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[Dai Kaiju]

I'm looking to spend between $400 and $500. Is that enough to match the quality of high end smart phones? Thanks in advance!

 

[Benjamin_MFF]

You can easily find a good camera for that price. What's your skill level with digital cameras? What you specifically looking to photograph? What size are you looking for? How much time do you want to spend editing photos? Will you be editing on a computer or phone? Do you prefer any brands?

 

[triplestation]

cameras have come such a long way it's ridiculous

for $500 you can get some crispy ass shit, even the current gopros are ridiculous good

 

[Dai Kaiju]

You can easily find a good camera for that price. What's your skill level with digital cameras? What you specifically looking to photograph? What size are you looking for? How much time do you want to spend editing photos? Will you be editing on a computer or phone? Do you prefer any brands?

My skill level is 0 as I'm used to taking pictures on a thinQ phone and most of the work is done for but I really enjoy editing on a computer afterwards. I photograph nature. Flowers, insects etc. I like a good zoom function. I'd like a respectable brand like nikon or cannon. I'm not too worried about the size.

 

[Majima Everywhere System]

Need more info about your use cases. It's an odd price point because you are still trying to beat a phone you may already have which will be fairly advanced for a similar price. There are still cool things depending on what you are trying to do. If you want something fiddly in a way a phone camera is not to learn on, a used nice camera might be your thing.

Even if you find the camera, that lens tho. So I went down that road, and ended up with an fujifilm X-T3 kit for vacations and life events this year. Well fuck, I'm probably still up money. It was mainly a fetishistic thing for the old ways.

 

[Dai Kaiju]

Need more info about your use cases. It's an odd price point because you are still trying to beat a phone you may already have which will be fairly advanced for a similar price. There are still cool things depending on what you are trying to do. If you want something fiddly in a way a phone camera is not to learn on, a used nice camera might be your thing.

Even if you find the camera, that lens tho. So I went down that road, and ended up with an fujifilm X-T3 kit for vacations and life events this year. Well fuck, I'm probably still up money. It was mainly a fetishistic thing for the old ways.

The phone I was using broke.

 

[VGEsoterica]

Pm me if you want. Vs writing a novel here. I am a professional filmmaker / photographer for a living. Happy to help

 

[nbcjr]

Sony rx 100 series

 

[appaws]

Edit. I misread.

I always recommend people handle them a bit in person if possible. Feel in the hands and controls are very personal and subjective.

 

[Haemi]

Sony RX 100 series as mentioned above or Canon Powershot g7 series. Compact cameras with 1" sensor.

Or do you want to change lenses?

 

[EverydayBeast]

Photo game

 

[appaws]

The OP mentions flowers and insects....so Perhaps some macro capability is in order...?

I don’t know if the fixed lens cameras have that or not.

 

[MasterCornholio]

I bought a 1st gen Sony Alpha on sale and it's a pretty good camera.

Although in order to use my canon lenses with it I had to buy an expensive adapter.

 

[teezzy]

I love older Sony A-mount DSLRs because you can use old Minolta lenses on them.

For cameras and headphones: Sony EVERY TIME.

Don't ask me about video games though. ;-0

 

[Dai Kaiju]

Ok I went and ordered a Sony DSC-RX100 III 20.1 MP DSC-RX100M3 Exmor Compact

Though aside from Sony, 20.1 MP, and compact I don'r know what any of that means.

Any accessories that would benefit me? I'm not used to dealing with lenses but I'd like to try.

 

[appaws]

Ok I went and ordered a Sony DSC-RX100 III 20.1 MP DSC-RX100M3 Exmor Compact

Though aside from Sony, 20.1 MP, and compact I don'r know what any of that means.

Any accessories that would benefit me? I'm not used to dealing with lenses but I'd like to try.

Isn’t that a fixed lens camera?

 

[Dai Kaiju]

Isn’t that a fixed lens camera?

I just ordered it off ebay and it didnt specify one way or another. You're probably right though.

 

[appaws]

I just ordered it off ebay and it didnt specify one way or another. You're probably right though.

Pretty sure it is. If you want to do interchangeable lens and pursue photography as more of an enthusiast, there are better choices. Although I am sure that will produce amazing images.

The entry level cameras from all the major manufacturers are very good, and there are good lenses for all of them.

