Camera Recommendations - budding photographist

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J1993

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Hi all. Im wanting to start taking decent pictures of my horses/dogs, friends horses etc. Not looking to start any type of business I just enjoy taking pictures of other peoples horses and pets! At the minute I use my phone but looking to buy a decent DSLR camera to start off. I have the Adobe suite already. Can anyone recommend anything easy to use for my first camera? Also one that doesn't break the bank. Online recommends the Nikon D3300 but as far as I'm aware they might be releasing a new one soon so I'm holding out. Thanks!!
 
I have a Panasonic Lumix G5 which is a micro four thirds instead of a DSLR. It's lighter and cheaper than a DSLR but you get all the same features. You can switch lenses and you can add a hot shoe flash if you really start to get into it. The advantage of the one I got is that it was made in partnership with Leica which is a huge stamp of quality.

I also did the going digital course and recommend it very highly. I think they offer animal photography classes now.

Whatever camera you choose please go and try in a shop before you buy. Make sure you can easily find buttons etc and the camera is comfortable to use...you don't want to miss the perfect shot because you were readjusting your grip.

PM me with an email address if you'd like to see some of the pics I've taken.
 
I have a Nikon D200 that cost in the region of £2,000 that I bought on the advice of a friend.

I also have a little Nikon Coolpix purchased off Ebay for about £50.

I will never learn how to use all the features of the D200 and now realise I was a mug to buy it. The Coolpix is adequate for much of what I do.

But what I would recommend is getting Photoshop and learning how to use it. Many of the mistakes over exposure, etc. can be corrected in post and unless you want to make huge enlargements, most pictures can be cropped and tweaked to make an acceptable picture.

So, be careful what you buy would be my advice!
 
Thanks everyone. I like the look of the courses. Plus you can use their camera if I didn't have one sorted by the time it came around! zzzClaire ill pm you my email address. Thank you!! Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Yes you can use one of their cameras and teachers know most cameras and their settings inside out. It is money well spent in my opinion and people who have been on them (I know a couple) have gone back and done another as they have learnt so much.
 
Yes you can use one of their cameras and teachers know most cameras and their settings inside out. It is money well spent in my opinion and people who have been on them (I know a couple) have gone back and done another as they have learnt so much.
 
I have the nikon d3300 and it is perfect and a good price for what i need it for. pictures are good and it is easy to use and the video is also good. its not a fortune either. found that battery life isn't spectacular not bad but need to charge it more often than id expect.
 
A few thoughts:

1) Micro 4/3rds - these are kind of the new shiny thing in the digital camera world and have gained quite a bit of popularity. Essentially a DSLR uses a mirror and prism so that some light from the lens goes up to the viewfinder so you see what the lens can see*. The micro 4/3rds instead use live-view and a tiny video screen to show what the sensor can see. This means no mirror assembly which means they can be a little smaller (some smaller ones even forgo a viewfinder and have an optional attachment for that).
They do indeed offer similar features such as a mechanical shutter and fast response times and are an ideal bridge between point and shoots and DSLRs.

My only two reservations about them are:
a) The sensor in them is smaller than one in a DSLR; for background to subject separation (blurry backgrounds) this becomes reduced with smaller sensors (This is why if you take a shot with your mobile phone almost everything is in focus whilst a DSLR can render backgrounds blurry).

b) For action like horses I'm unsure if the electronic viewfinders can keep up with the motion when panning and following it. Horses are not super-insane fast and I suspect my concern is a general non-issue; but having never used one for such I can't say for sure so be aware of it and look into it.

2) My experience is with Canon cameras and I would suggest Canon or Nikon as entry points with the bonus that their cameras have larger sensor sizes [even their cropped sensor which form most of the entry level options have larger sensors]; meanwhile as they are older brands they've also got a wider range of lenses (both own and 3rd party) in more price brackets. This can be a bonus, especially if you're on a limited budget or don't want to spend too much to start out.



