I receive this question so often and hate it wasn’t among one of my first FAQ’s to be posted on my blog, but these things take time.
To be a good photographer isn’t about the camera that you use. It’s how you use any camera to get the best photo possible from it’s composition. Buying an SLR or SLT camera is become more affordable everyday and more and more people are buying them and calling themselves a photographer. Being a photographer isn’t about buying a camera and snapping photos. That’s only 20% of a photographer’s job. Buying the most expensive camera possible won’t make you better either to where you can call yourself a professional in that matter. You can have an $8,000 camera and still take atrocious images.
Being a photographer with great pictures just comes naturally. You can’t buy that! Knowing where to be, how to compose and how to final produce the image is what it really takes. Seeing a subject out of the normal is key as well. Once you let the creative fluids flow, then you’ll be coming up with unique ideas to give you that creativity that makes your work stand out from others.
Selecting a camera as a beginner can be the hardest thing to do. It’s so many options, but in generally, they all do the same thing… They take photographs.
When I was buying my first SLR some years ago, there weren’t as many options out as there are now. There are compact SLR’s now that weren’t even heard of 3+ years ago. There are event the SLT (Single Lens Translucent) where the camera doesn’t use a generic mirror in the camera and the light goes straight to the sensor.
The best way to find the best camera is to try some out before you buy. I’ve used so many different systems and kind of have a feel for what I like and don’t like. Sony & Nikon are my top two choices of use for me, their user friendly and have great lenses, especially Sony for it’s AF Carl Zeiss collection, but Nikon with it’s broad collection of lenses.
See what works, see the pros and cons! You’ll find something from all of them that you will like but may not like. From Pentax to Sony, to Canon and so forth… to compacts to the monster SLR’s. There’s lots to choose from. SLR’s once use to be the primary thing for photographer’s, but the more compact camera’s are pushing their way forward and leaving SLR’s in the dust, so it just makes choosing that much harder!
Which ever you choose, decide on what you’re going to be doing. Is it just for a hobbiest or a potential career change? If this will just be your hobby, don’t go for the most expensive body and lenses you can, start small and work your way in. If this is a career thing for you, then you can risk pulling out the big bucks! Go for a mid-range or a pro level camera! (=
Remember though, whatever system you choose… you’re pretty much stuck with it. Meaning, if you go Nikon and buy tons of Nikon gear, don’t think going over to say Canon will be easy. Selling all of that for the price you paid will not be happening, especially with how fast the age of technology is moving and electronics becoming obsolete so quickly in just a year or less.
Hope this helps!