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Whats a good camera for beginner photographers?

post #1 of 13
12/26/09 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 
Im looking to begin taking photographs in my free time and was wondering what a good camera for $300 or less if possible. I intend to take mostly black and whites. I would really like one that can take crisp clean photos inside and out. Also any pointers or helpful notes I should know would be great. For a reference of whose photographs I like Hedi Slimane.
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post #2 of 13
12/26/09 at 1:05am
I'm assuming you mean black and white film? A decent digital camera will set you back far more than 300 dollars. However, if you can stand the increased difficulty of processing medium format film, your portraits will have detail and depth that will more than match all but the most expensive DSLRs. Back in the day, they used to be used as studio cameras. A good starter (which I have used in the past) is the Mamiya C220 Series. With a 135mm lens, it will be just around 300 dollars and will produce enormous, detailed negatives. Another idea is a Bronica SQ. The main problem with medium format cameras is their bulkiness--spur of the moment photography might not be an option. If you're against medium format, a good 35mm SLR will cost you far less than 300 dollars, leaving you money to invest in a good prime lens for portraits. A Nikon F100 and a 50mm f/1.4 is a great combo to start out with if you want to spend 300 bucks. If you want to cap it at 75 bucks, an Olympus OM series with a 50mm lens will also do wonders.
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post #3 of 13
12/26/09 at 1:13am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the response. I looked up your suggestions and the nikon is much more the size im looking for. I would definitely be doing it in more of spur of the moment type deal. Like if something catches my eye while im out and about so smaller the better.
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post #4 of 13
12/26/09 at 2:34am
Today nearly all photographers use digital cameras, and you can get a very nice one for $300. Read through some reviews posted here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/ Nearly all of these camera have a black & white mode, and even if one doesn't, converting your color photographs to b&w is very easy. Personally I'm a big fan of Canon. If you can spend a bit more (just over $400), their G11 is a fantastic camera: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong11/ Or if not, their SD1100 IS retails for $250. It's 8 megapixels, very small and light: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd1100is/
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post #5 of 13
12/26/09 at 11:34pm
Leica M9, 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH
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post #6 of 13
1/6/10 at 12:05pm
nikon F100 or F90X are very inexpensive (Film).
If you want a DSLR, I don't know if a used nikon D80 is under $300.

!luc
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post #7 of 13
1/6/10 at 12:19pm
If you go with 35mm, remember you're going to have a continuous cost of film and processing.

From your brief OP description and my (very) limited knowledge, you might well like the Lumix LX3. It's a bit more than $300, but you will save on film and processing over the years.
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post #8 of 13
1/6/10 at 12:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by milosz View Post
Leica M9, 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-ASPH

Dont be a bitch, 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux-M is where its at.

Like has been said before, film doesn't make sense these days. It will end up costing you a lot more time/money. I think the perfect camera for you is the Olympus EP-1. Its a Micro 4/3, so it has the power and control of a DSLR, but it is compact, and you dont look like a camera douche. They go for about 700, but you can get them used for a little bit less. They have some great glass for them, and they are releasing more soon. If you think you will get serious one day, this is a great system to grown with.
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post #9 of 13
1/6/10 at 1:43pm
hmm... what is a camera douche?
Anyway, the OP wants to take black and white photos, so the processing can be done in the bathroom for a very limited cost.
Do you intend to take photography classes as well? If you want to shoot black and white portraits, you will need to invest in lighting.

!luc
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post #10 of 13
1/6/10 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Luc-Emmanuel View Post
hmm... what is a camera douche?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ilh78Mw7Jc
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post #11 of 13
1/6/10 at 2:00pm
The digital options that are within your price range (or at least within ~$100 of it) are the Canon G9/G10/G11, S90, and the Panasonic DMC-LX3. For someone interested in actually learning about photography, these have the benefit of more manual controls than the rest of the point and shoot market as well as faster lenses. You will, however, still be limited to the same tiny sensors that are found in all P&S cameras, which means poor performance above ISO 200 or so and lack of control over depth of field. All are smaller than DSLRs, but if size is a large concern the S90 may be your best bet.

At ~$800 micro 4/3 (Olympus EP-1, Panasonic GF1) will give you the benefit of a sensor that is closer in size to what you'd find in a consumer level DSLR in a package substantially smaller than any DSLR, and you will get the benefit of being able to change lenses. The downside is that any lens other than a pancake lens is still going to make your camera too big to be pocketable, and the pancake lenses for both are fixed focal length that is roughly equivalent to 40mm on a 35mm camera. Whether this focal length works for you is something you'd have to decide for yourself.

I think the S90 is probably what you want if you're firm on your price range.
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post #12 of 13
1/7/10 at 4:22pm
I would go for a lumix if you are going to go for a point and shoot just to goof around with. It should be able to take care most of your needs and probably a fair bit more
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post #13 of 13
1/9/10 at 6:58pm
i read somewhere a long time ago that he mostly uses the canon 20d, though he may have upgraded since. he's also been known to use the contax g2 and hasselblad h series with phase one backs.
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