What kind of camera should I buy?

Question

I really want to take my photography to the next step. Right now I'm using an ancient Minolta or a 4mp camera. I want something reasonable in price, can take a great photo whether it's a landscape or family, won't be outdated by next year, and isn't so complicated I have to carry the manual in my purse. I'm really wanting to do some freelance stuff so it'd have to look good. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

If you want to do freelance, you'll need high pixel count and top notch lens. Who wants to pay you to take pictures with a point and shoot? Marketing is part of being professional. Appearing professional with professional gear is part of that marketing.
Look at the Canon or Nikon DSLRs. Buy into a system and expand your gear along one product line. Upgrade to a professional body when your cash flow permits it. Buy the best lens you can afford. Don't skimp on the glass.
Just an observation. Market yourself as a "film artist". The ancient Minolta still works. Matches or surpasses the picture quality of most digitals. Will probably still work in 5 years. Negatives will still be there after hard drive crash and backup failure. Can be scanned for digital output. Already paid for and additional lens are probably dirt cheap on Ebay. Film and developing costs for most users would take years to approach cost of digital camera. Still have to print digital if you want a lasting record. If printed at home requires printer, paper, ink costs to be factored in.
But I still went out and bought a DSLR.

Answer 2

Ok, your kinda freaking me out right now, but whatever. You don't happen to be a High School senior TOO would you?

Anyway, When I first started out in photography, I used my Dad's Minolta film camera (Ancient). Then, he bought me a 4mp digital camera, which I used for a while until........ on the recomendation of my photography teacher (he said i was so good I needed a better camera) he returned that and bought me a Digital rebel xt. This camera is what you should now get. No way do i have to carry a manual around. you figure the camera out, then the info's all in your head. I don't know whether you have any skill or not, but if you do, try this camera, if you don't like to mess with aperture or shutterspeed, then don't, and you will probably never get into freelancing either.

By the way, how do you plan on getting into freelance photography? i'd like to do that also.

Answer 3

I totally agree with nikon_girl's answer. Get yourself an SLR camera - digital one if you can afford it. You will have a lot more control at whatever type of photos you will be taking. And for freelance work you will certainly need it.
You can't have both - "reasonable price" and "won't be outdated by next year" because it will. Whatever point-and-shoot camera you buy today, it WILL BE outdated in six months as the technology and competition moves so fast. Manufacturers also have to keep pace with demand and higher expectation of consumers.
I am no professional photographer but see myself as a serious amateur and have looked into lots of different models of digital cameras - from point-and-shoot to compact zoom to digital SLRs - there are many to choose form and it really boils down to first: cost (how much are you prepared to pay), second: what are you going to use it for, and third: get the one with the most features that will do what you want.

Like nikon_girl said - Do your research, then ask the sales people who know what they are talking about. Then you will have to make up your own decision.

Happy hunting

Answer 4

first of all if you know how to use an slr camera then go with a digital slr (even if you don't know go with one) any newer digital slr will be higher MP then your old 4PM camera and it will give you the benefits of growing into the camera system. such as accesories to do more complicated photo's down the road once you get a feel for the camera. by accesories i mean different lenses (because there is a reason they make so many types of lenses) dedicated flashes, filters for effects, self timer cables, etc.... you don't have to go with the highest priced slr. because for family portraits, and landscapes a middle to low end body would suffice. but i would spend the money and invest in a nice lens.

first, go to a camera shop where the people really know photography. if they aren't interested in hearing what kind of pictures you want to take so they can recomend the right kind of equipment then run fast. second, slr's aren't cheap so start saving your money. but, if you want to do freelance work an slr is a must. i have a degree in photography and would honestly laugh at anyone telling me they do freelance with a point and shoot digital camera. i think most people would. thirdly, before you go shopping do some research so you have some idea what they are talking about and you won't feel so overwhelmed. camera's are an investment and if you get the right camera it will last you years. you wouldn't go buy a car without checking them out online right?

good luck

Answer 5

Even though you say you do not want to have to carry the manual around in your purse, the best way to become good enough to do freelance photography is to learn how to make the equipment work for you.

For simplicity, you can get auto focus, auto exposure etc.. and the camera I choose (because I can turn off or on all the auto functions as well as it being a very good camera) is the Olympus evolt e500. (e300 would probably work as well for you)

There is a big difference between a digital slr and a point and shoot.. but with the point and shoot, you are pretty much locked into the focal range and other factors you might have need to change to get the shot you want on a commercial job.

http://www.silvaspoon.net/cameras.html usually has some good deals on cameras listed, and links to some of the more reputable camera outlets down the left column to search for your best price.

Answer 6

If you have an old Minolta, like SRT 100, 101, etc, stick with it. It is manual and you will learn photography. If it is one of those with the newer ones, ditch it and get a good camera. I will always suggest a manual SLR 35mm to start with. You have to learn all the relations to things - film speed, shutter stops, shutter speeds, depth of field, how to focus and all of that. Nikon and Canon are making manual 35 SLRs, but some of the older ones might be a better shot. Old Olympus OM series, except OM10, Canon A1 or AE1, and the comparable Nikons will do the trick.

I buy them at garage sales for 20 bucks with a sack full of glass.

Answer 7

the terrific manufacturers usually are Nikon & Canon, observed via Olympus, Pentax & Minolta. additionally, the dearer Leicas. in case you like a element-and-shoot, automated style, make confident it has a assure and don't pay too lots. For complete instruction manual administration, you will get impressive high quality Nikon, Canon & Pentax SLR cameras from the Nineteen Eighties & Nineteen Nineties like the Nikon FM, FE2 & Nikkormats, Canon F1, AE1, A1 & the Penta K1000, MX & Spotmatic cameras. All from 40-2 hundred pounds on the internet or at some 2nd-hand stockists. useful 35mm instruction manual Compact cameras are the Rollei 35, Olympus 35RD/RD cameras, Minox 35 selection, and others

Answer 8

It depends on how reasonable you think a price is. I am waiting to purchase my first digital slr.
My choice is the new Sigma SD14 utilising the
Foveon sensor which is radically different from
the sensors used by other camera makers.
It is more expensive than some other new cameras but IMHO the image quality should justify the extra cost. Their new DP1 compact
camera using the same sensor should be out Q1 2007 hopefully.

Answer 9

You need 6 Mp. camera.
I tried Canon, Olympus, etc.
For me the best Camera is Panasonic Lumix, becouse it used the best Optics - Leica, Germany.
FX 07 has 7.2 MP and realy good.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Canon A510, it's really good. but it has a slow reaction time, great for family shots.

Professional? ... not as much, but it's well rounded, not that expensive, and is high quality.