First Proper Camera?

JustRoss23 · 27-01-2013 11:04AM #1

Hey guys/gals a complete newbie here so go easy on me:D looking for advice on what new camera to get. i have taken a real interest in photography in the last few months and would now like to invest in a good decent camera but don't really know where to start?:o i have been using your normal Sony cyber-shot 8.1 mega pixels digital camera for the last 6 years i bout it in new York and it has served me well. But i would now like to up the game so i have a camera that has a sharper picture and allows more functions overall.

I will be moving to canada in the next few weeks and hope to pay Alaska a visit too so i want something that will capture these moments wildlife pics the northern lights etc and i am also big in to my fishing so for that as well.

As your reading this post it shows i am a complete novice so go easy on me:D and thanks so much for any advice comments you might give me.Also regards buying would i be better to wait and buy it in canada? i no when i bought my camera in new York it was much cheaper there then home so would it be the same in canada i wonder? thanks to all.
Ross.

fret_wimp2 · 27-01-2013 01:34PM

hey Ross.

First thing - a new camera wont get you better shots, in fact it will get you worse shots until you get used to it. but apart from that, whats your level of expertise?

Do you know the basics of exposure (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed)? If not, a better camera wont be much more use to you than your current camera as the camera will be on auto regardless.

Id advise to try and learn a bit about the mechanics of picture taking (exposure mainly). this will help you understand why a better camera is better.

Failing that, you are heading to alaska, but have little photographic knowledge, just get a super zoom camera ( one with a massive zoom range (any of these would be good: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q110superzoomgroup), and a decent tripod.

this will give you a stable platform for taking shots from, and a lot of choice for framing a scene, without needing to know much about lens's or anything else. prob the cheapest and easiest way to get going.

but id advise learn a bit more, use your current camera on Av, Tv & Manual modes and learn the mechanics of photography, then you will be much better positioned to know how to use a better camera, pick a better camera and take better pictures.

good luck

JustRoss23 · 27-01-2013 01:49PM

Thanks so much for your post mate. you have given some great points, I have a LOT to learn thanks very much i am going to spend an hour a day for the next few weeks researching the mechanics of photography as my post comes across terrible

and i will play around with the different settings of my current camera.

I have heard of ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed but i would be by no means an expert. i am going to do a bit of research now its hard to know where to start off when you want to hop up the next step on the ladder regarding photography as not to many of my mates in there 20 s does it.

I am moving to Calgary in a few weeks so i just wanted a good camera as i want to have good shots of the places i visit and i am going to anchorage in July so there will be surely some great pictures to capture there.

I have checked out the link and there seems to be some great cameras at decent prices. thanks for the comment.
Ross

mayo.mick · 27-01-2013 03:08PM

Would also recommend going into a few different camera shops and try various cameras with different lens on to get a "feel" of the camera in your hand. You'll know when it feels right! Had used a mates full frame cannon before i got my own Dslr, didn't sit right in my hands at all, nearly put me off altogether! The first time I picked up the Nikon D3100 I knew that was the camera for me

Still learning all the settings, but thats the joy of photography, you learn something new every day

JustRoss23 · 27-01-2013 03:28PM

Nikon D3100 looks to be a great camera i see on pixmania. com the price is € 405 Inc. VAT
use to be € 599
You save 32% off ( € 194)
That is quite a lot off a camera:D just looking through camera-shop in canada it can be got for 320 euro so there are quite cheaper to buy one abroad:D
Yea i cant wait till i find the right camera for me:D

dirtyghettokid · 27-01-2013 03:35PM

where in canada are you going to? if it's ontario, i can give you tips on where to buy camera gear there

JustRoss23 · 27-01-2013 03:39PM

Thanks mate much apprenticed but its Calgary i am going. I had been looking at this site for a camera/gear but got simply lost with the shear selection they have https://www.thecamerastore.com is based in Calgary so i will defiantly be paying it a visit:D

dirtyghettokid · 27-01-2013 03:42PM

well one shop which i know has an online store and good prices is vistek.ca
i've ordered stuff from them before, and paid by paypal (cos i didn't have a canadian credit card with an address)
check to see if there's any henry's out in alberta also- they are a good chain.
sometimes future shop (futureshop.ca) can have bargains on entry level dslrs, as well as compacts. future shop is an electronics store which sell many items, whereas henry's and vistek are dedicated photography shops.
don't bother with blacks photography. expensive, and crap selection.

cnocbui · 28-01-2013 10:39AM

If you are after better image quality - do not go for anything with a 'super zoom' style lens. A zoom range of 4-5X is the max you want to be looking for, because that's about the limit for a zoom that can deliver high image quality.

First Proper Camera?

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