What’s Your Preference?

rhoraq · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:05 PM

I'm new to this and I'm not even sure I've posted in the right forum or section of this forum. But I am new to photography, but I have a few questions I hope you all can help me with. First the camera that I'm using is an Olympus c-5050 zoom. It's a 5.0 megapixel and the lens it has on it is 7.1-21.3mm. What I'm wanting to use it for is portrait photography and I'm not sure if this is the right camera to be using for portraits?? Should I upgrade? I want those classic pictures where the background is blurry and the image of the person is crisp and clear. Plus should I get a lense that is longer to attach to it if I keep this one? Thank you all for the future help and patience with me.

OsmosisStudios · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:12 PM

You've got what we rather fondly call a Point&Shoot camera. This encompasses just about everything except a DSLR.

The trick with getting those really blurred backgrounds is twofold: fast aperture and long focal length: Your camera has neither.

If youre serious about photograhy, then even an entry-level dSLR will give you fantastic results, especially compared to an older-model P&S.

rhoraq · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:44 PM

Thank you so much for letting me know. I don't know much at all about cameras, but I am definitely serious about photography and the more I was working with this I just had a feeling that this wasn't what I needed. My mother purchased this camera and gave it to me. If you don't mind could you recommend an entry-level dslr?

dcclark · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:26 PM

You might want to search around the forums -- there are lots of recommendation threads.

I often recommend the Nikon D40. Nowadays it's going for CHEAP (by DSLR standards), it's light, simple, and easy to use. But, you should go to an electronics store and try it in your hands first. Also try some entry-level Canons (such as the new T1i) and see if they feel better to you. Either one will do you well.

rhoraq · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:29 PM

Thank you so much. I'll have to get out there and visit my nearest electronics store then. I'm reading so much about Nikons that I'm already being sold on the brand now I just need to find the specific model. Thanks peops keep the recommendations coming!

OsmosisStudios · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:30 PM

Nikon: D3000 or D5000 are the de-facto entry levels
Canon: XS, XSi or T1i (North America). 450D, 1000D and 500D (europe and other)
Sony: A330 and so on (I dont know this line as well)

rhoraq · #7 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:43 PM

Thank you so much for your input. What exactly is de-facto? Again I'm sorry for my low intellect on this.

Aegea · #8 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:11 PM

"De facto" is a latin phrase meaning roughly "in practice". Usually as opposed to "de jure" which means "in law".

dcclark · #9 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:24 PM

The effective meaning is -- while the cameras may not officially be the company's entry level cameras, they are, for all practical purposes, entry level.