Please help a beginner out

[cahsaiee]

Hello guys,

I have been trying to figure out different hobbies since starting work.
Intending to try out photography since I get to get out of the house for some fresh air as well.

I intend to mainly take portrait, landscape and maybe architectural kind of photos.

Could some bros recommend a camera? I don't mind second hand cameras either.

Currently looking at:
1. Nikon D5600
2. Canon M50
3. Getting a better phone with better camera and a gimbal

Not sure if Nikon will be too big for me and resulting in me losing interest after awhile.

Thanks all!

 

[alamakazim]

phone with wide angle lens... is so much easier

 

[hanz170]

In photography, to have really good understanding of it, you need a gear that you can manually control aperture, metering, shutter speed.. not to mention the ability to add on filters.

Nowadays, most people just use their phones because it is handy and always available, there is nothing wrong with that but to have greater understanding of photography you will need a camera that can allow you to manage these fundamental aspects of photography.

As for the brand recommendation, this need to be decided right from the start, the camera mount are not interchangeable, meaning if you decided on Nikon then your entire investment will be tied to the Nikon range and cannot switch to Canon (adapter needed, not recommended). The menu system and buttons differ somewhat, so try it out at the shops to see which system you fancy better. An exception from this is the M43 system which is interchangeable between Panasonic and Olympus but the sensor size is smaller, however.. if you don't print poster size images that system might do well because of the smaller size camera. FYI, cannot go wrong with Nikon/Canon/Olympus.. etc.. reputable brands all have it pros and cons.

Next, you need to know what lens for portraits and in portraiture.. what do you like? head shoulder shots half body full body, yes, you can use your feet for that but the perspective and subject's expression may not be the same. Imagine someone with a DSLR pointing a camera 3feet away versus 20feet away, it gives a totally different expression from the subject.

If you decided to invest in a DSLR, how are you going to store it? pretty soon you will have a lens for landscape, lens for portrait, lens for general walkabout, maybe add a flash, maybe add filters for creativity, all these need proper storage, that require a dry cabinet due to our high humidity environment.

If your interest is just snapping away and not printing, then your phone is a good enough tool.

 

[hanz170]

Maybe there are apps out there that can allow you to set your phone to manage Aperture/Shutter Speed/ISO. That can be a start.. thereafter, you can better decide on if you want to invest more time and money into photography.

 

[hacktic]

do consider used sets since you mentioned losing interest after awhile.
That might save you some cash should you discontinue this hobby.

a gimbal is for videography, stabilising your video footage. you dont need one for photography.

I intend to mainly take portrait, landscape and maybe architectural kind of photos.

that's basically EVERYTHING except macrophotography.
the kit lens should do just great for a start.
they allow you to shoot wide angle (though not ultra wide) for your landscape and architectural shots and protrait shots when zoomed in.....not the fastest but you can make do with it and invest in primes and better lens after... they won't come cheap and that's the next step.

 

[hacktic]

BTW, phone cameras ARE getting better.... i think huawei's leica camera phones are killer BUT no one takes you seriously when you use a phone to snap. and vice versa, carrying a DSLR around your neck makes you either look like a dork or a pro......


if you are in it just for instagram, a camera phone will suffice because no one will bother "pixel peeping" your images.

 

[yusoffb01]

be careful when buying second hand in carousell, it is possible to get new cheaper. Dont buy cameras older than 2012, the sensor not good

 

[alamakazim]

do consider used sets since you mentioned losing interest after awhile.
That might save you some cash should you discontinue this hobby.

a gimbal is for videography, stabilising your video footage. you dont need one for photography.


that's basically EVERYTHING except macrophotography.
the kit lens should do just great for a start.
they allow you to shoot wide angle (though not ultra wide) for your landscape and architectural shots and protrait shots when zoomed in.....not the fastest but you can make do with it and invest in primes and better lens after... they won't come cheap and that's the next step.

smartphone gimbal are pretty intelligent now... they not only stabilize...it can take panorama shots 360 degree... timelapse shots ... and some programmed movements

 

[alamakazim]

there is a magical feeling when you look through the DSLR mirror viewfinder

mirrorless and smartphone... the feeling is about the same.... just performance difference

 

[hacktic]

smartphone gimbal are pretty intelligent now... they not only stabilize...it can take panorama shots 360 degree... timelapse shots ... and some programmed movements

yes i rather use instagram's hyperlapse then timelapse myself on a mirrorless/DSLR. probably saves me some shutter life

 

[alamakazim]

yes i rather use instagram's hyperlapse then timelapse myself on a mirrorless/DSLR. probably saves me some shutter life

usually most upgraded before shutter get exhausted....

 

[yoyokid]

there is a magical feeling when you look through the DSLR mirror viewfinder
mirrorless and smartphone... the feeling is about the same.... just performance difference

Ya... I'll go for a DSLR anytime.
I can see the scene in precision regardless of sun brightness.

Mirrorless is not much different from smartphone in terms of frame composition.
But if TS is upgrading from smartphone, then mirrorless is easier to adapt to.

DSLR is more for those who intend to delve deeply into photography and learn about the more 'esotetic' aspects and intricacies. But the same can also be said about mirrorless, except for the 'magical feeling' mentioned.

TS can start by getting a used mirrorless and develope his skills with it.
.
.

 

[keenklee]

Hello guys,

I have been trying to figure out different hobbies since starting work.
Intending to try out photography since I get to get out of the house for some fresh air as well.

I intend to mainly take portrait, landscape and maybe architectural kind of photos.

Could some bros recommend a camera? I don't mind second hand cameras either.

Currently looking at:
1. Nikon D5600
2. Canon M50
3. Getting a better phone with better camera and a gimbal

Not sure if Nikon will be too big for me and resulting in me losing interest after awhile.

Thanks all!

It is about sensor size and lenses available.
If there are shortcomings, you can use software.

E.g. You took a picture of a building at street level. The building will be skewed with the top narrower than the base. You can use software like DXO Viewpoint to correct it.

https://www.dxo.com/dxo-viewpoint/

 

[keenklee]

be careful when buying second hand in carousell, it is possible to get new cheaper. Dont buy cameras older than 2012, the sensor not good

Heng ah.... my camera 2013....