Best camera for starting out

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JoeColling

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I would like to pursue a career in photography. What is the most affordable, as well as the best all around camera for a someone new to the trade?

I have my sights on a canon rebel, but i welcome all opinions and would like to get some feedback pertaining to the best choice camera that i should buy.

Thank you so much! Im glad I found this web site :wave:
 
:welcome: to TP, Joe.

I think you might need a hard hat to protect you from the replies that will be coming if you're really suggesting that you're looking for buying advice for a first camera and you're planning on being a professional photographer......
 
LOL. I think you're putting the cart before the horse a bit Joe, :D

Welcome aboard though - I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice .
 
Got to start somewhere, right? :D

If I asked the wrong question, then kindly inform me as to what should i be doing as a first step?

Thanks.:clap:
 
Photography is like farming.. everything from pigs to peas. So asking for the best camera to start towards a career in photography is a bit like asking which tractor - to which the only sensible answer is, "a red one".

Odds are you'll change camera quite quickly either through need or impatience. So the answer is that pretty much any camera will get you started. Don't focus so much on make and model just yet, think about form factor first. Do you have a camera now? do you have an idea what you want to take photographs of? Would a large DSLR be of most use, or a smaller system camera?

Asking the question you have done will get you two types of answer:
- The cameras that people already have
- The cameras that people want

You won't get many answers that refer to what you need, because you don't give anything to work on in that respect. And tbh, you probably don't yet know. So spend some time telling us why you want to be a photographer, what you want to photograph, and how you want to photograph (light on your feet, or with a car full of gear).
 
My two cents worth -

Buying a camera you can learn from is extremely important, it will drive you in your hobby/profession to not only take great shots but in understanding why its great shot, this doesn't mean buying one because it a top range model just because its an expensive top range model, but one that will open just the right amount of doors for you.

I was going to buy a bridge or a high mp (14) plain digital camera, I'm so glad I stepped into the world of DSLR with my entry Nikon D3100 opens up a new world of photography to me which I was simply standing out in the cold and getting bored with before. Please don't take that as in I thought I already knew all there was to know regrading taking brilliant pics, far.... far from it. It just inspired me to get better and boy o boy did it work.
 
viewfromthenorth said:
What do you intend shooting with it? What is your budget? Do you have a camera currently and so any existing lenses?
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I think the above post is a good starting point. Do you intend on going on any courses as well as these points could also help us to help you.
Regards
Richard
 
Buy a cheap second hand camera off the buy and sell board (like a 400d or something) use it to work out what you want/need, then sell it on again a few months later for £30 less. I still sell prints from my 20D and ANY d-SLR will give you room to grow.

Good luck!

Alex
 
JoeColling said:
Got to start somewhere, right? :D

If I asked the wrong question, then kindly inform me as to what should i be doing as a first step?

Thanks.:clap:
Click to expand...

You're fine Joe. Sure, everyone's got to start somewhere and the basic answer to your question is yes, a Canon Rebel will be just fine. They're great cameras - that was my first DSLR as it was for many other folks on here. Likewise any DSLR with Nikon written on it that suits your budget will do the job just as well. Frankly, they're all very similar at a given price point.

Just get one of those, with nothing more than the kit lens for starters, and learn how to get the most from it. When you've got that sorted, you'll know what lens or flash or whatever to progress things further.

Before you've earned a dime from your photography, you will probably have bought a several more cameras and spent thousands on other stuff, but getting an entry level DSLR now doesn't close any doors on the future.

Good luck.
 
Hey thanks you guys! :thumbs:

I dont have a camera yet, but I have just went through a huge course on photography. So I know a bit, I would like to turn my knowledge into money! I will browse the forums here in search of a good deal.

The only camera in my possession is the one on my phone lol....so im not going to take pictures with that. Anyway, I really appreciate all great info. Thanks again.

Btw, my budget as of right now is 500-1000 USD. Its not much in the world of buying a camera, i know, but im new to this and I want to start out in a conservative manner...at least till the economy picks up, then ill be a bit more gutsy with my wallet....maybe lol :D
 
JoeColling said:
Hey thanks you guys! :thumbs:

I dont have a camera yet, but I have just went through a huge course on photography. So I know a bit, I would like to turn my knowledge into money! I will browse the forums here in search of a good deal.

The only camera in my possession is the one on my phone lol....so im not going to take pictures with that. Anyway, I really appreciate all great info. Thanks again.

Btw, my budget as of right now is 500-1000 USD. Its not much in the world of buying a camera, i know, but im new to this and I want to start out in a conservative manner...at least till the economy picks up, then ill be a bit more gutsy with my wallet....maybe lol :D
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We all can give suggestions on what camera to go for but in the end it's up to you, you could go out to the shops and find one that's best for you and your budget and what feels better in your hands. Here is my suggestion buy the 60D body only then choice a nice lens for it or use a kit lens for now. It's upto you good luck
 
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JoeColling said:
Btw, my budget as of right now is 500-1000 USD. Its not much in the world of buying a camera, i know, but im new to this and I want to start out in a conservative manner...at least till the economy picks up, then ill be a bit more gutsy with my wallet....maybe lol :D
Click to expand...

You could set half that budget aside for a very nice lens.. and find a good, used prosumer body with the other half.

Which photographers inspire you?
 
JoeColling said:
I would like to pursue a career in photography. What is the most affordable, as well as the best all around camera for a someone new to the trade?

I have my sights on a canon rebel, but i welcome all opinions and would like to get some feedback pertaining to the best choice camera that i should buy.

Thank you so much! Im glad I found this web site :wave:
Click to expand...

what ever you can afford. there is no real difference between a canon 5D2 and a 550D.
 
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