AboutJohn and Chris Expertise We are both professional photographers, with over 15 years experience. We can answer questions about photography, as well as questions about cameras from the 60s to 90s. (extensive 35mm, quite a bit of other formats.) Please, no darkroom questions.
Expert: John and Chris Date: 8/30/2006 Subject: photography and starting out
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Hello,
My name is Alice Shuford, i am very interested in getting in to photography. You see I love to take pictures and alwase have sence I was very young. I do not currently own a good camera, and I am wandering what kind I should get. I wold also like like to know how and where I should start. I know very little about this subject and am trying to find a photographer I can work with so I can learn from the best, however it is very hard to actually get ahold of one given where I live (which is in the summerville area).
If you could help me out in any way it would greatly be appreciated.
Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon.
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Hello Alice,
Well, where do I start? First I'd need to know what type of camera you are interested in: Film or digital? Do you want a simple point and shoot or the kind of camera you can change lenses on and grow with? The latter is called an SLR, or DSLR for digital.
You are not likely to find a working photographer willing to teach you as they are probably busy trying to make a living. Some colleges offer photography courses. Or you could ask your local camrea store if there are any classes or workshops in your area. I'm sorry, but I can't help you much there. I don't even know what state Summerville is in. I'm on the Oregon Coast, by the way.
Probably the best place to start is with a book on basic photography.... a book that can teach you about shutterspeed and aperture, composition and lighting. An author I usually suggest is "John Hedgecoe". He usually has several books on photography out. Be sure to get one that is about the basics.
John
To answer the first part of your response I am looking to get a Nikon, either SLR, or a DSLR,
and thank you for the sugestion on the book. I will be sure to look that up. Any more information with the camra though would deffinatly be appreciated.
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Well it just happens that I am a Nikon user myself. I think a great balance between cost and quality is the Nikon D200 DSLR. It's solid and fast and has MANY great features. In a way it reminds me of the old Nikon F100. It has the same feel.
If you are looking to buy a film Nikon and want to buy new, your choices are very limited. The only Camera Nikon really makes now is the F6, which is a pro model. Of course that doesn't mean you won't find some of the older models still in stock at different stores. If you can find one, I'd suggest the one I mentioned above.... The F100. We had one for a while (before switching to digital) and I liked it very much. If you are considering going "old school", I do have a favorite film Nikon, but it may be hard to find: The Nikon F2. It was the last hand-made camera Nikon did. It's a tough little monster and a joy to use. If you go looking for one, stick to either the F2A or F2AS versions. You may have problems with lens compatibility on the older versions.
One of the problems with suggesting cameras to people is that unless they tell me, I have no idea what they are willing to spend. If the choices I've given you are more than you are willing to spend, let me know and I will try again.
John
Thank you very much for those suggestions on the cameras. The price range I would be looking for when I have the money to get one would be anywhere from $200-$500, maby alittle more. if any of those are within that price range please let me know, if not then I would appreciate some other suggestions.
Thank you for your time.
Alice.
Answer Alice,
Unfortunately there are no new dSLR cameras being sold new for less than $700 (with a decent lens that is). You can get a Nikon D50 or Pentax D100 for around $700. I have seen D50's reconditioned for about $500, but they are hard to come by.
For film cameras, you'd be looking at the Nikon N80 or the Canon Elan 7n. Nikon doesn't make the N80 anymore but you should be able to get one if you want it.
