Recommend a digital camera for me? Read for details...?

Question

Ever since I can remember, I have been the one in my family and circle of friends running around taking the pictures... totally amateur, nothing serious. But for quite some time now, I have been desiring to get a new digital camera to start experimenting with a more professional look. I'm sure I will need to take classes and do LOTS of research, but I want to go ahead and invest in a camera that I can use for quite some time and be able to take professional quality pics with. I would also like to get some input on the best software to buy that will let me do some "photoshop" effects with my pics. I need info on different lenses, and also, I'm very interested in learning about HDR... pics I've seen online are WOW!!!

I take pictures because I love finding something beautiful and capturing it for the memory. For now, I want to photograph mainly for me, my family, and friends. I LOVE doing sunsets and landscapes. So, where do I start (camera, lenses, software, etc.)? Thank you!!

Answer 1

You may allready know everything I'm going to write, sorry if you do.



Well, If you want to get a camera that will grow with you as you learn you might want to look into the consumer/prosumer end of SLR's (For example: Canon XTI, XSI or even the 10d, 20d, or 30d). These cameras let you fully control pretty much every aspect of the photograph, which will help you grow as a photographer. You can finds these pretty cheap as the newer models are comming out.



There is an assortment of lenses out there to go along with SLR's, but you shouldnt be too worried at this point in time. A simple Canon 50mm 1.8 will suffice and give you some ok bokeh. If youre looking to shoot indoors you should look at faster lenses in the F/1.4 - F/2.8 range.





As for Image processing there are the expensive Adobe programs out there, CS3, Lightroom, Etc. Theres also free programs such as GIMP which can be found online and Image editing software that comes with Canon products(which has its limited uses)



Theres so much to explain and so little time. Alot of information can be found on sites such as http://photography-on-the.net/forum/ or http://www.fredmiranda.com/ both have experienced friendly people to help with major specifics



:-)

Answer 2

It used to be that for 'serious' pictures you needed a lot of resolution. These days EVERY camera has 6 or 8 megapixels. So it's a good time to get into digital photography. 8^)



I'd say just about any digital SLR--Canon, Olympus, Nikon, etc. You might want some extra lenses, a nice printer, you'll probably want to get Photoshop. I could see spending a couple thousand bucks pretty easily.



Or you might go the 'prosumer' route. Get a cheaper (but still very capable camera) that has a lot of features and save the rest of the money because when you get better, the really big fancy SLRs will be cheaper. Start out with something like the Canon S5 IS--good resolution, image stabilization, and a 12x zoom so you don't need to buy extra lenses. (Added extra--less stuff to carry around!)



Photoshop is just sooo much fun! I did photography the old fashioned way for years, had my own darkroom, etc. But Photoshop makes it almost trivially easy. I used to make five or six prints to adjust brightness and contrast but in Photoshop you just adjust sliders! Still, you can spend months and years just learning tricks to do in Photoshop.



Good luck!

Answer 3

DPREVIEW.COM is an awesome site for research! When I worked at best buy and comp usa for camera sales, thats where i got most of my info on the new ones coming in. (best buy doesn't do THAT much detail training, so I took it upon myself to learn) anyways, its the best site i have ever come across so far! by the way, i have a fuji finepix S9100, 9 mp with an 8 gb CF card as well. good luck!

Answer 4

I use cnet (google for direct link) they have reviews for everything its how I'm finding my camera! they will have everything you need to know and more!!! good luck!