Starting out,what camera?

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Hayleysmith

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Hi im literally starting from scratch and really want to get into newborn/child photography. Iv been told the best way to learn is to just start taking photos. Iv been looking at the canon EOS 7D camera but worried its the wrong camera for me.please can you recommend one to me and let me know any of your thoughts. Thanks
 
Hayleysmith said:
Hi im literally starting from scratch and really want to get into newborn/child photography. Iv been told the best way to learn is to just start taking photos. Iv been looking at the canon EOS 7D camera but worried its the wrong camera for me.please can you recommend one to me and let me know any of your thoughts. Thanks
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The camera's probably fine (although it's impossible to recommend something which might not be right for you) but remember you need lenses as well. What's your budget? You'll ideally want a flash unit and a couple of lenses that allow you to shoot in low light/blur the background. You could try a 50mm f1.8 or an 85mm f1.8 together with a standard kit lens
 
MPB or WEX are good for second hand gear as they come with guarantees. In terms of cost you set a budget and get what fits within it. 50mm primes are cheap as far as lenses go and an aperture numbers such as f1.4/1.8 will allow you to blur the background nicely. You could also get a Tamron 90mm f2.8 which is mainly used for macro but these work well as portrait lenses too, again they're not too expensive in terms of photography gear. I think you'll still want a wider zoom lens as well for versatility. No one can recommend equipment though without knowing how much you have to spend
 
Thats great thank you. I want to do as cheap as possible at the moment as im just starting out. Iv been looking at those web sites,got to be quick though as the good cameras get snapped up pretty quickly
 
If "cheap as possible" is your mantra, then a used kit lens (18-55) will give you versatility with the zoom and give you an idea of what focal lengths you use most/prefer. It's not the best quality but at (current MBP search shows) £30-£40 it'll get you off the ground and take very acceptable pictures. If you find that you're constantly zoomed all the way out on it, then maybe a 50mm prime might be the way to go, but to start with, the 18-55 will probably be sell-onable for not much less than you paid for it. You can then spend a bit more on a lens that better suits your style - once you've discovered what that is. Or - if photography isn't for you - you've not wasted too much money.

If you're thinking of studio work, then lights/flash will be something you might consider. If you prefer natural available light, then a decent lens would be more important. The direction you go in will determine your gear needs in the future.
 
For the sort of work you are looking to do, have a look at the 5D MKII. It will cost you a little more but you will be a lot less likely to want upgrade soon. I use a 1DX but I have 5MKII as back up and every time I've needed it, it's never let me down. I had to used it last year at a wedding after my 1DX developed a fault. Yes it was slower to use but the images did not look out of place along side the photos taken earlier in the day on the 1DX. Just make sure any second have camera does not have to high a shutter count.
 
Hayleysmith said:
Iv been looking at the canon EOS 7D camera but worried its the wrong camera for me
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I guess at that price it's a mark I rather than mark ii and presonally I would go for something a bit more up-to-date perhaps the 70D? The 7D is considered semi pro and you are paying for things like a metal body and weather sealing which you probably won't benefit from.
 
Perhaps you are set on Canon...I dunno

If a Nikon outfit is a possibility then I had a complete set up of D80 with two kit lenses, remotes and even sling back pack that would probably come well within your budget.( taking it that you mention 400 quid for body only)

It didn't sell so is now in the classifieds archives, however it can be revived although for the moment you don't have access to that part of the forum.

It's an offer to get you started that may interest you
 
Are you starting completely from scratch? What photography experience do you have?
If you're not that experienced, the Canon 7D is a heck of a camera to start with. Not that it can't be done but it's got a lot of options, particularly with regard to autofocus. It's also a lot heavier than some of the other options like the 60D/70D or 80D.

If you're interested in baby/newborn photography, you will need to get to grips with the camera and photography in general before taking on anything specific like baby portraits.
I properly took up photography when my kids were born, so I spent lots of time practicing on them before doing any proper sessions. I would suggest get a smaller body like the 60D (which has the same 18mpixel sensor as the 7D) and get decent general zoom like a Sigma 17-50 f2.8 and then when you're confident with that set up add a 50mm f1.8 STM.

For newborns (and as a newbie), I would leave flashes for the moment and only get around to those once you're confident in shooting and composing properly.
 
