Camera Reccomendations for a beginner

Forums › Digital Imaging › Camera Reccomendations for a beginner

madridista

53 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#204610 9-Oct-2016 15:07

Hi I am interested in taking up photography as a hobby as it has been something I have always been interested in but I am not to sure where to start. I have looked at DSLR and their mirrorless counterparts and I am leaning more towards the DSLR side as from what I have read online it usually has a better battery life. I would prefer it to have Wi-Fi though if it does not I don't think I will die.

My budget is about 800-900, could go slightly higher if a device really stands out I guess as it will be a long term investment. I have looked at a few such as the Sony A5100, Sony A6000, Nikon D3300, Nikon D5500, Canon 100D, Canon 1300D, Canon 750D and Canon 1000D. I do realise some of them are the mirrorless one so still open to considering them.

I want to know if some of the pricier options are worth it and if I actually need to spend that much or is it better for me to go something that is cheaper and have money for lens later on and since I am a beginner I might not need the more expensive options.

Also once I have decided one a camera, I was thinking of buying it brand new so I have warrenty etc, but I also want to know if you guys would recommend buying one from trademe, I am just scared that if I do then it might have defects or something and since not knowing a whole lot I wont be able to recognise it or ask the right questions. And for buying it brand new, what are some of the best and cheap places in Auckland to get one ?

1 | 2

Hammered
8332 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648056 9-Oct-2016 15:57

I think you'd be best to go into a camera shop and hold a few cameras to see what feels right for you. Progear in Newmarket have been excellent to deal with, as have the staff at Auckland Camera Centre in Morningside. Both shops will help answer any questions you have and make suggestions where appropriate. If you want to look at one day workshops to learn how to use the camera in manual modes, I can recommend a place in Auckland for that also, just ask.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

timmmay

20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648109 9-Oct-2016 17:42

What do you want to use it for?

I'm not sure I'd bother with DSLR for casual or family photos these days. They're bigger, heavier, more expensive, and the smaller cameras do great. I use a quite old Sony RX-100 Mk1 for most things now, I only use my big DSLRs when I'm photographing professionally. The RX100 fix in a front jeans pocket and takes great photos.

If I wanted a general family and messing around camera I'd look at the RX100, micro 4/3, and mirrorless. Mirrorless and 4/3 probably still need dedicated bags.

madridista

53 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#1648117 9-Oct-2016 17:51

timmmay:

What do you want to use it for?

I'm not sure I'd bother with DSLR for casual or family photos these days. They're bigger, heavier, more expensive, and the smaller cameras do great. I use a quite old Sony RX-100 Mk1 for most things now, I only use my big DSLRs when I'm photographing professionally. The RX100 fix in a front jeans pocket and takes great photos.

If I wanted a general family and messing around camera I'd look at the RX100, micro 4/3, and mirrorless. Mirrorless and 4/3 probably still need dedicated bags.

It's mostly going to be for when I go walking/hiking and shots of nature, scenic or perhaps landscape shots. Occasionally photos with friends as well perhaps. With the RX-100, its sensor is smaller, am I correct ? Im not fully aware of all the jargon but I thought a bigger sensor is usually better from what I have read online.

madridista

53 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#1648119 9-Oct-2016 17:53

Stu:

I think you'd be best to go into a camera shop and hold a few cameras to see what feels right for you. Progear in Newmarket have been excellent to deal with, as have the staff at Auckland Camera Centre in Morningside. Both shops will help answer any questions you have and make suggestions where appropriate. If you want to look at one day workshops to learn how to use the camera in manual modes, I can recommend a place in Auckland for that also, just ask.

Okay I will have a look over the week or next weekend to try and get a feel for the different cameras but also regarding workshops for using manual mode, where about is that place you can recommend ?

timmmay

20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648124 9-Oct-2016 18:16

RX100 is a medium sized sensor. It has a RAW mode and a good ISO6400 - the newer models are even better. For your use I wouldn't get a DSLR, mirrorless or the RX100 would be MORE than enough. If you really want to take photos in complete darkness, which means external flash if you want good photos, then maybe a DSLR makes sense... maybe.

You really don't need to use manual mode. I've been a professional photographer for more than ten years, I do use manual in specific circumstances, but for holiday and even most professional work I use one of the semi automatic modes - usually aperture priority. Once you understand exposure the mode you use is irrelevant, all it does it choose the three important parameters - shutter speed and aperture. ISO is the other one but that's often set manually.

Stu

Hammered
8332 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648141 9-Oct-2016 18:49

madridista: ...but also regarding workshops for using manual mode, where about is that place you can recommend ?

I've done a couple of workshops with Three Little Wishes. I plan on doing at least one or two more with them.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

networkn

Networkn
32349 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648209 9-Oct-2016 20:22

timmmay:

What do you want to use it for?

I'm not sure I'd bother with DSLR for casual or family photos these days. They're bigger, heavier, more expensive, and the smaller cameras do great. I use a quite old Sony RX-100 Mk1 for most things now, I only use my big DSLRs when I'm photographing professionally. The RX100 fix in a front jeans pocket and takes great photos.

