Sara B: Any suggestions for a really good professional photography camera?
I’m thinking about possibly going to school for photography so i need a good camera. I’ve asked around but everyone tells me something different as far as what their favorites are. I’m so confused and honestly overwhelmed by all the different brands and models out there. I just want a nice camera that I can take everywhere and play around with and as i mention possibly take me through photography school. Any suggestions?
I’m willing to spend up to $ 2,500. Possibly $ 3,000.
Answers and Views:
Answer by Commie Joe
how much are you willing to spend?
a “really good professional” camera can cost upwards to $ 6,000.
there are so many different cameras, i would just recommend going to a camera store and help them find one thats right for you. :]Answer by casperskitty
You don’t need us to tell you which camera. Go to a camera store and try them out. Would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive to see how it feels? When buying a camera it is just as important to get a feel for it. I don’t like the small DSLRs because I have big hands and it feels awkward to hold one. You may have small hands which might feel awkward holding a large camera. Then there is the layout of the buttons. You may prefer one manufacturer’s set-up over another. You really should try them out. This might help you decide who to go with-Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Sony, etc.
Next, you need to decide which lens(es) will best suit you. That will be determined by your usual subject matter. Do you want to do portraits? Then a normal to short telephoto prime with a large max aperture like a 50/1.4 (on a smaller sensor) or an 85/1.4 (on a full frame sensor) would be good. Or do you want to shoot landscapes and cityscapes? Then a wide angle lens would be good for you. Or if you want to shoot wildlife or sports you will need a long to super telephoto. Or, do you not know yet what kind of shootin you might like? Then a zoom in the wide to telephoto range would do well to play around with while you find your style.
Once you know which lens you want, and have budgeted for a camera bag or case, and memory cards, and perhaps an extra battery, then you will know how much you can spend on the camera body. Suppose that the lens(es) and other accessories would come to $ 2000, then you would know that you could spend $ 500-1000 on the camera body. If you know which manufacturer you want to go with, then you just have to figure out which body within your budget is right for you.
Now, some things that may be important depending upon your use of the camera:
aps-c or ff-ff is full frame. The sensor in a full frame DSLR is about the same size as the frame in 35mm film. The aps-c sensor is maybe half that size. A ff camera will offer better resolution and is generally preferred by landscape photographers but they are also quite expensive. The aps-c is a very good and useful camera for any kind of shooting though. Just remember that with the lenses some are ff and some are for aps-c sized sensors. If you put an aps-c lens on a ff DSLR or 35mm SLR you will get vignetting but you can generally use them that way if you don’t mind the vignetting in the corners. You can use a ff lens on any of the three.
fps-frames per second-this is important if you are going to want to shoot several consecutive shots. Very useful for sports photography. Not so much for wildlife and landscape shooters.
MP-megapixels-with a DSLR this number isn’t as critical. So don’t worry too much about it. I know there are people still shooting 6mp DSLRs. Personally, I would shoot for 8-12 but don’t put too much stock in it. The size of the sensor and pixels is more important than the number of pixels.
IS-image stabilization-some cameras have it and some don’t and then some lenses have it and some don’t. It isn’t critical, but it is sometimes nice.
ISO range-most DSLRs have something starting around 100 and going up to about 1600. Some go up to 6400 and a few even go up to the 20,000s. But most DSLRs don’t handle very well above 1600 without getting serious noise.
You should also consider that most colleges offer both film and digital photography classes. Sometimes you have to start with film before you can move on to digital classes. This means you would have to buy a film SLR as well. Once you have the specifics on the DSLR worked out, and if you will need a film SLR, be on the look out for one that will work with your digital set-up so you can use the lens(es) on both cameras. In fact, if you get some lenses with a film SLR, you could also use them on the DSLR.
Don’t let it get you flustered, it is really simple to pick out a camera when you just take a deep breath and relax and get some hands on experience with many different brands and models.
Have fun.
Answer by RoccoSomething you might consider is going to the photography school of your choice, and ask them for an opinion. Since they are going to teach you, you might as well have what they think should be good.
Another thing you can do is to have a look at what does the photographers in the “real” world use. You will find that is most likely the following, as these are the newest of models in the price range you are looking at:
…but not restricted to it. Any one of the two will give you excellent service, and you will still have a few bucks left for flash as well.
and the required batteries, tripod, bag among other things.
You will find that there is great enthusiastic debates between Canon and Nikon, but professionally there are few other cameras that work as hard or as widely as those two. Personal choice will have you decide between the two makes.
You should be able these days to get a nice used Hasselblad kit for that these days.
It is what I had for my college and for years after.
School = pro camera= med. format= making money not playing around anymore..
Check with your school of choice for what they will need you to have.
Answer by image mamThe answer is a no brain-er!
A sony a700.
This camera is exceptional. It is the exception not many will suggest.
They will say canon and nikon.
The Sony range is ten times quicker to white balance, which is of major factor in getting colour exceptional. The range of lenses include Auto focus Zeiss . Exceptional lenses. The exposure and gradation of the dynamic range of the chip is exceptional. It has a number of presets which include dynamic range which others camera do not have.
When pointed at a grey card it will indicate in “kelvin ” and in “mired”
It is exceptional as no others Camera does this.
It is built in Japan and can stand a beating. It shoots a raw file which can be Enhanced in Camera to give exceptional sharpness, the saturation in colour and the shadow and highlight detail which most makes and models don’t come near.
It is exceptionally well priced and will provide a longer life than most camera.
I see people with canons and Nikon’s which do a great job but the sony is quicker, superb Precision and out shoots it unexceptional relatives.
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