Digital Camera/Photography (Kalika and TWTX please join in)

[Jim]

Well, a few months ago in another forum topic I asked about the cameras that both Kalika and TWTX used to get the awesome pictures they get at the PBR events, because I want to get a great camera for events too (as well as for weddings and etc.). So the questions I had were basically regarding digital SLR and point and shoot cameras. I need to make a decision and get a better camera, but am worried about getting a good one and at a good price, as the prices are all over the board, but/and I really don't want to spend too much $$$.

Notes:
Kalika has a Pentax digital SLR camera body with Tamron 70-300 mm lense.

TWTX has a Canon PowerShot S515 point and shoot camera.

Regarding SLR cameras, I was told by a few photographers yesterday to get at least a 10 MP camera, that SLR is good for action shots, that the camera lense was more important than the camera body and to get a good flash.

OK, anybody have any advice for me? My big concern is the price. I REALLY don't want to spend a grand for a camera, but I REALLY want a good camera, as I have people wanting me to take pictures for them for websites, auditions, rodeos, weddings, events, etc.

[Kalika]

First of all, as I tell everyone, especially somone looking to get into portrait & event photography is to get some training in using manual mode and manual focus and to get off the crutch of using PhotoShop or any other post-editing software. Using a camera as a point & shoot in automatic mode and automatic focus makes your work like everyone else's and takes away from the joy of creating an image right then and there as if you were painting a landscape with a brush and canvas right there in front of your subject.

Pointing & shooting in automatic mode and automatic focus is great if you absolutely have to get the shot and don't have enough practice in manual mode/manual focus. You can't "fix" a poorly shot photo in PhotoShop. It's easier to take the shot right the first time with the camera in your hand than to sit in front of a computer screen trying to fix or enhance it. Waaaay too much work.

That's what I'd tell anyone before telling them what gear to buy. The gear doesn't "think" for you, can't "see" what you're seeing. Automatic modes (sports mode, portrait mode, etc.) are just guesses that the camera's making.

Ok, off my soapbox for using manual mode and manual focus and for getting adequate training rather than pointing & shooting. Y'all knew that was coming!

Don't buy the megapixel (MP) marketing hype. More MP's don't make a better image. All MP's have to do with is how big you want to print your photos. If you don't plan on printing your photos mural size, forget about the MP marketing stuff. The salespeople will also try to sell you MP's.

Most people go with either Nikon and Canon exclusively. They are know as Canonikons Unfortunately, these brands are expensive which is why I went with Pentax. Pentax has more of a "cult" following then a trendy following like Nikon or Canon.

The camera lense is very important. Unfortunately, if you want to shoot sports, you will need a good telephoto lense. You can buy vintage, non-automatic focus lenses for cheaper than the ones made today with all the "bling". Also, using flash in an arena isn't going to help you since you're too far away from the action. You'll need a "fast lense", one that has an aperture that can open very wide to let more light onto the camera's sensor. That means a quicker shutter speed and less blur. Wider aperture means more expensive, unfortunately.

I think you'd be at right around $1000 for a decent, basic, beginner's set-up, without too many bells & whistles. Unfortunately, photography's not a cheap hobby and if you're going to invest in taking photos for friends, especially of events like weddings, there will be cost to it. You can go with an older model, a few years old, instead of the latest, to save money. Look in a store first, rent a camera/lense if you can, even if you have to in a city you're traveling in (if your town doesn't have a camera shop). Look on amazon.com, b&h photo online, Beach Camera online, Costco online (if you don't have a store in town), even Walmart online. Amazon.com is most likely to have new, unused, older models that will be cheaper.

Practice, practice, practice. Shoot kid's rodeos, dogs running, cars, bikes, anything moving to help you prepare for shooting action in the arena. I practice several hours at a time.

Sorry for such a long post but that's my photography advice. If you're looking for basic, basic gear, to shoot rodeo/PBR, you can probably get away with a hybrid, something that's in between a point & shoot and a dslr. That will keep you well under $1000. But, for other events like weddings, I'd definitely invest in classes, workshops (even community colleges have these) and a decent camera body & lenses and off-camera flash.

