Thinking To Start But Don't Know Where

[wgn_white]

Hello.

I am Pangeran Wiguan, a new member from Malaysia.

I am very interested to start a new hobby.
Yes, you guess it right.

Photography...

But I don't know anything about this world yet and that's why I am here.

Why I want to start this passion is because of a crazy dream...

I want to shoot the photo of my sister and make her new star model, hopefully...
My main interest would be taking people photos... Beautiful people... Or maybe for a stock photo for my web design...

I know how to use a camera obviously... Well who don't?
At the moment, the only device that can take pictures is my cellphone...
Nokia N80 with 3MP and SE K770i with 3.2MP Auto focus... Lame eh?

However, I decide to get myself a real camera...

But which one? What brand? Is there's differences or this camera for this type of people? This type of photography?

My budget would be less than MYR4000 (est USD$1176)

What's the best gear I could afford with that budget as a starter kit?

Beside of that, I know how to use photoshop and fireworks because I use them sometimes to edit images for my web design task. I'm not a good graphic editor thou... I can't design a graphics... But I am sure I am good in coding...

I'm looking forward for someone to point me where should I go, read, do, etc...


Thanks...

- Pangeran Wiguan -

[windrider86]

May I suggest going to a camera shop and handling several different brands and see how they feel to you. Many have rentals you can try out as well. That might give you a good feel for what will work for you.
I wasn't quite sure about your question about this type of camera for, portraits?
Each one of us can suggest our personal favorites and tell you why. But, that may not be right for you.
Not everyone knows how to use a camera. Oh everyone can certainly push the little button and take a snapshot, but actually using your camera to its fullest potential and getting a really good photograpgh will take time, practice and patience.
Everyone starts out with a dream, and to fufill that dream it takes a LOT of hard work. Dont give up on it.

[Jim Bryant]

And what an ideal location in which to pursue your new hobby. Get a camera and go out and take pretty pictures.

[wgn_white]

Originally Posted by windrider86

May I suggest going to a camera shop and handling several different brands and see how they feel to you. Many have rentals you can try out as well. That might give you a good feel for what will work for you.
I wasn't quite sure about your question about this type of camera for, portraits?
Each one of us can suggest our personal favorites and tell you why. But, that may not be right for you.
Not everyone knows how to use a camera. Oh everyone can certainly push the little button and take a snapshot, but actually using your camera to its fullest potential and getting a really good photograpgh will take time, practice and patience.
Everyone starts out with a dream, and to fufill that dream it takes a LOT of hard work. Dont give up on it.

Yeah, what I mean use camera was push that little button and snap a photo...
Oh, at my town here they don't rent out camera...
I've been to camera shop and see, the sales promoter hardly let me hold it...
And the sales promoter is not more than just a worker so they not very helpful...

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

And what an ideal location in which to pursue your new hobby. Get a camera and go out and take pretty pictures.

Yeah, I need to decide which one and what camera first..

[PhotoRebel4]

First, I'd suggest not spending all your budget on a camera, and saving some for lenses. If you're mostly going to be taking portraits, you may want a dedicated portrait lens.

I like canons, so my answer will definately be a little biased, lol

The Canon EOS 50D will cost you about USD1100, but that doesn't leave you enough for a lens. You can also get the Canon T1i (500D) with a kit lens for USD700-800. That will leave you enough left in your budget to purchase a portrait lens.

I don't do any portrait photography, so my recommendations on a lens may not be the best, but for the money you have left, I've heard the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 (under USD400) is a great portrait lens, and one of their best non-L lenses Canon makes. (L is their high end "luxury" line up of lenses).

Hope this helps, and can't wait to see your photos when you get a camera!

[wgn_white]

Originally Posted by PhotoRebel4

First, I'd suggest not spending all your budget on a camera, and saving some for lenses. If you're mostly going to be taking portraits, you may want a dedicated portrait lens.

I like canons, so my answer will definately be a little biased, lol

The Canon EOS 50D will cost you about USD1100, but that doesn't leave you enough for a lens. You can also get the Canon T1i (500D) with a kit lens for USD700-800. That will leave you enough left in your budget to purchase a portrait lens.

I don't do any portrait photography, so my recommendations on a lens may not be the best, but for the money you have left, I've heard the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 (under USD400) is a great portrait lens, and one of their best non-L lenses Canon makes. (L is their high end "luxury" line up of lenses).

Hope this helps, and can't wait to see your photos when you get a camera!

From your post, I assume you're saying the most important parts are the LENSES.

Am I right?

All this while I thought its the camera does matter...
New things I've learn today...

I've surveyed both the camera you recommend on local online store...

The EOS price were MYR6K ++ here in Malaysia (est USD$1940) which is out of my budget...
While the T1i is MYR3K ++... just the right price...
I guess, I'm aiming for these and learn about the lens later...

There is no technical difference between the 50D and T1i. Same sensor, same LCD screen, same processor...it's the same camera in a different body. With the T1i, you get video (which I never use).

The T1i is a great camera, and there's not much better until you get to the 5DMarkII.

As for lenses, the kit lens will do okay, but I'd look at the 50mm f1.8 if you're on a budget (about $100). I personally recommend the Sigma 50mm f1.4, but that's a lot more money.

I would also recommend a flash. While the Canon 580exII ($400) is the best choice, you can get away with a Vivitar 285HV ($80) for doing portrait work. Combine that with some wireless flash triggers (I might be going a bit over your head here) like the Cactus V4s, and you'll have a starter Strobist setup.

[wgn_white]

Originally Posted by rt80639

There is no technical difference between the 50D and T1i. Same sensor, same LCD screen, same processor...it's the same camera in a different body. With the T1i, you get video (which I never use).

The T1i is a great camera, and there's not much better until you get to the 5DMarkII.

As for lenses, the kit lens will do okay, but I'd look at the 50mm f1.8 if you're on a budget (about $100). I personally recommend the Sigma 50mm f1.4, but that's a lot more money.

I would also recommend a flash. While the Canon 580exII ($400) is the best choice, you can get away with a Vivitar 285HV ($80) for doing portrait work. Combine that with some wireless flash triggers (I might be going a bit over your head here) like the Cactus V4s, and you'll have a starter Strobist setup.

T1i got video... That's sound more appealing now to me...

That 5DMarkII is too much for new beginner like me, beside the price... make me uh no... out of budget...

Flash, thats I never think about... Seem I need to learn more from you guys here...

So overall what I need,

1. The camera body
2. Lenses
3. Flash

[PhotoRebel4]

Originally Posted by wgn_white

From your post, I assume you're saying the most important parts are the LENSES.

Am I right?

All this while I thought its the camera does matter...
New things I've learn today...

I've surveyed both the camera you recommend on local online store...

The EOS price were MYR6K ++ here in Malaysia (est USD$1940) which is out of my budget...
While the T1i is MYR3K ++... just the right price...
I guess, I'm aiming for these and learn about the lens later...

I'd have to say both the lenses and camera are important. I was more just reminding you not to spend all your budget on the camera only to be left with just a kit lens or no lens at all (if you buy just a body).

Like you said, you learn something new every day. I didn't know the 50D and T1i (500D) have the same internals in a different body. Good to know.

[FrankLamont]

From what I know when I visited Malaysia, prices of cameras are very expensive there. My answer would be to travel to places around where it's cheap and get a camera within your budget. Preferably whenever your currency is high.

Still, a T1i should be sufficient.