Need recommendations on first camera to buy

8 months 2 weeks ago #755837 by Spencer Posey
Hello, I'm Spencer.  It's really good to meet you all.  A person with B&H told me I should join this community to get opinions on various directions relating to starting up in photography.  I briefly had a Nikon D80 about 18 years ago, but within weeks of getting it, had to sell it because I lost my job at the time.  I got back on my feet about a year after that incident, but never circled back around to photography.  

I'd like to do that now.  I currently take photos with my iPhone, but would like to get a mirrorless camera, something with manual controls that I can learn how to use.  

Budget?  I'd like to stay under $1500 if possible.  $2000 if highly recommended.  Can you point me in a good direction please? 

Thank you very much


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8 months 2 weeks ago #755883 by Petroguy
Welcome back.  These days there are tons of options.  Nikon Z6 II, Canon R10 or Sony a7 III.  All there of those cameras fall under your budget.  


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8 months 1 week ago #755914 by Ozzie_Traveller
G'day Spencer

Things have changed considerably over those 18 yrs mate !!

For me, I abandoned SLR / interchangeable lenses 20 yrs ago for a Superzoom / bridge camera. Now retired, no longer wanting to drag around 2- camera bags of bodies+ lenses + other junk, now a single unit does it all for me

Yes- they have a smaller sensor than the SLRs / now mirrorless, but they / I still produce damn fine 12" x 18" prints for my lounge-room wall

I use Panasonic FZ-2500 for some things and the smaller FZ-300 for everyday stuff.
The -300 has a 24x zoom lens that retains its F2,8 max aperture thru the whole zoom range. So in film-camera terms, I have an 24 to 600mm F2,8 zoom lens .... not bad eh!!

One downside of small sensors is that you will sometimes see noise -- I see it as 'grain' and as I am used to film grain in my images, I have no issues with a tiny amount of electronic 'grain' in my prints on the walls

Hope this helps
Phil

Phil from the great land Downunder
www.flickr.com/photos/ozzie_traveller/sets/

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