Need some suggestions

[juniorjose]

Im getting into photography now and looking for a good camera to take pictures of my niece(newborn). im new to photographing but want to learn as i go along. anybody have any suggestions for a camera?

im interested in mostly cannon or a nikon as i hear good things about them.

[JFSanders]

Jose jr., I/We would need more information from you to accurately suggest to you what you might need.

But generally if you are a beginner without a camera, even a point and shoot like a sony cybershot. Then I suggest you start with the Sony cybershot or a Fuji fixed lens camera. And learn with it. The curriculum of photography applies across camera types and sizes so what you learn with your Point and shoot applies to DSLR cameras. Get a beginning photography book. I suggest Scott Kelby, but this website also offers a great beginners tutorial.

If you are past the fixed lens or just want more creative control (which makes it easier to crash as well!) then a entry level camera either Nikon or Canon will serve you well for at least a couple of years. Spend money on lenses not bodies, on flash and lighting and diffusers, Tripods and remotes.

[inkista]

Budget? New or used? And do you have any other areas of photographic interest, aside from shooting your niece?

Most folks being on a limited budget will go for an entry-level model. If you're buying new, with Nikon this would likely be the D3100/D5000. On the Canon side, you're talking about the T3/1100D or T3i/600D.

If you want a prosumer model, the Nikon models would be the D7000 or D300s. On the Canon side, the 60D or 7D. These are larger, with a heavier/sturdier build, and more shooting features, but typically the image quality is similar to the lower-end cameras, because they share sensors/processors with the lower-end models.

You can save a lot of money purchasing used, but then you won't have the latest greatest features. Typically, my personal opinion, is that the real sweet spot for value is going to be getting a used prosumer body, one generation back. Like the Canon 50D or a Nikon D90. The prices on these bodies are similar to one of the entry-level new bodies, but you'll have the prosumer build and extra shooting features. But this assumes that you're going to be serious about photography and will progress quickly enough (or you're experienced enough already) to need those mid-tier features before another generation of cameras comes out.

A really good guide to the camera models by tier and generation are the Wikipedia tables for DSLR cameras. Here's a link to the Nikon one. It includes links for similar tables for all the major dSLR makes.

[juniorjose]

I only have had a point and shoot camera, right now i have a panasonic lumix fs7 i bought last year. I was interested in the sony nex 3 camera because it is small and shoots dslr quality pictures, but im not sure how adjustable the menu is as far as shutter speed, aperture, etc. so i can learn. or should i go with just a regular dslr? im still learning so i cant get nothing expensive.

my cousin has a Nikon D50 and gets create quality pic. im mostyl interested in shooting people for now.

[inkista]

The only real issue with going with a NEX vs. a dSLR is that the lens selections for the NEX are really limited. This will be less of an issue as the system matures and Sony creates more lenses in the E-mount, but right now, there are only three lenses you can buy new:

18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Zoom Lens
18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Zoom Lens
16mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens

The 18-200 superzoom is likely to have limited image quality to cover the very large zoom range, and it's relatively "slow" (i.e., has a smaller max. aperture that will require slower shutter speeds for good exposure). Ditto the 18-55 kit lens.

Your only "fast" lens (good for portraiture and blurring the background) is a 16mm f/2.8. And f/2.8 isn't all that fast, and 16mm is very wide, so you actually won't be getting a particularly thin depth of field (blurry background) with it.

Compare that with what Micro Four-Thirds has got going for it, or a dSLR system, like Nikon, and you can see the limitations.

With Sony NEX, you can adapt manual focus lenses, even rangefinder lenses like the Cosina Voigtlander 40mm f/1.4 pancake lens. But this means losing autofocus, and aperture control from the camera, and may be more of a PITA than you're willing to deal with.

A Sony NEX is a great camera. You have full manual control, and it's fully as capable of taking great shots as a dSLR body is. However, the system overall is still a bit weaker and less flexible. In a year or two, this is likely to be a very different story (the micro four-thirds system is only about a year and a half older), especially since Sony has thrown the NEX mount open to third-party development. But right now, I'd say that if you're looking at the mirrorless compacts, micro four-thirds is possibly a better bet, even with the smaller sensor, because of the lenses. Particularly that Panasonic 20mm f/1.7.

And a dSLR system will have even more options than the mirrorless compacts. The choice really is one of system size over camera size. Are you willing to go with bigger, bulkier gear to have more choices? Or is having the physically smaller camera worth going with a more limited system (right now).

[juniorjose]

is it a good idea to buy the camera body used? if so were do you guys get a used body from?

I see what your saying about the limitations on the nex 3 camera for now. i was also thinking of the nikon 3100. what do you guys think about it?

[JFSanders]

Adorama, b&h both have used equipment. Good people too.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Helen Oster and whats-his-name should be along shortly now.

[Rhythm Photo]

Originally Posted by JFSanders

Adorama, b&h both have used equipment. Good people too.

B&H shipped me a broken lens over and over 10 business days ago they have still not replied to my phone calls and emails. B&H has accepted my returns and have always been great to me. I was a B&H die-hard and when I took a chance on Adorama it made me appreciate B&H even more.

I like canon, others like nikon, if you compare sensor sizes you might be sold one way or another. Make sure you check out reviews.

[JFSanders]

Originally Posted by Rhythm Photo

B&H shipped me a broken lens over and over 10 business days ago they have still not replied to my phone calls and emails. B&H has accepted my returns and have always been great to me. I was a B&H die-hard and when I took a chance on Adorama it made me appreciate B&H even more.

I like canon, others like nikon, if you compare sensor sizes you might be sold one way or another. Make sure you check out reviews.

Whatever dude... For what it is worth, I have purchased a large amount of items from both companies. I have never had a issue with anything from either company. IN MY OPINION they are good people. Sorry you had to eat a s@#t sandwich from them. Of course one should blame the reseller for a defective factory item. Next time buy Nikon, I hear Canon makes great printers...