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Ronnie Mutch

Ronnie Mutch

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Ronnie
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Hello all, first post here. I have had a passing interest in photography for a wee while now. I enjoy taking snaps using my compact and more recently my Galaxy S6. I reckon I am reasonably good at taking a decent photo, so would like to actually learn how to do it properly. For now though, I just want to get started. I thought about just buying a camera and getting started and learning as I go along from books and websites, but then I realised that I know so little that I don't even know what to buy. Can anyone give me some pointers on the key things to look for when purchasing my first camera? My budget is flexible if you think I am way off here, but probably £300-400 would be comfortable. I don't want to be forced to buy new stuff in a year or two as I discover that I bought the wrong thing.

A friend suggested this: http://www.jessops.com/online.store...0-300mm-lens-93835/show.html?homepagestatic07 I almost bought it, but then I found the same camera much cheaper on Amazon but with only one lens. As I am unsure what the different lenses are for at the moment, then I do not know what the better buy is so held off.

Appreciate any help.
 
Here are some of my favourite "snaps" that I have taken. Please try to see past the poor quality, as they are taken on phones and cheap cameras (also Facebook compresses them I believe) :)

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Ronnie Mutch said:
an anyone give me some pointers on the key things to look for when purchasing my first camera? My budget is flexible if you think I am way off here, but probably £300-400 would be comfortable. I don't want to be forced to buy new stuff in a year or two as I discover that I bought the wrong thing.
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It's hard to buy a bad camera these days for general photography, they're all pretty much of a muchness within a price point. What's really important is that the camera is comfortable in your hand and you can reach the controls. Lenses make the difference, but all the major camera systems have high quality lenses in their line-up.

Most people assume "proper camera" = DSLR, but there are other options. Compact system cameras are smaller,lighter and can be as good or better in terms of image quality than a DSLR of the same price. Don't underestimate the benefit of a smaller camera you carry more often rather than a larger one you might leave behind.


Have a good look through the forum, there are a lot of "what camera?"/"what lens?" questions and the answers may be relevant to you. Go into a shop and get a hands-on with several makes and models, see how they feel. Think about what sort of photos you want to take. Do you want photography as a new hobby, to spend time understanding how it all works and crafting fine images? Or do you want to take nice photos of places you've been without the photography being an event in itself?
 
Alastair said:
It's hard to buy a bad camera these days for general photography, they're all pretty much of a muchness within a price point. What's really important is that the camera is comfortable in your hand and you can reach the controls. Lenses make the difference, but all the major camera systems have high quality lenses in their line-up.

Most people assume "proper camera" = DSLR, but there are other options. Compact system cameras are smaller,lighter and can be as good or better in terms of image quality than a DSLR of the same price. Don't underestimate the benefit of a smaller camera you carry more often rather than a larger one you might leave behind.


Have a good look through the forum, there are a lot of "what camera?"/"what lens?" questions and the answers may be relevant to you. Go into a shop and get a hands-on with several makes and models, see how they feel. Think about what sort of photos you want to take. Do you want photography as a new hobby, to spend time understanding how it all works and crafting fine images? Or do you want to take nice photos of places you've been without the photography being an event in itself?
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Thanks for the advice. To answer your last question, probably the latter but with some interest in dabbling into the former.
 
How big or small does this camera need to be so that you will use it?

Do not discount a high end compact camera like the DX100 range or Panasonix lumix LX 100 that will allow total control when you want.

A Compact system camera will do everthing that the linked camera will do and will be smaller from the likes of Panasonic or Olympus.
 
You could also look into the Sony compacts which could be had in your budget and if you went 2nd hand you could get a really nice camera/lens combination to start.

This would give you the full control through to full auto just like a DLSR but smaller as previously advised.
 
Looking at the photos you posted, you seem to be erring towards landscape/architecture with foreground interest and lead-ins, if that is your preferred style you probably want to think about a wide angle lens.
 
