Looking at getting into photography as a hobby, i'd love to go as cheap as possible but i actually want my noob shots to look somewhat decent.
I want to take scenery/landscape shots more than portraits or anything like that, i also have no brand preferences
I just want something that a beginner can pick up and start taking semi good photos with
Anyone with any input?
< $500 Best Budget/Second Hand Camera for a Beginner
Jimmycfc on 09/10/2018 - 17:58
Comments
i was fancying a dslr but open to anything
You can have the best camera in the world, but if you don't know how to properly use it, it's a waste of money
Yes that is correct, hence why i only want to spend under 500 so i can learn and practice.
Decide whether you want to go Cannon Nikon Sony and buy something like a Canon 1300d so you can keep the lense and upgrade further down the track. Once you start buying lenses it will be difficult to change brands.
Why go second hand?
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/407913
I'm sure you can stretch your budget by $90 and the A6000 would make a great beginner E-Mount camera.@websterp Good guys have a deal on a Nikon D3400 for 475 currently, which looks like the better buy?
I have no idea about cameras so it's really hard for me to compare.
Great entry level option. My brother-in-law has this body and kit lens and it is light and compact (for a dslr). Note: With all dslrs there is a learning curve and you might start out wondering why you bought it when your phone takes better shots (particularly your phone) but if you spend the time learning how to get the most out of it (shooting aperture or shutter priority or manual depending on the conditions), you’ll start seeing the value. I do fear that your desire to just pick up something and get decent photos is going to disappoint. If you have found a D3400 body and kit lense for under $500 new then that’s a good deal, but if you’re not keen to spend time learning the basics of photography then you might be better off just getting out there with your iPhone X.
Another option is a medium level mirrorless. They’re more compact, generally lighter (though that D3400 is light), but the lenses are a bit pricey. The main reason I bring mirrorless up is that they often have an electronic viewfinder unlike your typical dslrs. This means you can see (through the view finder) what the photo will look like with all the settings you have picked before you take the shot rather than after, which I found helpful when learning. I use an Olympus OMD E-M10 MKii which I think is tops and looks nice to boot. For your budget it’s too pricey new (unless you are patient for a good deal), but second hand, you’d find something I’d say. The 5-axis image stabilisation is really good too. Just something to consider, but like I said before, the D3400 you found is a good deal so if you’re leaning that way, prefer new, and you’re willing to do a bit of learning, that would be a good way to go.
For landscape and such you don't need a DSLR or even a dedicated camera (this is ozbargain after all). What phone do you have? Phone cameras can take some very good shots. Their weaknesses (small sensor) is negligible for landscape and outdoor architecture (might need a tripod indoors). Their other weakness (fixed lens) might be more problematic to some except the "zoom with your feet" crowd but you usually want a wider angle for scenery anyway. The dynamic range on some phones (bolstered by computation) is spectacular.
Turn off the auto mode on your phone and learn to play with aperture and shutter speed or play with some colour profiles. You can learn composition and such just as easily on a phone (perhaps even more easily since the phone display is much larger than any viewfinder) and most importantly have fun shooting!
Get an app or an ebook (they come up free every now and then) or find a site that teaches the basics and work upwards.
Iphone X, i dont doubt it does take good photo's for a phone but i was looking for a dedicated camera, i'll do some research into my phone for photography
It doesn't just take good photos for a phone. It takes good photos, period. Phone cameras are not throw in features. They have legitimately replaced the entry and mid tier compact cameras - you pretty much have to go to enthusiast high end cameras for better outcomes. You can get very good images from processing and good exposure, which is a large part of "professional looking" photos.
Especially for scenery/landscape/architecture, which are much more forgiving than moving objects, your phone will take images on par with pretty much any camera within the $500 budget. The advantage of interchangeable lens cameras come from their lens more often than the sensor or body.
If you must get a dedicated camera then look for a Panasonic lx100 or Sony rx100 (any version really. Get the best deal). Dive into ILC only if you are entertaining the possibility of future upgrades on lenses.
does iphone x takes long exposure shooting star trails or city skylines?
@dcep: Good point. I never considered that. Allegedly, the hardware limitation on the iphone X is 1/3 or 1/4 second as slowest shutter speeds, so the short answer is no. You'd have to use a software solution.
Apps like this will make you rethink what phone cameras can do: https://itunes.apple.com/app/halide-camera/id885697368?mt=8
@strikeout119: I'm not really the one to ask unfortunately, not an area of expertise. I'm sure there's plenty of online comparisons and reviews but ultimately it's like to come down to individual preference.
If you want to go DSLR, I would recommend looking at gumtree at the entry level DSLR from Canon (D600/700/800) or Nikon (3400) that will be bundled with a lens or two. As these are good starting points to get used to the functionality and start getting better feel of what level of photography you might want to go to.
Personally I would go straight to the mirror less, they offer just as much as the DSLR but are lighter and compact. The Sony A6000 or the Olympus PEN series.
If you are really keen on learning, I'd suggest also getting a 50mm f1.8 prime lens… they are cheap, and the lack of automation and zoom forces you to properly consider the various aspects of exposure and composition. They also have sweet, sweet bokeh.
https://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/canon-ef-50mm-fa18…
https://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/nikon-af-50mm-fa18…I personally prefer a 35mm lens as my go-to prime, but those are a fair bit more expensive.
You've got heaps of great options man, definitely go second hand IMO.
I recently picked up a Fuji X-E2 with a 27mm pancake for $400… amazingly good value. X-T1's and X-T10's are hitting the used market for peanuts relative to what they can do.
Gumtree is absolutely overflowing with great Nikon and Canon bodies too with the current (unwarranted/greatly exaggerated) buzz around mirrorless.
In general any body post 2008 is going to capture great images provided you put the right lens in front of it.
My main body is a D700 and the sensor sings.
Do you want dslr or digital ? Mirrorless is pretty much out of your price range .
If Dslr do you have lenses or are you willing to spend more - $500 is pretty basic entry level camera .
I recommend going for a bridging camera / super zoom and something like the Canon Powershot SX430 IS Digital Camera but i recommend looking up different models and seeing what you want out of them - plus look at zoom tests
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvxbrYtXdcU
With even a basic bridging camera can take decent close ups of plants and animals and with a tripod get really nice shots of the moon .