What kind of camera should I buy?

Question

I am looking to buy a camera and I really want to take good pictures and I want to start getting into photography but I don't know what camera I should buy and I don't want to spend that much.

I am only willing to spend $400 but I would rather be lower

Okay the reason I want a good camera is that I want to take a photography course next semester and I want to buy a good camera for the course and to be able to use it afterwards.

Oh and for the class I want to take my camera needs to have 35mm

Answer 1

There is a conflict in that question. If you want to get started you can get an inexpensive camera so you won't be spending much. However if you want to take good pictures and keep practicing you will outgrow that camera and want a better one.

The point and shoot ones are compact and take OK pictures but can't give you the quality of the more expensive DSLR ones.

You might want to get a reasonably priced one like a Nikon Coolpix and get the hang of photography. When they are on sale you can find them for under a hundred dollars. They will not give you as much control over focus and depth of field. They will also be worthless for high speed action shots because they take a long time till they capture the image after you press their button.

The DSLR ones cost closer to a thousand dollars but offer more control than you can keep up with until you become a skilled professional. They also can take the photo image very quickly so you get action shots every time.

Try starting with the cheaper ones and move up some day when you reach the limits of what they can do. In the meantime enjoy that first camera (and keep it as a backup one for use at the beach or for easy snapshots.)

Answer 2

The nice manufacturers mainly are Nikon & Canon, adopted by way of Olympus, Pentax & Minolta. Also, the extra steeply-priced Leicas. If you desire a factor-and-shoot, computerized form, make certain it has a assurance and do not pay an excessive amount of. For complete handbook manipulate, you'll be able to get pleasant pleasant Nikon, Canon & Pentax SLR cameras from the Eighties & Nineties just like the Nikon FM, FE2 & Nikkormats, Canon F1, AE1, A1 & the Penta K1000, MX & Spotmatic cameras. All from forty-2 hundred kilos on the net or at a few moment-hand stockists. Nice 35mm handbook Compact cameras are the Rollei 35, Olympus 35RD/RD cameras, Minox 35 variety, and others

Answer 3

You should probably look at a Nikon 35mm SLR. Great lenses and you can use them on digital SLRs. Sorry I can't recommend a specific model--but I'm a Canon guy. I love my Canons, but their 35mm SLR lens are not usable on their digitals. (Yes there is an adapter that makes them work pretty well, but they're expensive and very hard to find.) Someone else will probably recommend a good Nikon for you to buy--and you shouldn't have to spend anywhere near $400.

Answer 4

IMO you should seriously consider taking a few courses in photography. You will use a manual 35mm film camera and learn about f-stops, shutter speeds, composition, light and ISO. Once you have a good understanding of these concepts then you can make an informed decision about what camera to buy.

Answer 5

If it's a 35mm film camera you need for your class, go for a used Nikon F80 (N80 in the States).

- Autofocus
- Manual exposure plus auto
- Takes all Nikon AF lenses
- Solid and easy to use

Match it with Nikon's great 28-105 lens (again used) and you'll be all set.

You may have to stretch your budget a bit but this is quality gear you'll enjoy for a long time.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I have been a professional for thirty years but I took many shots I love and used in competitions with a 3.1 meg point and shoot. I second the suggestion that if you are truly strapped for cash you should get a cheap used 35mm and learn the settings, meanwhile use some cash for a point and shoot digital that you can stash in your pocket even when you own a DSLR; have fun,work on post processing skills and hone your creative skills.