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What camera should I buy?  Rate Topic 
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Posted by amitsingh: Sat Sep 22nd, 2018 06:22 1st Post
I've decided to make photography my hobby. I want to get a mid range camera (is that a good idea or is lower better for now?), I don't plan on upgrading for a year or two, I figure it will take me some time and a lot of practice to go for something better if need be later on. My budget is around $500, it can be a little more if it makes sense. I keep browsing on amazon and I feel overwhelmed as I know nothing about these cameras but I really want one. I've read a few posts here and there and watched some stuff on youtube, however I don't know anyone I can ask irl and I just would like for someone to make sense of buying a camera. Do I need the Canon EOS Rebel T6 with bundle (I don't know what I'm looking at in those dslr bundles and I don't know if it's a deal or trash) for $ 550 on amazon (can I post a link at what I'm looking at or can you guys pull it up by searching amazon?) or would just a camera and a certain lense do it for awhile? I would like to be able to use it to take pictures of my husbands band playing indoors/outdoors at night and during the day. I would love to be able to take nice shots of my kids playing sports (football & ballet) as well as close ups. I think these cameras can handle taking a decent video as well? It would be used for birthdays or holidays (where on the camera would the sound be recorded or is that an extra? I can't figure this one out at all, sorry if it is dumb to ask.) See this is where I wouldn't mind going over the budget because I was planning on buying a video cam that can record at night but if a photo cam can handle the occasional video that would be awesome and square away that purchase. I just don't know if it would be able to record in the dark is that even a thing with these types of cameras?

Thank you for reading through my scattered brain post, please help



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Posted by Robert: Sat Sep 22nd, 2018 07:17 2nd Post
amitsingh wrote:
I've decided to make photography my hobby.
Nice idea, what other interests do you have? Hill walking, birds, motorsport, coin collecting, nighttime/stars or many other interests? They can all involve photography.

What you intend to photograph has a big bearing on what camera and perhaps what lens you need.

I want to get a mid range camera (is that a good idea or is lower better for now?), I don't plan on upgrading for a year or two, I figure it will take me some time and a lot of practice to go for something better if need be later on. My budget is around $500, it can be a little more if it makes sense. I keep browsing on amazon and I feel overwhelmed as I know nothing about these cameras but I really want one.
You should be able to get a Nikon D200/300 and a simple lens for that budget, I prefer manual focus lenses. I would steer away from the lowest end, 3xxx and 5xxx cameras because so many functions are buried in the menus. They are also limited in choice of lens.

I've read a few posts here and there and watched some stuff on youtube, however I don't know anyone I can ask irl and I just would like for someone to make sense of buying a camera. Do I need the Canon EOS Rebel T6 with bundle (I don't know what I'm looking at in those dslr bundles and I don't know if it's a deal or trash) for $ 550 on amazon (can I post a link at what I'm looking at or can you guys pull it up by searching amazon?) or would just a camera and a certain lense do it for awhile? I would like to be able to use it to take pictures of my husbands band playing indoors/outdoors at night and during the day. I would love to be able to take nice shots of my kids playing sports (football & ballet) as well as close ups. I think these cameras can handle taking a decent video as well? It would be used for birthdays or holidays (where on the camera would the sound be recorded or is that an extra? I can't figure this one out at all, sorry if it is dumb to ask.)
For video you would need something more modern than my first suggestion but frankly for video I would stick with something like a Go-Pro which you can buy for peanuts, or even a smart phone, which can produce perfectly adequate videos. Video resolution is much lower than still camera resolution, but you take many more exposures. Then you have to assemble the clips... I have loads of video clips I CBA to sift through and edit to make a movie that nobody will ever watch, except perhaps once if pushed!

See this is where I wouldn't mind going over the budget because I was planning on buying a video cam that can record at night but if a photo cam can handle the occasional video that would be awesome and square away that purchase. I just don't know if it would be able to record in the dark is that even a thing with these types of cameras?
For dark things get a bit difficult and for satisfying results more expensive, you need more sensitive lenses and more sensitive camera. Both of which get very expensive, very quickly, also a good tripod.

Thank you for reading through my scattered brain post, please help
Not a problem, I have tried to break it down for you... Photography frequently works alongside an interest, if it's only visiting new places and exploring, I am interested and involved with motorsport, so that's one aspect of my interest. I am also very interested in plants and flowers so that's another. I also find the challenge of star photography irresistible! While I enjoy seeing uncommon birds, photographing them well is too much of a financial challenge for me.



