i've been taking photographs for years with point and shoot cameras. recently i took some photography classes. i used a fully manual 35mm SLR camera. i absolutely love having full control over the focus, aperture, and shutter speed. now i want to upgrade to a digital SLR.
could anyone kindly recommend a good one? i have $1200 saved already, but i'm willing to save more. i'm specific to detail, so i want a camera that provides exceptional detail in the highlights and shadows. i like to shoot portraits, fine art, and product photographs. i would like to make money off of my photographs one day. i prefer canon.
one last question, if ya don't mind. what's your opinion on buying a camera kit versus a camera body and lens separate?
If you want to make the most of dynamic range, you will want a full-frame (35mm) DSLR.
In my opinion (and it is just an opinion), you will want to look at the Canon 5D Mark II or the Nikon D700. You could up the chain in either brand, to a 1Ds Mark III (or 1D Mark IV if you don't mind the odd 1.3 crop) or for Nikon, the D3 series. But for portraits and art, it would just be spending more money for the sake of it.
I shoot a 5D Mark II. I love it. I shoot portraits, weddings, and even some sports with it (mostly baseball).
Oh, and don't get a kit. Buy the body, and the particular lenses you want. Even the 5D Mark II with 24-105 L is not brilliant for price (and personally, I hate that lens anyway).
I agree with @jinximages about the kit. get the body you want, the lens you'll use the most at first.
As for me, I've used a Fuji S3, a Olympus, a Nikon, a Canon 20D and a Canon 50D. Right now I have a 7D. My favorites were the 50D and the 7D I now own. I've used a 5D Mark II once. I loved that as well, but it was a bit of adjustment being used to the 7D.
The ease of using the camera and all its settings is what sold me on the 7D, and on the Canon for that matter, as well as the clarity of the preview screen. I feel like this camera is as close as I can get to a digital version of my old trusty fully manual SLR camera. I loved that thing in highschool, about as much as I love my 7D. It's worth looking into...these are of course all my opinions and experiences with studio portrait photography and weddings.
I agree with @jinximages. I personally would love to upgrade to the D700 (shooting with a D40x currently) but am still saving up the cash. *sigh*.
What brand film SLR are you using? It would be worth looking at getting the same brand dSLR as often you can use the lenses you have for your film camera.
If your not looking for full frame.. I'd recommend the 50D and some nice glass!
I started with Olympus stuff, and haven't had the funds to purchase some nice Canon glass yet. :) I just have a 28-135mm and a 50mm 1.8 that's enough to get you started..
It's just been discontinued at BHphoto so you can probably find a good price somewhere. :)
50mm f/1.8 would be a good lens to start with for the type of things you like to take pictures of. I have a Nikon (D40x), but I know the 50mm f/1.8 is very affordable for either Nikon or Canon, usually about $100–$150.
My next camera is the X100 this spring... range-finder style without interchangeable lenses... my camera after that is the K5 for the weather sealing and well all my lenses are pentax... with no regrets...
As to your kit lens question... it depends on the brand of camera... I have no problems with my 18-50mm Pentax kit lens... and I still use a kit lens from the 1950's a manual 50mm f/1.8 it is like butter...
before you buy a DSRL camera make sure you don't mind the size... they are big and not for everyone... maybe try the 4/3 EVIL cameras... they are great too...
I started with a 350D, then a 20D, then 50D, 5D mark II and now a 7D for the second camera with video. Personally the 5D is great if you shoot in low light often. The 7D is perfect if you don't mind the crop factor. I'm loving my 70-200 lens for protraits and my 100mm lens. I also like the 16-35mm for a super wide angle lens.
I use the Nikon D3100 .. its brilliant. I love the camera, admitedly, you do have to spend a decent amount of time playing around with the camera becuase I find the gadgets/setting a little more complex than Canon in general (just my personal opinion) .. but its fabulous .. it takes some beautiful photographs .. I have an 18-200mm lens as standard on mine as im only a learner and find i can shoot just about anything with this lens.
I also know afew people with the Nikon D3000 who have been into photography alot longer than me and they love it also!
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
In my opinion (and it is just an opinion), you will want to look at the Canon 5D Mark II or the Nikon D700. You could up the chain in either brand, to a 1Ds Mark III (or 1D Mark IV if you don't mind the odd 1.3 crop) or for Nikon, the D3 series. But for portraits and art, it would just be spending more money for the sake of it.
I shoot a 5D Mark II. I love it. I shoot portraits, weddings, and even some sports with it (mostly baseball).
As for me, I've used a Fuji S3, a Olympus, a Nikon, a Canon 20D and a Canon 50D. Right now I have a 7D. My favorites were the 50D and the 7D I now own. I've used a 5D Mark II once. I loved that as well, but it was a bit of adjustment being used to the 7D.
The ease of using the camera and all its settings is what sold me on the 7D, and on the Canon for that matter, as well as the clarity of the preview screen. I feel like this camera is as close as I can get to a digital version of my old trusty fully manual SLR camera. I loved that thing in highschool, about as much as I love my 7D. It's worth looking into...these are of course all my opinions and experiences with studio portrait photography and weddings.
What brand film SLR are you using? It would be worth looking at getting the same brand dSLR as often you can use the lenses you have for your film camera.
I started with Olympus stuff, and haven't had the funds to purchase some nice Canon glass yet. :) I just have a 28-135mm and a 50mm 1.8 that's enough to get you started..
It's just been discontinued at BHphoto so you can probably find a good price somewhere. :)
As to your kit lens question... it depends on the brand of camera... I have no problems with my 18-50mm Pentax kit lens... and I still use a kit lens from the 1950's a manual 50mm f/1.8 it is like butter...
before you buy a DSRL camera make sure you don't mind the size... they are big and not for everyone... maybe try the 4/3 EVIL cameras... they are great too...
I also know afew people with the Nikon D3000 who have been into photography alot longer than me and they love it also!