What camera to buy?

[MmusicmanN]

Hi there,

I am looking to buy my first digital SLR camera. Taking a few classes this month, and planning to get very serious about it. I rented a Canon EOS-1 markIV just to feel it out. Planning on renting a Nikon D3s next week to get a feel.

I plan to take photography as far as I can. Finances are not really an issue. Just wanted to get insight from those with more experience.

Are these cameras too high end and advanced for a beginner like me?

Any suggestions on alternatives if so?

I was also considering the Sony A77 that is scheduled to come out in Oct. It's and SLT

[ChrisAdval]

Originally Posted by MmusicmanN

Hi there,

I am looking to buy my first digital SLR camera. Taking a few classes this month, and planning to get very serious about it. I rented a Canon EOS-1 markIV just to feel it out. Planning on renting a Nikon D3s next week to get a feel.

I plan to take photography as far as I can. Finances are not really an issue. Just wanted to get insight from those with more experience.

Are these cameras too high end and advanced for a beginner like me?

Any suggestions on alternatives if so?

I was also considering the Sony A77 that is scheduled to come out in Oct. It's and SLT

I'm not super experienced but I know if you want to be a professional photographer I would have a wider flexibility with either canons or nikons for about most professional work.

But generally speaking before I recommend a camera, some cameras are stronger for certain type of photography like portraits I think Canon 5D MkII I've read and watched reviews and amount of usage from professionals is the Canon 5D MkII for portrait photography. Also do you want or don't care about video? If not, for portraits, I would go with Nikon D3S... and this is purely from reviews and research from other professionals opinions on them. No budget limits, I would still learn yourself as a photographer as to where you want to focus primarily on in your photography. Video or no video, portraits or just product photography... I want to do everything, but only as a hobby and if its only a hobby I'll deal with using about any equipment I have, but professionally I would have to have the best of best equipment if possible that is best for the job.

I personally and professionally want to get into advertising model photography and having them printed on billboards or big prints like that... A hassleblad would be best for me, and using a 50+ mp camera and those cameras itself costs about $50k... so photography can take you anywhere and create some massive amount of different goals in your career if you want a career at all in photography.

This topic should be moved to the camera body forum by the way...

[Phillydog1958]

Originally Posted by MmusicmanN

Hi there,

I am looking to buy my first digital SLR camera. Taking a few classes this month, and planning to get very serious about it. I rented a Canon EOS-1 markIV just to feel it out. Planning on renting a Nikon D3s next week to get a feel.

I plan to take photography as far as I can. Finances are not really an issue. Just wanted to get insight from those with more experience.

Are these cameras too high end and advanced for a beginner like me?

Any suggestions on alternatives if so?

I was also considering the Sony A77 that is scheduled to come out in Oct. It's and SLT

At first thought, I would say that you are biting off of morethanyou can chew, but maybe not. I will say that you probably need to figure this one out yourdelf. I suggest that you start off by researching the 3 cameras that you're considering. Ask yourself if these cameras even fit your ability. Then look at the mid-level cameras that these 3 manufacturers make. Do a comparison.

[3bayjunkie]

I would suggest the NIkon D3. it has the best low light iso quality of any camera i have seen reviews on. Its images look soo crisp!!! I'd get the Nikon D3x though. You lose out on your burst speed only 5 instead of 11, but its so nice.

[dlambert]

Be sure to think about the whole system you're buying into. You're not just getting a camera body here, you're also buying one or more lenses, and more importantly, you're committing to buy more lenses and accessories for that platform. The money you eventually drop on lenses, strobes, and accessories *should* dwarf the money you're spending on your camera body. If this isn't the case, you're probably spending too much on the body and not enough on glass.

Good move trying some cameras out before buying, though. Even though you're test-driving top-end bodies, I think you'll find that a lot of the "feel" of these cameras will extend down through the respective lines - at least in terms of controls and operation. The higher-end cameras are larger and more solid pretty much across the board, but if you hate the way Canon does "X" or Nikon does "Y", that's good to discover before you buy into their system.

[BigFuzzy]

I see very little reason to buy into a really nice body at this point. Your skills are not likely to push the limits of your kit at this point.

Buy a decent body that allows you learn the trade and deliver good results (I'd argue any mid level camera is a good place to start) and perhaps put money into nicer lenses which hold their value and utility better than bodies.

Then, when you're really in need of something better you'll jump into the news bestest thing out there at that time in stead of being stuck with a 3-5 year old 'high end' body when you're actually in a position to make use of it.

Even better, I'd get the body, a decent basic lens and a 50mm lens to teach you how to "zoom with your feet".

Also, we could suggest more if you told us what you think you'll want to be shooting.

[SwissJon]

I'm with everyone else.. Buying a "Pro" level camera before you've lost your training wheels is ludicrous.. Even if you're a Saudi Prince with money to burn, you shouldn't bother.. Get Something like the Nikon D7000 or the Canon equivalent and get your eye in.. It's a lot lighter and will allow you to manage the learning process a lot more easily. If you've money to burn, you'll be pleased to have a crop body, even if you also get a Full Frame camera later.

The money you want to spend is on decent glass.. THAT's what will make a good photo great..

I used to have a Sony A55.. I really can't get on with the EVF, you're treated to a poor rendition of real life.. Some people love them, I didn't.. I'd go for an SLR over an SLT any day. (Although I do love Sony's on-sensor VR)

[mosgood]

I also agree with some of the others. Get your feet wet with a mid-range dSLR first before committing to a high end camera. That way, the camera will have enough features to keep you interested, but not so much that you are overwhelmed with menu options, extra buttons, dials, etc. Your lens choices are more important; the better the glass, the better the photograph. Nikon & Canon have the most lens options, but Sony does have the vibration reduction in the camera & not the lenses. I'm not a big fan of Sony, but they did get some pretty decent specs from the Minolta buy out.

What subject matter are you planning on photographing?

[MeAgain]

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

I'd get a 50mm lens to teach you how to "zoom with your feet".

I'm still stalking you Fuzzy. This is the best advice ever. I'm going to heed it.