What's your complete budget? £400 is reasonable for a body, but if you have only another £200 for lenses the. You would do better with (for example) a EOS 40D for £90 and having £500 for lenses.
 
My advice before you settle on a brand is to go to a store and physically hold both (or more) kinds of cameras - Nikon/Canon. See how they feel in your hands. When I was starting out and did that the Nikons I held felt much better in my hand than the Canons. Just a thought.
 
photogwannabe said:
My advice before you settle on a brand is to go to a store and physically hold both (or more) kinds of cameras - Nikon/Canon. See how they feel in your hands. When I was starting out and did that the Nikons I held felt much better in my hand than the Canons. Just a thought.
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Definitely this. If you are starting out, you do need to go see what feels right in your hands, you might find some too big or too small or you might not like the arrangement of buttons and dials. Even if you are going to buy something secondhand, go into your local camera shop, even if it's a Jessops or worst case scenario, a PC World. Try out what they have in store; if they don't have the second hand models you're interested in, try the newer version, ie if they don't have the original Canon 7D secondhand, try the new 7D Mk2, it'll be the same approximate weight and size as the old one. Compare that to a Canon 60D/70D/80D or 700D/750D/760D and even to a Nikon D5500 or Nikon D7300.

Shooting kids and babies, you are really going to be hand-holding the camera most of the time (and a lot of the time, down low on the floor to get on their level), so weight and size plays a bit part. Also the ability to reach all of the important controls easily with your thumb and fingers. You can't assess this without actually picking up a camera.
 
If physically looking at some cameras, have a good look at the buttons, controls and screen menus too, and see how 'intuitive' they are for you to navigate. Not much point in having a camera that fits like a glove if you can't remember how to change (or find) the various settings each time you come to use them (this could be a particular issue if you don't use the camera for a few weeks and your memory is anything like mine.. I spent 5 mins yesterday trying to find the shutter delay timer on mine! :whistle: Well, it was the first time I'd used it on that camera). Perhaps most importantly, take your time to decide what's best for you, as a mistake can be costly! I hope this idea is useful to you, and that you find the right camera. (y)
 
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Thanks everyone for your advice. Might look at buying a cheaper camera and spending more money on the lenses.
 
Hi Hayley and welcome to the world of photography.

My advice is don't get hung up on the camera, pros 10 years ago were producing fantastic images on cameras you can now buy for pocket money.

Lenses are a longer term investment, and there are some bargains to be had, once you've decided on a camera, just check back for lens advice.

More important than all that is practice, shoot anything and everything until using a camera is 2nd nature.

Then you can start thinking about specialising, you'll know what you enjoy shooting, what you're comfortable with and what interests you.

By the time you've settled, you'll have gone through a lot of gear and a lot of hours sat at a computer learning.

If I told you I wanted to be a chef in an Indian restaurant, but had never cooked a meal, let alone an Indian one, and I'd never actually been in a proper restaurant, you'd say I was daft.

Keep the desire, push yourself, be open to ideas, learn the basics, there's loads of technical as well as creative things to get right.

You'll have a ball, but your first camera? Is just that; the first, if you take this up, there'll be many others.
 
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.i think im more confused than ever so will definitely go and take a look at some cameras and have a little play and go from there
 
Some excellent advice from Phil
I started out with film years ago with a cheap camera as its all I could afford.
Then a few years ago bought a used £50 Cannon 300d, I learnt loads. Then when upgrade fever caught hold I was well advised, I can't remember who but it may have been Phil above, they explained the difference and went through the Cannon Digital models to show me what I got extra for the extra cost.
Really the best Quality for money investment was to swap the 300d for a 350d and it cost me about £130 for a full used set up.
You then need to take pictures, stuff you are interested in and stuff you are not, then when you have a camera issue consider the upgrade and if you did would it resolve the issue as often its not needed.
My Daughter and I both have 350d's and can't fault them but her images are way better than mine as she is just better than me.

Just been back through my PMs it was Dave1 who gave me the 350d advice 3 years ago, its was very much like Phil's, take picture, look at what you are really getting when you buy a camera, IE the 300d and 350d look and seem similar but are ver different its just knowing.Thanks Dave
 
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Is this to take photos of your children in the home etc or in a studio? If the first think about the background in the house etc.
The previous owners put a horrid yellow wallpaper in our house which I just got used to but when I took photos of my son in there they looked so bad.
I hope this is helpful advice
 
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