Looking to get into photography - camera suggestions? Pics attached

[chad362wiley]

Hey all,

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=571782

I saw some beautiful pictures of the maldives in this thread and it inspired me to take an interest in photography.

What kind of cameras can take pics like that? and is there any software involved in getting that cool focus effects?

I know nothing about photography so any advice would be appreciated. I want to get a nice camera and learn how to use it to take cool pics like those in the thread :)

chad

[Dan Pierce]

First lesson: it's all about the photographer, not the camera. A good photographer can get amazing results from a cheap point n shoot. All the high end equipment in the world does not make a difference in the wrong hands.
dP

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

First lesson: it's all about the photographer, not the camera. A good photographer can get amazing results from a cheap point n shoot. All the high end equipment in the world does not make a difference in the wrong hands.
dP

Start with your smart phone camera. Try to compose your pictures rather than just snapping images. Context and balance in every image.

Get a copy of Lightroom off Amazon to post process your images. YouTube has a lot of good tutorials on Lightroom and photography in general.

When you have outgrown your smartphone, start looking for better hardware. Don’t spend a penny on hardware until you can routinely shoot good pictures on your phone.

[Passionata]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

First lesson: it's all about the photographer, not the camera. A good photographer can get amazing results from a cheap point n shoot. All the high end equipment in the world does not make a difference in the wrong hands.
dP

Jocke may argue with that

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by Passionata

Jocke may argue with that

He's the one who taught me that.
dP

[greggsiam]

Any modern DSL can do that. Nikon and Canon are the best, so first go to the store and see which one you like. The biggest thing is the controls and menus. I hated Nikon controls, so I went with Canon. You might love Nikon. Point is try both and see what you like.

The biggest thing is glass or lenses. Both Nikon and Canon have a wide range, so you can't go wrong. An entry level camera with good glass will take virtually the same image as a high end DSL. My first camera was a 550D. My current is a 5DMKIII. Both take the same image with good glass. The big difference is the high end models have far greater high ISO performance (ability to shoot in dark) and faster max shutter speeds (you might not even need that) and burst speeds. If you want clear shots, you need good glass.

You might ask, if they are so close, why buy a high end DSLR? Hell, why not just use a phone? In good light, almost everything takes good pics. It is when we start moving from perfect light that we need better cameras and better controls. You will eventually want to shoot aperture priority (how wide the lens opens), shutter priority (how fast the shutter opens) or full manual. It is much easier to do with a DSLR than a phone. I shoot in low light, so having high ISO performance is a must. (less noise) When taking shots, you might want to change depth of field, or shoot with a fast shutter to capture motion. Easy to control with a DSLR.

Worth a mention and then some, the mirrorless cameras are really small and light, so they are huge contenders too. Sony IMHO is king and the A7 series is awesome. If you don't want to drag DSLR Around, a Sony A7II is great. In fact, they have better sensors than Canon or Nikon (Sony makes the Nikon sensor). The down side is lens selection, and no real long tele lenses. Also, if you do put big glass on one, the body is smaller to hold. But.....if you just casually shoot and don't need a lot of special criteria, they are the best choice in many cases.

As with anything, you want to read or watch a video how to compose shots and the technical stuff. Depth of field, shutter speed, aperture, iso, etc... Knowledge is king.

Cameras shoot in RAW (I Forget Nikon term) which means the image right out of the sensor. That lets you change it and process the colors and exposure. It is not hard to do, it just takes time. Point and shoot and phone cameras do this for you, but sometimes the colors and exposure are wrong. I process all images I shoot so I can adjust them properly.

Anyway, I would suggest renting a body and lens setup, or borrow one from a friend. See how you like it before dropping a lot of cash on a setup. A good DSLR or mirrorless will eat a cell phone for lunch and give you a lot more control in areas like low light or fast speeds. If you like it, an entry level DSLR is less than $800.

[mfer]

While I agree with the above two posts to a degree, I’d recommend getting a modest dslr and a prime lens. Don’t go high end right away. If you are snapping more indoor, get a flash.

[Passionata]

buy an iphone X mate n you are done

[Jocke]

Good equipment is great but the one that use it must know how it works and take control over it. Over the years I have speak
with people that ask what they should buy. When they have got a camera that cost $3000 and they get bad pics thay ask whats
wrong with the camera. IMHO so did you need to be interesting in photographing and learn things about it, it's not just to buy the
expensive things and trust it do the work for you. If you should shot watches in studio so is the control over the light the first you
have to learn and then the reflections in crystal and the polished parts. So there is not a easy way to go, some never learn and some
do great stuff from the start. So my advise is as it's posted already, start with your phone and play with it before spending money
on expensive equipment.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Jocke

So my advise is as it's posted already, start with your phone and play with it before spending money
on expensive equipment.

