New to photography - what camera should I buy?

whatsamsn

New to photography. Always liked it but never did it.
Been watching a lot of youtube videos and reading up upon it.
They all say its best to buy a decent camera and just go out and shoot shoot shoot.

also suggested that digital cameras are the best to start with.

so does anyone know what camera i should get?
.. something that obviously wouldnt break the bank but thats suitable to a total beginner?

(oh and any advice for a beginner would help too
thanks.

sprinkles

What's your budget?

You should begin with reading the FAQ, it should answer most of your questions.

whatsamsn

thanks for getting back

i just read the faq. I guess the camera, or should i say i want to start out taking photos of is landscape, maybe the nightlife, ...
like to take a picture of o'connell street as its a busy day... or temple bar at night time... but even then i'd love to take a picture of a cup of coffee aon the table and see the sun reflecting on it. ... (i probably am going over board here lol)

as for budget?
anything modest really. because im new to it i'm not going to go out and get a 900euro camera. But at the same time I dont want to buy a 50euro camera thats not up for what I wanna do for it.

I guess for a first camera... anything from 100-200 euro. Something thats not great, but not definitely crap at the same time. Its more so about learning with it. But having enough quality to see what im doing wrong

dazftw

I'm going to sound biased but if I were in your position with what I know now in photography. I would start on a film camera. You have to think more before you take a photo! You have 36 chances as aposed to digital where you have countless chances. The learning curve is steeper but you will learn a lot more cause you will take your time.

Plus if your budget is 100 - 200 film is the way to go.

You can get a decent camera/lens and some film for 200 euro.

CabanSail

As said above, a film SLR camera is cheap way to get started. You can pick them up very cheaply now but you will have to pay for film & processing. The glass can be used on some DSLR's later if you stick with the same system.

The other option I would suggest is a Bridge Camera. I recently picked up a used Canon G9 in a Camera Shop in Dublin for €250 in as new condition. There are also very good Fuji, Lumix & Nikon models to metion just a few. I would urge you to seek out a model which has RAW as this will give you a lot more options.

whatsamsn

Thanks guys

Cany anyone give me any examples of what camera i should buy?
A model and make

I fear if i went into a camera shop I wouldnt know which one to choose

Thecageyone

I would suggest, within your budget, get a nice Bridge digi-cam. I started on one less than 2 years ago and learned the basics of manual control using it. Great for starting out.

Look into the likes of the Fuji s200exr, or anything remotely similar.

Too many are obsessed with the revival of film these days, but they don't go into detail about the further costs. Buying and getting film developed and also the fact that as a beginner you need to be much more precise and knowledgeable about what you are composing, and doing in general, using film, as you do with digital.

If you even think on going film, do more research.

LeoB

Film is the way to start but you have to pay for printing and processing your films.

IF you could stretch you could pick up a Canon 400d for €250-€300. Its basic but is a very good camera to start off with. It has full auto settings and manual. Good luck

HeavenSent

I'm looking for help in selecting a new camera. I had SonyCybershot but I've out grown it. I am thinking of Nikon D3000 comes with 18-55 and getting a Sigma 70-300 as well. I want to take good close ups & long distance of animals in the phoenix Park hence the Sigma lens. Total cost just over Eur700. Any experienced persons with thoughts or comments on this I'd very much welcome.

TinyExplosions

HeavenSent wrote: »

I'm looking for help in selecting a new camera. I had SonyCybershot but I've out grown it. I am thinking of Nikon D3000 comes with 18-55 and getting a Sigma 70-300 as well. I want to take good close ups & long distance of animals in the phoenix Park hence the Sigma lens. Total cost just over Eur700. Any experienced persons with thoughts or comments on this I'd very much welcome.

The D3000 has been replaced by the D3100, so it's worth holding off for a couple of weeks and looking at that!

HeavenSent

Thank you very much for letting me know that. Funny how the sales guy never mentioned that today, its good to get a second opinion. Thanks again

whatsamsn

thanks for getting back guys...

hmm, been looking on the net trying to find the right camera. quite hard.

sprinkles

whatsamsn wrote: »

thanks for getting back guys...

hmm, been looking on the net trying to find the right camera. quite hard.

You should close those porn sites so

This is a good review site - http://www.dpreview.com/, though there's plenty of sites out there that will do comparisons, I even think EnGadget did a comparison recently enough on entry level DSLRs, I'll see if I can source it for you.

EDIT: Sorry I'm not really sure what you've decided to go with - Film or Digital?

whatsamsn

hmmm, a tough choice.
Im thinking digital tho.
It would be easier to post them for opinions and advice on getting better.

My problem is when I look at cameras i just seen so many choices, lol.

anything 100-200 would be perfect.
might did out the argos catelog now. see if i can get a good one there perhaps.

dazftw

Heres your complete film camera all for €150:

http://cgi.ebay.ie/CANON-AE-1-35mm-SLR-CAMERA-OUTFIT-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/160472906791?pt=UK_Photography_Film_Cameras_ET#ht_537wt_1138

I'm biased towards film but seriously it wouldn't be worth your time and money spending up to €200 trying to get something decent in a digital camera.

If anything I would keep saving for another while and try and pick up a used Canon G9. They go from €300.

sheesh

whatsamsn wrote: »

thanks for getting back

i just read the faq. I guess the camera, or should i say i want to start out taking photos of is landscape, maybe the nightlife, ...
like to take a picture of o'connell street as its a busy day... or temple bar at night time... but even then i'd love to take a picture of a cup of coffee aon the table and see the sun reflecting on it. ... (i probably am going over board here lol)

as for budget?
anything modest really. because im new to it i'm not going to go out and get a 900euro camera. But at the same time I dont want to buy a 50euro camera thats not up for what I wanna do for it.

I guess for a first camera... anything from 100-200 euro. Something thats not great, but not definitely crap at the same time. Its more so about learning with it. But having enough quality to see what im doing wrong

if you don't already own a camera that is a perfectly good amount to spend.
I think that the best kind of camera to get as a first camera is one that you can use for snapshots afterwards. so small and light would be the way to go. the canon 400D is a good camera but a bit bulky for a beginner. you won't bring it anywhere with you.

Consider a bridge camera.