Beginner camera

As I have been preparing for our big trip this year, I was gathering gear to take with us. We are going to be visiting a few national and state parks, out west, and I had the perfect set up for pictures. I have a DJI drone that takes ok pictures that i got for trade. It was all working out!

Until it wasn't.

In my research I am unable to fly my drone where I want to (one part particularly is Glacier National Park). So now I am at the point of needing a camera. Here is where I am needing help.

Budget wise, I did some extra work, and have a little extra money. Unfortunately I am having to direct this money to the trip rather than what I was looking at using it for (I really thought I had it set with the drone). So I have been searching, digging, and studying. I am now at Information Hesitation.

I was looking at Nikon D5300, but also considered a D3500. I have been reading and I am finding those who have a Canon say that is the best. Those who have Nikon said that is the best.

Then there is the idea of lenses, cases, straps, etc.

So....



I am beginning, so no professional by any stretch. I do want to do a wide range of pictures (I guess that helps decide lens selection as well) which consist of landscapes, and family, along with scenery, animals, nature, etc. Having something that covers close shots on plants and small animals, but then allow the big view for places like the national parks, is also needed.

What I would like to ask for is what do you recommend because I am getting lost in all of the numbers and meanings.

1. Camera?
2. Lenses I should consider?
3. Where to get something at?

My budget is absolutely top of $350 to $400. So I am needing used for sure. I have been told Nikon has the better images , but what do I know.

Thanks for your help.

 

We have a couple of Canons and they take great pictures.

 

Model? What lenses?

 

I'll have to look when I get home.

 

Ok. Thanks. Canon Rebel was recommended but I couldn't find anything about specs with them.

 

I don't know anything about cameras or photography but I have one listed on OfferUp and Marketplace right now.
It was my sister's who passed away and I'm told that it's a fairly decent camera for beginners. I had one guy reach out to me asking about shutter count which I had no idea what that was or how to find out so he walked me through it. So if buying used, make sure to know what the shutter count is.

 

This is what I have. I actually forget that I have it listed..

 

I switched over to Sony a decade ago from Canon and never looked back. When I was doing it professionally the canon CPS services were priceless and the body’s were incredibly durable. Now those things are a distant third place and I value small cameras with great dynamic range. I generally run around with a 28 prime for travel but for nature I fine a 400+ focal range a necessity. I have had reasonable luck with the 150-600 from sigma. It’s relatively cheap and takes a very decent photo.

For events, ie people
Photography, I really like a 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200 2.8. I do run several canon lenses on my Sony’s via adapters and they are “ok” I don’t do it for professional work but for personal stuff they are fine.

 

Thank you. I did run across that as well. From what I gather, it becomes more important when you hit around 100k because that puts a lot of life out of it. A professional can hit several thousand in a day.

But, I am just learning, so I may be off.

I am looking at the craigslist in my area, and sent a message to someone, but I have not heard back. It was a D5300 with two lenses and a carry bag. I will have to buy a charger for the batter.

Thanks for the heads up, though, and I hope you sell it quickly, and I am sorry for your loss and am praying for you and your family. If I can help, please let me know.

 

Wish you were closer! That is the height of my budget, but yes, from what I have gathered that is a very good camera!

Here is the link I am working off of: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Nikon_DSLR_cameras

It is listed at an Enthusiast level DX camera.

 

I had not considered Sony. I had several direct me straight to Canon and Nikon. I know Nikon through their scopes (several friends have them), and they seem good.

I had not heard of a 28 prime. I have, invisioned in my head, awesome pictures in these national and state parks, so I will be practicing a lot to get ready. I think the 150-600 may be what I am needing, but now I am, if they are around the same price as what I am seeing, thinking that lense may be more expensive than I can do, unless I get a kit.

I will look at what you mention, but it looks like I need about two lenses with the camera.

But now we deal with mounts and what works with all cameras and what is limited, etc.

 

Thank you! I appreciate that.

I've had it listed for a while now and it's really just sitting. The battery that's part of the sale doesn't hold a long charge so that's something that would need to be bought. I'm not trying to turn this into a sale but if you don't find anything local that you like and would like more details i'd let it go to you for $300. I don't mind shipping it.

 

You're welcome. Thank you, and no worries. I appreciate the offer!

 

I have had used all three, Canon, Nikon, Sony, and of course most of the older film stage.....

