Beginner Beginner to Animal photography Camera Recommendation

[IRMartini]

Hello Everyone,

I'm after a camera and lens recommendation for my son (17yrs) He and I have no photography experience so are total beginners however we are both technically literate and computer savvy.
We have both started a basic (free) online photography course and so now have a least a basic grasp of the main 6 concepts light, subject, optics, aperture, time and Medium.

I've tried googling and looking for recommendations but it is quite frankly its bewildering and some of the costs scary!

If I could give a little background first:

My son is 17 and studying Animal Management at college and volunteering at a local zoo he is loving all of it and has expressed an interest in photography, I asked him if he was specifically thinking of a career in animal photography and he has said no. At the moment he just wants to "give it a go" as another way for him to enjoy his love of animals and wildlife.

I have not set a budget yet as I'm note sure on the best way to start:

A. Start real cheap with a view to upgrading quite quickly as skill and interest develop (also if he loses interest I've not wasted lots of money)
B. Spend a bit more up front with a view that he stays with this camera longer
C. Spend big straight away (I've never been a fan of this method for anything hobby I've tried over the years as it always seems to end up with "All the gear, No idea"
D. Some other way to get started.

If anyone can spare a few minutes to give any recommendations on how to make a start in animal photography and equipment I and my son would be really appreciate it.

Kind regards
Ian

 

[welshwizard645]

Pretty much any DSLR or Mirrorless produced in the last 15 years or so, regardless of brand, should be ok for a beginner. With maybe a mid-range standard zoom (16-50, 24-70) and telephoto (50-200, 70-300). Look at Wex/Park/MPB for options. Camera-wise as long as it has the Aperture Priority, Manual, Shutter Priority and Bulb modes and feels good in your son's hands that the most important in my view; no point us recommending the 'best' camera if it is not comfortable to hold and carry.

 

[Phil V]

The problem with wildlife is that longer lenses are the norm and they get very expensive very quickly.

The cheapest entry is a bridge camera with a longer lens, which many people just stick with.

The affordable interchangeable lens option would be a m43 camera, as the smaller sensor makes effectively longer lenses much less expensive.

 

[realspeed]

Ian

My advice for what it is worth is first of all fix your budget. This should include camera-lens- memory cards and batteries and possibly insurance cover
next consider make ie Nikon-Canon- Ppanasonic etc. Many new come already with a "kit" lens
From there consider where purchasing from ie used- new- grey import . bearing in mind about warranty available.
Don't forget to look at full frame - crop sendor and micro four thirds etc
a good place to start looking is here where all the above should give you some idea
link

Camera Price Buster - Compare UK Stock Prices

Compare genuine UK stock prices for Camera Equipment. New & Used prices.

www.camerapricebuster.co.uk

Don't fall into the rabbit hole of getting the cheapest and then finding the next higher up in the range is more of what you want

the last question you asked is "making a start in animal photography". It depends on the size of the animal. For example you don't really what to be behind an elephant when its making a deposit. Nor in front of a rhino charge

Seriously though a lot depends on the animal and how far away it is, so there is no absolutely do this or do that to get a good photo, that only come by experience and the mistakes one makes.
There is one tip I can give though, and leave enough room in the photo for the animal to go into. Not hard up against the photo edge. A zoo might be an idea to go to practice