »

I enjoy photographing people , particularily old people and am doing a project which will feature a number of them . I also enjoy landscapes . I have used a compact digital Olympus c765 with a 10x zoom for the last few years. I like the camera and find it easy to carry around in a small case or in a jacket. I am considering purchasing a digital slr to improve my photo quality. I know that Nikon , Canon and indeed Olympus are quality cameras. However I am wondering if anyone would recommend one suitable for above work. I suppose a separate flash would also be required and what kind of lens would be best for portrait phots. Your advice would be appreciated.;)

of camera lighting is ideal, any brand will satisfy your needs, lens... primes generally will give better results

Nforce

If you decide to go with Nikon...........for the money,there's no better portrait lens than the 50mm F1.8

AnimalRights

If you go with Canon the 85mm 1.8 on a Full frame is excellent, if it's a crop frame cam the 50mm 1.8 or 1.4 will do you grand.

AnCatDubh

Hmnnnn..... How much of that 10x zoom have you been using?

When you go with a prime (read fixed focal length - 85mm / 50mm / 105mm) you need to be able to zoom with your feet - the quality from the prime combined with decent DSLR sensor is worth it though.

But you may be ready to change you shooting style as for portraits, you may need to be getting a lot closer to your subject to crop them nicely into the frame than when you had a 10x zoom working in your favour. This shouldn't dissuade you as if your 'into' photography then you'll probably find it fun. Meh..... you might and you mightn't - depends on your shooting style.

Super zoom lens are also available but darn expensive to get a really good quality one's.

And don't forget good ole Pentax in your list of decent DSLR's - as if your choice wasn't already confusing enough - not as popular as Canon or Nikon but great kit all the same.

On the subject of flash, an external flash is strongly recommended. But you can go for complete lighting systems / umbrella's / gel's / multiple strobes / remotely triggered - your starting point is the companion manufacturer external flash, and then depending on what you want to spend and how much you want to get 'into' really good portraits you can continue to purchase. Other options are lots of DIY stuff - google be's your friend here.

Good luck.