I tell most people who are new to try out the Nikon d3500 or equivalent Canon, or the Fuji xt-30. Just use the kit lens and shoot, shoot, shoot! Also learn to use Lightroom.

 

[Haemi]

I would recommend the grip. It makes a huge difference when shooting vertical pictures

 

[Dai Kaiju]

Ok, so it came in a few days ago and I’m really disappointed. Granted, it’s very possible I’m not using it to it’s full potential since I’m new to the technical aspect of photography. The zoom is very disappointing and the autofocus just sucks. I’m going to post a couple of my better pics that i took with my now deceased LG ThinQ. I’m looking for a camera that can produce images like these without a whole lot of struggle. These are pre edit.

I photograph nature almost exclusively so I’m looking for good macro and a crisp picture.

 

[Dai Kaiju]

.

 

[Chankoras]

Ok, so it came in a few days ago and I’m really disappointed. Granted, it’s very possible I’m not using it to it’s full potential since I’m new to the technical aspect of photography. The zoom is very disappointing and the autofocus just sucks. I’m going to post a couple of my better pics that i took with my now deceased LG ThinQ. I’m looking for a camera that can produce images like these without a whole lot of struggle. These are pre edit.

I photograph nature almost exclusively so I’m looking for good macro and a crisp picture.

Is going to be hard to get the convenience and ease of use of a phone in a mirrorless, compact or dslr. Advantage of the small sensor of a phone is deeper depth of field, or, more things in focus, the Sony sensor I believe is a 1", bigger than most mobile phones, if you have enough light try a larger f stop, if you have patience try learning manual focus, and I think result will be better, also consider the limitations of the lens you might not be able to get as close to subject like you do with the phone, sometimes with zoom cameras you can get closer to subject at the wide end of the zoom range.

 

[appaws]

Ok, so it came in a few days ago and I’m really disappointed. Granted, it’s very possible I’m not using it to it’s full potential since I’m new to the technical aspect of photography. The zoom is very disappointing and the autofocus just sucks. I’m going to post a couple of my better pics that i took with my now deceased LG ThinQ. I’m looking for a camera that can produce images like these without a whole lot of struggle. These are pre edit.

I photograph nature almost exclusively so I’m looking for good macro and a crisp picture.

Entry to mid level interchangeable lens camera and a decent macro lens if you are serious about shooting a lot of macro.

What’s your budget and are you willing to go used? Photography is an expensive hobby I hate to say.

 

[aerts1js]

Ok, so it came in a few days ago and I’m really disappointed. Granted, it’s very possible I’m not using it to it’s full potential since I’m new to the technical aspect of photography. The zoom is very disappointing and the autofocus just sucks. I’m going to post a couple of my better pics that i took with my now deceased LG ThinQ. I’m looking for a camera that can produce images like these without a whole lot of struggle. These are pre edit.

I photograph nature almost exclusively so I’m looking for good macro and a crisp picture.

You can get a sony a6000 for about your budget, but tbh the rx100 series recommended above (and that you have?) can outclass that image easily. There are various focus modes on the camera, have you messed around with them to see what works for you?

 

[Dai Kaiju]

You can get a sony a6000 for about your budget, but tbh the rx100 series recommended above (and that you have?) can outclass that image easily. There are various focus modes on the camera, have you messed around with them to see what works for you?

I was trying to mess around with the focus modes but I was really struggling with it for some reason. I have the sony rx100 m3.. I was out with it and it was raining really hard. I don't know if it getting wet could mess with the focusing mechanisms? Any tips to getting a really crisp image?

 

[aerts1js]

I was trying to mess around with the focus modes but I was really struggling with it for some reason. I have the sony rx100 m3.. I was out with it and it was raining really hard. I don't know if it getting wet could mess with the focusing mechanisms? Any tips to getting a really crisp image?

I don't have it anymore but I used to always use this mode.

MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Focus Mode] → [DMF]. Press the shutter button halfway down to focus automatically. Keep the shutter button halfway down, rotate the control ring to achieve a sharper focus. When you rotate the control ring, the focus distance is displayed on the screen.

