I'm interested in pursuing film photography later in life... What would be a good camera for a beginner?

Question

I'm really interested in the whole documentary/film/photography thing, so anything pertaining to that would be great.

Answer 1

First off - I'm Nikon biased..so if I go rant off into the Nikon camp...I apologize. Canon, Sony and Pentax also make great, affordable cameras as well.

If you want a film camera, then it would be hard to beat the Nikon N90s in the used market. they can be found on Ebay and other places for around $100. Then you can pick up a 50mm f/1.8 for another $100 and you'd be set for a while until you need something more(I'm talking lenses here, maybe a 28-200mm Tamron zoom(Less than $200)).

But, I would recommend a digital. While there is a substantial up front cost, you will make up for it with lack of development costs. With film, you don't know what you have until you get them developed. Digital, you have the result in the viewfinder a second after the shutter is released. Again, there are a lot of great cameras out there(Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax) That can be found in a sub $1000 price range.

For example, Nikon has a D40 and D50 which can be found around $500-$600 range.
Canon has a Digital Rebel XTi which can be found between $700 and $800.
Sony took over the Konica-Minolta technology and has a great camera for $1000.
Pentax has a whole line of great priced cameras for $600-$700 or so.
Just do a web search to see what kind of images these cameras take and look at the reviews of each to make sure they perform to the level you desire.

Check the links in the sources list to see some examples.

Answer 2

I am a professional photographer. The best camera for you really depends a lot on your budget. If it's very low initially, look for a compact camera that offers full manual controls. The Canon G9 offers manual controls and the best user interface I've ever seen on a compact camera. It also takes stunning photos and even offers a flash hot-shoe. ~ $500 Next up are the entry level DSLRs. I'd skip the bottom rung like the Nikon D40's - everybody I know who has purchased one upgraded to a D80 or better within a year. If you're interested in pursuing photography as a career, you'll want to stick to either Nikon or Canon DSLRs, because they are the only two systems widely available for rent and service in just about any civilized corner of the globe. You'll find it's difficult or impossible to find local stores and service centers that carry Pentax or Olympus components.

Answer 3

While most people have given great answers on cameras and I definitely agree with Nikon, but then again thats a personal preference and other brands do have positives. One thing you will need for photography is a website. I like to use smugmug because you can use unlimited uploads and unlimited bandwidth, you can design your page to your liking, and set the prices for the pictures you want to sell. They take care of the processing and credit cards with makes it hassle free. The customer service is excellent too. The cost is a little steep for the professional version at 150 but definitely worth it in the long run. Good luck and just have fun with it. If you do decide to use it you can use this code to get $5 off, DfeT80jsWf4CE.

Answer 4

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