right now im using canon ixus n quite satisfied with the pics.
2006-10-04 05:46:53 · 9 answers · asked by adils 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Visual Arts ➔ Photography
If you're happy with the IXUS, keep using it. They're good cameras.
If you want to upgrade, the logical next step would be a digital SLR camera (Single Lens Reflex). Those are the camera's where you can interchange lenses. They have several advantages over point & shoot models:
* you can find a great lens for every occasion (the 3x or 5x or even 12x zoom on a point & shoot can be limiting)
* they're better in low light situations
* they're faster, and better for action shots
* you get more creative control
And then they have a few down sides:
* You're looking at a +$700 investment
* They're heavy and bulky
* No video mode
* No lcd screen to preview the shot.
I upgraded to a dSLR myself, beacuse I was sick and tired of constantly missing the moment with action shots, kids, candids, etc.. I'd press the shutter button and nothing would happen for half a second. With a dSLR, everything is instantaneous.
Now I'm actually thinking of getting another point & shoot again - so I can have a small camera in my shirt pocket when I don't feel like walking around with the dSLR.
Some good dSLR cameras in the entry level segment are the Nikon D50 and the Canon 350D.
2006-10-04 06:09:30 · answer #1 · answered by OMG, I ♥ PONIES!!1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aside from being able to change the lenses, another main feature of SLRs is to choose the exposure. This involves the shutter speed (time the shutter is open) and the aperture (width of the shutter opening.) Thus, if one learns the basics of exposure, increasingly creative shots are possible. The two basic ones are: blur in the photo that shows movement, and the very focused subject with the out of focus background.
SLR, as explained before, is available in both film and digital versions. Canon and Nikon are the two most popular brands. The good thing about Canon and Nikon is that if you buy a film Nikon or film autofocus Canon, you can use the lenses on their digital counterparts. This also works in reverse, but there are some clear exceptions.
2006-10-04 08:50:38 · answer #2 · answered by Tim S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're just getting started, I would recommend digital all the way. Preferably a camera that has manual controls. With a digital camera you can see the photo instantly on your LCD, and make any changes you want to composition and exposure while you are still looking at the subject. Digital cameras give you the freedom to experiment, taking dozens of shots of the same subject while playing with shutter and aperture settings. Digital cameras record the camera settings for each picture, so when you get home you can look at each photo and see what you did right or wrong, so you can improve the next time you go out shooting.
With film, you have to change rolls every 24-36 shots. Each roll of film will cost you $3 to $5, plus another $7 to $10 to get that roll developed. That's $10 to $15 per roll, just to see the images you made. If you want to know what settings you used on each shot, you have to keep a notepad and write down the settings every time you make a change, then you have to compare the negatives to the print. It's quite a hassle especially if you aren't even sure just how interested you are in photography.
2006-10-05 04:04:45 · answer #3 · answered by dakwegmo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An SLR is a single lens reflex camera. They make certain digital cameras with SLR, but it was orinally used in only manual cameras. If you're looking for a beginners camera, a 3800N Vivitar is a good choice. Thats the first camera i got when i first got into photography. Everythings very simple to use. And if you buy extra equiptment, like another lens, or a flash, it's all very easy to put together. Theres also a lot of information about this camera online, so if you're having any problems, you should be able to figure things out right away.
2006-10-04 06:10:55 · answer #4 · answered by BriT 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how seriously you want to take it i would recommend getting used to the basics with a standard film SLR (single lens reflex, where the viewfinder looks through the lens).
Most colleges have night classes on photography and may be worth looking at.
I started (many years ago) with standard Canon EOS cameras and they managed to pay for themselves in a short period of time.
I have now moved on to digital (again Canon) and i am happy with the results.
Get yourself a couple of books and read up on the subject, there is a lot to learn but it will be worth the trouble.
Good Luck.
Ps.
The Ixus is a good small format camera, keep it with you at all time or you will curse yourself for missing that shot.
2006-10-04 06:01:20 · answer #5 · answered by Bladerunner (Dave) 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would reccommend a Canon Digital Rebel (since you are an amateur, don't worry about getting the new one unless money isn't an issue).
All Canon SLRs have a huge line of available lenses which will be nice as you expand your skills.
Best of luck.
2006-10-04 08:40:50 · answer #6 · answered by Bowl O' Knowledge 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any manual camera will do.
Single Lens Reflex (SLR) that means you actually see through the lens the picture you are about to snap.
It is different from range finder, that is when you look through a viewin device accopled on top of the camera.
2006-10-04 05:55:36 · answer #7 · answered by bigonegrande 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best camera for an armature is a MANUAL camera. SLR cameras are cameras with Changable Lenses. Good luck!
2006-10-04 05:58:12 · answer #8 · answered by nanrai18 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Digital or film? I suggest one of each, and spend as much as you can afford to on cameras with interchangeable lenses.
2006-10-04 05:55:50 · answer #9 · answered by wuxxler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