If I wanted a general family and messing around camera I'd look at the RX100, micro 4/3, and mirrorless. Mirrorless and 4/3 probably still need dedicated bags.

I had a look at this camera, it reviews well and I didn't look indepth, but optical zoom was only 3.6x that seems kinda low?

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

timmmay

20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648273 10-Oct-2016 07:22

networkn:

I had a look at this camera, it reviews well and I didn't look indepth, but optical zoom was only 3.6x that seems kinda low?

If I want something to be bigger I stand closer.

I actually find more often I'd prefer a wider lens than a longer one. Most of my photos are of my wife, sometimes where we're staying, landscapes, attractions, it's very rare for me to want a longer lens. 28-100mm lens equivalent is great for general purpose.

Stu

Hammered
8332 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648275 10-Oct-2016 07:29

Sometimes you just can't stand closer.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

timmmay

20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648278 10-Oct-2016 07:52

That's why I have a 200mm lens for my professional DSLR, which I can take if I want to.

When I'm taking holiday photos I just don't care that much, and 99% of photos are within the normal zoom range. With a 20MP camera I can also crop. When I'm not shooting professionally I take photos to record what happened and where, not create great works of art. At most 0.01% get printed.

Stu

Hammered
8332 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648285 10-Oct-2016 08:07

Fair enough. For landscapes and wildlife (including from a ship) I use a 24-80mm (35mm equivalent) f2.8 and a 80-300mm (35mm equivalent) f2.8 with a 1.4x Telecomverter if I need a little longer. Very happy with my mirrorless system, although with the lenses i now use it's not really light weight any more!

I think hobbyist photographers are more likely to have/require more lenses than a pro, because they're experimenting, learning and just having fun - just as it's always been. Professionals simply use exactly the right tool for the job on the day.

I'm glad I wasn't dissuaded from getting an interchangeable lens camera. I'm having a ball with my gear.

Only downside is, I have developed a serious case of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome)!

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

Referral Links: Sharesies - Backblaze -

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? If so, please consider supporting us by subscribing.

No matter where you go, there you are.

timmmay

20574 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648291 10-Oct-2016 08:23

Early days as a pro I had four DSLR bodies and around eight lenses, plus various flashes, radio slaves, converters, etc. Many pros have more than that. These days though I have two pro Nikon bodies, four lenses (16-35, 24-70, 70-200, 50 1.8), four flashes each with small battery packs, two studio flashes with a portable power pack, radio triggers, plus various bit and pieces - including traffic cones and ladders. I know what I need and don't have any extras, but I do have an assistant with redundant gear in case of failure.

Hobbiest may have more lenses, but often cheaper versions - though some go crazy. Each of my lenses is $2-$3k. Not sure why people bother, I only get the good stuff out when people pay me. Some people take thousands of photos and what do they do with most of them? Share them with their family on Facebook. But if people enjoy it, great. Since going pro photography isn't a hobby.

Batman

Mad Scientist
29760 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1648304 10-Oct-2016 08:50

Poor OP s/he must be so confused the sky looks upside down.

All I can say is, buy a cheap secondhand something and try it out. a DSLR is not for everyone. They are bulky, heavy, and take lousy pictures if you don't do it properly. That is exactly the reason why you can find super cheap DSLRs on trademe that are in brand new condition because the owner wanted to take up photography and found that the mates' iphone, point and shoot and mirrorless took 100X better pictures than theirs, so they stopped using it.

TwoSeven

1623 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1648655 10-Oct-2016 17:09

I use a 1940s box brownie with a 120 medium format black and white film, and a 1980s manual Minolta for use with 35mm color films. For me, part of the experience is in taking the film into the shop to get it processed to see what comes out.

A phone or cheap digi-cam can be pretty useful as well, especially if the intent is to learn post processing.

Software Engineer
(the practice of real science, engineering and management)
A.I. (Automation rebranded)
Gender Neutral
(a person who believes in equality and who does not believe in/use stereotypes. Examples such as gender, binary, nonbinary, male/female etc.)

...they/their/them...

madridista

53 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#1649890 12-Oct-2016 18:21

joker97:

Poor OP s/he must be so confused the sky looks upside down.

All I can say is, buy a cheap secondhand something and try it out. a DSLR is not for everyone. They are bulky, heavy, and take lousy pictures if you don't do it properly. That is exactly the reason why you can find super cheap DSLRs on trademe that are in brand new condition because the owner wanted to take up photography and found that the mates' iphone, point and shoot and mirrorless took 100X better pictures than theirs, so they stopped using it.

Yes a bit confused but thinking about what you guys have said and my own research I think I am leaning towards a DSLR, and will try to get one on trademe, hopefully with warranty etc so if something happens I have that. Will be going into stores this weekend to have a proper feel and look for the DSLR's

I want to play around with the exposure, aperture and shutter speed etc and have photos that come out crap and then learn and improve, I am student so looking to pick up new hobbies and photography is something I have been interested in.

1 | 2