Best Introductory Camera for Field Photography

[jdn0008]

Looking to upgrade my field photography. Been using my iPhone (12 Pro) for the last three years and has worked great but want to unlock the benefits of using a real camera. I am completely lost in this area and any insight would be appreciated. Also, any resources that are beneficial to learn how to use your suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mlevimadden]

Youtube camera reviews are very helpful. What type of photography are you wanting to do mostly?

For a beginner, I think it's hard to go wrong with a micro 4/3 mirrorless camera. Everything is smaller, cheaper, and lighter than a full-frame camera and it will still give you quite a bit of image improvement over an iPhone.

 

[Camera Land]

Good morning. Give me or Jeff a call at 516-217-1000 to discuss the options. Mention Rokslide when you call

There are great options. without going crazy $$ wise.

Happy to help

Joel
516-217-1000

 

[bluemoonx]

If you are interested in landscaping photography , urban photography and architecture photography. I'll recommend a DLSR Camera.

 

[Camera Land]

Hi
Not to start a debate but the major manufacturers are no longer making or supporting DSLR's. As they sell out they are gone. None of them will be coming out with new product. Both Canon and Nikon have a list we get as they sell out of no longer available lenses. Other then their top professional cameras none are available any longer. When those sell thru they will be gone as well.Mirrorless does everything the DSLR's did, only better. Faster focusing, better Image stabilization, MUCH better focusing in video, smaller, lighter and since the back element is closer to the sensor, MUCH better bokeh as well.
Buying used DSLR's is fine provided they were still available new within the last couple of years. Both Canon and Nikon are not supporting repairs on older models. Both have adapters to use the older system lenses on their mirrorless cameras so you can get great deals on used lenses.

Hope this helps

Joel
Camera Land
516-217-1000

 

[mlevimadden]

If you are interested in landscaping photography , urban photography and architecture photography. I'll recommend a DLSR Camera.

Why would you provide a blanket recommendation for a DSLR over a mirrorless camera? Not trying to be confrontational, I'd honestly like to learn. All of the major camera manufacturers are shifting to mirrorless and I see the benefits of mirrorless over DSLR.

Mirrorless benefits I'm aware of:

• Smaller camera body
• Live view of camera setting changes
• Better viewing on main camera screen instead of viewfinder port
• Silent shutter modes

DSLR benefits I'm aware of:

• Typically cheaper (but not always)
• Protection of sensor when changing lenses in the elements

 

[jdn0008]

Good morning. Give me or Jeff a call at 516-217-1000 to discuss the options. Mention Rokslide when you call

There are great options. without going crazy $$ wise.

Happy to help

Joel
516-217-1000

Appreciate it!

 

[Dos XX]

Olympus OM-D EM-5. It is weather sealed. Great camera.

 

[bluemoonx]

Why would you provide a blanket recommendation for a DSLR over a mirrorless camera? Not trying to be confrontational, I'd honestly like to learn. All of the major camera manufacturers are shifting to mirrorless and I see the benefits of mirrorless over DSLR.

Mirrorless benefits I'm aware of:

• Smaller camera body
• Live view of camera setting changes
• Better viewing on main camera screen instead of viewfinder port
• Silent shutter modes

DSLR benefits I'm aware of:

• Typically cheaper (but not always)
• Protection of sensor when changing lenses in the elements

Battery life is better on DSLRs.
In general, mirrorless has gone with EVFs. Some people may still prefer optical viewfinders.
Lens selection is still better, and lenses are cheaper. Lots of options on the used market.
And you can get a pro body less expensive than a mirrorless pro body.

 

[Stache Attack]

recommendations under 1000?

I’ll probably call cameraland, but maybe some posts on here can help others too

 

[Camera Land]

The battery life on Mirrorless has improved and is a non factor. And there are so many more lenses available on mirrorless as both Canon and Nikon can use the DSLR lenses with a low priced adapter.

The biggest reason not to get DSLR is both Nikon and Canon have stopped repairing DSLR models from as little as 5 years ago

 

[TaperPin]

If someone is going all in and hoping to add a collection of lenses, it makes sense to focus all attention now and in the future on a single type - it can’t be over stressed, that not all lenses are interchangeable. Going cheap and buying an oddball camera that makes no sense to buy future lenses for is money down the drain.

When someone in the family wants to get into photography, it’s like buying a first rifle or first car - the odds of it being the one forever rifle or car are slim, but you don’t know what you don’t know up front. I buy kids a used 243 as a first centerfire rifle, knowing they will develop interests that can’t be known up front and they will probably sell it and get something else. A used Honda Civic makes a great first car, even though it’s not going to be the “one” forever car. In cameras it’s hard to go wrong with a used name brand that isn’t too old - price is good, features are good, pixels are good, lens selection is good.

Digital photos need to be adjusted - there’s no way around that. Every photo in every magazine, or on every professionally prepared website are manipulated. If you aren’t interested in doing it after the fact, your choice of camera should include the best preset settings. For years Canon photos just looked better than Nikon right off the memory card - look for comparisons between competing systems.

For use outdoors, keep in mind less expensive lens systems aren’t dust/moisture sealed as well as the ones designed for professional photographers - if your inexpensive Nikon isn’t sealed, it has to be kept in a case and babied much more. Imagine having binoculars that weren’t sealed.

Not all used lenses on eBay are jammed up with grit, but all lenses jammed up with grit eventually end up on eBay. Be careful who you buy from.

Look at battery life - inexpensive cameras are often limited to smaller batteries, while systems aimed at the advanced amateur and professional market are designed with extended range batteries in mind.

