What would be the Best Camera for a beginning Photographer?

Question

I am committing to going back to school but I am going for Business management in Promotion. Any advice on how to bring Photography into would be appreciated.

Answer 1

If you’re looking into a film camera to learn with, nothing beats a Nikon N80 with the Nikkor AF 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D lens for beginners and advanced beginners; an alternative lens is the Nikkor AF 35-105mm f/3.5-5.6D(macro) lens, a bit older, more affordable but equally as good. The N80 can be used manually (you set the aperture and the shutter speed in either auto-focus or manual focus), semi-automatic (either in aperture priority or shutter speed priority; with manual focus OR auto-focus), or in total automatic mode where it sets the aperture and shutter speed, either auto-focus or manual focus. It is the preferred camera for beginners. The options and features are similar to the pro-level camera, Nikon F100. This camera is ergonomically made, sturdy with a no-nonsense feel and also has three metering modes (center-weighted, spot metering as well as matrix metering). I recommend the most versatile lenses put out by Nikon, which can be used as a wide angle, a regular lens, a portrait lens, a short telephoto lens and as a macro-lens, too. Nikkor lenses are known for their superior build and superior glass formula. If, you can also afford to get the Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D lens (about $70-$75 used), you will also have an excellent lens for low-light situations that is easy to carry and will save the day when you most need a fast lens.

You will not outgrow this camera nor the lens anytime soon. The features are there to help you, not to confuse you; it also has on-demand grid lines to help you keep the horizon level when you're shooting landscapes and/or seascapes! The camera will set the film's ISO for you automatically, and advance the film as you take an image and rewind the roll as you take the last image.

Be sure to also get the instructions manual or Hogan's book on the N80, which is also very, very handy and most helpful. Also, see this: http://www.photosig.com/articles/1227/article

When you buy a camera, you're really buying into a lens system for future purchases, and some camera brands change their lens mount every few years, which limits the camera owner; Nikon has NOT changed its lens mount since 1959 and has no plans on changing it, either. So, you can, basically, mount any lens made since 1959 and those to be made in the future, with the only restrictions that you cannot get auto-focus from manual lenses or metering from those without the contacts to send info back and forth to the camera. Lenses normally outlast cameras unless deliberately abused/misused or submerged in water or dropped on a hard surface; so, don't hesitate to buy used if the lens is good quality (no dents or obvious signs of abuse/misuse) from a reputable place. If you're not sure on what camera to get, go to any camera shop and ask to see the N80 and compare it with any other camera brand/model you may be considering; hold them both in your hands and look through the viewfinder and see which feels more comfortable in your hands.

If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a digital SLR to learn with, there are a few cameras that you can consider: the Nikon D50 or the Nikon D80; both are recently vintage with excellent features. If you’re already familiar with cameras, I would suggest that you consider the D80, which is the most popular model today, aside from the semi-pro-level D200. See:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80/vs-d200.htm and also see,
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d80.htm

Check with http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/home.aspx for the N80 and the recommended Nikkor lenses, and see what you can find; they have excellent and competitive prices (and they're very courteous and helpful, too). If you don't see what you want, go back in a couple of days; they get new merchandise in almost everyday, but be ready to buy when you see what you want because their merchandise doesn't stay on the shelves very long. And check with B & H at www.bhphotovideo.com for the D50 and D80 camera models.

Photography is mostly used in the business world for advertising in newspapers, periodicals, catalogues, promotions, etc. Having a good foundation in photography gives you the edge in not being at the mercy of photography "experts" who may impose their personal biases on the desired wishes/effects of the business they're employed by; this is not always the case, but it will give the business representative a solid understand of what goes on behind the camera.

Good luck and best wishes!

Answer 2

*****Nikon D3100 SLR with ( AF-S 18-55mm VR Kit Lens) 14.2 Megapixels CMOS Interchangeable lens camera, SLR with 3.0 inch LCD Rs. 31962 The Nikon D3100 is a 14.2 megapixel entry level DSLR camera with many high-end specifications. Powered by the Nikon EXPEED 2 image processing technology, the camera has a 23.1 x 15.4 mm CMOS sensor. The D3100 DSLR camera is one of the first Nikon cameras to have full HD recording. *****Canon EOS 550D with Kit (EF S18-55 IS) Lens 18.0 Megapixels CMOS Interchangeable lens camera, SLR with 3.0 inch LCD Rs. 38795 Canon EOS 550D is the latest SLR in the consumer focused EOS camera series. This Canon camera sports a 18 megapixel optical sensor and is capable of shooting at a Full HD resolution (1920x1080). The camera uses a 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor powered with a DIGIC 4 processor. The Canon EOS 550D uses the standard 3:2 aspect ratio and is a suitable buy for first time DSLR buyers or enthusiasts. These are the best choice having all features, good overall performance and are value for money products. Buy any of these. =====SM=====

Answer 3

Go digital. It's much easier than using film. I use a Kodak cam with 5 megapixel and a 10x zoom. I recommend using 5 megapixel or more. Nothing less than 5, though. Depending on what you want to spend, Kodak is pretty affordable. Mine cost around $200. If you want something more high end, I'd go with Canon. Then you could change out lenses. But for something around a 10 megapixel it will cost around $1000. I'm sure you could find something cheaper for Canon, though. Good luck, dont give up and most importantly have fun!

Answer 4

The Pentax K-1000 is an excellent 35mm SLR camera for beginners. It is recommended by most photography teachers.