Help an amateur photographer?

Question

I want to be an amateur photographer but I am not sure how to get started. What kind of camera do I need , what other supplies do I need. Any help would be great. thanks

Answer 1

Go to the public library and take out a few books on basic photography and read, read and read. Learn the language used in photography, learn the terms such as aperture, shutter speed, depth-of-field, ISO, Rule of Thirds and read about the different lenses and filters and the camera parts. Don't try to memorize anything, just read and be FAMILIAR with the terms used; you'll find learning so much easier once you know or understand the language used. When you're ready to buy a camera, you must decide if you want to learn with a digital or a film camera.

IF you choose a film camera, I would suggest that you consider the Nikon N80, the most versatile camera you'll find, because you can use it totally manual like the older cameras, but you can also use it semi-automatic with aperture priority or shutter speed priority OR fully automatic and you can also operate it in manual focus OR auto focus. The N80 also has three types of metering: Average (also called Center-Weighted), Matrix and Spot Metering, and an on-command grid lines for helping you keep the horizon level when you do landscape or seascapes. The camera also has many other features that you will find in many modern digital cameras, too. I would recommend that you seek the Nikkor AF 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6D lens because it is the most versatile lens around which you can use as a wide angle lens, a regular lens, a portrait lens, a short telephoto lens and as a macro lens, too. IF you find that lens a tad too expensive, then, I'd suggest the older version, the Nikkor AF 35-105mm f/3.5-5.6D macro lens (make sure it says "macro" or "micro" because the other version is not as versatile). You can get these at www.keh.com at the most competitive prices around. This camera and lens, by the way, are the best learning tools around today, and once considered the Poor Man's (or Woman's) Pro-Level Camera. Be sure to get the Instructions Manual and check with book by Ken Rockwell, too; Rockwell's book will provide you with lots of insightful help and shortcuts and make Nikon's instruction book easier to understand.

NOW, if you decide to go digital, you have several choices. You can spend about $350 at Beachcamera.com and get the Canon S3 iS with the 12X lens, or you can opt for the better Nikon D50 with the kit lens (see www.bhphotovideo.com) for about $450 to $500 or the older camera that is still in popular use, the Nikon D70S with the kit lens (www.keh.com) for about $400-$450 used. These cameras will afford you the versatility to learn and not outgrow the camera anytime soon. Of course, you will have to buy a memory card (I recommend you compare prices at www.newegg.com and www.tigerdirect.com) and an inexpensive card reader that attaches to your computer's USB port ($10-$20). You can either get a relatively good color printer and buy your own archival inks and photographic paper or send out to popular commercial sites that will do the printing for you overnight (cheaper and less tedious to send out).

Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 2

The type of camera body you need depends on how far you want to take it. Ill second the last comment that a film or digital slr is a good place to start...but it really dont matter what kind of camera you have its what you do with it that matters. A old manual film slr is a great a learning tool....but lets face it..its a digital world...so I would recomend learning with digital format. A dslr is a great choice but they are not cheap. Your looking at well over a grand for a entry level model and some basic goodies to make it work. A good point and shoot digital is way cheaper and some of them do a decent job....but if you think you might ever want to take your photography to the next level...you dont want to be limited by a point and shoot camera.
So...happy shoping! and if you go with a dslr dont forget the lens...a good prime lens shouldnt be to costly...but if your a zoom kinda person....be warned that GOOD zoom lenses often cost as much and often more then the camera they are mated to.

-Dusty

Answer 3

Get a good SLR camera--film or digital, depending on your preference. If you get a film camera make sure you have access to a darkroom. Try Canon Elan for film, Canon Rebel for digital, those are great cameras for someone who is interested in photography but isn't a professional. You'll also probably need an extra lens or two because the ones that come with the camera are crap. You can get a pretty good lens for $100 to $200.

Answer 4

Have a camera? Do you take photographs? Yes? You are an amateur photographer. Any camera will do. There are no regulations as to which camera you need.