Be realistic with pixels - the absolute best resolution a handful of years ago is still pretty good, even though they look sad on the spec sheet compared to the latest models.

I love old cars, old guns and old professional grade cameras, but there is somewhat of a usability cutoff - the features of the viewfinder screen matter a lot, and a full tilt professional Canon like a war correspondent or National Geographic photographer used when digitalis first came out may be built like a BMW, but if resolution is worse than an iPhone you might not be happy. I like a big screen that can be used as a viewfinder when shooting video. Nobody told you a good digital takes great video? That’s a trade off - many new models are easy to take great video with, older models not so much. 4k video is a cutoff between old stuff and fairly new stuff.

Personally, I think a macro lens is essential - many cool things in nature are tiny. I don’t see the value in a lens that isn’t very wide on the low end and not much of a telephoto on the top end - these are the cheap lenses many cameras come with. Get something with a very wide angle, and another with a decent telephoto. A dedicated digiscope adapter would be nice, but it’s not always as simple as you’d think in this type of camera. A good photography shop is worth its weight in gold for these questions and getting something that works.

There’s nothing that will sharpen up your wildlife and landscape photos like a heavy professional tripod - now’s the time to get one for shooting off of as well as taking great bird pics.

Photography is every bit as confusing and complicated as any other hobby - keep at it and the equipment will start to make sense.

 

[westonhoma]

Canon g5x mark ii. Super lightweight for backpack hutning trips. Great little point n shoot that packs a punch. Great first step beyond iphone. Like anything tho.. it s a skill. After a year or two of using it, i finally picked up a couple books on photography and feel much better with the skill now. Just a side note but ya i love that camera

 

[Ztm91]

I really like my Canon R7. It is an aps-c and not a full frame. But I haven’t had any issues with low light performance and have captured a lot of great wildlife and landscape shots with it.

 

[KurtR]

I got the cannon eos r100. For a first camera I’m learning a lot and getting some cool pics. Is it the best not even close but the price point and learning to use manual mode it is serving me well. Call camera land they are great to deal with

 

[Don Fischer]

Hi
Not to start a debate but the major manufacturers are no longer making or supporting DSLR's. As they sell out they are gone. None of them will be coming out with new product. Both Canon and Nikon have a list we get as they sell out of no longer available lenses. Other then their top professional cameras none are available any longer. When those sell thru they will be gone as well.Mirrorless does everything the DSLR's did, only better. Faster focusing, better Image stabilization, MUCH better focusing in video, smaller, lighter and since the back element is closer to the sensor, MUCH better bokeh as well.
Buying used DSLR's is fine provided they were still available new within the last couple of years. Both Canon and Nikon are not supporting repairs on older models. Both have adapters to use the older system lenses on their mirrorless cameras so you can get great deals on used lenses.

Hope this helps

Joel
Camera Land
516-217-1000

For some reason this does not surprise me. I use a D 7000 and it does all I can ask for. I am not a pro and never will be. But that in mind in the OP's place I'd think strongly about a decent point and shoot camera. I got one to carry on my belt out working with my dog's. Panasonic ZS 100. If it has a draw back it's the lens. Great Lica lens but only 25-250 mm. Even though, it's the camera I carry with me all the time and if I see something really special I go get my DSLR and go back! I have found that this Panasonic in my hands takes as good photo's as my D 7000. And the shame of it is I only know how to use the auto modes in it! have blown up a few photo's from it to 12"x24" and I really like them. Can't remember how many pixels but thinking about 17. I view the photography company's of over selling anything they can get people to buy with no concern at all for those that can't afford them. I don't believe anybody needs a camera that does 100% plus prefect shooting IF the user can figure it all out! They specialize in high end cameras and the rest will go away! Few more years and there won't be any entry level! Or entry level will end up costing well over $1000 or even maybe $2000!

 

[gearguywb]

I am camera dumb but I am looking for something for Alaska, Africa, etc. Checked out a Canon SX70HS this weekend. Really liked the lightweight, reasonably small, and loved the zoom.

What alternatives are out there that I should also be looking at?

 

[Wrench]

I have a d800 with a pile of lenses. I also have a rx100iv that little sony does some amazing work for what it is.

 

[South Robert]

I am looking for a compact camera for travel. My dslr is just too big and my iPhone camera does not cut it. Looking at the Sony rx100 as my everything camera. Headed to Europe in the fall and wondering if this is the camera for people shots as well as buildings, scenery etc.

 

[horstgraben]

I am looking for a compact camera for travel. My dslr is just too big and my iPhone camera does not cut it. Looking at the Sony rx100 as my everything camera. Headed to Europe in the fall and wondering if this is the camera for people shots as well as buildings, scenery etc.

Late here on the response, but happy to comment on the RX100 of you are still open to thoughts. I picked a VII version last fall to replace my Sony A6000 (of which I remain a huge fan). The minimal size of the RX was a huge selling point, especially in conjunction with the purported image quality. After several months of somewhat regular use in demanding conditions (hunting, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, etc) I have mixed feelings. The size is truly spectacular, even with a lens cover (which I recommend as grit can freeze up the auto-lens cover - see picture to get an idea of the additional mass). It can't fit in my pocket, but it sure comes close. For the price, I am a bit let down by the image quality. I am no pixel peeper, but the quality does seem to be a hair lower than my A6000...showing that sensor size really matters. Although the A6000 is larger, with a compact lens it is easy to carry around. The ability to swap lenses out makes the A6000 a much more versatile platform, getting back to the original poster's prompt. While I have been impressed by the size to performance ratio with the RX100, I have trouble recommending it given the price.