Lola
I'm looking to save up for a SLR camera, and I know I'm going to be saving up for a while. I understand how they work, but when I look at possible models to buy, there are too many terms that I just don't understand.
Another Q. Do I want to have several interchangeable lenses? or is that getting too expensive for an amateur photographer?
Also, could someone suggest a good entry-level dSLR camera for a beginner, with a LCD screen (not necessarily a live-preview, but just to look at the photos taken previously, if that makes sense...)
Thanks :)
Oh, and any cameras you suggest, can you give their price? I want to know how long to save for :)
And is it worth it getting a used dSLR or not?
Answer
Well there are a lot of terms here are a few:
1) SLR: Single lens reflex, where a mirror is placed inside the body of the camera, and the light (picture) focused by the lens is bounced up into the viewfinder so you can see it. When the shutter release button is pressed, the mirror flips up and the picture is focused onto the sensor. Does away with shutter lag.
2) Shutter speed: The amount of time for which the light is aloud to pass onto the sensor. Can range from hours using bulb mode to 1/8000 of a second.
3) Aperture: An opening in the lens created by small blades that determines how much light is let onto the sensor for a time determined by the shutter speed. Apertures can range from f/.95 (very special lens) to f/32. Apertures are commonly called f stops. There are whole f stops such as f/1 f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 f/32. Usually f/32 is the smallest most lenses go. Also smaller number = more light for a mathematical reason. Each f stop lets in twice as much light as the last one so f/5.6 lets in twice as much light as f/8. There are also half f stops like f/1.2 and third f stops like f/1.8. The smaller the f number on a lens, the more expensive it gets. Most pros consider having f/2.8 or bigger aperture on all their lenses a must.
4) 1.6x crop, 1.3x crop, and full frame sensors: Some digital cameras, usually expensive ones have what is called a full frame sensor. This means that the sensor is equivalent to a 35mm or film camera in its field of view through the lens. So on a full frame DSLR a 100mm lens has the same field of view as a 35mm camera with a 100mm lens. A 1.3 crop sensor or medium sensor camera is also usually more expensive and you multiply the lens mm by 1.3, so that a 100mm lens on that size (1.3 crop) sensor has the same field of view as a 130mm lens on a full frame or 35mm camera. Lastly the 1.6 crop sensor you must multiply the lens mm by 1.6, so a 100mm lens on that sensor is equal to the field of view of a 160mm lens on a full frame camera. The reason for smaller sensors is that they are cheaper. However they also yield high amount of noise (usually specks of color that reduce sharpness) at higher ISO's.
5) ISO: This is the level of sensitivity of the sensor to light. A common ISO range is from 100-1600 or 3200 on mid range and lower end DLSR's. Lower end DSLR's are usually usable to ISO 800 where as mid ranges can be usable at 1600 or even 3200. I believe the highest ISO right now is 25600 on the Canon 5D Mark II. The lowest is 50. ISO range is 50 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600. A lot of mid range and pro DSLRs also allow you to adjust in between those numbers to more fine tune your settings.
6) IS and VR: IS is the Canon image stabilization which compensates for the involuntary movements of your hands and/or body. VR is vibration reduction and the Nikon equivalent.
Well that should get you started. Pick Canon or Nikon whichever you decided you like the feel of. Good starting Canon: XS, XTi, XSi. For Nikon: D40, D60, D70. A good lens made by both companies to start is the 18-200 which is a huge range. The Canon version does not have IS but the Nikon version does have VR. A good starting lens for Canon is the 17-85 IS. Not as a big of range, but still one that you will find very useful. Also used DSLR's are always worth it, check keh.com
Well there are a lot of terms here are a few:
1) SLR: Single lens reflex, where a mirror is placed inside the body of the camera, and the light (picture) focused by the lens is bounced up into the viewfinder so you can see it. When the shutter release button is pressed, the mirror flips up and the picture is focused onto the sensor. Does away with shutter lag.
2) Shutter speed: The amount of time for which the light is aloud to pass onto the sensor. Can range from hours using bulb mode to 1/8000 of a second.
3) Aperture: An opening in the lens created by small blades that determines how much light is let onto the sensor for a time determined by the shutter speed. Apertures can range from f/.95 (very special lens) to f/32. Apertures are commonly called f stops. There are whole f stops such as f/1 f/1.4 f/2 f/2.8 f/4 f/5.6 f/8 f/11 f/16 f/22 f/32. Usually f/32 is the smallest most lenses go. Also smaller number = more light for a mathematical reason. Each f stop lets in twice as much light as the last one so f/5.6 lets in twice as much light as f/8. There are also half f stops like f/1.2 and third f stops like f/1.8. The smaller the f number on a lens, the more expensive it gets. Most pros consider having f/2.8 or bigger aperture on all their lenses a must.