The camera locks onto a target, then (if you want) you can turn the ring a bit more to focus on your subject to your desire. Kind of a hybrid autofocus/manual focus mode I guess.. might sound terrible but give it a shot! worked well for me. I thought it was a lot of fun... Also, learn about aperture to blur out the background to your desire (the lower the f stop number the more light goes into the camera = shallower depth of field.. you can really make some photos pop).

There's a learning curve to the rx100 series.. you may not "get it" right away. It's quite sophisticated if you take the time to learn it. You can also shoot RAW and develop the photos yourself in lightroom or capture one.

 

[eddie4]

We have a Canon M200. Works great, and it's compact.

 

[navii]

The software processing a phone does gives 'dumb' cameras a run for their money. I love the quality of photos out of my Fuji XT20, but that's after I processed them through Lightroom, the phone shot photos do not have that quality to be pushed in Lightroom. But straight out of the phone vs straight out of the camera the phone can kick ass.

 

[Dai Kaiju]

I don't have it anymore but I used to always use this mode.

MENU → (Camera Settings) → [Focus Mode] → [DMF]. Press the shutter button halfway down to focus automatically. Keep the shutter button halfway down, rotate the control ring to achieve a sharper focus. When you rotate the control ring, the focus distance is displayed on the screen.

The camera locks onto a target, then (if you want) you can turn the ring a bit more to focus on your subject to your desire. Kind of a hybrid autofocus/manual focus mode I guess.. might sound terrible but give it a shot! worked well for me. I thought it was a lot of fun... Also, learn about aperture to blur out the background to your desire (the lower the f stop number the more light goes into the camera = shallower depth of field.. you can really make some photos pop).

There's a learning curve to the rx100 series.. you may not "get it" right away. It's quite sophisticated if you take the time to learn it. You can also shoot RAW and develop the photos yourself in lightroom or capture one.

Thank you that helped somewhat. I don't know if it's just me or if I messed up some of the sensors when it got wet. I DID manage to take a couple shots that I didn't hate today. Heavily edited in Lightroom mind you.

 

[aerts1js]

Thank you that helped somewhat. I don't know if it's just me or if I messed up some of the sensors when it got wet. I DID manage to take a couple shots that I didn't hate today. Heavily edited in Lightroom mind you.

Try using DMF in Aperture mode (the one with the little A) and play around with blurring out backgrounds and what not. The lower the number the more light enters the camera = shallower depth of field/bokeh effect. Idk, you can get quite creative. Plus you have the added bonus of you having more control in creating the shot rather than it just being processed in a smart phone.

 

[Platinumstorm]

cameras have come such a long way it's ridiculous

for $500 you can get some crispy ass shit, even the current gopros are ridiculous good

Deleting this, not letting me upload or link. =(

 

[The Pleasure]

Sony Mirrorless. It'll blow your mind. So many options. I have an old Sony NEX-6 with Oled screen and it's still good almost a decade later.

 

[teezzy]

The best advice I can give you OP, is to learn your camera. Whichever you decide to work with. Familiarity with your equipment and subject matter is the most important part of anyone's tool kit.

 

[Dai Kaiju]

I got a lense cleaning kit and it's going waaay better. I like the camera now. I really wanted to share a few pics but the upload function isn't working for me. Is this a known problem?

 

[Robot Carnival]

I got a lense cleaning kit and it's going waaay better. I like the camera now. I really wanted to share a few pics but the upload function isn't working for me. Is this a known problem?

you can try uploading the pictures to a site like imgur or something first then link it.

 

[Reptars Revenge]

Man remember prime day last year where every digital camera was like 100 dollars. Good times.

 

[Durask]

One thing - you need to learn your camera. If you just shoot in full auto mode the percentage of good shots will be very small.
Learn about aperture, shutter speed, etc.

I find myself that I use my iphone most of the time unless I really need optical zoom or want to shoot a good portrait photo.

 

[Ozzy Onya A2Z]

Go with the best Canon EOS model and features/lens that suit your style of shooting and budget. Done. Honestly you cannot go wrong with a Canon EOS series and you'll have a world to learn about and practice.

EDIT: Something like the 1500D

If you want to check out reviews for various brands and models dpreview is incredible.

Start here with their buying guide for cameras under $500
Also consider if you want a bag, tripod, extra battery, lens, cleaning kits, remote shutter etc for your money. You'll get far more out of a full setup than just all your money on the camera alone.