Regardless of the camera you go for and choose a few general horse tips:
1) Focal length - ever see those pictures of horses - often on cards - which have huge noses and small bodies/heads? That's perspective distortion, in the extreme, but its the result of taking a photo very close to a subject and the areas closer get enlarged over those further away. As a result its recommended to use a focal length of 100mm or longer for a portrait to full body photo - anything shorter and you risk perspective distortion.
However you'll note I said it was distance not focal length that caused the distortion - thus you could easily use shorter focal length lens for a landscape shot with horses in it. Because in that situation you'd be far further away from them (whilst for a full body or portrait you'd be far closer to the horse - thus the risk of the distortion).
On budget there are many suitable 70-300mm type lenses that would suit well

2) A recommendation as a starting point; but for general action with a horse a 1/640sec shutter speed or faster is about the slowest shutter speed that one can use to get a sharp shot. 1/500sec can work too but hooves and mane will blur a bit and any slower and blur is going to be more significant. Of course any faster in shutter speed will be ideal.

4) You might find the book "Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson" of help in learning how to use aperture, shutterspeed and ISO for your shots. No matter how complex or expensive the camera those 3 variable are what makes an exposure. Higher end ones might have more bells and whistles and features but those 3 core elements are what makes an exposure each and every time.


*A minor point but you might read of % coverage with regard to viewfinders. Practicalities of construction means you sometimes lose a little view of the edges of the frame; this isn't a huge problem as it means you record a tiny bit more of the scene than the viewfinder might show on some cameras - that's generally not an issue and if it is can be cropped in editing.
 
Very good description of micro for thirds by overread and I agree. I'm very happy with mine and for me it was perfect. The advantages of a proper DSLR are also that it will hold it's value better if you choose to sell on. I have found it harder to find additional lenses for mine through second hand options. But I like the way it feels and I like the positioning of the buttons and menus.

If anyone wants to see some of my pics I've posted one or two on twitter as @zzClaire but be kind because I'm not the best photographer (I love it but lack any natural talent)
 
I highly recommend Panasonic Lumix cameras, had several and this week bought another.. Any of them really. I detest the Sony camer I bought last year, so treating myself with this new one:o
 
Canon 1200d is a perfect little dslr imo.
I've taken some wonderful pictures in fully automated mode and manual mode. I have the kit lens for everyday stuff, a huge tamron lens for wildlife etc and a 50mm for portraits and gig photography of my fiancé's band :)
have a look on instagram @screamingevil for some of my photos but please be kind, I'm no pro and I just enjoy photos
 
I think out of Nikon or Canon, you are a person that likes one or the other, but not both.

Personally, I am very definitely a Canon user, and hate the Nikon as I just find it all clunky and slow. (I'm aware that the same can/has been said for Canon!).

I'd maybe pop along to a local college and ask the techs if they'd be happy to give you a try of them. They usually have a decent selection and are happy to chat if you bring tea and biscuits!
 
Overread said:
A few thoughts:

1) Micro 4/3rds - these are kind of the new shiny thing in the digital camera world and have gained quite a bit of popularity. Essentially a DSLR uses a mirror and prism so that some light from the lens goes up to the viewfinder so you see what the lens can see*. The micro 4/3rds instead use live-view and a tiny video screen to show what the sensor can see. This means no mirror assembly which means they can be a little smaller (some smaller ones even forgo a viewfinder and have an optional attachment for that).
They do indeed offer similar features such as a mechanical shutter and fast response times and are an ideal bridge between point and shoots and DSLRs.

My only two reservations about them are:
a) The sensor in them is smaller than one in a DSLR; for background to subject separation (blurry backgrounds) this becomes reduced with smaller sensors (This is why if you take a shot with your mobile phone almost everything is in focus whilst a DSLR can render backgrounds blurry).

b) For action like horses I'm unsure if the electronic viewfinders can keep up with the motion when panning and following it. Horses are not super-insane fast and I suspect my concern is a general non-issue; but having never used one for such I can't say for sure so be aware of it and look into it.
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I use a mirrorless camera (a APS-C one) having sold my Nikon slr and I have no issues with it all. That said, I wouldn't recommend one as a first camera, you have to understand a bit more about photography than the very basics to get the best out of them. I highly doubt I'll ever go back to using a slr! If you want to see some sample images, I'll happily pm you some.

