newpersn Posted August 1, 2015 Posted August 1, 2015 So my partener is looking at doing photography couse after Christmas. I dont have a clue where to start and what to buy. (Or what courses to send her on) But i was thinking about getting her: Canon EOS 1200D DSLR (comes with 18-55mm DC Lens) Scan Disc 40Mb/sec SD Card 32GB Camera Bag. Unsure what else to start her off with. Any ideas?
supawat1 Posted August 2, 2015 Posted August 2, 2015 I usually look at Compare Canon Digital SLRs Price Comparison, Compare Prices And Save Now! for the latest prices on digital camera. My advice is, do not get standard kit lense that comes with the camera. Buy the camera body and then spend extra money on a better lense instead, you will get the best result on image quality, because camera these days are very powerful in themselves and have so many mega pixels that we do not really need. If you want to get a Canon EOS 1200D body, you might want to look at For low budget Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 If you have extra money Canon EF-S 17-55mm F2.8 Canon EF 17-40mm F4 I hope this help 1
rich_tech Posted August 2, 2015 Posted August 2, 2015 https://www.udemy.com/courses/Photography/ - lots of paid and free stuff to look at there in terms of courses too
unixman_again Posted August 2, 2015 Posted August 2, 2015 More courses - Photography courses - Open College of the Arts I did a course with oca a number of years ago.
Homer Posted August 2, 2015 Posted August 2, 2015 Don't let her (or yourself) get too sucked into the equipment, if you want to take really good photos it doesn't matter if you have an EOS 5D MkIII or an EOS 1200 - if you can't frame the subject or spot what makes a good photo the better kit won't make any difference I would say that camera is a good starting point, I've moved to Nikon now from Canon and their optics are much better, even the standard 18-55 kit lens is incredibly sharp. If it doesn't have to be brand new, look at 2nd hand things that are well looked after. If you go down the Nikon route, Grays of Westminster's Second-hand Nikon Equipment | AF, FX, DX, 35mm, manual focus, vintage, Rangefinder, #Nikkor is a good place to start. All of their second hand equipment is excellent condition and well described, and comes with a years warranty. I would suggest a D5100 to get going with, complete with the 18-55 lens - OR if you have an idea of what she would like to shoot change the lens type from there but don't get sucked into buying loads of lenses and bodies... keep the kit down, and it will show in her skills as you have to work with what you have (eg, moving around a bit more to capture the best of a scene) Hope my advice helps!
peterp Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 What aspects of photography is she interested in? Landscapes are possibly the easiest, it's just point and shoot, the art is in the framing and your eye for a good shot. Portrait and closeup photography is more of a technical and artistic challenge. Amazon do a fantastic flash unit - Linky I have one of these, and a remote unit for it for off-camera flash. A couple of these is a great start for studio portraiture.
mowgli82 Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 Look at MBP photographic, I've just got used kit from them. Very good service and the kit is always described accurately
mowgli82 Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 What aspects of photography is she interested in? Landscapes are possibly the easiest, it's just point and shoot, the art is in the framing and your eye for a good shot. Portrait and closeup photography is more of a technical and artistic challenge. Amazon do a fantastic flash unit - Linky I have one of these, and a remote unit for it for off-camera flash. A couple of these is a great start for studio portraiture. as per the "Linky" the YongNuo YN-568EX II Flashgun is great for the price. not TTL but if you're using them with out TTL remotes it doesn't make any difference. I have 2 of these and use them for portrait, I also have a SB700 which is TTL .any off camera flash (or one that you can swivel) will make a BIG difference to any shots you take with flash.
MrMat Posted August 3, 2015 Posted August 3, 2015 So my partener is looking at doing photography couse after Christmas. I dont have a clue where to start and what to buy. (Or what courses to send her on) But i was thinking about getting her: Canon EOS 1200D DSLR (comes with 18-55mm DC Lens) Scan Disc 40Mb/sec SD Card 32GB Camera Bag. Unsure what else to start her off with. Any ideas? Honestly, I think that will do you nicely. As someone else has said, don't get caught up in gear. It's very easy to believe that a new lens will improve your photography but its simply not true. Yes the kit lens is a bit limited but it's dirt cheap when bought with the camera and you can use it to learn the basics of photography and understand what type of photography you like. The only thing that might be worth buying is a zoom lens which will allow you to dabble in some Wildlife stuff etc but realistically there's no need upgrading from the kit lens until you feel it's holding you back.
dhicks Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 I would suggest a D5100 to get going with, complete with the 18-55 lens That's what we have as our general-use school camera - a Nikon D5100 with the kit lense. It's lasted a good three years so far, having being lugged around various events and used by various different random members of staff, and gets perfectly accetable results in "auto" mode. If you were to look at different lenses (either Nikon or Canon), you could hire a lense or two for a few days first to see how you got on with it before buying.