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Posted by Eric: Sat Sep 22nd, 2018 07:18 3rd Post
amitsingh wrote:
I've decided to make photography my hobby. I want to get a mid range camera (is that a good idea or is lower better for now?), I don't plan on upgrading for a year or two, I figure it will take me some time and a lot of practice to go for something better if need be later on. My budget is around $500, it can be a little more if it makes sense. I keep browsing on amazon and I feel overwhelmed as I know nothing about these cameras but I really want one. I've read a few posts here and there and watched some stuff on youtube, however I don't know anyone I can ask irl and I just would like for someone to make sense of buying a camera. Do I need the Canon EOS Rebel T6 with bundle (I don't know what I'm looking at in those dslr bundles and I don't know if it's a deal or trash) for $ 550 on amazon (can I post a link at what I'm looking at or can you guys pull it up by searching amazon?) or would just a camera and a certain lense do it for awhile? I would like to be able to use it to take pictures of my husbands band playing indoors/outdoors at night and during the day. I would love to be able to take nice shots of my kids playing sports (football & ballet) as well as close ups. I think these cameras can handle taking a decent video as well? It would be used for birthdays or holidays (where on the camera would the sound be recorded or is that an extra? I can't figure this one out at all, sorry if it is dumb to ask.) See this is where I wouldn't mind going over the budget because I was planning on buying a video cam that can record at night but if a photo cam can handle the occasional video that would be awesome and square away that purchase. I just don't know if it would be able to record in the dark is that even a thing with these types of cameras?

Thank you for reading through my scattered brain post, please help

Welcome

I will answer your dilemma with a simple suggestion. Don't get a DSLR.

I've just mentioned this on another thread but here goes ....

By far and a way the best all round package is the LUMIX FZ2500.

It gives superb photos from its 20mp sensor and Leica lens...with a zoom range of 24-480mm. It also has lots of high end features like variable ND filters and focus stacking software as well a host of professional standard 4K video.

It's not cheap but is a sensationally well specified camera that many serious photographers are using for general photgraphy. I know this because being an ex pro and with a wife who has the FZ2500, there are regular fights as to who gets to use that camera first. :-)

If your budget doesn't stretch to a new one, try a used FZ1000/1500, it's predecessor. It has the same sensor and similar lens and produces the same quality images and video as the newer model....just without some of the top end features I mentioned.

Buying the wrong lenses and swopping back and forth on a DSLR body can be frustrating and disillusioning when you are trying to master a new hobby. Better to get a good quality all in one package to cut your teeth on....you will get excellent results out of the box but still be able to make manual changes to settings as you learn and experiment.

:thumbs:



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Eric


Posted by JavelinScott: Fri Oct 5th, 2018 11:34 4th Post
For the last 15 years I have shot with my D200. Absolutely love that camera. I've mostly used it for shooting sports, wildlife and car shows. At my sons last football game it died. The mirror stays up and LCD reads Error. Ive been told it's not worth fixing. People said the same thing about my AMC Gremlin... jk. Capturing key moments in my kids life has made it a part of the family. So before I tear up like a scene from Old Yeller, I need a lil advice. Can some one tell me what camera is best at:

1. crappy weather condition
2. a user who is a lil rough on his stuff
3. best for "friday night lights" low light high speed action, but good for close ups and candids
4. as simple to use as the D200
5. compatible with my old lenses
6. I'm not saying money is no object, but (remember the aforementioned Gremlin) i can't get too carried away.



Posted by jk: Fri Oct 5th, 2018 12:11 5th Post
Oh dear. Can happen at any time. Had a similar experience with a D80.

I would suggest that a D300 would be very similar but give you a little extra. However for compatibility with your old lenses you wont be able to consider the D3000 or D5000 range of cameras.
A D7000 series camera e.g. D7200 would work I think.
You need a camera that supports the screwdriver connection on the lens that make old AF and AFD lenses work the autofocus.



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Posted by GeoffR: Fri Oct 5th, 2018 13:34 6th Post
The successors to the D200 were the D300, D300s and D500. If you can afford it I would go fro the D500 as being the most similar.

If that is too expensive then the D7200 or D7500 would be the area to go for.

Forget the D3000 and D5000 series they don't have focus motors and have only one command dial (your D200 has two).



Posted by Eric: Fri Oct 5th, 2018 15:15 7th Post
JavelinScott wrote:
For the last 15 years I have shot with my D200. Absolutely love that camera. I've mostly used it for shooting sports, wildlife and car shows. At my sons last football game it died. The mirror stays up and LCD reads Error. Ive been told it's not worth fixing. People said the same thing about my AMC Gremlin... jk. Capturing key moments in my kids life has made it a part of the family. So before I tear up like a scene from Old Yeller, I need a lil advice. Can some one tell me what camera is best at:

1. crappy weather condition
2. a user who is a lil rough on his stuff
3. best for "friday night lights" low light high speed action, but good for close ups and candids
4. as simple to use as the D200
5. compatible with my old lenses
6. I'm not saying money is no object, but (remember the aforementioned Gremlin) i can't get too carried away.

Welcome to the forum.
I agree with what the guys have said but will throw in perhaps the obvious option....buy another used D200. They are about at least in the U.K. with little use, good condition, cheap as chips.

I would suggest a D300/300s...but depending on what lenses you have you could even consider an FX D700. It's better in low light than the D300 due to its full frame sensor.

The D7000/7500 series may be a bit plasticky body for you if you are rough with your stuff.



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Eric


Posted by Eric: Sat Oct 6th, 2018 05:18 8th Post
Just realised this thread was started by spammer....still ...all good advice even if he didn't hang around to read it.



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Eric


Posted by jk: Sat Oct 6th, 2018 08:41 9th Post
:needsahug:
Dont worry we can use it as a reference post as our advice is good!



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