Best advice.

[themast]

I second the advice to get a cheap DSLR (used is fine) to get started.

There are three things that you have to master in order to take good photos: exposure, depth of field, and composition.

Exposure depends on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO while depth of field depends on aperture. You need to understand how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work to master your photography.

Composition is more of an art in my opinion, but there are basic rules that can guide you through (the most famous one is the rule of thirds).

If you like the photos that you have linked, I would suggest you to check out Serge Ramelli videos on youtube. His style is slightly different but he is very knowledgeable regarding landscape photography post processing.

[BNA/LION]

I recently bought a Sony Alpha A6300 and Love it! Give it some consideration.

Also, do a search on TRF as there are several threads on cameras here too...

[Valenciawatchrepair]

If a good camera is totally new to you, I suggest trying something used. I currently own a used Nikon D3300 and one of my lenses is the 35mm f/1.8. Cheap, light, and excellent quality for a couple hundred bucks.

If you're really up for the challenge skip the cheap "kit" lenses and find a camera with a 35mm or 50mm lens.

Also, go to a store and hold various models. The same camera might be too big for one person, while being just right for another. Also the layout of controls and overall feel of the camera in your hands.

Another tip....Youtube. You can probably find a video talking about almost any model of camera as well as various techniques, post processing tips, etc.

And to go along with Dan Pierce.

I took this with a Canon A80 point and shoot. I paid $30 for it on eBay some years ago. The seller thought it was broken. Turns out the display just wasn't on. It's a 4MP camera. Nothing special for sure. I think it was released in 2003.





This shot below is with the D3300 and the 50mm f/1.8 lens. Just sitting in the back yard with the kids. One of my favorite shots with this camera so far.




Another thing, have fun with it.

[MrTwi]

Originally Posted by chad362wiley

What kind of cameras can take pics like that? and is there any software involved in getting that cool focus effects?

Those pictures show good use of leading the subject, rule of thirds, wide angle or good DOF.

Before you do anything, go do some research. Understand what you are getting into. What, EXACTLY, do you want to do with photography?

Take some snapshots of your watch to post in a forum?

Landscapes? Portraits? Sports in low light? Wildlife?

Blow them up to 20 x 24 and put them on your wall?

Take pictures of BIF?

What color space?

What kind of paper will you print on?

Can you calibrate your monitor and printer?

A camera good for BIF is overkill to take picture of breakfast?

How will you track your subjects? Or just doing stills?

What kind of monitor are you working with? 4K? 5K?

If you don't know what I'm talking about, don't understand the acronyms, then don't buy ANYTHING. Get up to speed first. Read some books. Understand the subject is VAST - HUGE.

And yes, a good photographer can take a reasonable picture with about any camera. But a "good photographer" can take a fantastic picture with the RIGHT equipment. And the difference can be vast.

What you see on forums is a tiny, tiny bit about photography as its dumbed down to the lowest common denominator, SRGB to display in low resolution.

Go over to a photography forum and look at their pictures, not snapshots of food on a table. Try like http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/forum.php

[Claes_T]

What ever you decide to buy, do not buy a cheap zoom lens. go for a prime 35 or 50 mm with an aperture of 1.8 or better. Possibly a fixed tele lens with an 2.8 aperture or better. Good optics is key to mind blowing pictures. Study the exposure triangle and practice. I went the dslr route but have found my sweet spot with a manual focus Leica M10 and some out of this world lenses. My advice is, get a decent second hand dslr body and invest in one or two good lenses.

[goin camping]

It is you and not the camera.

Get a cheapie and get to learning. BTW, it is not the camera body that is important. It is the lenses.

[Valenciawatchrepair]

Originally Posted by Claes_T

What ever you decide to buy, do not buy a cheap zoom lens. go for a prime 35 or 50 mm with an aperture of 1.8 or better. Possibly a fixed tele lens with an 2.8 aperture or better. Good optics is key to mind blowing pictures. Study the exposure triangle and practice. I went the dslr route but have found my sweet spot with a manual focus Leica M10 and some out of this world lenses. My advice is, get a decent second hand dslr body and invest in one or two good lenses.

I brought this up and quoting you because it can't be stressed enough. Not really image quality in general, but it also helps to eliminate a lot of frustration, especially in low light. A fast prime really gets rid of that frustration and you can focus more on your subject and enjoying what you're doing.

I owned a couple Canon kits lenses when I first got into a DSLR. I thought I was doing something wrong for so long. Then, I bought the "Nifty Fifty" 50mm f/1.8. What a difference.

[MrTwi]

While the advice that glass is more important than the body was true in film, it's not necessarily as important with digital. While true, the better the glass, the better the picture, there is a vast difference between medium format, full frame, crop, P&S and phone cameras.

All pixels are not the same. And between the generations, there is a difference, although some of it is ISO and tracking.

