Question Rergarding Photography

So for quite sometime I have been browsing this message board since a lot of you guys are really talented when it comes to photography. It's just fun looking at photos, so anyways for the longest time I wanted to get into the field for fun. However, I don't really have the time or money to do a photography class in college.

So my question is photography something you can learn all on your own? Like maybe look at tips online but besides that, no help from someone in real life? I don't know anyone that is into digital photography so I can't get help and this discouraged me.

Also, what camera would you recommended for someone on a budget? And just the camera. I wouldn't really have extra money for lenses or anything else for a while so what camera would you guys recommend for a beginner?

Also, is there any website you guys would recommend to get started?


Sorry for making this so long and thanks to those who read and respond. :]

You can try to learn on your own but you should post you results on a forum for advice. Your work will improve.

If you want to go for serious photography, buy a DSLR. There are a few good low-budget models. Like Pentax K10D/K100D,, Canon 350D/400D, Nikon D40/D60, or a olypmus. It depends on your preferences.

I've never had classes and never really followed tutorials
If you want a cheaper DSLR I would go for Pentax *IstDS/DS2, Canon 300D/350D, Nikon D50/D70. They are older models but just as good as the newer ones, maybe without fancy things you don't need, like live view, more than 6mp, etc.

I've never had classes either. I've learned everything myself except for one lighting setup which I read about at photoflexlightingschool.com. :P It's all about experimenting a lot and posting your stuff online to get criticism. And for lenses, there is a really really cheap 50mm 1.8 lens for several brands. That lens is very good for portraits. I developed my skills and style pretty quickly because I bought studio lights early, only like 5 months or so after I bought the camera. Learning to control light is the key to the style I'm into so if you're interested in that then I'd recommend buying some cheap studio flashes when you've learned to handle the camera.

I've taken art classes, and i took a half a semester photo course. But i didn't learn anything in the photo class i didn't already know from gfxvoid.
Post here a lot, because if you do you'll learn a lot very quickly.

@ martin: I was thinking about getting that lens pretty soon, i know it's cheap but I've heard raves about it; with the exception of the build quality. have you ever used it before?

I don't have it but my friend has the Nikon one. It's pretty sweet for that price but it kinda breaks if you look at it.

Yeahhh the cheap 50/1.8's are made of plastic
once you get to 1.4, and for canon their £800 1.2, build quality improves.
If you buy a cheap lens then id say buy a rubber lens hood, and keep it on at all times, that way if you drop the lens front element first, it wont necessarily break ;)

Would you guys recommend getting a DSLR asap or use a point and shoot for a while then go for a DSLR?

Just go for the DSLR.
Point and shoots are crap, basically.
Bridge cameras are good, but so expensive you might as well get a DSLR.
The sensor in a DSLR is alot larger, so it can record more detail, and you can get depth of field unlike with p&s's

Okay. Thank you all for your help thus far. :]

Would this camera be a good (decent?) choice:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5607412

Any entry level DSLR would be fine.

I have the Canon Rebel XT, the XTi is very popular though.

As for nikons I think that one is good, I'm not sure if thats the model or not, however one of Nikon's entry level DSLR's is missing an AF motor, which you most likely wouldn't like.

I would wait for Martin or Robs answer though, I really don't know much.

O and I know S**T about pentax but I'm sure Rob can promote that.

Nikon D40 works really good for newbies

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by silentshadow

Nikon D40 works really good for newbies

---

indeed
but that's the one that's missing the in-built AF motor, you're basically limited to lenses made by Nikon that have an AF motor built within the lens.
i'm still saving for it, but i'll probably get either a canon 400D or a pentax k10D, depending on my grades and the price difference between here and oz. my mate has a nikon D40x and i don't really like the build quality.

Ahh that's it, i was thinking...
Hmm is it the d40, d40x, or d80...

BUt if it's the one without the AF motor then yea i would try to stray away from it, if you plan on getting lenses later on.

Oh, I didn't know about it not having AF. How about this one:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=3626648

Which of the two do you think would be a better buy?

if i were you, i'd go with the canon XT. papa has one i believe, he probably knows more about it than i do.

Canon digital rebel XT and Canon EOS 350D are the same camera. So I have it too. It's a good camera and cheap now that Canon's new 450D enters the market.

oh rabies, i thought you shot with an XTi / 400D.
so yeah there you have it, you can do semi-pro / professional photography with a 350D.

Nope, I bought my camera like two months before the 400D was released. :P

Do you guys suggest getting a service plan for the camera, when I do purchase it? I was thinking of ordering it online since it's cheaper, but at the same time I'm hesitant because I won't be able to go to a store and get it fixed in case something does happen to it. Did you guys get service plans for your cameras? Or are these cameras generally very durable?

imo it's better to be on the safe side with a big purchase, buy it from a local dealer so you get a warranty. then, if something DOES happen to go wrong, you won't get screwed by internet sellers.

Id get canon 350D, or nikon D70/D50, or Pentax K100D.
theyre the older entry levels from the three good brands (sony was crap back then, and olympus were too noisy)