I want to get into photography, what hardware should I start with?

[drew]

my grandma keeps asking me what I want for christmas, I think I want a camera. I was thinking of getting a d200 but I don't know anything about taking pictures, would it be a waste to start with a d200? should I get a d50 and a couple different lenses? What lenses? I only want to take pictures of cars, and naked women*



































probably not going to happen*

[WRXD]

I dont know much about Photography either. But I have been in the market for a Digital SLR for a while. I think the D200 is a hell of an investment (somewhere in the ballpark of $1200 just for the body) for a beginner.

If you are gonna go nikon I think most people start with a D50 ($500-600 kit) D70s ($800-$1000 kit) or a D80 ($1000 kit??)

a lot of people like the Canon Rebel XT and XTi, but many people dont like its small size compared to Nikons.

As for other brands, I havent really researched any of those.

[sisforsurfing]

The D200 is going to be WAY more camera than you need or can possibly use. A couple reasons:

Megapixels aren't that important; http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

and even better, a $150 Camera vs. a $5000 camera
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/150-...lar-camera.htm

If you're serious, I'd get a D50 or Rebel XT, even a used D70. That's still going to be a lot of camera for you if you have no experience with photography, but they will give you room to grow.

I'd worry more about learning about photography than what "baller as sh*t" camera you're going to get. Composition, white balance, and lighting are way more important to worry about than what camera you're shooting with. I've shot better landscapes with an old Sony point and shoot than my D70 so far.

Have fun though. Like cars it's an expensive and time consuming hobby, but the rewards are very worth it.

[ibepressin]

I agree a d200 is way too much camera for a beginner. Take a class at your local community college or go shooting with a friend. It's amazing what you can learn just spending some time with a seasoned protographer. I bought a d50 for my first slr just about a year and a half ago and have since upgraded to a d80. Your going to spend more on glass than anything. Go to a good camera shop and feel the cameras in your own hands. To me the nikons just felt better. It is a great hobby that you can take with you to remember your other fun hobbies. Hope this helps. - Bob

[YellowMSP]

i have the rebel xt and love it so far, but is kinda small it feels. i picked up a battery grip for it which made it feel alot more solid and gave it a little bit of weight makin it more comfortable in my hands. the camera is also good and has plenty of settings to play around with

[grimm]

Originally Posted by YellowMSP

i have the rebel xt and love it so far, but is kinda small it feels. i picked up a battery grip for it which made it feel alot more solid and gave it a little bit of weight makin it more comfortable in my hands. the camera is also good and has plenty of settings to play around with

I have the rebel xt as well. I like that it's a bit smaller then the nikon. It's a full feature camera and has all the manual and auto settings that most DSLR's have this day and age. The stock lens for the xt isn't much to be wrie home about, but any of the cannon ef series lens will fit the xt. My aunt's older slr lens's even worked with my camera.

[04BlueSRT4]

Originally Posted by sisforsurfing

The D200 is going to be WAY more camera than you need or can possibly use. A couple reasons:

Megapixels aren't that important; http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm

and even better, a $150 Camera vs. a $5000 camera
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/150-...lar-camera.htm

If you're serious, I'd get a D50 or Rebel XT, even a used D70. That's still going to be a lot of camera for you if you have no experience with photography, but they will give you room to grow.

I'd worry more about learning about photography than what "baller as sh*t" camera you're going to get. Composition, white balance, and lighting are way more important to worry about than what camera you're shooting with. I've shot better landscapes with an old Sony point and shoot than my D70 so far.

Have fun though. Like cars it's an expensive and time consuming hobby, but the rewards are very worth it.

That pretty much sums it up. I just bought a d50, and love it, but its alot to learn to get pics like you want them.

[Tiny]

I have the Rebel XT with a couple different lenses and it's a great camera to get started with. The auto setting takes amazing pictures for someone who is just starting out, and now that i'm starting to fool around with the manual settings it has more features then you'll have time to learn about.

I took this camera on my honeymoon and i'm still seriously impressed with some of the shots we took.