Cameras - Photography 101

Thinking of getting into photography as a hobby or as work? There are a few things you need to know and do. I’ll not to bore you too much and keep it short and sweet for the first post.

Starting with the type of camera.

There are a few types of cameras and as the pro-photographer you so long to be, you should be looking at getting a decent mirror-less or DSLR camera.

I’d recommend getting yourself a starter DSLR kit, from Canon, Nikon or Sony. It really doesn’t matter which brand you pick, just go into your local camera shop and pick one up. Make sure to test it out and see if you like what you feel. I started out with a HP point and shoot camera (something I would not recommend, ever!), which was a christmas present. I have to say it was awful to use when compared to the old film SLR I had lying around. Eventually I managed to get my hands on a Sony A300 DSLR with a whopping 10MP sensor (top class for the time 2008), and built in-body image stabilisation, still one of Sony’s better points.

But back to the main point. I Currently shoot with a Canon 5Dmk II, which is a pro DSLR and will most likely be way beyond what you need when starting out. Below are 3 starter DSLR kits that I would recommend. All are very similar with advantages and disadvantages to each. I’m going to be as neutral as possible but as I’ve shot with all three makes. I am slightly preferential towards Canon, but I’m not going to open that can of worms.

All three cameras come with a lens, have a pop-up flash and are easy to use and perfect for beginners.

First is the Sony A37-STL

Canon 650D

Nikon D7000

The advantages of these systems are huge, as lenses can be swapped for different situations.  Many of the starter DSLR’s will teach you to use and shoot great pictures with their many automated modes.  Although with these modes I found myself getting complacent and not using the camera to its best. Once you have the basics nailed, take it out of full auto and try one of the other modes. You’ll find your photography will take on a new lease of life.

Not to baffle you with hundred’s of facts about cameras, but here are a few useful ones.

• Most DSLR will now shoot video in full 1080p HD.
• Most take a memory format such as an SD card or a CF card, which you may have lying around if you own any type of camera.

               There are thousands of accessories available to customise your camera to your needs.

As a rule of thumb not many pro photographers will shoot with brands such as Sony, Pentax and Sigma; this is simply because the range of lenses and their performance aren’t as good as the Canon and Nikon counterparts.

A tip that all pro photographers and I will give you is to invest in good glass. (The kit lens is a great starting point, but generally are, well junk compared with other lenses you can buy that are slightly more expensive) Camera bodies come and go, but lenses can be used on all or most of your camera bodies.

So if you have the choice between a Pro body with a cheap lens or a cheap starter body and a pro lens, go for the cheaper body and pro lens.

One thing I will briefly say is with modern DSLR cameras; high megapixel counts are pretty much pointless unless you are creating huge prints.  1080p HD video is only 2MP; most new DSLR’s have megapixel counts of over 12.0MP. I say this just to give you some perspective on what you can see and what your eye can distinguish.

Remember gear isn’t everything; learn to use what you have. Most importantly, get out and shoot! Enjoy your photography!