Topic: Camera Brands... (Page 1 of 1)

You know...I'd really like to get into this world of photography so I have decided that (when I get the money) I am going to but an SLR and lens set, blah, blah...so, a question to y'all:

Which brands would you buy? And for that matter, when it comes to it, what do you consider basic equipment to have with an SLR camera?

Nikon and Canon seem to be the professional leaders. Myself, I've used Pentax for years and have been happy.

If you're really interested in learning, get something basic without all the bells and whistles. I highly recommend my ZX-5n. It's automatic, but you have easy manual control when you want it. And the part I really love is that everything isn't controlled with little buttons and confusing LCD menus. It has wonderful, easy-to-use dials. Tactile and untuitive.

There aren't a lot of automatic modes, which I see as a good thing for a beginner really interested in learning what he's doing. But it does have some nice simple features like an automatic bracketing mode. (It'll take three pictures at a time, one at the "correct" exposure, then one underexposed and one overexposed by either 1 or 1/2 stop. Again, easily set with a nice, quick turn of a dial.) Not high photo technology, I know, but again, that's what I like about it, especially for a beginner.

BTW, as for a lens, I'd go with something like a 28-70. It's a nice, versatile, everyday zoom.

And depending on how I feel about my DSLR when I buy it, I may -- may -- sell my ZX-5n. But I'm not sure when I might do that and I dunno how soon you're looking to buy.

Are you going film, or digital? I used to use a Nikon film SLR, but switched to a Canon SLR when I went digital.

I think Nikon film SLRs are superior (a bit), but Canon digital SLRs are better. The exception would be high-speed multi-frame shooting. The pro Nikon digital SLRs can shoot really fast for a whole lot of shots. That's mainly a sport/journalism feature, though, so I don't need it. They make sacrifices to get that speed, too.

I do think Canon has the best lens selection out there (for 35mm style SLR lens mounts).

Personal opinions, of course.

As far as equipment, all you really need are the body, a few lenses, and a flash to get started. A tripod and monopod will be very useful, too. Oh, and a good camera bag. It sucks having an ill-fitting bag.

Wes: I'm looknig ot buy when I have the money, but if you're selling before that I may borrow it from my parents.

As for film or digital, I don't really mind which I use, I just want ot learn to take photos properly

for what type of lens you need .. that really depends on what you plan on shooting ... from my experience .. about the best overall lens is one that will do 24 to 100 ... most poritraits i shoot is at 100mm ... all of my lens have an fstop of 2.8 or lower .. but that isn't needed for most shots ...

i started off on a Pentax K1000 with one lens that was a 75mm ... a few years later i picked up a Pentax ZX-M and a 70 to 210 lens ... those are the only two i used with film .. i now shoot pure digital (the job kinda calls for it) ...

using a Nikon D1 as backup and a Nikon D100 for daily use .. my lens consist of the following

14-35 f 2.8
24-70 f 3.5
80-200 f 2.8
100-300 f 2.8
500-1600 f 5.6

of all of those i use the 24-70 the most for daily work ... the 100-300 mostly for football .. the 80-200 for basketball ... and the last one mostly for those shots where you either dont want to get to close or cant get to close (i am a photographer for a newspaper) ...

as for what brand .. well i will say this from experience ... the Canon digitals take better photos at a higher ISO setting .. where the Nikons add to much noise into the photos for my taste (but ya know, ya gotta go with what the company will provide)...