what kind of camera should i buy.. ?

Question

to get a picture like this:
http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q53/hahaholly_x3/z30166247.jpg

I know it takes pratice to get good lighting and stuff, but if i was to use a regluar kodak digital camera, i wouldn't get the....how do you say it....."atomosphere". It just look like any other picture. Not really professinal-ish. So what kind of camera should i get?

Answer 1

I think what this photographer mostly did was enhance the photo in Photoshop. If you're just a basic photographer, get any of the Canon digital cameras, they're really good already and very easy to use. If you are more serious (and have some cash to spend), get a digital SLR.

Answer 2

That image, believe it or not, won't win any awards anytime soon for professionalism... and I am not being cruel or harsh. You can can take a similar image (or far better) with a Canon S3 iS (costs $349 at Beachcameras.com, no tax, no shipping charges if you buy via Internet). The camera, while not a so-called "professional" camera has a 12X zoom lens, and all the options you need.

If you want something better, consider the Nikon D40 with the kit lens or possibly the Nikon D50 also with the kit lens or if you can afford it, go for the Nikkor 18-105mm AF DX lens and you won't regret it (the Nikons are a little more expensive but offer slightly better options and better quality glass in their lenses for superior image detail, though).

You can also get an inexpensive but fairly sturdy enough tripod at most any camera shop; see the Sunpak 7001DX for $29.95 or Sunpak 9002DX for $44.95 at www.bhphotovideo.com and decide what you can afford (cheap AIN'T necessarily better but why pay out $150-$300 for a tripod that you won't be using much, anyway?). These two suggested ones bring a carry case, too, and will not weigh you down much (I have the Sunpak Ultra 757 and use it with my Nikon F5 and a super heavy lens, the Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED, and I've never had need for those super expensive Giottos or Gitzo tripods since I don't do landscapes every single day I step outdoors).

You can easily set the cameras mentioned above to Automatic Program, auto focus and use it pretty much like a point-and-shoot camera where YOU zoom but the camera sets the aperture, shutter speed and focuses for you. Good luck and very best wishes.

Answer 3

Photography means "To write with light" (graphis - to write, photo - light from Greek).

The person who took this image

a: had access to good lighting equipment and s/he knew how to use it.

or b: caught the sun perfectly (less likely I think.)

I don't believe it was retouched much, if at all. It could have been taken with almost any camera, from your kodak through a Hasselblad with film. Looking at it carefully, I think that the Hasselblad may just have been the camera, although it could have had a digital back. The square frame indicates medium format. Expensive $$$$.

A good camera to start out is the Rebel XTor XTi. The XT has 8 MP, the XTi has 10. Megapixels are good, but they aren't the most important thing for a beginner. I use an XT for pro work (magazines and web) and it does just fine. What I really recommend is that you buy real lenses. They both accept the EF series film lenses, which are made of glass, therefore giving sharper pix. There's an adage:
It ain't the box, its the lens" meaning the camera itself has to offer you the options you need, but its the lens that makes the picture. Its just as true in digital as it is in film. Buy the better lenses-not the so called digital lenses. Check canon's site and choose a zoom first, I find I use the 28-105 quite often. Then as you can afford it, buy telephoto, wide angle and macro lenses.

Also buy a good tripod. Get something bigger than you need. Bogan Manfrottos from

www.bhphotovideo.com (best photo store in the world!)

Also buy a good camera bag, and stuff to clean lenses (I prefer the cloths.)

You chose a high quality image for your question. Considering the vast number of fair to middling photos I have been asked to comment upon, I found your selection refreshing. You are looking in the right places. I have taught photo, so sorry for the long, didactic answer. Email me if you wish.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 4

Let me begin by saying that a good photo has more to do with the photographer than the camera itself. In terms of artistic merit some of the most intriguing photos I have seen have been made with some of the most pedestrian of cameras: from an oatmeal box pinhole camera to a $20 plastic Holga camera. I fully agree with the previous post in saying that the photo above doesn't display any characteristics of great composition, or for that matter being produced by a professional camera or professional lighting. You could, or at least I could produce the same image using a simple point and shoot camera using nothing but flourescent overhead lighting (the lighting seems to be flourescent, the image is somewhat greenish).
I suggest before you invest in an expensive camera learn about photography from a good introduction to photography book,as well as go to your library and check out a few photo books from the art section so that you can understand what good composition is.

Answer 5

You should get an Olympus digital camera.

Answer 6

There's an article at www.Pictures-Magazine.com titled "B&H Camera Tips"

Good Luck!