Hope this helps. It probably confuses. If you want to see more of my photos (creative blur, landscape, macro, etc), I can send you some links to my web gallery. Let me know if you have any more questions.

PS- I just bought a Pentax K-7 camera body in the $800 range and use the lenses I already have. Took it to Italy for 2 weeks and shot hours at a time. Love Pentax's weather sealing around every opening/dial (only some models have this) and the fact they're built like tanks. Great for shooting anywhere around dirt

[Jim]

Kalika! Thank you so much for your post! I'm taking your advice. Do you have any other words of advice for me? What about the zoom range for the lense? How do you know if a lense is good or not? I think I'm going with a SLR opposed to a point and shoot or hybrid. I used to have a manual camera, so I think I can figure it out. I'll be shooting rodeo events, models and wedding type stuf 9that's why I need a new good camera, but the prices scare me. i also have to get a flash. I figure I have to get a basic camera with a 55mm type of lense, a zoom lense (to 250mm or 300mm?), a flash and a camera bag/case.

[Kalika]

Hi Jim,

I shoot with a 70-300 mm, f/4.0-5.6 telephoto lense but it's really lacking in aperture. I'd try to get something that can open up wider (smaller f number) to get you less blur in low-light arena conditions. As you might notice, I post very few photos of riders on bulls since my lense can't quite freeze that motion. I hope to afford a faster telephoto lense soon!

You'll need several lenses if you're shooting all those different kinds of events incl. a portrait lense.

Reviews for lenses and camera bodies, incl. side by side comparisons are at dpreview.com and slrgear.com. I read lots and lots of reviews before I buy anything. You might ask the same question on the forums at those 2 websites. Lots of people have similar questions so you might do a search for newbie questions

Buy the best you can afford. After your first dslr, you'll figure out what you want/need and how you are going to use it. Your second dslr will be much more suited for you

Sorry, I don't shoot with flash (I just adjust the aperture and shutter speed) so I can't give you any tips there. The camera manual won't be as helpful as a book written just for your camera model (like Magic Lantern Guides). Also, you might invest in polarizer filters to cut glare. I use mine almost all the time. If you buy used vintage lenses, the camera might need an adapter so the lense can attach. Just more costs to think about

I'll PM you the link to my instructor's online lesson on shooting manual mode with a dslr. Good thing you shoot analog already

Any more questions? Please ask!

[Jim]

Thank you again, I'll check out those two sites.

[Jim]

Kalika, what do you think of the Canon Rebel cameras, do you know anything about those? There's a 10 mm and a 12 mm camera (the 12 mm one takes video).

[Jim]

Kalika, what do you think of a Nikon D5000 and 50 to 200 mm zoom lense?

[RoadTrip]

Jim - I'm also looking into cameras for "The Kid" for Christmas so your topic is very timely. Need something for wildlife, flowers, landscape type of shots and relatively simple to use. I'm looking at the $600 range.

[Jim]

[Jim]

Kalika, another question, is a 200 mm good enough for shooting rodeo events? (I've noticed 250 mm and 300 mm on some brands I looked at, but were more $)

[Kalika]

Sorry I've been away...back to my hometown for more photography courses. Jim, you might do a side-by-side comparison of all the camera/lenses you are asking about at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp It's going to take trying out a camera, maybe even very entry level at first to see what you need/want and how you'll be using it. Sorry can't speak for Canon or Nikon since I'm strictly a Pentaxian. Most people (Canonikons) swear by Canon or Nikon but that's because of the marketing hype. I'd say buy within your budget then use it to see how you like it. Within a reasonable amount of time, you won't have trouble selling a camera body or lenses that don't fit your needs/wants anymore. Remember, it's the user taking the photo...a camera's just the tool. Just like a $1000 paintbrush won't make a painter a better artist, if you don't learn to use your camera in manual mode, a $3000 camera won't make you a better photographer. Sorry, I'm not much help with choosing non-Pentax cameras but anything entry-level should be safe. Budget determines the purchase in most cases

[Kalika]

[Kalika]

[Kalika]

[Jim]