If you are somewhat short on time and need to get things done, consider renting, it allows you to try out different things without committing a lot of money to it.
https://www.borrowlenses.com/

As far as which system, all has its strength and weakness, but ease of use? Canon. Better output (subject to personal opinion), Nikon. Steep learning curve? Sony. Just for hell? Leica.
Have fun, take in the view, enjoy. Cameras are just for afterthoughts. I learned that the hard way, enjoy it with whomever you are with, that's the memory.

 

Thanks. That is the purpose of this trip. My two kids are starting their first jobs, so this is their real last "summer break". So we are making the most out of it.

My oldest wants to do a hobby together, so this will be used after the trip as well.

I had not heard of them. I will look into it. My concern is that I am VERY hard on stuff. If it breaks, I want to make sure it is mine so I don't feel bad about it.

 

Ah, OK.
I used that website a few times, mainly to try out lenses before I commit to them long term. I tried a fisheye, while fun, it was not very output entertaining, if you understand that. It has a very unique view, but very weird.
If you want this to be your hobby with your kid, I would suggest you two sit down and talk it out, cause if you two end up on the same system, it is easier for you two to swap lenses and have more.
You will have to have a day-to-day lens on the camera, but others are more for some special occasions, those will tend to live in your bag.

Canon and Nikon both has a very big background, in terms of lenses and other support, while being easy to learn. Canon Rebel can be had for dirty cheap (compare to our Tundra accessories, anyway....lol) while Nikon doesn't really have that "base" model, they tend to start a little more mid-range. Sony, I don't know what their deal is, but their system is somewhat weird and you have to really understand it to use it fully. But their output, if done correctly, are amazing. They do, after all, provide 90% if not more of all camera modules in the cellphone market, and a bunch of TV monitors and stuff.

Just know that if you do start on the Rebel system, you might find in a few months, or less than a year, that you want something a little more robust and more capable, then it is a money pit.....possibly worse than turbo kit or that SC kit you might be eyeing.

Also, your location says East Coast, not sure how north/south that is, but you might want to invest a dehumidifier to keep some or your equipment, especially if your location is more humid or has moist issue more often than not. Mold on lenses are a huge f-ing PITA to take care of, even manufacture's are not very willing to help you clean it. Ask me how I know......

I currently still have my set from 10 years ago, and they both still run strong, but since kids entered the picture, they have been sitting ever since. Though, my oldest took a liking and picked one up the other day to just try, which I find comfort, and of course, my youngest doesn't wanna miss out the fun, took the other camera..
I have Canon 5D MK2 with 24-70mm F2.8 II, Canon 7D with 50mm F1.8
We are actually also doing some state park/national park in the next two years, might be time to dust those off and get some new toys..... or rent them, I only want to buy the ones I want to keep....fisheye is not one of them.
Sorry, long rant....

 

No worries, and thank you for the info!

I have used a fisheye before (my wife has one for her phone). It provides a unique view, but not something I would use often. That would be a good place to go with talking it out. The one that is owned now is just a cheap, quick pic, type one, so we have no investment in any make at all. Perhaps I need to look at getting something cheaper to start with. Then if I am not able to get into it, I am out only a $100 or so. That way I don't invest a lot.

Good to know about mold. Thank you for sharing. I will keep an eye on it. Hopefully your kids get into it as well!

I do plan on taking pictures on our trip, and will be making a travel post as we go. Where are you going to go?

 

I think if you have enough time and search far enough, Amazon, Beach Camera, B&H are all good legit places to get your gear.
Oh, since you mentioned National Parks, I would suggest investing a good solid tripod, don't need to be $2K+, but something around $100 maybe, solid enough or have a hook to hang a bag in case wind gets the pod and you are out a pod,camera and a lens.

We have Arkansas next weekend, Hot Spring area, Waco end of May, and Seattle area end of July/early August to visit my family, and we already booked Mount Rainer for a weekend.
Wife already mentioned Yellowstone for next year, so I guess that's a trip we are taking, haha. Whitesand is also another place she likes to make it to, so that means Big Bend National Park is on the way as well....
Waco might not be much, but Mount Rainer/Yellowstone would def be picture-worthy for a while, and I bet my kid will be fighting for my camera....lol

 

Thank you for the advice. I didn't even think of a tripod. I will file that under my list as well.

Arkansas will be on our trip in June. Then we will be heading west from there. Your list looks really awesome. We had talked about, on this trip, hitting northern California, then Washington and Oregon, but scratched those three and are now heading to Canada.

Yellowstone is awesome. I bet you will be seeing a lot of pictures being taken!

We will be going where I have been wanting to go for the last 10 years. Glacier National Park! We had been by there (being relative), but never did make it up into Montana. Finally, this year, we are hitting the east side and going in the less traveled way.

