Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Looking for a camera for entering photography

profile picture
DG.3
Posts: 794 - Karma: 288
Im looking to buy a camera for just getting into photography, skiing and general. this is NOT going to be the camera that i take up with me on the hill daily, i have a gopro for that. video would be nice as well.

i was looking at the sony nex 5 or nex 3, looks like a point and shoot body with interchangeable lenses and some dlsr features, plus hd video. and its compact too. any thought on that?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1) What is your budget? How much money can you spend right away, and do you think you can get more money to invest in the future? $500, but im willing to go over that if its really worth it. yes i can invest more later.

2) What experience do you already have with cameras? Have you ever even used one before? Have you helped your friend out with his camera? Have you owned your own? video: filmed with a casio ex fc 100 last season. use familt camcorder for films, so i know how to adjust white balence and apeture and the like. take high school film class. photo: can use a basic camera, never worked with interchangable lenses and such.

2) What gear, if any, do you currently have? (tripod, old camera lenses, mics, etc) cheap tripod that does the job, family camcorder, gopro hd, used to own a casio ex fc 100, but it broke.

4) What are you planning to shoot and how do you want to use your camera? Are you going to use this with the sole purpose of shooting skiing? or do you think you might try other stuff as well (movies, documentaries, short films, etc) shooting skiing, occasionally filming skiing, general photography

5) Do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming? giving it to my friends would be nice, but its not a huge priority

6) When filming skiing, how do you tend to shoot? (follow cams, leave it on record on a tripod and hike, film from a tripod, etc) just holding and shooting, sometimes a tripod off the hill.

7) What computer do you currently have/use to edit (if not currently editing, what would you most likely use)? If you can provide specifics, such as hard drive space, RAM, processor size, that would be great. imac with final cut pro 7 and photoshop cs.

7) What program do you currently edit on? How familiar are you with it (1- just learning; 10- I can make tutorials and know the keyboard layout) final cut: 5, photoshop: 3

---------------------------Optional Section, for those seeking a more intensive upgrade/purchase------------------------
1) Do you think you might consider using a DSLR? yes

2) Do you have any knowledge about the HDSLRS? no

3) Do you know the limitations to using HDSLRS? no

4) Are you willing to take the time to learn about a DSLR, and how to shoot with manual lenses? yes

5) Again, do you want a camera that you can hand to your friends, that could or could not have film experience, and let them shoot you? or will you be doing all the filming? giving it to my friends would be nice, but its not a huge priority
Dec 10 2010 12:05AM
0 0
profile picture
DG.3
Posts: 794 - Karma: 288
srry heres the link to the nex 5 http://www.sonystyle.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=20153&catalogId=100803&langId=200&productId=8198552921666192700
Dec 10 2010 12:07AM
0 0
profile picture
Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
Nikon: D3100
Dec 10 2010 12:07AM
0 0
profile picture
Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
thats just the $500 if u were to pick nikon

and i went to a canadian news room today, and talked to the Director of photogrpahy, he likes the colors and focusing on the Canon better....
i shoot nikon (D300)
maybe this will influence ur decision?
Dec 10 2010 12:09AM
0 0
profile picture
bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Nikon coolpix p100. takes 1980 by 1080 at 30 fps video can take 720p at 60fps at is like 400 dollars on amazon. The color isn't that good but the clarity is pretty damn good for a sub 500 camera.
Dec 10 2010 2:10AM
0 0
profile picture
Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
what are you even saying?
Dec 10 2010 10:40AM
0 0
profile picture
DG.3
Posts: 794 - Karma: 288
im sort of looking for a little bit of a step up from a point and shoot
Dec 10 2010 11:46AM
0 0
profile picture
bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
It's. The p100 takes some knowledge of photography the you have manual, aperture priority, shutter priority and a whole bunch of other manual settings. Maybe you already know more than this but, this was the camera that really got me into photography.
Dec 10 2010 11:59AM
0 0
profile picture
Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
sry, i was not thinking. haha.
I was just saying, if u were to spend $500 you should pick up a D3100. I tried one today, and they are freggin dope.
and i said that i talked to the director of photography at the canadian press. He said that canon is better then nikon, because they have better colors and auto focus. i was talking about canon vs nikon wih a friend at the time and dont rly know why it was relevant to the thread.

im just sayin. Amazing starter camera, Nikon D3100. It fits the bill in so many ways.
Dec 10 2010 3:28PM
0 0
profile picture
cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
If you're just starting photography, I would go Nikon. I'm no amazing photographer, but If you're just learning, Nikon has a MUCH better lay-out of controls on their bodies. I personally like the fact that the Nikon's have the aperture setting wheel right below the shutter release, which the Canons do not.
Dec 11 2010 10:39PM
0 0
profile picture
chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
I'd highly suggest the Canon T2i, it's got some really impressive features for the price.
Dec 11 2010 11:28PM
0 0
profile picture
Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
this
Dec 11 2010 11:50PM
0 0
profile picture
Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
now granted i am a canon guy. but they really arent more complicated. whooop de do, you have to hit one other button while scrolling the wheel to change the aperture. its not like he has to memorize massive button combos or anything.


not saying you shouldnt get a nikon, but this shouldnt be the deciding factor between the two.
Dec 12 2010 11:56PM
0 0
profile picture
thisandthatfilms
Posts: 7714 - Karma: 526
yes deff this.


i started with a nikon d40 and i am well off
Dec 13 2010 10:55AM
0 0
profile picture
cbeebzthasteeze
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 85
Of course not. I was just pointing out that when I was learning (and I still am), the Nikons I used were easier to pick up and shoot with, and if you wanted to make adjustments quickly, the Nikons seemed to be a step quicker to get to things in most cases (not all, of course).
Dec 13 2010 8:00PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)