starter camera...
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- imnotadesigner
My friends cousin asked me what a god beginner camera was... under 2grand... something semi-pro I guess.
I haven't kept up with the lastest products, any suggestions?
- imnotadesigner0
correction... *good camera, not god haha
- ********0
canon 7d
- Did you read that bad review about the file sharpness compared to older, lower models?Jnr_Madison
- http://www.qbn.com/t…Jnr_Madison
- ********0
nikon d300s
- ********0
nikon d5000
- mjf8250
Canon 5D or Nikon D300s
- hektor9110
canon 40d
- Jurre0
if you want high quality video and good stills; the 7D. Or get a used 5D, full frame, very sharp and very very good color. 5D mark II only wins on the resolution department and video (I've recently sold the 5D and got 5D mark II). The 5DI is still amazing at base iso, it has a weak antialias filter so it is the sharpest 12mp camera out there still. I have weak spot for it and I sold it with pain in my heart :-P.
Don't forget the lenses, fast primes don't have to be expensive:
50mm 1.8/1.4, 85 1.8 are very good for the money. No reason to get a good camera if you stick cheap zooms on it I think.Nikon is also very good, just lagging behind on the video front (not full HD, not full manual, 5min clip length limit). Still image wise, nikon is great.
For me video is relevant, I use it for assignments:
http://www.directiondesign.nl/bl…Both tv producers and add agencies are really really impressed witht the 5D2's video quality. And 24/25/30p is coming up in a firmware update. 7D is cheaper and even has slow motion video, but I am never going back to crop sensors :-)
- bigtrick0
buy the cheapest dslr camera kit from any manufacturer. shoot with it for a few months. when you figure out exactly how your equipment is limiting you, then buy a new lens or a new flash.
don't jump in by buying expensive stuff that you won't fully utilize - you'll think it's nice and shiny now, but you'll regret it later when you realize you can't afford to buy any more lenses/accessories for it because you spent all your cash on the fancy camera body.
- vaxorcist0
5D $1200
+ 50mm F1.8 lens $100
+ 85mm 1.8 $300
+ 28mm 2.8 $200
+ 3 old sunpak flashes on ebay $40 each
+ 3 adapters from FlashZebra.com $20 each
+ splitter cables from FlashZebra.com $20
+ lightstands, clamps, umbrellas borrowed from other photographers....
approx $2k and possibly very good results with alot of practice..either that, or a $1k digital rebel +50mm lens + kit zoom + a workshop or two.....
- 5D mark 1 is GREAT for commercial work, parties in the dark, not so much....vaxorcist
- you know, that's a nice kit you put together there. if i were starting a commercial photo business, i'd do this.bigtrick
- this is what I have.... and a few other things, but I often rent or borrow stuff... every $ not spent on gear goes to shoots...vaxorcist
- monkeyshine0
Wow. My idea of a starter camera is a Nikon D60. :/
- vaxorcist0
a different idea..... possibly crazy, but if you/your friend are experimental and art-oriented, not just gadget freaks....
Cheap DSLR + 50mm + kit Lens + old Sunpak 333 or 383 flash + cable from www.flashzebra.com
...and then use it as a meter for an old 120 film TLR medium Format Camera.... like a minolta autocord, my favorite old one.... pay $200 or so for a good one too... otherwise you'll waste $200 worth of film first...
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/co…...
Looking down into a Twin-Lens Reflex medium format camera forces you to see differently....
- Tungsten0
I don't think it's necessary to spend 2k on a starter camera. You can get a brand new kit for $500, and when your friend is ready to progress they can use the rest of the money to invest in better lenses. Camera bodies are becoming disposable these days, and the resale value plummets fast.