Good glass is important, but since much of this is now software, a good body is becoming more important, unlike film day where it was mostly mechanical.

[jhunter3]

I'd recommend a good point and shoot to get started. Don't spend a lot of money until you learn the features and basics of exposure and digital imaging/resolution. You might find it's too much to get into time-wise and expense-wise. Photography can be a very expensive hobby. I recommend Fuji XT line or Sony RX100 versions III, IV, or V.

Both of these have manual and automation controls that you can learn on without breaking the bank and shoot high quality images.

I have quite a bit of high end pro gear and I often grab one of these when I'm heading out the door for personal stuff with family or kids. Just have to take my readers cause I can't see anymore. Haha.

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[Cato]

Photography is both an art and complex science.

It requires a lot of study and mastery of equipment. The best part is that the study and learning the gear is a lot of fun for most people.

If you are up to it, take a photography course. The skills you will acquire will be very valuable.

If it's just a casual interest, get the cheapest camera that allows you to control aperture and shutter speed - that will allow you to be a little creative and understand what is going on in your camera. A good compact point and shoot from Nikon or Cannon shouldn't be more than $200-$300. Read the manual so you can get the most out of your camera. Read up on Photographic composition to sharpen your eye.

Give yourself 6 months or a year to really learn before you start dropping thousands on DSLRs, flashes, and lens.

[Watch This]

Good thread.

[jw0n]

Start first with your mobile phone, and when you finally do get a camera, go for a basic micro 4/3s as a start; they're easier for travel. However, the magic ingredients for any good picture, is composition and lighting.

[mschafer]

Definitely some post production with these, therefor RAW capture is key. Adobe Lightroom is a solid start as are most current DSLR. If you’re starting out, get a normal zoom lens (which you’ll have for a while) and a solid body, I work with Canon, so a 5D IV is a very nice pro level choice, maybe get a used III to save some cash. Nikon has similar (better??) options (D850/810). Recently Sony is getting a lot of recognition. But I feel the lens options are still slim and expensive ( I shoot A9 and GM lenses on some jobs, expensive but worth it). Smaller sensors are cheaper and give you similar quality, often in a smaller package. The current generations have, similar to iPhones, the most current technology and slight edge, but for most these are therotetical at best (6 digit over 5 digit and you get the idea).
Best recommendation: look at great photography, online, in galleries and museums and start shooting asap, and a lot, it’s fun, gets you out, makes you look at the world and people around you.

[Valenciawatchrepair]

I don't see how that is sound advice. A phone is not going to give you the ability to observe the results of manual type settings you would get with even the oldest/simplest DSLR. Aperture, DOF, shutter speed, etc. At the least, a Point and shoot with a manual mode would be my recommendation. But, I would still suggest a DSLR because, for example, you can get something like a D3100 with a lens for under $300, maybe under $200.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Valenciawatchrepair

I don't see how that is sound advice. A phone is not going to give you the ability to observe the results of manual type settings you would get with even the oldest/simplest DSLR. Aperture, DOF, shutter speed, etc. At the least, a Point and shoot with a manual mode would be my recommendation. But, I would still suggest a DSLR because, for example, you can get something like a D3100 with a lens for under $300, maybe under $200.

Using a phone won't teach one to use a dSLR, but it would teach the basics of photography, such as composition, with a simple device.

In other words, learn the art of photography before learning the mechanics of complex cameras.

The addition of a program like Photoshop Elements would go a long way toward making the best of photos made with a phone.

Let's face it, the smartphone today is good enough to put the squeeze on the point and shoot market.

Also, smartphones are ubiquitous today and anyone who owns one and is interested in photography can start there with the basics with little to no extra investment.

[77T]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

Using a phone won't teach one to use a dSLR, but it would teach the basics of photography, such as composition, with a simple device.

In other words, learn the art of photography before learning the mechanics of complex cameras.

I agree...and would say one should learn the “art of seeing” and the “value of light” above everything.

The simplest camera was used back in the day (1960’s) when I was just learning. Later we learned reciprocity, depth of field, and the sunny 16 rule.





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[Andad]

I have a Sony Alpha SLT 55 but take 99% of my watch and family pix with a $75 Sony N2.

[chad362wiley]

Thank you for all the advice. I am going to start learning about photography basics and practice with my iPhone for now :)

[Abdullah71601]

Originally Posted by chad362wiley

Thank you for all the advice. I am going to start learning about photography basics and practice with my iPhone for now :)

Get the ProCam app for your iPhone. It gives you some control that you don’t normally have.

[uscmatt99]

Try out one of the manual camera apps. I like Halide, but there are a ton of them. You won’t be able to control your depth of field well due to the camera’s sensor and lens, but you can mess with exposure times, exposure compensation and such.