Love the signpost one!!!

Which equipment to have is so difficult, and - especially for general use - so personal. Thus it's hard to advise. I'd counsel having (buying) the minimum, but at the same time trying different things contributes to experience ...

I'd forget about the package mentioned with the zoom that reaches 300mm. For general purposes hardly anybody needs anything that long. Ok - it might be handy for photos of birds at the bird table, for instance, but who needs yet another snapshot of a bird at a bird table? If eventually you feel the need for that or something longer ... but to start with ...

A so-called kit zoom package is a good intro - you may find a hint to what focal lengths you favour, and what they achieve, with one, and that's plenty to think about to start.
 
ste0803 said:
You could also look into the Sony compacts which could be had in your budget and if you went 2nd hand you could get a really nice camera/lens combination to start.

This would give you the full control through to full auto just like a DLSR but smaller as previously advised.
Click to expand...

Yep, my suggestion would be a used Sony RX100. You can pick these up quite cheap now and you really do get a lot of camera for that. IQ is quite outstanding. I love mine.
 
alfbranch said:
How big or small does this camera need to be so that you will use it?

Do not discount a high end compact camera like the DX100 range or Panasonix lumix LX 100 that will allow total control when you want.

A Compact system camera will do everthing that the linked camera will do and will be smaller from the likes of Panasonic or Olympus.
Click to expand...

ste0803 said:
You could also look into the Sony compacts which could be had in your budget and if you went 2nd hand you could get a really nice camera/lens combination to start.

This would give you the full control through to full auto just like a DLSR but smaller as previously advised.
Click to expand...

NeilA1975 said:
Yep, my suggestion would be a used Sony RX100. You can pick these up quite cheap now and you really do get a lot of camera for that. IQ is quite outstanding. I love mine.
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Something like this maybe? Saw this in the Sony store yesterday.
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Welcome to a great hobby!

Something worth bearing in mind is the camera body is just the start. When I got going I was thinking the same price. I have since found out that each lens costs at least that (the ones I buy at any rate) and like many here, we have different lenses for different aspects of photography and have spent well into four figures in the last few years. No regrets though!

Then, depending what you want to photograph, a tripod is usually a sensible purchase. Perhaps a flash gun(s) and triggers. Maybe a softbox and some studio equipment. Software, as processing images is part and parcel of digital photography. Then there's a camera bag (or two), batteries, cleaning equipment, backup drives. All good fun!! :)

Not trying to put you off at all - just a little thought for a few months down the road. Second hand cameras are good value for money, especially when bought from a good dealer with a warranty. Wex is my favourite, followed by MPB but there are plenty of others around, some being smaller independents.
 
I think sometimes you have to look at what you want to achieve and ask yourself am I getting what I want now. If you are then stick with what you use now phones can achieve a lot and it makes sharing very easy. Next think that you will have to carry what ever you want around and that could end up being a hassle, or it could be the start of a heat hobby.
It's something you should think about before shelling out a load of cash
 
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The RX10 is a superb all round camera, don't under estimate the capability of 1 inch sensors, some poo poo them but they've never used an rx10, minty used around £350 superb IQ and you'll often find no need for pp, a great camera to start with without having to worry about changing lenses
 
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Thanks everyone for the advice. I decided on a compact as I feel that I'll get more use out of it. It can come on holiday with me easier and be in my pocket more often. If I'm using it more then I'm likely to learn more. I also realised that I would probably want a compact after a while anyway, so probably better this way round.

I bought the Sony a5000. Really excited to get going. Thanks for the help everyone.
 
You show much potential. Agree No.1 is a rather nice looking shot. On the cat one, think about how 'framing' the shot, preferably before shooting, to exclude the bike handlebar and possibly the rugby ball (unless that was deliberate). Such framing relies on looking at what is in the background or sides of the shot before pressing the shutter. It can of course be altered in 'post production' with suitable software, but that is a whole extra ball game to learn. ;)
 
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