Camera advice please :)

[Seanna {Madam}]

So my friend is interested in getting a really good quality camera to begin her photography ventures and she is trying to figure out the best one to get. She is thinking a Nikon because all of the pictures she has seen that she seems to like usually stem from that particular brand. Problem is there are all different kinds of Nikon models and she doesn't know which one to get. How do you get that super crisp and clean image to where Photoshop is barely needed?!

Also, she plans to get some lights and a wide angle lens so if anyone has anything to add to that to, I would be so thankful.

[Seanna {Madam}]

Thank you! I will show her this post so she can take notes :)
So it's a lens issue...hmmm...that makes sense. So is their any particular type of lens that you can recommend? I plan to be her guinea pig model for awhile until she gets the hang of it!


sfphotojournal said:

Strange that no one has jumped on this discussion. The one thing that photog love talking about is gear.

First off, I'm a Canon shooter. Until the D3 and the D3X there wasn't any camera that would make me switch from my 1D's. So I not the best on specific lenses.

Generally, I recommend your friend spend the majority of her money on lenses versus a camera. Why? Because digital camera bodies come and go, they're just chip boards, but lenses stay forever. As an example in the last 10 years, I've gone through 5 different camera models but I'm using lenses that are over 30 years old.

If she's starting out completely a clean slate, any of the lenses that come with the camera kit are fine. But she'll probably want to upgrade in the future.

On the topic of sharpness. Modern lenses because they're made by computers are all super sharp and the auto focus are super accurate.

Sharpness and crispness has alot to do with things like ISO, speed, aperture, correctly setting up autofocus and something simply holding the lens still. Most time when an image isn't sharp it's not a lens issue but an operators issue.

Also sharpness isn't something you always want. Modern lenses are capable of showing every pore, blemish, pimple, facial hair, bump, everything on a woman's face. And what woman want that in her picture?

On the topic of lighting.

Here's 2 great links.

http://photo.net/photography-lighting-equipment-techniques-forum/00...

below is my favorite

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/03/lighting-101.html

Good luck to your friend

SFPJ

[Clay Stephenson]

I am Canon all the way. You should probably refer to SF's advice. Building your lenses is the most important part. I shoot with a Canon30D but am going to be making the leap to the new 5D. So like he said it doesn't matter where you start. A Rebel is an affordable way to go. I've used Nikons and I just don't like how they feel or they layout of most of their buttons.

That's just my two cents....SF covered it all.

[2d1jh4f6bcokc]

Seanna .... I'm a Nikon shooter my self and love them. Canons are awesome to but like Sf said it's really the lens that counts ( either brand ..it's the same issue). I started with the d-50 and it shoots great for a starter camera. For my sports photography I use a D2h for fast shooting. this is my net lens I want to get....http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-24-70mm-f-2-8G-ED-Lens-MINT_W...|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1307|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

This baby is tack sharp !!! also the 14-24 wide angle. I would aim for the 24-70 mm lens and then grab a d-50 6.1 meg or look for a d-80 10.2megs.

To be honest.... most photographers pump up their photo's in photoshop. I shoot pretty close to where I want the image to be and in Adobe bridge I will pump up the black and sharpen a tad if needed and there you have it.....

Pick up a D-50 ( $200.00 average) on craiglist... This camera takes sweet pic's for a mid-range camera.

Lighting wise I'd go with some Alien bees... I'd pick up a B1600 and use a 60" convertible umberlla with a set of Pocket wizards...... Good starer set up. Don't buy the cheap ( low power) specials on ebay........
with the B1600 you can shoot during the day and black out the sky no problem..... Hope this helps you out FBP :) If you have more questions send me a message too

[Bluebonnet Bombshells]

Lots of info on here so far, some probably too technical (and expensive!) if she is just starting out though. My recommendation is to get a mid range dslr, either nikon or canon will do just fine. Go to a store and play with both of them and figure out which feels better. Like Clay said above he doesn't like the way Nikons feel, I'm the opposite, I don't like the way Canons feel. They are completely backwards of one another, but get whichever is more intuitive.

One thing about canon though if she gets one of the lower end camera bodies, the lenses are different (not compatible) from the higher end bodies, so I would AVOID those particular models. And don't get a Nikon d40 since it will limit some of the lens options as well (no auto focus mechanism in the body). And just stick with the kit lens it comes with for now, none of them are fantabulous but they aren't crap either so they will work just fine.

She should learn to shoot with that before she even thinks about what to get next, 'cause it'll change on a weekly basis as she gets better! I was all set to plunk down a couple grand on some studio lights and the toys that go with them, but after a couple indoor shoots with what I already had I realized I just don't like shooting in a studio. Woo-hoo $2000 saved!

