Help for a complete idiot.

[cajun_cuteness]

Alrighty! I'm going to say first, that my experience is limited with cameras. I've experimented with a higher-end point and shoot, but no DLSR's. I will be taking classes in a couple of years on professional photography, and I plan on trying to earn money by taking nature shots until then. (Not to say nature shots are easy. I will still need a LOT of learning. I'm just saying that no one will commission someone to take pictures of them without a degree, or at least is taking a class.)

Budget

What budget have you allocated for buying this camera? Please be as specific as possible.
Erm.... I think around 0-400 dollars. I'm very attatched to my money. :D

Size

What size camera are you looking for? Or does size not matter at all to you? I would like for it to be a good sized camera. About one lb and 7.8 ounces without a lense attatched. Give or take a pound.

Features

How many megapixels will suffice for you? I want at least a 10 Mp

What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify) I want a 5x to 13x zoom, but I'm talking about with a lense. I can get a lense for the zoom. So it's not that important to me. I really want just the camera body. Without the lense.

How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10) 10. Easily. I want to take Macros.

Do you care for manual controls? Not really, but I'm willing to learn to.


General Usage

What will you generally use the camera for? I will be taking professional photography courses in college, and selling prints for supplementary cash.

Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? Yes.

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Yes, but also a lot of outdoor shots in bright lighting.

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? Not many, but I will be shooting a few.

Miscellaneous

Are there particular brands you like or hate? I like Canon and Nikon because of the easy availability of Macro lenses, which I definately will be using. But that's the only reason. If the brand you suggest has good macro lenses, then I'm all for it!

Are there particular models you already have in mind? EOS Rebel T1i (500D).

(If applicable) Do you need any of the following special features? (Wide Angle, Image Stabilization, Weatherproof, Hotshoe, Rotating LCD) Weatherproof would be very nice, so would Image Stabilization.

Also, I want to take video with this camera. Not professional work, but decent enough. For the enjoyment of my family and friends.

Now for the price I've indicated, I don't intend to get more than the camera's body and MAYBE one lense. I don't expect to get a complete starter kit, etc.
Also, I would like a Digital SLR. Just clarifying. I wouldn't mind a non-digital, but....

[speaklightly]

Cajun-

Quite honestly with the direction that you are headed, I do not think that there is any other viable camera for you, except an entry level DSLR camera.

You also have to upgrade you photo skills as well. With your ambitions, you will have to get beyond the "fully automatic mode" in a hurry if you really want to develop skills that will allow you to sell photos in the near term.

You are probably saying, oh yeah, who the hell are you to be saying that kind of stuff to me? Well, Cajun, I have been a professional photographer for over 50 years and I teach multiple course for our local Community College. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering, as well as a Phd degree in Mass Communications. I teach both for our State University and our Community College. So I have counseled aspiring photographers before.

Entry level digital cameras have come down remarkably in price in the last 10 to 12 months. Rather than buying a series of cameras, all of which, you will use for 6 to 9 months, why not purchase an entry level DSLR camera that is more in line with your long term ambitions. The difference in price is only about $100 to $150 more than your current budget.

What do you think? I will be interested to hear your response and to work with you in the selection process. Have a great weekend.

Sarah Joyce

[cajun_cuteness]

Cajun-

Quite honestly with the direction that you are headed, I do not think that there is any other viable camera for you, except an entry level DSLR camera.

You also have to upgrade you photo skills as well. With your ambitions, you will have to get beyond the "fully automatic mode" in a hurry if you really want to develop skills that will allow you to sell photos in the near term.

You are probably saying, oh yeah, who the hell are you to be saying that kind of stuff to me? Well, Cajun, I have been a professional photographer for over 50 years and I teach multiple course for our local Community College. I have a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering, as well as a Phd degree in Mass Communications. I teach both for our State University and our Community College. So I have counseled aspiring photographers before.

Entry level digital cameras have come down remarkably in price in the last 10 to 12 months. Rather than buying a series of cameras, all of which, you will use for 6 to 9 months, why not purchase an entry level DSLR camera that is more in line with your long term ambitions. The difference in price is only about $100 to $150 more than your current budget.

What do you think? I will be interested to hear your response and to work with you in the selection process. Have a great weekend.

Sarah Joyce

Alrighty.
Thanks a lot for answering first of all, and I'm glad that the first responder is someone who knows what she's talking about!
I confess to not knowing much at all about DSLR's, so would you mind telling me if an entry-level DSLR can be, for lack of a better term, upgraded as my skill level grows, and can the lenses be exchanged as with a normal DSLR?
If so, then that sounds perfect! I admit to being a complete child in regards to experience in this field, so I definitely have plans to take some college courses this summer on photography. Thank you very much for responding, and I look forward to your reply!