Actions they're perfectly fine for, or at least mine is - I have taken air display and eventing photos a fair times now with zero issues. Disagree about bokeh/blurring of backgrounds as imho it comes down to the lens you're using far more than the body. Put it this way, I have had people assume many a time my photos have been taken with a slr when they haven't.

OP - the d3300 would be a fantastic introduction to using a slr. I had the original d3100 as my first slr and I learnt to get the best out of it before upgrading (pre my mirrorless which is my go to now). The D3300 will allow you to play around both on auto and aperture priority/shutter speed priority and manual. Be aware though that it is a crop sensor camera rather than full frame, so your images will appear closer than they would otherwise and means adjusting with either zoom or your feet to get the best image - for example you might miss a horse's ear or hoof, or a rider's head because of the magnification.
 
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As soon as I used a Canon DSLR I fell in love with the different standard of pictured. I think the first was a Canon 350D. I then used a Canon 30D, and then bought a 40D. All of these are well priced secondhand, and I paired with a 35-105 IS lens, and had some wonderful pictures. None of them has video though.

I would have a look at the smaller more modern canons, I think they included video from the 550D onwards, but TBH Amazon is your friend for user reviews. The 550D is also cheaper, as the model is "old" although very capable.

I have since sold my 40D and lens, for the 5Dmk3, and a pro lens, but TBH I think I would have been better with the 70d for ease of use.
 
Some excellent helpful replies haven't managed to read them all but will have a look later. If anyone wants to share any pics on here with what camera they use that would be great. Will look at the twitter accounts when I'm home thank you!!!
 
Viewfinder VS the LCD screen is an interesting area with a few things to consider - I mention this as some of the micro 4/3rds cameras have no viewfinder but have it as an optional extra feature.

1) The viewfinder is shaded and thus, as said above, can be easier to view in stronger sunlight conditions where even a good LCD screen can be obscured or difficult to read.

2) The viewfinder makes you bring the camera close to your face. This imparts to benefits.
a) The viewfinder can be steadied against the bridge of your brow thus acting as a contact point to help steady the camera a little.
b) By bringing the camera closer to your body you move it closer to your centre of mass; which makes it much easier and lighter to hold than holding it out at arms length. OF course a small point and shoot camera is typically light enough that its not a problem; but heavier higher quality cameras it quickly becomes an issue.



Any DSLR type camera you'd go with will do well; read the book I mentioned earlier and learn how to use the camera as most errors or weakness early on are often more a factor of use rather than of weakness in the device.
If you're interested you can see what I've achieved here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/24534478@N04/ Most of my recent shots are with a Canon 7D and 70-200mm f2.8 but honestly could be produced with most other current DSLRs on the market with the right use [and indeed I'm far from expert myself and thus there's even more potential]
 
I would recommend an SLR. I have a Canon 550D (which does have video) i got 4 years ago and this has lasted me well. i have a kit lens, a 'nifty fifty' (50mm), a telephoto lens and a more general lens that can do wide angle and telephoto for when I only want to carry one about. The body is pretty much as good as your lenses - so i would get a cheap(er) DSLR body and some decent lenses - eBay are good for them at reasonable prices!


I would be wary of using any kind of compact camera as if you are wanting to shoot action shots of horses you need to be able to manually control the shutter speed to reduce blur, which is difficult on anything but a DSLR (IME).

Once you start using an SLR you will see the difference than a compact (or your phone) and you won't look back!! :P
 
We use 5D Mark III's but have also just bought the 5D SR. Not cheap but they're the best IMO (we do use them professionally though!). Remember you need a decent lense as well, plus we always use battery grips on ours too so adds up. Love my 24-70 lense, so useful for so many situations. You either like Canon or Nikon, we're Canon folk ;)
 
MagicMelon said:
We use 5D Mark III's but have also just bought the 5D SR. Not cheap but they're the best IMO (we do use them professionally though!). Remember you need a decent lense as well, plus we always use battery grips on ours too so adds up. Love my 24-70 lense, so useful for so many situations. You either like Canon or Nikon, we're Canon folk ;)
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Or you sell your Nikon and become a Fuji lover :p
 
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