Currently, I have a Kodak Z710. I would like to upgrade to a nice camera with removable lens. I don't get paid to take pictures, but I do enter a lot of contests at fairs and such. I would actually like to take up photography as a career, so I would use it a lot, also be putting the pictures on a lap top to photoshop. What are some good cameras that are under $1,500? Also, what are some good sites that have tips for photography settings and such and photoshopping?
2007-08-13 07:32:56 · 4 answers · asked by redseagles1286 2 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
I have a Nikon D-70s that I bought used on ebay. I bought a Nikor 18-200mm lens for it but had to pay a premium price for it. The total is about the price you mentioned. Prior to that I had a Fugi 602z. It's a good camera but the Nikon blows it out of the water in terms of focus speed and the ability to capture the moment. The lens is a great lens and almost eliminates the need to swap lenses which can introduce dust. Also, I don't want to travel with a bunch of lenses like I did in the "film" days. Conventional wisdom is to put your money in glassware and less in camera body. I could have gone with a D-80 for $450 more but decided to put that in the lens. I'm very glad I did.
Good site to checkout: dpreview.com
2007-08-13 07:49:44 · answer #1 · answered by Bill G 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds as though you're ready for a DSLR. Canon, Sony, Nikon, Pentax all have much to offer. It might be best to get the most current Buyer's Guide (published by several different photography magazines) and do a side by side comparison. One person's "perfect camera" may be another's nightmare.
Once you've decided on which camera best suits you, go to a local camera store and handle the camera. Then, buy it there. The staff is trained to answer questions and offer advice. I doubt you'll get much - if any - help from an on-line seller and know you certainly won't from a clerk at Wal-Mart or Sears or Target, etc.
I agree 100% with what Bill G said - put your money in the glass. Buy the best quality glass you can. Here again, the various photography magazines publish Buyer's Guides. Most of them have on-line sites where you can get the information. I like shutterbug.com.
Once you have your new camera, visit these sites: cameraarmor.com and bonicadive.com. They offer protective covers for your camera. After reading the horror stories in here - "I got my camera wet" "I got sand in my camera" - a few extra $$$ for protection is worth it.
Next, invest in at least these filters: HAZE/UV and a Skylight 1A (uncoated) or 1B (coated). The H/V will eliminate most of the atmospheric haze you see in scenics. The Skylight will elimimate the bluish cast seen in distant mountains or in photos taken in open shade. PLUS - they protect the front element of your lens. It only takes one scratch or smudge to turn an expensive lens into an expensive paperweight. A lens should never face the world naked - it should have protection.
Have one for each lens you own.
Another worthwhile investment is a quality circular polarizer filter. This filter allows you to darken a blue sky so white clouds really "pop" or just for the visual effect. It also removes glare/reflections from glass, water, snow, sand and painted metal - but not from polished metal. This one you can buy to fit your largest lens, perhaps a 72mm diameter. You can then buy Step-Up rings, say from 58mm to 72mm so you can use it on other lenses with a smaller filter diameter. Never use a 58mm filter on a 72mm lens because it will darken the edges of the frame and ruin the photo due to the angle of view of the lens using the larger filter.
2007-08-17 14:25:16 · answer #2 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your final output will be on web sites, not printed photos, then you don't need lots of megapixels. Go for an older model camera (such as a six megapixel Nikon D70) and use your remaining budget on some really nice lenses.
2016-05-17 04:10:14 · answer #3 · answered by sanjuanita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well go to target and walmart, they have like a whole section of them. They are cheap and worth it. You get to try it there and at home. If you don't like it, u can always return it. Also on google go to more and you will c Picasso2. That's like adobe photo shop, you can edit the pics. It's free to download and you can keep it. There's no time limit.
2007-08-13 07:41:22 · answer #4 · answered by mprc9 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