What is a good beginner camera for someone who wants to start getting into photography?

Answer 1

Konica Minolta made some great cameras that are very easy to use, quite powerful, and reasonably affordable. Professional quality at amateur price. Now they are owned by Kodaic (I think), and some of their older stuff is cheaper than ever.

Myself, I own a Dynaxx 6e.

Answer 2

I will make two recommendations and explain why.

IF you wish to learn film photography first (really recommended), I would suggest that you get a Nikon N80 with a Nikkor AF 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D zoom lens. This camera can be used in all manual mode where you set the aperture, shutter speed and you can either focus manually or let the camera focus for you automatically. Or, you can select the aperture and it will set the correct corresponding shutter speed for automatically; or, you can set the shutter speed and it will set the corresponding correct aperture. Or, you can use it on Program Mode where it will focus (or YOU can decide to focus) and set the aperture and the shutter speed for you. It has three metering modes (Spot Metering, Average or Center-Weighted Metering, and 3D Matrix). It will advance the film for you automatically and it will also rewind the film for you when you take the last photo on the roll; it also sets the film's ISO (light sensitivity) automatically. It also has a built-in strobe, good up to about 5 feet away, and it also has about 15 options you can set to personalize it to your comfort (like grid lines to help you keep the horizon level when doing landscapes). It is ergonomically designed and it is very sturdy and has most of the features of a professional level camera. The chosen lens is the most versatile lens made by Nikon. It can be used as a wide angle, "regular" lens, portrait lens, a short telephoto lens and as a macro-photography lens, too. If you cannot afford this lens, consider the older version that is considerably cheaper: the Nikkor AF 35-105mm f/3.5-5.6D-Macro (make sure it says, "Macro"... there are two versions, one is and one ain't "macro").

IF you wish to go with a digital camera, then I will suggest that you consider the Nikon D70S. It is similar to the N80 but it is a digital camera. I suggest that you use the "kit lens." This is a very well-built camera with great viewfinder and large LCD. It is ergonomically built and the buttons, switches, and knobs are easy to locate and to reach. There's another popular brand that is famous for coming out with gimmicks and all sorts of contraptions that you REALLY have no need for; stick with quality over non-essential options.

I recommend Nikon for the superior camera and lens build, and because you will have many more lenses available to you; Nikon has NOT changed its lens mount since 1959. The only thing is that you can lose some of features with some lenses; for example, if you use a non-auto-focus lens, it will NOT auto-focus. But, remember, when you buy a camera brand, you are buying into a lens system and must consider the availability of those lenses on the market, and you must also consider the quality of the lens' manufacturing and glass formulas used.

Check out the cameras at any camera shop (go there and ask to see it and compare it with another camera brand; make sure it feels comfortable; you do NOT have to buy the camera at that camera shop). Then, go to www.keh.com and check out the prices and the ratings. If you do not see what you want, keep going back since they get new merchandise every day and those products do not stay on the shelves very long, so be ready to buy what you see.

If you have any questions, send me an email but make sure that your email address is functional if you want me to reply. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 3

If you want old school film, the Canon EOS system of SLRs is great. The line has been around of at least 14 years and they just get better. A little pricey for a beginner, but if you are serious about getting into photography, you will soon get frustrated with a less expensive camera.

I do not know anything about digital camera...I prefer the traditional methods.

Answer 4

Nearly all cameras have the same basic design, which includes an aperture, a shutter, a viewfinder, and a film advance. However, cameras vary widely in such features as adjustability and the type of film used.

The simplest cameras, called fixed-focus cameras, have a nonadjustable lens and only one or two shutter speeds. Most of these cameras use 35-millimeter or advanced photo system (APS) film. APS film has a width of 24 millimeters. A cassette of APS film is smaller and lighter in weight than a 35-millimeter film cassette. APS cameras are, in general, smaller and lighter than 35-millimeter cameras.

Professional cameras, including view cameras and studio cameras, have many adjustable parts. Most such cameras use large sheets of film. Digital cameras do not use film. Instead, they store images as electronic information that can be used on a computer. For more information on view cameras, studio cameras, and digital cameras,

Answer 5

Try the Canon Rebel Digital running about 600.00 to 800.00 I use them were I can't afford to to take expensive cameras 9,000.00 and up.Like the mash-pit or some were there likely to be damaged.
I've owned 2 and they have most of the settings and fetchers of the top line cameras. Best of all the Canon glass (lenses) from my top end cameras fit on the Rebel, So when you move up to a better camera you don't need to buy all new lens

Answer 6

I would definitely suggest film to start with.

While you can experiment more with digital, using film will force you to value each shot more and pay more attention to settings and getting it right the first time.

Also film cameras are really cheap (look for a used Canon A2 or Rebel or another Canon with the EOS lens system) and even with film and processing it will be cheaper than going digital (memory cards, etc.)

Film is also nice if you plan on developing/printing your own stuff, you really get to understand the whole process better that way.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Do you want to use digital or a film type of camera....? I prefer the old school film camera's... And I like any thing made by Olympus... They are a bit more expensive then some but their digital and film cameras are great for beginners and experts...

Answer 8

It really depends how much you are willing to spend. Also, whether you want a digital or not. For a digital, I recommend the Canon Rebel XT. That was my first camera. It's basic, but advanced at the same time. I recommend Canons in general.

Answer 9

I'm not even going to ask if you are looking for a good digital or a film camera. Film cameras are on their way out like VHS video tape. Get yourself a good name-brand digital camera like Canon or Nikon. I use a Canon PowerShot SD500 camera. It's easy to use, and it can fit in your pocket or purse. Also, invest some money in good photo-editing software like Adobe Photoshop Elements 4.0. It's good for making your photos look REALLY good. For YOUR camera needs, bigger may not be better.

Answer 10

POLAROID P4055 Digital Camera