Good Camera for (Car) Photography?

LOfficialBaKa on 11/02/2023 - 23:45
Last edited 12/02/2023 - 11:15 by 1 other user

Hey all,

Never posted in the forums before on OzBargain so hope I'm doing this right/this is allowed😅 (please let me know if not)

Recently my friend let me borrow his old Canon 550d so I could practice photography and take some photos of my car (An orange 350z if anyone was interested). After borrowing it for a while and going on some photoshoots with my mates I've honestly been having a lot of fun and would like to get my own and invest in it a little (also because I don't want to borrow my friend's camera forever haha).

That said, I haven't the slightest clue when it comes to cameras and what's worth what. I've done my basic research on cameras and I guess i know most of the features (except the sensor stuff that's beyond me lmao) but I feel like I could really use the opinions/advice from those who may now more than I do (albeit it's not hard to know more than me😅)

Anyways, I'm looking to spend up to maybe $1.5k total (maybe just maybe a little more than that) on a camera and at least a single lens, maybe 30mm/50mm? And would just like some advice on what to go for. I've been looking at some second hand a6400 bodies between 900-1k but i understand the lenses for the Sony cameras are quite expensive. I've also considered getting a Canon m50 brand new and just buying one of the lens adaptors so i could fit on the cheaper 50mm canon lenses.

Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks a million 😊.

Electrical & Electronics Camera

Comments

  • ahoihoi on 12/02/2023 - 00:13

    Have you tried using your phone's camera?

    Probably good budget pick
    EOS R (wait until it goes down to $2k)
    RF 50mm f1/8 (~$300)

    Not sure if you are aware of the cropped sensor vs full frame lens (you might do, since you are also considering 30mm lens).

    EOS R is full frame
    M50 and the a6400 is cropped APS-C sensor (smaller sensor).
    So the 50mm on APS-C is equivelant to ~85mm on Full Frame sensor (Looked more zoomed in).

    50mm on full frame is considered standard lens. Good choice to start (though some would argue 28 or 35mm might be better). Camera phone default is around ~28mm equivelant.

    you could get a6400 with 16-50mm kit lens for $1.5k

    • OfficialBaKa on 12/02/2023 - 00:23

      Heya,

      Thanks for the advice! I have taken photos with my phone's camera (Pixel 6) but i really enjoy getting to play around with the different settings on the 550d I'm borrowing. (Also a proper camera looks cooler hahaha)

      Did not know about the difference between the cropped frames and full frame cameras so thanks for that tidbit of info.

      2k+ is pushing it a biiit much for me but we'll see.

      • ahoihoi on 12/02/2023 - 00:31
        +1

        Full frame is generally the standard people use for car photography (and much of everything really).

        Canon M50 (M-Series mount) is going to be abandoned for the R series.

        I think it is replaced by the R10. Quick glance on price is around $1,375 at the moment.

        Probably best to go to the camera store and have a play with the models you might be interested in.

        • OfficialBaKa on 12/02/2023 - 01:23

          Gotcha, thanks for the advice!

          Will definitely take a look at those cameras.

          • lachhelix on 12/02/2023 - 11:34

            @OfficialBaKa: Defs go full frame and a good lemse - maybe check out 2nd hand on marketplace etc

            • OfficialBaKa on 12/02/2023 - 11:44

              @lachhelix: Someone earlier said that they're less forgiving and typically involve sinking more money into lenses, what are your thoughts on that?

              • lachhelix on 12/02/2023 - 12:45

                @OfficialBaKa: They're absolutely much more pricey if you were buying new - doubt you'd find a decent full frame camera and lenses under budget brand new, but I'm sure 2nd hand you'd be able to.

                Less forgiving, probably, but if you're passionate about it, most well buy the best you can up front and not have to upgrade the body in the near future.
                If it helps I go to heaps of meets in Vic and a good chunk of the photographers are using Sony full frame A7 generation cameras, can't say I have experience in any other brand though

  • Pelicannn on 12/02/2023 - 01:35
    +2

    A6400 and 16-50mm kit would be an excellent beginner choice. Easy sub $1500.

    Strongly recommend against going full frame. A lot less forgiving in terms of depth of field and focus, and lenses are a lot more expensive if that's your concern. You will get excellent prosumer shots out of the A6400 and a good intro photography course.

    • ngoctua on 12/02/2023 - 15:57

      Agreed! I always think about upgrading to a full frame but never do.

      I have a Lumix GX7 with Lumix 12-35mm F2.8 lens. Combined weight of around 722 grams for camera and lens! I have taken photos of the Milky Way, blood moon in Melbourne, lightning strikes over Melbourne, light painting, etc. I have had so many memories with this camera.

    • Ghost47 on 12/02/2023 - 20:46

      Strongly recommend against going full frame

      FF seems to be quite overrated in the videos I've seen online. A lot of money can be saved going APS-C, and since OP is starting out they might as well spend less to see if it's worth it to them.

  • barge-in hunter on 12/02/2023 - 06:39

    You’ll find a lot of people think they like photography, enjoy mucking around a bit, but then never regularly use their cameras.

    That means there are lots of great cameras and lenses available second hand that have been hardly used - this is my recommendation.

    Almost any cannon from the last 10 years will be great for a beginner

  • dcuksuop on 12/02/2023 - 08:09

    I suggest picking up a used DSLR with a few prime lens. Lots of people upgrading to mirrorless, so plenty available for cheap. Once you learn and improve, if you want to continue, you can then invest in the latest and greatest mirrorless setup.

  • Joney on 12/02/2023 - 08:25

    Check out the Fujifilm X series. Good value and a huge range of lenses. X-T20 and X-T30 can be had second hand with a lens within your budget.

  • payless69 on 12/02/2023 - 09:07

    1.5k limit also limits options.

    Fastest moving technology!

    A tripod and a flagship phone returns the best value. Gets more commercial value than any large body camera, unless you are aiming for large print.

    For large prints: Glass is king, put ya money into lenses!

  • ForkSnorter on 12/02/2023 - 11:15

    iPhone 14 Pro. The image quality, dynamic range and processing attitude of the 48MP proRAW files is insane, and will be very difficulty to match with an APS-C camera, unless you have a great lens and do a lot of post-processing.

    By the way, don't you think you'll get sick of taking photos of cars pretty soon? Unless you're doing it for money, $1500 sounds a bit much for an occasional amateur photo shoot of your friends' cars.

    • OfficialBaKa on 12/02/2023 - 11:25

      Appreciate the suggestion, however I personally really don't like iPhones so I wouldn't get one to just use it for a camera, I also have my current phone on a plan so I'd be paying for a deadweight haha.

      I did consider whether it was worth spending such a large amount but I would eventually like to move out of just car photography exclusively. I go to car meets fairly often and I travel a fair bit each year so I'll have plenty opportunities to make use of it.

      Thanks again for your advice tho will keep it in mind.

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