[Paradox]

Alrighty.
Thanks a lot for answering first of all, and I'm glad that the first responder is someone who knows what she's talking about!
I confess to not knowing much at all about DSLR's, so would you mind telling me if an entry-level DSLR can be, for lack of a better term, upgraded as my skill level grows, and can the lenses be exchanged as with a normal DSLR?
If so, then that sounds perfect! I admit to being a complete child in regards to experience in this field, so I definitely have plans to take some college courses this summer on photography. Thank you very much for responding, and I look forward to your reply!

The camera itself can't be upgraded, you have to buy a whole new body. The lenses however are *Mostly* interchangeable as long as you stick with the same camera brand. I say mostly as entry level DSLRs have smaller sensors, and some lenses designed for those won't work with professional DSLRs with larger sensors. So if you're looking to eventually upgrade to a high end camera you'll possibly have to replace a couple of lenses.

[speaklightly]

cajun-

All entry level DSLR cameras using the very standard APS-C imager can interchange their lenses within a single brand. The reason for that is that Canon uses their own mount format, Nikon uses their own mount format, Pentax uses their own mount format, and Sony uses a mount format that is interchangeable with the older Minolta lens mount format.

Thus as you can imagine, all lenses both from Canon and third party lens makers that were designed for the Canon lens mount are interchangeable. However, lenses designed for the Nikon lens mount will not work on a Canon camera.

So in summary, cajun, I think you will get more of what you want and will use a DSLR longer than another point and shoot camera.

Have a great day.

Sarah Joyce

[cajun_cuteness]

All right.
Thank you very much Sarah Joyce and Paradox. I think I'll go with Sarah Joyce's recommendation and get an entry level DSLR. Thanks a lot!
Now, would anyone know where online to buy one?
I say online, because I don't think there are any places within a 3 hour drive of where I live that sells cameras. Not counting of course, Office Depot, Walmart, Target, etc..
And also, would you mind helping me choose a model?

[raven15]

You plan on selling prints before you take the class? Hmmm....

For $400 you are looking at older models probably. Sony, Canon, Olympus, Nikon, & Pentax all make DSLR's, any of which would work, none of which would excel at macro with the kit lens (many entry level DSLR's only come with a kit lens). Nikon D40/D40x/D60, Canon rebel XTi/Xs, Pentax K2000, Olympus E-520/E-510/E-420, Sony A300/A230 etc. will all work.

[cajun_cuteness]

You plan on selling prints before you take the class? Hmmm....

For $400 you are looking at older models probably. Sony, Canon, Olympus, Nikon, & Pentax all make DSLR's, any of which would work, none of which would excel at macro with the kit lens (many entry level DSLR's only come with a kit lens). Nikon D40/D40x/D60, Canon rebel XTi/Xs, Pentax K2000, Olympus E-520/E-510/E-420, Sony A300/A230 etc. will all work.

XD

Now that I look back, that makes me sound completely arrogant and full of myself!
U.U
Let me clarify. In my area, the craft shows are mostly made of amateur photographers with little to no professional experience. I plan on mostly trying to sell prints on sites like Deviantart, but also at a few shows and fairs nearby. They're small, so there are very few people selling things there, but the entire surrounding area shows up to them. I don't expect many to actually BUY them, but I thought it would be worth a try.
XD
I didn't mean to sound quite so arrogant. XD

I'll take a look at the cameras you've suggested!

[Csae]

Don't be sorry, dA sales are mostly compromised of breasts. No real experience needed there.

Theres a few quality artists with real prints highlighted on dA but the majority are all breasts shots. I gave up offering prints after i talked to a few people.

[cajun_cuteness]

Don't be sorry, dA sales are mostly compromised of breasts. No real experience needed there.

Theres a few quality artists with real prints highlighted on dA but the majority are all breasts shots. I gave up offering prints after i talked to a few people.

XD
T.T''
I don't really think that selling on DA is any indication of talent, but rather, more like advertising skills.
That being said, I know quite a few people who make good money on DA, and they are far from professional.

[Paradox]

Don't expect money from prints on DA. If you do ever sell one, which is highly unlikely, you don't get much of the money. Not trying to crush your hopes, but DA has been pretty much wrecked by aforementioned breasts and badly drawn anime. And the badly drawn anime is only popular because of the unrealistically large breasts. :rolleyes:

[cajun_cuteness]

XD
Ah.
That makes sense.. I don't like it, but it makes sense......