BetterPhoto Q&A
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Buying a Camera

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November 06, 2000

The usual "first" camera for someone interested in being a photographer is a 35mm SLR. I won't get into one brand or model versus another. Major names are Canon, Nikon, Minolta and Pentax. I also won't get into AF versus manual focus or AE versus manual exposure.

What I *will* strongly recommend is a system that *does* allow you to take manual control of both focus and exposure and set them easily. You want to think in terms of building a "system" over time as you develop skill and define your "style."

I also strongly recommend avoiding "consumer," entry level bodies and lenses. Many of these are essentially a P&S in a 35mm SLR package and they will quickly become too constraining. Look at the higher end "prosumer" or "professional" level bodies and lenses. They will be more durable, reliable, and have greater flexibility as your system grows over time. It doesn't have to be the most expensive model; there is a range of pricing at the upper end also. As you grow in knowledge and artistic skill, you will want to take manual control to create the image you have visualized. There will be times when all the automated stuff available on modern camera bodies, in spite of the sophistication, will simply not do this. I have always viewed automation as a convenience provided it does what I would do manually, not a necessity.

The most important aspect of any camera "system" is the lens(es). This is too often forgotten. It is the lens that puts light on the film, and its qualities will determine, or limit, the technical qualities of your images. Don't short-change yourself with a super expensive body using the cheapest lenses. It can make the difference with whether you can only get a decent 8x10 or a reasonable 16x20 from a 35mm frame of film.

Whether you are beginning with B/W or color, this shouldn't make a difference in your choice of bodies and lenses. It will heavily influence your early filter choices (which types) as some specific filters are very often used with B/W films (yellow, orange, green and red) but not with color.

You don't mention what type of "people" photographs you are interested in pursuing. This can easily span a large range from "street shooting" candids (in the style of Cartier-Bresson) to formal studio portraiture. The most common focal length lenses for street shooting are a moderate wide-angle (between 28mm and 35mm) and standard (50mm). The more common focal lengths for formal portraiture are standard (50mm) and moderate telephotos (between 75mm and 135mm). Specific focal lengths will depend on your style; whether you prefer to work close-in or from a greater distance. Each photographer ultimately develops their own preferences.

Hope this helps a little. I didn't make any specific brand/model recommendations. Bodies, lenses, filters, etc., are just tools with capabilities. You, the photographer, will make much more difference in how you use the capabilities of your tools when making a photograph. If you are still daunted some in making specific choices, you may wish to consider some used equipment in excellent condition to start with. It will give you a chance to decide what is important to you about your bodies and lenses, and you can resell it (yourself) for about what you paid for it if you decide some other 35mm system would suit you better.

-- John

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November 13, 2000