[Seanna {Madam}]

Taking notes everyone! Thank you so much! I think she's willing to spend a good about of money on everything so that's not a problem if it will collectively run her close to $2000. I think that's what she was expecting. I will be sure to tell her about the lenses and give her the info and links. This has been so helpful thanks again!

[Cherry Pie]

I have a Nikon D40 but I have used Canon in the past. I agree you need a good lens, the body does not matter much. Take a look at my pics, most were taken with my Nikon (not the Varga ones haha).

Good Luck
xoxo

[2d1jh4f6bcokc]

There's some Alien Bee lighting sets going for 7-8 bills .... 1 1600 head and 2 800 heads with stands and all... check em out....

[Bluebonnet Bombshells]

sfphotojournal said:

All lower end cameras be they Nikon, Canon, Sony, etc. use a APS-C size sensors. Any lens designed for APS-C bodies will have problems if used on full size sensors.

Nikon APS-C lenses, which is the entire Nikon DX range, can be used on Nikon top of line camera, D3, D3X and D700, but it's use will dramatically reduce the picture quality, 12 megapixel will be reduced to 5 megapixel.

As Nikon finally moves to large/full size sensors for it's future bodies, the DX line will become less and less usable.

Also the D40 not having a auto focus mechanism in the body is sort of a non-issue if you starting from scratch since it only applies if you're using older lenses. And all new lenses are AF-S or AF-I lenses so they have auto focus mechanisms in the lens.

In my opinion the days of DSLR, at least among pro's, is numbered. Most of us are waiting for hybrid cameras like the Red Scarlet, which can take both Super HD video and 20+ megapixel video capture stills.

Seanna

It looks like I opened the floodgates

Told you photogs love talking equipment. And I think sometimes they'd rather talk equipment than take pictures.


SFPJ
www.sfphotojournal.net

Right, the DX lenses don't work so well on full frame cameras, but I was referring to the lens mounts themselves, not the sensor size. Nikon full frame bodies can use 20 year old lenses just fine (as can the DX bodies), where as the canon bodies can't because they changed their mounts so many times. And I'm not buying anymore DX lenses since I won't be buying anymore DX bodies.

Seanna, if your friend is looking to spend 2k-ish that puts my above recommendation out the window. If she thinks she'll spend more time in the studio, get some decent studio lights, Alien Bees seem to be the default lower end standard, and great by all accounts. If she's going to shoot on location more get some good lenses. For a body for a Nikon I'd get a new d90 or a used d300. Can't recommend any Canons 'cause I don't know much about them although the full frame 5d is a killer body and she can probably find some used ones now that the new one is out.

This is a little off topic and camera geeky, but since you brought up the Red... I have friends that are pro videographers that think the video on full frame camera bodies like the 5d mkII will be stiff competition for the red cameras since they have such a lower initial cost. But I guess you can use canon mount still lenses on the Scarlet, yes? That is so bad ass. Anyway I think there is going to be quite a revolution in cameras over the next few years and we'll end up ditching the 35mm-as-standard format since there is nothing really to keep it there other than tradition. And 30 year old Nikon lenses :)

[Seanna {Madam}]

Yes indeedy SF the floodgates have been opened! And honestly I just need to show her this thread because I am now lost, lol. I've always wondered why models of electronics are a mix of letters and numbers! Why can't there be a Nikon Hulkster or a Canon Prankster? I have to play that word association game to retain information. I am learning though so I'm glad I posted this!

[2d1jh4f6bcokc]

Hey Seanna, There's a really cool article on starting your studio for 3,000 bucks in the new issue of PDN. It's two photographers that are given 3,000 and have to make choices on all their gear....... It's a good read .

[Seanna {Madam}]

Sweet! That sounds great I will definitely check it out! Thanks :)

Flat Black Photography said:

Hey Seanna, There's a really cool article on starting your studio for 3,000 bucks in the new issue of PDN. It's two photographers that are given 3,000 and have to make choices on all their gear....... It's a good read .

[jeraldseelyphotography]

Seanna,

I'm a Nikon shooter and use a D90. I recommend this camera if your friend is looking at a $2000. budget to start off with. You can get the D90 with a very nice Vibration Reduction lens that has decent range, 24-120mm, for about $1100. then I would suggest using the rest of the the funds to get a 50mm F1.8 Nikon lens for about $110, a cheap but tack sharp lens, and a couple of Nikon Speedlights. Preferably for some additional capabilities and SB-900, or SB-800 if you can find one, and one or two SB-600's. This gives the ability to get creative not only out on location, but also in a home studio. I use my speedlights all the time in my home studio with all kinds of various modifiers, gels, and umbrellas.

So, there's my 2 cents. I hope it helps. Also be sure to check out, as previously stated, Strobist.com and lighting 101.

Have fun,
Jerry