Right choice for a new camera

[lindsaywood1991]

Hello everyone just want to ask some advice. I'm going buy my own camera.I want to have the right choice, Is canon really good? Thanks ..

[Tronhard]

Hi Lindsay: Great to see you engaging with the forum
It might be best to start your own thread for this question as things may get very confused between your discussion and that of Rob (the original poster).

[paintingwithlight]

Hi Lindsay,

Welcome! FWIW about five years ago I was starting out looking for a new camera. Now five years is a LONG time in terms of camera development but I decided that either Nikon or Canon DSLRs would meet my needs. I chose Nikon only because Costco had a good deal on Nikons at the time. If I had to start over I *might* go Canon but now that I've invested in lenses and flashes I am trapped in the Nikon camp.

Michael

[Manfred M]

Hi Lindsay - I've moved your post to a new thread. That way the answers you receive should be directed at your question as opposed to being an add-on to the previously posted ones on another thread.

All of the camera manufacturers make "good" equipment. The question should probably be about what camera models you might wish to consider for what you want to with the camera. I would give a beginner a totally different answer than than an experienced photographer who is looking to photograph a specific niche.

So, what is your photographic experience and what type of photography do you want to do. What is your budget?

[Tronhard]

BEFORE YOU ANSWER:

With the best intentions in the world, when a question like this appears on the forum, many responses are about the writers' OWN choices of gear, based on THEIR experience, needs and preferences. Your personal choice of gear MAY be relevant once the poster has established what their needs are, and once we know the poster's level of photographic literacy so that we are not simply confusing them with technicalese.

I really appeal to everyone not to do so, rather GUIDE the poster to express what they want to put in and get out of a camera. THEN our suggestions should be supportive of those expressed needs. Not doing so simply confuses the issue for the poster. This need to get feedback should also extend to the poster's fluency with photographic terms. IF the terms DSLR, MILC, APS-C or DoF don't make any sense to our posters, then we are more likely to confuse than assist them, especially when off-shoots of the advice disappear into technical discussions that will shed little light on the poster's needs.

I also recommend that before responding you take the time to read Lindsay's profile, and that gives one some clues as to her position.

So: in that spirit:

LINDSAY:

1. How much money do you want to spend on a camera?
2. What kinds of photos do you take: scenic, portrait, wildlife from a long distance, close-up of flowers etc., engaging in outdoor adventure activities...
3. What will you do with the pictures you take: put on web and social media pages, put on electronic devices like pads, laptops or TV screens: make small prints (say 5"x7"), make large prints (say 30" x24")
4. What are you prepared to carry? Do you want to have something small and portable that you can tuck into your clothes or an existing pack, are you prepared to have a specific camera bag. What is too heavy for you?

Any information on any photography courses you have taken would be helpful.
You seem to have a wide range of interests - which is great, so is this associated with recording the activities or to pursue photography for its own right?

Trevor

[AlwaysOnAuto]

As a very amateur user who has faced this question the only advice I can give you is this.
Figure out what you want the camera to be able to do, find the ones that fit that criteria and are within your budget, then, go 'fondle' them to see which one you connect to the best. You'll use a camera that 'feels' right more than one that doesn't.

As for my own experience, way back in the 'good old days' of film, my first 'real' camera was a Nikon FE. It won out over the Canon offerings because of the lenses available at the time. When it came time to go digital my first one was a Nikon Coolpix 995. NOT your conventional DSLR, but, it could do all my FE could from a manual use standpoint. Now, a D80 and D7000 later, I'm shooting a Sony A7ii and using all my old Nikon lenses with it.

There are a lot of really good photographers on this forum and they all have good advice.

Good luck with your choice, I'll be watching this thread to see which direction you go.

[rpcrowe]

Deciding on which camera to purchase depends on multiple parameters, including:

1. What types of photography are you interested in? Of course, many photographers have varied interests so the decision on a camera must be based on choices and compromises.

2. How much money can you comfortably allot to your photo gear. This is a big factor... It is often better to buy a used upper grade model one or two generations old than to purchase a new entry level camera...

3. Try to determine the factors that will make your photography enjoyable. As examples:
a. I detest a camera that only has an LCD viewfinder. While I prefer through the lens viewing an electronic viewfinder is O.K.
b. In the Canon line - I prefer cameras with dual control dials rather than cameras with primarily menu driven controls.

4. Are you willing and able to purchase additional lenses. If not, perhaps a bridge camera might be a good choice.

5. How much weight can you comfortable carry? I love my 7D Mark II with several lenses but, that gear is fairly heavy.

6. Make use of YouTube videos in your selection of cameras/lenses. Caution: some YouTube videos are better than others.

7. Consider purchasing cameras as manufacturer's refurbished units. I buy all my Canon cameras that way

As far as specific brand quality. A Nikon rep once stated that if you are shooting with any modern digital camera of any brand and are not getting very good imagery, you are at fault, not the camera. I will however, add to that.

There are some types of shooting that are beyond the capability of some cameras/lens combinations. If you want to get top-of-the-line sports imagery, you will probably not do so with an entry level camera and a kit lens. The same if true for some wildlife and bird photography. These pursuits normally require longer focal length lenses. If you plan to shoot using available light in dim conditions, the entry level camera and kit lens may not be a good choice...

If you plan to or hope to flesh out your kit by purchasing used lenses or other used equipment, generally there is more used gear available in the Nikon or Canon lines than for other brands.

Finally, KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BUYING. When purchasing lenses, often certain lenses are not compatible with certain cameras, even though they are of the same brand. I won't go into the various pair-ups of camera-lens compatibility but, just be sure that the lens or lenses you purchase are compatible with the cameras you own or plan on buying.