Homer Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 (edited) That's what we have as our general-use school camera - a Nikon D5100 with the kit lense. It's lasted a good three years so far, having being lugged around various events and used by various different random members of staff, and gets perfectly accetable results in "auto" mode. If you were to look at different lenses (either Nikon or Canon), you could hire a lense or two for a few days first to see how you got on with it before buying. Very competent camera! And lens hire is a good idea as well, I've looked at hiring a tilt shift lens before if I ever have the inspiration for something that it would look good with. I personally use P mode so that I can modify a few basic settings but let the camera do most of the work and if need be give it a bit of exposure compensation and the results are always fantastic! Only go to the other modes if I really need to Edited August 4, 2015 by Homer correcting funny typo ^_^
Dos_Box Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 One note on camera bags is that I have always found that I needed two. One to keep/store the bodies and lenses in and one to actually lug them around in when out and about. I do find that the 'normal' laptop bag i.e. the rectangular types, prove to be uncomfortable and awkward, especially if you are carrying it around all day. Amazon basics do some decent-ish ones for not a lot of money to get you started and I am eyeing up this backpack: AmazonBasics Backpack for SLR Cameras and Accessories @Ric_ would probably be best to advise of more expensive ones though
Seb1780 Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 I've looked at hiring a tilt shit lens before Really? I'd go for the decent ones 1
HarryMonkey Posted August 4, 2015 Posted August 4, 2015 As well as courses, look at joining a local camera club. I've learnt loads just from club activity evenings out and about with more experienced photographers.
SteveBentley Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 I personally use P mode so that I can modify a few basic settings but let the camera do most of the work and if need be give it a bit of exposure compensation and the results are always fantastic! Only go to the other modes if I really need to I generally use A mode all the time (so I can control depth of field/bokeh easily), occasionally go to S if I want a long exposure and occasionally fully manual if I'm using my cheapo not-quite-compatible flashgun.
diddylord Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 I have a Nikon d5100 with the 18_105 lens, really gd combination for general shooting, I tent to use a mode and let the camera pick the shutter speed unless I'm doing long exposure stuff
7UD9 Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 When I started learning I used full manual mode straight away, I've used it ever since. I think it's the best and quickest way to learn, you quickly find out what works and what doesn't. As it's a digital camera you can play and experiment with settings for 1000s of shots. I think by using the other modes, you have a 'safety net' but it will hold you back.
HarryMonkey Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 I started using manual (rather than P) after a trip out with a club member. I had been suffering from camera shake since buying a 300mm lense but by using M mode, I can set a fast shutter speed to combat the shake and adjust the aperture accordingly. I do leave the ISO on auto though.
dhicks Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 So my partener is looking at doing photography couse after Christmas. You've probably already seen this, but just in case: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/classified-adverts/157687-nikon-d7000-lenses-bag.html
pete Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 We've got a 1000D as the IT "No you can't borrow it" camera that we use for events/publicity shots. It gives pretty good results for the price.
ITGURU Posted August 5, 2015 Posted August 5, 2015 As a Network Manager , I also have a part time photography business, and here's my story! I started off with a second hand SLR and 18-55 lens from ebay! Best way is to read the manual to get a feel for controls, then the best way to learn is to get out there and shoot! Play with the settings, particular Aperture (A) mode and Shutter (S) Modes, on a Nikon camera. Also, I watched youtube tutorials to learn about the the exposure triangle (ISO, Aperture and Shutter Sheet). Beware of buying lots of equipment - it gets addictive and expensive thinking you need the best model but you don't. I started taking photos for friends, and once word gets rounds it's the best way of getting in to it also as it will also give you the opportunity to improve. I've been doing it now for 8 years (purely self taught) and can see a huge improvement comparing my first photos to now. Get out there, shoot and enjoy! :-) 1
peterp Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 (edited) It is a TTL gun! The YN-568EXII is compatible with Canon 600EX-TX, 580EX II, as well as Nikon SB-910, SB-900 flash, and other 3rd party flashes such as a Metz 58 AF-2, Nissin Di866, and the Sigma EF-610 DG Super. YN-568EX works in HSS mode while the YN-565EX can't. Main Features: Wireless TTL Master Mode Support HSS, High Speed Sync up to 1/8000 second Wireless TTL Slave for Canon and Nikon Hot shoe TTL for Canon Guide Number 58 (ISO 100, 105mm) Flash Modes: ETTL / i-TTL, M, Multi Mode Modeling Light Auto and Manual Zooming Head 24 - 105mm Auto Zoom for Sensor Size 2.5mm Sync Port 3 Seconds Recycling Time Doesn't support External Power Box Contains 1 x YongNuo YN-568EX II Flashgun Edited August 6, 2015 by peterp more info
Homer Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Use P but move the front wheel around and it will either open the aperture up and speed the shutter up or stop it down and lower shutter speeds... this is why I love this mode as I don't have to guess about f/stop and shutter speed when I want to capture something quickly! Everybody has their own way but I personally love P as it frees me up to think about what I'm shooting
MatthewL Posted August 6, 2015 Posted August 6, 2015 Go to the local camera shop and have a play with the kit. I personally dislike Canon due to cost and the feel of using it. I was a big Sony user till I switched to Nikon earlier this year and it was worth it. Got them to swap the lense to a 18-105 and got the body with lense for £500 or there abouts at a local shop. I tend to find a spare battery handy too. Other question does it have to be DSLR have a look at some of the bridge cameras to start off its what I used and I had some good results. In fact I have my bridge and my Sony DSLR up for sale if interested as I am only using my Nikon now.
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