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Camera advice?

SteelersPride

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So ive been trying to find a new hobby. Semi intrigued in photography.

All the articles and sites make things overwhelming. Ill be honest i dont wanna spend 3-5-700 on a starter camera for something i may not even stick with. Plus i dont understand how to use all that right now anyways.

Any rec on a camera? Or a place to buy used cameras? Easiest to experiment and dabble with a point and shoot?
 

gob

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Probably best bet would be buy a used one on eBay for $1-200 to see if you like it
 

gob

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Yeah....just dunno wth im looking for.
If you're just looking to see if you like it, probably any of the ones you liked at in the reviews. If you're getting a used one, then just go into it knowing you'll be upgrading no matter what (if you like it), or selling it back and losing $25 (if you don't like it).
 

SteelersPride

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If you're just looking to see if you like it, probably any of the ones you liked at in the reviews. If you're getting a used one, then just go into it knowing you'll be upgrading no matter what (if you like it), or selling it back and losing $25 (if you don't like it).
Well just about every camera in a review is 300+
 

R.J. MacReady

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Well just about every camera in a review is 300+

The Sony NEX-5 ...came out about 10 years ago. I still have mine and can still holds it's own.
It was kinda the first point & shoot/ DSLR hybrid because you can use any of the big boy lenses with it.
New it cost me about $650 9 years ago.

I bet you could pick one up for $150 ...give or take. It films in HD too ...great quality.

There are different models like 5n & aplaha ....you have to read up about that. They may be lesser models.

Sony-NEX-5N-1-640x426.jpg
 

SteelersPride

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The Sony NEX-5 ...came out about 10 years ago. I still have mine and can still holds it's own.
It was kinda the first point & shoot/ DSLR hybrid because you can use any of the big boy lenses with it.
New it cost me about $650 9 years ago.

I bet you could pick one up for $150 ...give or take. It films in HD too ...great quality.

There are different models like 5n & aplaha ....you have to read up about that. They may be lesser models.

Sony-NEX-5N-1-640x426.jpg
Cool thanks! Ill be honest everything i read says about mirror cameras or dslr(sp?)....lenses etc.

I just wanna take some non grainy pictures and see if it clicks....

then learn more if i do.

i mean honestly my i phone probably takes better pictures than the camera ill get. But i wanna seperate from my phone.
 

gob

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Cool thanks! Ill be honest everything i read says about mirror cameras or dslr(sp?)....lenses etc.

I just wanna take some non grainy pictures and see if it clicks....

then learn more if i do.

i mean honestly my i phone probably takes better pictures than the camera ill get. But i wanna seperate from my phone.
Probably better pictures, unless you want to zoom in and focus on something.
 

Eco

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My brother-in-law is a fantastic photographer, and he uses some website to rent the lens. He bought a nice used camera, but he said the lens makes the most difference.
 

SteelersPride

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My brother-in-law is a fantastic photographer, and he uses some website to rent the lens. He bought a nice used camera, but he said the lens makes the most difference.
Thanks! Im not disputing that. I just am by no means at a point where i need to swap lenses or invest there yet. Im just kinda exploring. I have no problems investing if its something im going to stick with and enjoy.

i do hate wasting money on things i “think” i may like, jumping in head first, and then seeing the thing collect dust. Id rather lay out low funds, and make sure and that i like it, and eat the initial cost.
 

bamagrad75

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So ive been trying to find a new hobby. Semi intrigued in photography.

All the articles and sites make things overwhelming. Ill be honest i dont wanna spend 3-5-700 on a starter camera for something i may not even stick with. Plus i dont understand how to use all that right now anyways.

Any rec on a camera? Or a place to buy used cameras? Easiest to experiment and dabble with a point and shoot?

OMG, don't do it.

Let me share my sad saga of buying my daughter a cheap $9.95 disposable underwater Kodak about 12 years ago. She's now rocking 2 Nat Geo style set ups weighing it at almost $30 grand each. And that doesn't include the 2 point and shoot extras ones she has with major lighting and lenses..

Of course, I'm sure you aren't going into this level.

There are several places to buy used cameras (surface and underwater) as well as Facebook and other groups dedicated to them.

A few places to just get started are B&H Photo, Backscatter Photo among others.

Do you want point and shoot or something more geared to standard photo like Nikons, Canons, etc with manual adjustments?

Be a bit more cautious about ebay as opposed to maybe finding something on the groups dedicated too photography with good used equipment. Start basic, learn the ropes and trade up over time.

Start with WHAT you want to photograph as your basic start to the type of camera you want.
 

SteelersPride

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OMG, don't do it.

Let me share my sad saga of buying my daughter a cheap $9.95 disposable underwater Kodak about 12 years ago. She's now rocking 2 Nat Geo style set ups weighing it at almost $30 grand each. And that doesn't include the 2 point and shoot extras ones she has with major lighting and lenses..

Of course, I'm sure you aren't going into this level.

There are several places to buy used cameras (surface and underwater) as well as Facebook and other groups dedicated to them.

A few places to just get started are B&H Photo, Backscatter Photo among others.

Do you want point and shoot or something more geared to standard photo like Nikons, Canons, etc with manual adjustments?

Be a bit more cautious about ebay as opposed to maybe finding something on the groups dedicated too photography with good used equipment. Start basic, learn the ropes and trade up over time.