4) 1.6x crop, 1.3x crop, and full frame sensors: Some digital cameras, usually expensive ones have what is called a full frame sensor. This means that the sensor is equivalent to a 35mm or film camera in its field of view through the lens. So on a full frame DSLR a 100mm lens has the same field of view as a 35mm camera with a 100mm lens. A 1.3 crop sensor or medium sensor camera is also usually more expensive and you multiply the lens mm by 1.3, so that a 100mm lens on that size (1.3 crop) sensor has the same field of view as a 130mm lens on a full frame or 35mm camera. Lastly the 1.6 crop sensor you must multiply the lens mm by 1.6, so a 100mm lens on that sensor is equal to the field of view of a 160mm lens on a full frame camera. The reason for smaller sensors is that they are cheaper. However they also yield high amount of noise (usually specks of color that reduce sharpness) at higher ISO's.
5) ISO: This is the level of sensitivity of the sensor to light. A common ISO range is from 100-1600 or 3200 on mid range and lower end DLSR's. Lower end DSLR's are usually usable to ISO 800 where as mid ranges can be usable at 1600 or even 3200. I believe the highest ISO right now is 25600 on the Canon 5D Mark II. The lowest is 50. ISO range is 50 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 25600. A lot of mid range and pro DSLRs also allow you to adjust in between those numbers to more fine tune your settings.
6) IS and VR: IS is the Canon image stabilization which compensates for the involuntary movements of your hands and/or body. VR is vibration reduction and the Nikon equivalent.
Well that should get you started. Pick Canon or Nikon whichever you decided you like the feel of. Good starting Canon: XS, XTi, XSi. For Nikon: D40, D60, D70. A good lens made by both companies to start is the 18-200 which is a huge range. The Canon version does not have IS but the Nikon version does have VR. A good starting lens for Canon is the 17-85 IS. Not as a big of range, but still one that you will find very useful. Also used DSLR's are always worth it, check keh.com
New Camera? SLR camera help for a beginer?
Jess
I will be getting a new SLR and don't know where to begin. Anyone want to explain some stuff? ;) i have no ideas where to look or where to begin researching! agh! so what's the differences with lenses (do they let you chance the aperture and stuff or what?) any brand that dosent let you use old lenses so you have to keep buying new camera for the new lenses or something? any recommended brands/styles/informational websites/things to look up?
Answer
First, SLR is a film camera (normally 35mm) and a DSLR is a Digital SLR camera that uses memory cards.
Both Canon and Nikon make nice cameras. The best thing to do is visit an actual camera shop (not bestbuy/walmart) and try the different models within your budget to see which feels the best to you. Also, the camera shop will have the knowledge/experience to answer you questions better than the limited space here can.
I bought a Canon for its ergonomics/feel/menu and control layout and a fellow photog chose Nikon for the same reason....it is all about personal preference. Also, most camera shops offer free beginner camera/photography classes (and free prints) when you buy a camera there.
The one thing to remember is to budget in extra money to cover an extra battery, memory cards, camera case, a USB memory card reader, and taxes (these can add another $200-$250 to the camera price).
My thoughts on photography/cameras...
A) Photography is NOT a cheap hobby or profession
B) Photography is roughly 70% photographer skill/experience, 20% lens quality, and 10% camera body
C) I would rather have a $600 camera with a $1,500 lens than I would a $1,800 camera and a $300 lens
First, SLR is a film camera (normally 35mm) and a DSLR is a Digital SLR camera that uses memory cards.
Both Canon and Nikon make nice cameras. The best thing to do is visit an actual camera shop (not bestbuy/walmart) and try the different models within your budget to see which feels the best to you. Also, the camera shop will have the knowledge/experience to answer you questions better than the limited space here can.
I bought a Canon for its ergonomics/feel/menu and control layout and a fellow photog chose Nikon for the same reason....it is all about personal preference. Also, most camera shops offer free beginner camera/photography classes (and free prints) when you buy a camera there.
The one thing to remember is to budget in extra money to cover an extra battery, memory cards, camera case, a USB memory card reader, and taxes (these can add another $200-$250 to the camera price).
My thoughts on photography/cameras...
A) Photography is NOT a cheap hobby or profession
B) Photography is roughly 70% photographer skill/experience, 20% lens quality, and 10% camera body
C) I would rather have a $600 camera with a $1,500 lens than I would a $1,800 camera and a $300 lens
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