What camera to buy?

[Super Spartan]

I've never had a camera other than my cell phone. I see awesome pics here which I'm sure were taken with a DSLR but upon checking the prices of DSLRs they are way too high as I'm no professional photographer.

So what camera would you recommend for someone like me who likes to take photos occasionally but with a decent quality.

I like how some shots have the car in focus and the background blurred out, don't know what camera or what effect does that but please keep that in mind in your recommendation.

Thanks

[c1pher]

What is your budget? The focus effect you’re talking about has to do with aperture settings. You can use a 3rd party app that allows you to control aperture and exposure on the iPhone as well as save in raw format which allows for better post processing.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

What is your budget? The focus effect you’re talking about has to do with aperture settings. You can use a 3rd party app that allows you to control aperture and exposure on the iPhone as well as save in raw format which allows for better post processing.

budget is let's sa north of 500 USD??

I have an HTC U11 which has an f1.7 aperture and it has manual controls as well but have never tinkered with them, I don't know what exactly to change to get that effect

If I could achieve this on my phone, that'd save me the hassle of carrying an extra camera.

This is a pic I took with my phone just for reference:

[Ickdeep]

This is what I got as my first camera into "real" photography. Canon T3i

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-T6-Digi...X6086MSQX9A5D8

[c1pher]

You can typically get a kit from Canon in the $600 range for their T6i.

As for your cat photo, you should try to be closer, use a low aperture setting so that what you’re focused on is sharp but everything past it is blurred. Fairly easy. On most D/SLR cameras, you would switch into ape rather priority mode, essentially turn the dial to “A” and set aperture to something usually below 5.6.

Do you have an iPhone? The portrait setting does this for you automatically. I use the ProCamera app which gives me more controls but not aperture. But I mainly use it to save raw photos.

[Mani59]

I would definitely recommend a dSLR. Not too sure about pricing in your world area but here in the UK, you could pick a new good entry level dSLR (Nikon D3300) for £340.00 including a kit lens (less than $500 USD).

[dr.roro]

Canon Rebel SL2 + EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Good starter set up. I'd buy the kit with the 18-55 or 18-135 lens.

[jmg]

I started out with a Canon T5i and the kit lens plus a 50mm f/1.8 STM. Great combo for any beginner, and that 50mm is called the "nifty-fifty" for a reason.

[rouxeny]

I would recommend you buy a photography instruction book. Your phone camera is a GREAT camera. Capable to taking all the types of pictures you described. You can buy a nice SLR, but without any knowledge of how to use it, you will not automatically get better pictures than you would with your phone. A camera (like a car) is just a tool. The skill of the operator is what makes the difference.

[Rikx1M]

^ what he/she said....I've been shooting for 30 years....My perspective is that cellphones allow you to take pretty much any photo, DSLRs allow you to make any photo. Kind of like the current ongoing debate about self-driving autonomous cars versus manuals versions....it all depends if you want to get in and program end destination or one where you steer, accelerate, brake and shift on your own...and determine your own path to end destination. DSLRs give you that freedom.

[overcoil]

There are some very cool dedicated cameras.
You can shoot faster sequences and go back to your computer and enlarge to a degree no cellphone can.

https://www.sony.com/electronics/int...-6000-body-kit

[rouxeny]

I think that the range of photos you can take with a SLR is certainly a bigger box than with a phone. But, for the average consumer/beginner photographer, who wants to take some snaps to share on IG or FB, a the box the phone provides pretty much overlaps with what they need.

Sure, if you need to print really large, or in low light, or need a big tele, then you need a SLR. My point is thst most people don't need that. Or they think they need that, but they really don't.

Until you can have a decent conversation about focal length, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, priority, and DOF, you really don't "need" a SLR.

Unless you want to be one of those people (there are many) who own $3000 of equipment but shoot on the green box....

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by rouxeny

I think that the range of photos you can take with a SLR is certainly a bigger box than with a phone. But, for the average consumer/beginner photographer, who wants to take some snaps to share on IG or FB, a the box the phone provides pretty much overlaps with what they need.

Sure, if you need to print really large, or in low light, or need a big tele, then you need a SLR. My point is thst most people don't need that. Or they think they need that, but they really don't.

Until you can have a decent conversation about focal length, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, priority, and DOF, you really don't "need" a SLR.

Unless you want to be one of those people (there are many) who own $3000 of equipment but shoot on the green box....

Just wanted to say that I wasn't trying to contradict what you suggested.
No doubt camera phones are very interesting and the new phone cameras plus their editing software are remarkable.
And the phone display's are so good for shooting.

But there are some sweet dedicated cameras just above the $500 dollar price point. Night time and macro capabilities that are impressive.

Tough question and tough to answer which camera, maybe smart phone cameras are the best or holding off for next iPhone

[Ric in RVA]

I'd look at mirrorless cameras with large sensors.

Canon makes some nice ones with interchangeable lenses.

The DSLR format is dead for the youngsters. They don't want to look through a view finder...just a screen.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

I'd look at mirrorless cameras with large sensors.

Canon makes some nice ones with interchangeable lenses.

The DSLR format is dead for the youngsters. They don't want to look through a view finder...just a screen.

If there was a mirrorless Canon with the same options and functionality as a 6D or 5D and I could use my EF lenses I'd get it in a heartbeat.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by jmg

If there was a mirrorless Canon with the same options and functionality as a 6D or 5D and I could use my EF lenses I'd get it in a heartbeat.

Lens adapter.....

[cmplaya]

Originally Posted by Ric in RVA

Lens adapter.....

you are still cropping and decreasing ability for shallow depth of field and auto focus is nothing like 5d/1d series autofocus ability

[rouxeny]

I did try the Fujifilm mirrorless line recently and was pretty impressed. If I ever left Canon, that's where I'd go. Or if I wanted a smaller setup for travel.

[peteg88]

Originally Posted by rouxeny

I did try the Fujifilm mirrorless line recently and was pretty impressed. If I ever left Canon, that's where I'd go. Or if I wanted a smaller setup for travel.

a friend of mine uses Fuji, they are really terrific. I've used Canon all my life too, but now I can't understand why I didn't discover it earlier.

[shemeld_135]

I picked up Sony a6000 mirrorless with 50mm f1.8 lens after debating DSLR or mirrorless.

Reasons;

Deciding Pros: Smaller, LCD screen that shows what the pic will look like b4 takeing it

Major con: battery sucks ass

Do your own research.. but from what I gathered the decision is place on preference.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by shemeld_135

I picked up Sony a6000 mirrorless with 50mm f1.8 lens after debating DSLR or mirrorless.

Reasons;

Deciding Pros: Smaller, LCD screen that shows what the pic will look like b4 takeing it

Major con: battery sucks ass

Do your own research.. but from what I gathered the decision is place on preference.

All the DSLR canons have an LCD screen.

[Ric in RVA]

Originally Posted by cmplaya

you are still cropping and decreasing ability for shallow depth of field and auto focus is nothing like 5d/1d series autofocus ability

No one said you were going to get pro level quality. This adapter simply allows you to use the lenses you already have in a simple smaller format thus increasing the utility of the mirrorless.

Most people are happy with an I phone....what does that say?