Hey, I just got back from a trip abroad where I did a lot of taking pictures, and I'd decided I'd like to get my own camera and improve my skills. I've looked at quite a few YouTube videos on settings, but now I actually need to look for a camera to buy.
I don't have a specific budget, but I'm looking at the $500 range, give or take. If there's any lenses or other pieces of kit I should look into getting as well, it would be much appreciated.
One thing I would look for on the camera is how easy it is to adjust stuff manually. On the camera I borrowed for the trip (Canon PowerShot SX530 HS), adjusting the ISO was a bit of a pain, and I had to use a single dial to move the aperture and shutter, so I just kept it out of full manual. Also, the focus was confusing to use, so I just stuck with auto focus. I'm not sure how standard that kind of setup is, but I'd ideally like to do as much myself as possible.
I would look at some used DSLRs, I managed to get an older Canon 350D for about $120. It uses CF cards and it can't record video, but it does take very nice pictures and is good enough for a minor hobbyist like me. With your budget, I'm sure you'd be able to find something much nicer.
The most important feature of a camera is the lenses. The body of cameras can always be upgraded as you develop your skills or you have more of a budget to work with. However, the lenses will always work with what ever camera body you have. Invest in a solid lens family and not the camera body. What ever manufacture you decide to go with, make sure that you don't invest all of your money in zoom lenses, buy some good quality prime lenses. They don't have to be new, you can get quality used lenses from ebay or amazon if your patient.
Try to keep in mind the Sony cameras, or any of the mirrorless cameras. With them you can get a really nice used camera for cheap, buy an adapter and use any family of lenses that you want. I have invest in Nikon lenses and shoot d5200, but I also have a Sony a5000 with an adapter I get to use all of my Nikon lenses on the Sony.
I just have my 18-300mm Sigma lense on my 700D. DONE. No need to have twenty different lenses with me. But to get him started, he only needs a decent camera+lense.
It depends on what adapter you buy. It does on some of the pricer versions, however I would strongly recommend doing some research on whatever version you are looking at; because auto focus on some of the models isn't worth having. The auto focus on a couple of the different adapters is almost nonexistent, or its so slow that if your shooting moving targets you will always miss the shot because it wont focus fast enough. Check out some youtube videos on what ever model your looking at. I personally bought a cheap 30 dollar model and manually focus everything, but I don't or didn't take a lot of action photos when I started out.
True, for most beginners one good zoom will take care of most of their needs. However, I would always throw in at least one good prime lens, if for no other reason than they are so cheap to buy used. But you do bring up a good point - full frame versus crop sensor - which one to start with.
I'm not even sure if you can get a full frame camera body and a lens for the 500 dollar budget. But that is the route I would try to go for if I could, even if it meant saving up for a little longer.
If you want something super portable I recommend the sony a5100, a6000, or a6300. They have top-end sensors and take the best video for anything in their price bracket.
I get more use out of my a5100 than professional photographers I know with their full-body cameras. Why? Because they don't want to have to carry a big-ass camera and lens bag around. Mine weighs less than a pound and can easily take it anywhere I go. I don't get bruises on my side when I sling it over my neck and go hiking. They can't say the same thing. ;)
The only con is that they aren't a good expandable camera. There are super nice lenses, but they are sony lenses and rather expensive. If you don't plan on having a bag full of prime lenses, then I recommend getting a small dslr like the a6300.
With around a $500 budget, you could probably do pretty well with any of the Canon T series entry level DSLR's. I think they come in a little above that budget, but you could probably grab a used T5i or similiar with a kit lens for around that cost. That will allow you to take full control over manual mode and they are relatively easy cameras to handle for the entry level photographer. Once you are ready to spend a little more, the first thing I would do is get yourself a prime lens. This will go a long ways to your learning about things like full frame vs. crop, and how aperture/iso/shutter speed affect the image. Since it is prime (no zoom) it forces you to evaluate your settings more closely and many times get a little more involved with your subjects. Plus, you usually get much better bokeh from prime which is an instant pleaser when first getting into photography.
I bought a used a5000 not that long ago for some insane amount of money, like 160 euros, and decided to buy an EF to E mount speedbooster instead of an adapter, it was about 150 $ on ebay. Really transformed the camera, the fov is much wider and you get an additional f-stop. But the autofocus flat out doesn't work and the camera bugs out every time I twist the lens to lock the aperature.
you need a dslr, it doesnt have to be expensive but a dslr will give you manual controls which you are going to learn to use if you are serious about getting into photography. out of the current gen cameras the nikkon d3300 or the canon 750d are good entry level, or maybe try to find a used one that is not as new if you need to save some money. Dont focus yet on more complex matters like mounts and prime lenses and speedboosters and whatnot at first focus on learning the basics, how focus works, how exposure works, what are the components of exposure, and composition.
some guidance on the matter helps, look out for good books or even some beginner's classes to help you learn these basics. in the end its you taking the pictures, not the camera if you dont know the basics no camera will take amazing pictures for you.
Some of the adapters require you to change a few setting on the Camera. I don't remember right off hand where the setting is exactly in the menu on the Sony, but you have to tell the camera to operate without a lens. You don't have to do this with every adapter but you do have to with some of them.
It's enabled, I guess that mirrorless cameras don't just don't like locking the aperature. I've managed to work around it by telling the camera not to power off since the error occurs when the camera wakes up to shoot, that lasted for about 4 timelapse shoots though, it refused to power back on with the lens attached or twisted. Thanks anyway.