Start with WHAT you want to photograph as your basic start to the type of camera you want.
lololol thanks for he advice. I dont know what I want. I guess starting out with just some pet pictures, animals, nature, ........i just figured point and shoot was the cheapest starting point.

see its ALLL your fault that she has 65-70k worth of camera equipment!

is she a photographer? hardcore hobbyist?

Thanks! i'll definitely look into those sites. I did see B&H I think, i didn;t know if it was legit or not.
 

bamagrad75

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lololol thanks for he advice. I dont know what I want. I guess starting out with just some pet pictures, animals, nature, ........i just figured point and shoot was the cheapest starting point.

see its ALLL your fault that she has 65-70k worth of camera equipment!

is she a photographer? hardcore hobbyist?

Thanks! i'll definitely look into those sites. I did see B&H I think, i didn;t know if it was legit or not.

Yep, well aware of its ALL my fault. Just like giving her discover diving class. That's easily been 6 figures and counting of disaster.

She does underwater photography as a hard core enthusiast. At least 1 trip a year is with some professional underwater photography teachers.

You might start with a point and shoot just to get the feel of things. We are hard core Olympus enthusiasts but they just terminated their tough series line. The SWINE. But if you can get a TG4 or 5, darn good way to start. Still gonna run couple hundred because they are seriously in demand.

I don't recommend their last one, the TG6 because its more of a pro model with a higher learning curve but it does shoot in RAW.

The beauty of the Olympus is its VERY forgiving and a FAST shutter speed. Excellent for chasing a reluctant and fast fish or a charging cheetah.

Plus you can add lenses. We have a number we use on land and sea. Once you want either the really tiny macro lenses or the major telephoto, you'll want to move into the realm of DSLR.

From there, once you have a feel, you can move toward the more challenging and manual DSLR line.

I've had a Nikon point and shoot, wasn't thrilled with it. Daughter has the big Nikon DSLRs and loves them.

If you are going to do photography, also get and learn good editing software. It can turn a less than perfect photo into something outstanding.

And dont be afraid to experiment with black and white and sepia tones.

Next time I can talk to her, I'll ask about any other good places she suggests for buying equipment and learning.
 

SteelersPride

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Yep, well aware of its ALL my fault. Just like giving her discover diving class. That's easily been 6 figures and counting of disaster.

She does underwater photography as a hard core enthusiast. At least 1 trip a year is with some professional underwater photography teachers.

thats unbelievably awesome. Might be your fault but you gave her something she clearly loves.......
You might start with a point and shoot just to get the feel of things. We are hard core Olympus enthusiasts but they just terminated their tough series line. The SWINE. But if you can get a TG4 or 5, darn good way to start. Still gonna run couple hundred because they are seriously in demand.

I don't recommend their last one, the TG6 because its more of a pro model with a higher learning curve but it does shoot in RAW.

The beauty of the Olympus is its VERY forgiving and a FAST shutter speed. Excellent for chasing a reluctant and fast fish or a charging cheetah.

That was kind of my thought was to go with the point shoot. Although I don't think i need to worried about shooting cheetahs, maybe a squirrel or a groundhog........they're quick thought right? lol........I'll definitely check out the models though.
Plus you can add lenses. We have a number we use on land and sea. Once you want either the really tiny macro lenses or the major telephoto, you'll want to move into the realm of DSLR.

From there, once you have a feel, you can move toward the more challenging and manual DSLR line.

Yeah that was again my thought, I don't even know wtf a lenses swap or add is right now, so buying them, or an even better camera seems like going overboard for me, its good to keep in mind for the progression of things, if I get there.
I've had a Nikon point and shoot, wasn't thrilled with it. Daughter has the big Nikon DSLRs and loves them.
Well , are cameras like other things? where one style of a brand may be awesome but another product just stinks.
If you are going to do photography, also get and learn good editing software. It can turn a less than perfect photo into something outstanding.

And dont be afraid to experiment with black and white and sepia tones.

Next time I can talk to her, I'll ask about any other good places she suggests for buying equipment and learning.
*sigh* back in college i was awesome with that stuff, i was heading into graphic design then stopped and went medical. But i fell off with keeping up with all that stuff, don't even know where to start now.

Yeah that would be great, if you remember. TBH my cousin is a professional photographer, just haven't heard back from her yet.....may be a bit, She's got a lot going on, and I'm not gonna bug her at the moment over this.

But I do appreciate the reply and input. Mucho thank you!
 

jvett77

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So ive been trying to find a new hobby. Semi intrigued in photography.

All the articles and sites make things overwhelming. Ill be honest i dont wanna spend 3-5-700 on a starter camera for something i may not even stick with. Plus i dont understand how to use all that right now anyways.

Any rec on a camera? Or a place to buy used cameras? Easiest to experiment and dabble with a point and shoot?

Try the 20 MP Canon Powershot SX54H. Less than $300. The Best Buy link below has the specs and reviews. One guy posted pics of the moon and also close ups of birds. Looks like an impressive camera with optical zoom.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/canon-...ULJP7Qi0qq2RE_xhqBhoCImUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
 

redseat

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My brother-in-law is a fantastic photographer, and he uses some website to rent the lens. He bought a nice used camera, but he said the lens makes the most difference.

Had no idea you could rent lenses. Do you know the website?
 

SteelersPride

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SteelersPride

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After a crap ton if waffling and looking at things. I bought one of these.


More a long zoom camera. Great reviews from consumers and others .
 
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