Which camera to choose for a novice photographer

Honestly, I did not think that I would write on this topic, but periodically they ask me questions about where to start mastering the camera, they ask for links, and I even have nothing to answer, because I have nothing on this topic, but other people's articles I didn't really read any. Usually, if you have any questions, then I just look in a search engine.

I want to warn you right away. First, this small faq is aimed at beginners, so if you have been in the topic for a long time, then you are unlikely to find something new for yourself, but if you add something useful in the comments, then a plus in your karma. Second, I am not a photographer and I don’t make money selling photographs, so I am forgiven to shoot at an amateur level and tell about it to the same non-professionals like me. But if you correct any of my gross mistakes, tell me about a more effective way, then I will only be glad.

The content of the article

All parts of my Beginner Photographers FAQ

1. Which camera to choose for a novice photographer
2. What lens is needed for what and what to choose
3. Basic Digital Camera Settings
4. How to take travel photography
five. How to process photos in Lightroom and how to store them
6. Example of a photo bag and travel backpack
7. How to photograph the starry sky
0. What I photograph when traveling

Which camera to choose for a novice photographer

Do not look at those who buy expensive cameras and a lot of lenses for them, an entry-level DSLR (like the Canon 600d 650d, Nikon D5100 D5200) is enough for most purposes, from a blog to a family archive. And now, when you use it for at least a year and shoot 10-20 thousand pictures, figure out the settings and techniques, that is, you will understand what is what, and what exactly you are missing, only then it makes sense to think about changing the technique for more dear, and it's not a fact that you will need it at all.

It's the same with lenses, believe me, the cheap kit 18-55 from Canon, which often comes with the camera (so it's cheaper than taking it separately), is an excellent lens considering its cost. I remember comparing it with my 24-105 L in terms of picture quality, which is almost 8 times more expensive, and did not see such serious differences. So shoot with cheap lenses in the beginning and don't go for a number of them. I assure you, if you are just starting out, then it will be difficult for you to understand the difference in quality, as well as to estimate what millimeters you will need in the future. Alternatively, take a separate carcass (body) and some 18-135 mm lens to it, then you will immediately get the most necessary focal lengths. After a while you will understand which ones you use and which ones you don't..

Which camera to buy for a novice photographer

Why DSLR?

The logical question is, why a DSLR? In fact, now there are non-mirror type cameras with good viewfinders (this is much more convenient than shooting through the display), with interchangeable lenses and completely manual settings. They are much lighter and smaller in size, which is good news when traveling, but I do not track technological progress and I cannot name the models. When I bought my first DSLR in 2010, there wasn't much alternative in terms of image quality. And yet, if you plan to fully and for a long time engage in photography, then I would advise buying a DSLR camera, albeit a simple one, because there will be room for growth in terms of technical equipment, because the choice of lenses and other accessories is much wider..

However, if there are no serious intentions in the plans and at the same time you do not see the difference between a snapshot from a DSLR and a snapshot from an ordinary soap dish (we are talking only about the image quality, not about photographic techniques), then it may not be worth changing anything, you will be disappointed. True, it should be borne in mind that there are excellent shots from soap cameras, it's just that the shooting conditions need more ideal and the processing is more serious. That is, cameras of a higher level provide more opportunities in terms of shooting conditions and forgive mistakes..

What pluses I see with good cameras:
- The matrix is ​​physically larger, the image quality is better.
- Interchangeable lenses.
- Manual exposure settings and generally adjusting various parameters.
- Large working ISO, easier to shoot in dark and twilight.
- Good viewfinder.
- Fast and accurate focusing.
- Rate of fire (number of frames per second when shooting burst).
- Convenient and well-thought-out parameter management, ergonomics.
- Raw file format, helps you then fix your mistakes by processing.
- Some DSLRs have dust and moisture protection, which is very useful when traveling.

Or maybe it's still a mirrorless?

UPDATE. Moved to mirrorless Sony Nex a6000, read my impressions on the link. So far, I like everything! Great for travel as it takes up little space and is lightweight. In this case, the possibilities are all the same. Only not waterproof, like my Canon 7d.

After discussion in the comments, I decided to add this item still. I was prompted by specific models of mirrorless cameras, which have the most important thing for me - interchangeable lenses, the ability to shoot in Raw and a normal matrix with a crop factor of 1.5. In particular, it was about the Sony alpha nex-3, nex-5, nex-6 and nex-7 series.

In fact, in order to draw any conclusions, you need to try in practice, because it is silly to reason whether or not it is purely theoretical. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, I will do it and write about it. In the meantime, the price confuses me, it is comparable to amateur DSLRs (talking about nex-3 and nex-5), or even higher (talking about nex-6 and nex-7). At the same time, the younger models lack a viewfinder and not very long battery life, a sort of payment for compactness. You can probably put up with the lack of a viewfinder, but here's how autofocus works, how fast and how often it misses, whether you get bored «soapy» ergonomics, all this needs to be checked in practice. Well, of course, there is a question about lenses, their quality and price ...

Do I need a soap dish?

Before I was opposed to all kinds of soap boxes, but now I understand the harsh truth of life. Firstly, it has become very popular to upload photos to social networks and instagram, moreover, the most ordinary everyday ones, but where there is some interesting moment. And, of course, what is built into your smartphone is most suitable for this. Moreover, as a rule, it already has the Internet. Photographed and posted on the network, spending just a couple of minutes on it. If it is a DSLR, then you need to come home, upload the photo from the flash drive to your computer, import it into the processing program, and only then upload it to the Internet. Do we often shoot masterpieces in everyday life to go this way??

Secondly, it is convenient to carry something small with you, and in the case of a smartphone, it will always be in your pocket. I honestly tried to take my photographic kit everywhere and everywhere, but to be honest, it is tiresome. It is clear that if I go for a walk, then there is no problem to vilify all this (after all, I want good pictures), well, but if I just went to the store for bread and had no intention of taking pictures, then I'd rather have a soap dish than nothing.

Thirdly, the quality of soap dishes is growing every day and I have already begun to be more or less satisfied with what my smartphone can do in terms of remembering the moment. The next model is sure to be even better. Of course, it cannot replace my main camera yet, but this is not required either..

Thus, a soap dish / smartphone is convenient as an auxiliary tool that is always at hand. By the way, some people can start with this, in order to generally understand whether you will shoot or not. Although, on the other hand, I became interested in photography only after I bought a DSLR, and before that I had a soap dish for several years and did not have a desire. In any case, buying a DSLR is for a long time, it does not need to be changed every year, so having bought it once, you can still use it for a long time.

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