When we get ready to go, I will be posting our trip, as I can. So I am excited to see. I did pick up a simple camera, for right now. I want to see how I use it before I drop a lot of money. I found a spare one we had, put new batteries in it and it fired right up. Forgot I had that camera. We got it two years ago for our trip to Papua New Guinea. Not the best little camera, but for simple pictures, it is ok.

 

TL;DR: Used Fujifilm X-T2/3/20/30 and Used 23mm f/1.4 or f/2 (or Sony a6000).


Professional photographer of many years here, have done everything from weddings to photojournalism all over the world.

1. You’re correct about needing used or refurbished to meet that price point, but don’t fret, most of my gear is the same, I typically only buy used, refurbished or sale for a better ROI. I’ve never had anything fail on me.

2. “Bodies come and go. Glass is forever.” I’m going to recommend a Sony a6000 or Fuji X-(something) here shortly, but what you should know about getting into photography is your lens system is something you pick up quality pieces and build over time. Bodies that attach to them are new every year, I actually have a couple of bodies from 2018 I prefer over the new ones I got this year for a video job.

You’ll likely start to learn with a “kit” lens that zooms and has a poor aperture. If you’re feeling trustful I’d recommend a 23mm 1.8 or so PRIME lens for your first which will give you a 35mm equivalent (or at most a nifty fifty, so 35mm ish).

Consider whatever you buy to be your learner, not your forever, kit. Like a first motorcycle, its purpose is to teach you what direction you’d like to go next, so spend as little as possible and put time into practicing. I am more than happy to share a beginner practice sequence to help you learn to control your camera manually and when and why.

This is becoming a novel but feel free to ask here or DM me anything you need. Photography is awesome! I’d get a Sony a6000 or Fujifilm X-T3/X-T30 whatever you can find in budget that has manual controls. Have fun!

 

I have forgotten about the 35mm. I had a 35mm F1.8 on.... I can't even remember the model on top of my head, need to google it.... It was the last Canon film I ever used before I jumped into the digital world.

 

My TriX400 supply is running low! Need to stock up!

 

National Parks are basically my wife's & I bucket list.
Oh, if you do go digital, just get a good SD/CF/whatever card it takes. I know sometimes we feel we spent a ton already, but a bad/slow card is gonna cost you when you need it the most.
Brand name I would trust, not necessarily the biggest card, but need to be fast enough if you are taking a bust of pictures in a fast moving environment.
Wedding photography did it in for me, I left because it was just so draining and then I hit the equipment wall that I was unable to spend more than what I was making.
It was fun though, just not for me.

 

Thank you for the comments, and advice. I also appreciate your willingness to help! Will absolutely ask both on DM's and here as I am looking and going forward. Thanks.

 

Trust me, I have not seen "TriX400" for the last 15 years.....lol
Man, those were the "thing" back then....
So I just looked into my docs, it was the Canon AE-1. But I swore I remember having a 35mm lens on it, not just the 50mm F1.8...
But my memory might have just been as bad as now it is 35 minutes past breakfast and I can't remember what I ate....

I also used the Pentax SF1 which I got from my dad, didn't love it.... nothing wrong, just didn't "feel right"

 

Consider a “full frame” camera rather than a “crop” sensor camera. Eventually, if you stay with the hobby, you’ll want the benefits of the larger sensor. Best bet, as others have pointed out, is to buy used, or reconditioned. The real money is in the glass, much like rifle scopes, good lenses cost good money. I’m a Nikon guy, and use an antiquated, by today’s standards, D700. Pro grade camera when it came out in 2008, I believe. Heavy, and built like a tank, which is why I like it. Very weather resistant as well. Do the research on the sensor size though, which will give you a good starting point in choosing a body. Check out photography forums as well. Good luck.

 

D700 is worth its weight in gold. I had used one for about a year and change, good solid camera, does take some learning from Canon to get used to.
The click, however, is something that kinda has me giggle, each has a different "click" and sometimes it does nothing while some makes you smile when clicking away....

 

I looked at the Pentax, but kind of steered away from them. Looks like they were bought out by a few other companies.

 

Thank you for the advice. I had been running across that, but if you, or anyone else, could explain what the difference is between the full frame or the crop sensor? I tried to research but was lost in all the terms, and jargon. Thanks.

 

I have been running across those as well, but wasn't sure if I should go older or try to get a newer one. Then where do I go? A D5300 is a higher grade, but a D3500 is newer with newer tech.

So not sure where to go with all that either.