beginner question.

shaylou

shaylou

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Shayne
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Hello, I am just starting out in photography and haven't bought my first slr yet. I'm excited to get started and plan to take classes. My question is, doesn't it sound logical for a person in my position to take a class that supplies camera's so I can figure out what really matters to me in a camera (pre- purchase). I have ask a few local camera shops if they offer this but they all say I'm the first to ask for this service. Am I asking for too much. I don't want to buy something and wish I went with something else. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
The important decision is not actually the camera. The two main one's you have to decide are which system to buy into and how much glass can you afford.

The camera body is just a small part of a complete system, the two most popular being Nikon or Canon. When you purchase good quality lenses you tend

to keep hold of them and just update the body as and when you feel you need to. Possibly with new features that you can't live without.

Depending on funds available look at what lenses you can afford and then add a body. This can easily be upgraded at a later date. Good quality results

can be had from a reasonably priced body if a good lens is fitted to it.

edit: If you end up buying a camera with a cheap lens, I can guarantee it will the first thing you will be trying to upgrade. You will wish you had picked better in the first place.

If money is tight buy 'better quality' second hand.
 
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It does seem logical but in the absence of that tell us what you are interested in & TP members might be able to guide you down the right path.

I am also a Canon user, to me I just found they made more sense (ie the dials & buttons are where I like them to be), I have a friend who shoots Nikon, another who shoots Sony and another Olympus.

I'd like to second the pp's advice, go second hand to get better kit straight from the start :)
 
I will guarentee that if you go nikon [ or canon], that in the not so distant future you will be wondering if you should have gone the other path. Im sure its six or one and half a dozen of the other!;)

So unless you have a preference or some nice person has given you some gear:D, I would find a nice camera shop that will let you fiddle with the bodies and maybe show you the basics, and then pick what feels right.

I tried some canons and the Nikon D5000, and the nikon just "clicked" for me, felt right to hold and use. My mate felt exactly the other way, disliked the Nikon feel and loves Canon.
 
shaylou said:
My question is, doesn't it sound logical for a person in my position to take a class that supplies camera's so I can figure out what really matters to me in a camera (pre- purchase).
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That all sounds very sensible but I'd be surprised if you find a class like that. If you're just starting out you might not know what direction your photography will go in, for example you may very soon be obsessed with shooting portraits but in six months time you might live to take pictures of spiders :gag:

Why not start out by having a really good think about what you think you'd like to photograph and then come back here and ask some more questions? They're a pretty friendly bunch here and there'll always be someone who'll have the time to post some answers or advice.
 
Ok, my tuppence worth...

First of all, forget about "buying into a system". If you're just starting out then it's unlikely you're going to be rushing out and spending £5000 on a lens, so it doesn't matter if brand A had a better selection of professional glass, or brand B has a better flashgun system, none of these things matter right at the start. You can always change brands later on if you find that one of the other camera makes has more lenses etc that you want/need, however see my next point.....

The most important thing is that the camera feels comfortable for you to use. It matters not one iota if it has more megapixels than another camera, or a flip-out screen or whatever, if it's not 100% comfortable to hold then it'll simply lie in a drawer and never get used.

Have a look round your local camera shops and/or the likes of Currys, many have displays where you can handle the cameras, without having to first deal with a sales assistant, and have a good play with a few different cameras within your budget, then, as Alan says, come back here and ask more questions, we're always happy to help. :)
 
Some sound advice there, but I would take a different approach.
Before you start a class, join your local photographic/camera club.
Meet people there, and explain your situation.
No point going into a camera shop yet. Even if you were handed the best camera for your needs, you wouldn't know it.
Talk to people, have a go with a few different setups, ask loads of questions, then get down the shops!!
I know I would be more than happy to talk to a newcomer, and let them have a go with my kit if they wanted.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Have a look round your local camera shops and/or the likes of Currys, many have displays where you can handle the cameras, without having to first deal with a sales assistant, and have a good play with a few different cameras within your budget, then, as Alan says, come back here and ask more questions, we're always happy to help. :)
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I doubt there are any shops with cameras lying around available for handling without a sales assistant breathing down your neck.:)
Certainly not around here, anyway !
 
GHP said:
Some sound advice there, but I would take a different approach.
Before you start a class, join your local photographic/camera club.
Meet people there, and explain your situation.
No point going into a camera shop yet. Even if you were handed the best camera for your needs, you wouldn't know it.
Talk to people, have a go with a few different setups, ask loads of questions, then get down the shops!!
I know I would be more than happy to talk to a newcomer, and let them have a go with my kit if they wanted.
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This just saved me typing, good advice
Ive only been at it a month and personally, couldnt be happier with my choice of camera
I bought mine then joined a club, but with hindsight I would've joined ages ago
Most toggers are afriendly, helpful bunch. And as posted above, many happy to give you a go and show you the ropes
Good luck with the camera hunt, I read reviews and customer feedback til my eyes bled :gag:
 
woof woof said:
That all sounds very sensible but I'd be surprised if you find a class like that. If you're just starting out you might not know what direction your photography will go in, for example you may very soon be obsessed with shooting portraits but in six months time you might live to take pictures of spiders :gag:

Why not start out by having a really good think about what you think you'd like to photograph and then come back here and ask some more questions? They're a pretty friendly bunch here and there'll always be someone who'll have the time to post some answers or advice.
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Thanks for the advice. I think about the type of pictures that I have taken in the last. Most of them are of my girlfriend wail on vacation. We have gone to some beautiful place on vacation. A lot of the pictures are of her with a breathtaking background. Like standing on the beach with the ocean and mountains behind her. The other popular picture I take is of us out at night. Low lit restaurants and beaches. Of course there are also the day beach pics that have the sun beaming down.

That's what I take most often but there are things that I'm interested in other than that.
I would like to take some pics of drag racing. Mostly of the car leaving the starting line.
Some more interest is animals and nature.
I don't know if this helps with understanding my needs and wants but I happened so.

Thanks again. You guys are very helpful. I love the broad range of opinions and suggestions.

BTW, I an really leaning towards the Canon t3i. I'm kinda stuck on which lens to get with it or if I can buy a kit with a different lens than the one everyone has in their kit. Sorry I can't recall the lens right now.
 
Just had a thought.... Our local Going Digital franchise holder will loan cameras if you enlist on the course without one, maybe there's some sort of workshop near you that does similar???
 
Good choice of camera.

Suggest upgrading the kit lens to a 18 - 135 mm or 17 - 85 mm, or if you can afford it the 15 -85 mmm lens
 
GHP said:
I doubt there are any shops with cameras lying around available for handling without a sales assistant breathing down your neck.:)
Certainly not around here, anyway !
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Well, there are round here- Currys, Jessops and Jacobs all have displays of cameras that you can handle without having to first approach a member of staff, and all you need say to a sales assistant, should one come over, is that you are "just looking"......
 
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