Camera Help...

This is for all of the Photographers out there.

I am new to photography and I really want to take some amazing pictures of my animals. I am not trying to take up photography as a profession, just merely a hobby. I would like to get a high quality camera and lens. I will be taking pictures of my bp’s as well as a rambunctious Siberian Husky. (I would like something with accurate action shots) Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there a brand I should keep in mind or shy away from?

Thanks in advance.

I would suggest looking into a Canon or Nikon DSLR and highly recommend checking out B&H Photo http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/1...l_Cameras.html

Here are some pics from my Nikon.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...leDSC_0001.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...s-Den/Mojo.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...hostFemale.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...Den/Cheese.jpg

Hope this helps.

I would not consider myself a Photographer by any means, but I LOVE my Rebel XT (350d).

Its nothing fancy, nothin expensive, just a trustworthy, dependable camera.

LOVE IT!

(you can check my flickr to see some of my photos taken on my 350d)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick Long

I would not consider myself a Photographer by any means, but I LOVE my Rebel XT (350d).

Its nothing fancy, nothin expensive, just a trustworthy, dependable camera.

LOVE IT!

(you can check my flickr to see some of my photos taken on my 350d)

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Very true Patrick, I saw your pics and they look great. Here is an old pic I taken using a 2 mega pixel pocket sized Nikon.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z.../RedBabyIJ.jpg

You need to 1st choose a budget before anything else.

Go to shops and play with them. See what feels best in your hand and have someone show you the different functions, one will feel much nicer than another. If it's not comfortable for you to hold and operate it you aren't going to use it much.
I have a Canon Rebel XT and a few Canon lenses and love it. I've had Canons forever so when I got my digital I stuck with Canon, didn't want to buy new lenses and start over with something else. I still occasionally bust out the old fashioned film cameras...my all time favorite to use is my Canon elan 7e. I so wish my XT had eye control, that is the cat's meow!!

Hows about a canon T1i AKA 500D? It takes photos and HD video and its got a decent price & its the newest model. A few interchangable lenses later on and you should be set.

The reason I opt for a DSLR is because they are more flexable, shoot faster don't have the shutter lag point and shoots do where you click the shutter and a second later, it fires after your animal has moved causing a blurred photo. A DSLR is a camera you can GROW into, for now you can put it in green box mode and later on as you learn, change modes and get really creative.

One word of advice, STAY AWAY from anything that looks too good to be true, if you have to ask about it, its probably a sham. B&H and adorama are both good places to buy from.

I currantly use a canon 30D, but I am looking in to a minor upgrade later in the year if funds are available.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Serpents_Den

I would suggest looking into a Canon or Nikon DSLR and highly recommend checking out B&H Photo http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/1...l_Cameras.html

Here are some pics from my Nikon.



Hope this helps.

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+1000! Great site and I would also recommend Nikon or Canon. I'm biased towards Nikon because that's what I shoot and like. It's also what feels best to me in my hands. Like someone else already said. Go out to a few shops, pic them up,look at them,test them if possible, and choose what "feels" best to you and what you like the most. We can all tell you what we like and what works for us but, if it doesnt feel good for you and doesn't fit you then you probably won't like the results either. Just my .02:gj:

I shopped at B&H Photo both online and at the store. The store is very high tech, I never seen a retail store operate so sufficiently and far as service I give them an A+

I found this on Youtube. Notice they conveyor belts up near the ceiling, they use that to move product to be packed for shipping or being picked up as you exit the store!


YouTube - B&H Superstore Video

http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm

and

http://www.dpreview.com/

Well...

You have 2 routes to go depending on how HIGH quality you want.

I have a P&S (point and shoot) camera that is very high resolution & takes great pictures... But the shutter speed isn't as fast as say, a DSLR is.. however it has all the options that a DSLR has, just without removeable lenses.. such as aperture, exposure, iso, etc.
Sony Cybershot is what it's called I forget the exact model..

I took some of these with the above camera, and some with the below camera....
http://flashforwardphotography.com/2...denverzoo.html

I also have a "cheap" Nikon D40 (DSLR) it is Nikon's entry level DSLR.. does a great job, and for non professionals does work amazing.



Another DSLR to look at would be a Canon Rebel XTI (or the newest version of that is the XSI).. On par with the Nikon entry level.. Menu & other things are set up much differently, but they accomplish the same thing in the end.

It's all on you as far as which you are more comfortable using. I myself prefer Nikons, but use an XTI at work daily and have no qualms about it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by panthercz

You need to 1st choose a budget before anything else.

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This is the most important part. What are you willing to spend?

Even as a hobby you can get into thousands of dollars with just a few items. If you are new to photography all together you'll end up with more gear than you can handle. While I do suggest getting something you can grow into, don't go overboard :)

The second question to answer is what type of pictures you want to take. Not just the subjects, but what and where are the subjects in your shots?

If you want to take any type of motion stopping shots a point and shoot camera will fit into most budgets but will easily become frustrating due to shutter lag. Shutter lag can be summed up with "press the shutter button" wait a half second and then your picture is taken.

If you are taking posed shots, still life, or landscapes you can do just fine with a point and shoot type camera if you are willing to live within the constraints of having less options and control over the exposure settings.

Next, how are you going to look at and display your pictures? If you are looking for poster size prints you'll want a bigger sensor. Not just more megapixels, but an actual larger sensor. Think of it as film for a digital camera. The larger the sensor (or negative) the larger the image can be enlarged before distortion becomes noticeable.

Those aren't really an answer to your overall question, but it will help you buy something you'll be happy with and not feel like you spent too much.

On top of the camera or camera system you choose, other expenses are involved.

A case of some sort will be a nice addition. I like to have enough room to carry what I need for an average outing. You want to at least be able to carry an extra battery and memory card as well as the camera. If you carry a bag or backpack I'd suggest something that fits into your bag.

An extra or set of rechargeable batteries.

Memory cards. I have lots. my wife uses one high capacity card for everything.

A tri pod eventually. There are many uses for a tri pod. Taking pictures under low light conditions without a flash being the one I use most. The darker it is the slower your camera's shutter moves. Longer shutter time (open shutter) will show any movement in the camera. That's what causes thousands of the blurry pictures you see after a family member gets back from their vacation.

Those three are just the tip of the iceberg.

I hope this helps with your decision.

find a good used 20D. either off of ebay, or:

http://www.fredmiranda.com

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

ken rockwell is more opinionated than factual.

the 20D is a better performer than pretty much every entry level DSLR out today. it doesn't have some of the bells/whistles of the newer stuff, but performance wise and the current market price for an used one...it can't be beat.