Best professional camera for a teenage girl interested in photography?

Question

I'm a young teenage girl interested in photography. I especially like taking pictures of people and forests, and i need a good zoom. A black and white option would be good, too, but colour mainly. Maybe there is some software you can get for cheap which can do this for me?

Answer 1

You will not need a "Professional" camera if you are just starting out.

A Pro camera will cost anything from £2.5k upwards.



You need a decent Dslr with one or two lenses to cover the wide to medium telephoto (from around 24 through to 200mm)



Any of the main manufacturers (Canon & Nikon specifically) have a range of cameras which will be good for you.

Check out www.dpreview.com and do comparisons then go to your local camera shop and handle them and get a feel for them.



Software like Photoshop is required if you want to do any post processing work and there are a number of programmes such as Photoshop elements, Paint shop Pro, which are not too expensive and are pretty good. Photoshop CS4 is around £500.

Answer 2

I'd start out with a semi-professional camera...aka an entry level dslr...bc professional cams will cost you thousands. I'd look into a Canon Rebel Xsi or Xs, or a Nikon d40. For zoom, get a telephoto lense. Nikons tend to be cheaper, you could get a package that includes a telephoto lense...but I prefer Canons myself. Everyon has their own preferences...the best thing to do is play around with the cameras in a store to figure out which you are more comfortable with, then order online form wherever you can find the best deal.



There are several photo editing programs you can download for free if you want black and white pics, you do not need to shoot in b&w.

Answer 3

A camera itself cannot be professional, as the camera is incapable of making money.

The photographer, however, is. Any SLR (Digital or otherwise) can be used by a pro to great results (I know some people will tell me that ANY camera can be used, but it's very rare to take an awesome shot on a P&S, but it has been done). Some will recommend Nikon, some will recommend Canon, some will say film, others will say digital, but in the end, it doesn't matter about the camera itself.

It's all in the lens.



I've seen amazing shots come out of the Nikon D40, and I've seen cringe-worthy shots come from the Nikon D3.

However, as you are one of my fellow teens, I'm guessing you don't have a huge budget. I'm going to suggest you get any of the following:



Nikon D40 (I hesitate to mention this one, as it is the most basic dSLR on the market, and can only autofocus with certain lenses)

Nikon D60 (I hesitate to mention this one, as it is the second most basic dSLR on the market, and can only autofocus with certain lenses)

Nikon D80

Nikon D90



Canon 1000D (I think this one was the... XSi in North America)

Canon 400D (Known as the XTi in North America)

Canon 450D (If I remember right, it's the "XS" to you guys in the U.S)

Canon 40D

Canon 50D



Pentax K100D

Pentax K-m



All of these can do black and white, colour, all can do portraits, street candids, nature, you name it.



As for the zoom, each of these systems has many lenses available. Wide angles, zooms, fixed focal lengths, and each system's lenses has professional quality "glass" available.



Personally, I use a Canon 400D with a 16-35mm L lens, but I'm no pro.

Answer 4

having a cheap second hand film camera is a great idea. film camera, due to their non unlimited capability will make you scratch your head when composing pictures. I own a film camera, virtually all shots from it are special. get one, it is great fun. If you do want a digital that takes good picture, cheap and is beginners friendly, try to get a second hand compact that has some sort of manual control. hope that helps

Answer 5

If you are really on a budget and want the best quality for the money, check out the P&S Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 [with a Leica lense] which has more features than most pro DSLRs that require auxiliary lenses not even equal to the single initial full-range lense that comes with the FZ28. It is reviewed at:



http://www.steves-digicams.com/2008_reviews/panasonic_fz28.html



It just came out on November 4, 2008.



It's an all-in-one 10.1 megapixel digital camera which includes (i) built-in image stabilization; (ii) HDTV quality video [Quicktime]; (iii) a 18x zoom [27 - 486 mm (35mm equiv.)] "Leica" lense for nature photography; (iv) up to 0.39 inch macro option; (v) up to 6400 ASA; (vi) takes up to 380 pictures per 120 min. battery charge; (vii) has a "burst speed" of 13 fps; and sells new for $315 at amazon.com.



Here's an actual handheld picture of the moon:



http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/bf/1b/a83ac060ada0881604bad110.L.jpg



Good luck!

Answer 6

How much would you like to spend ?



http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1673393/art/pentax/k-m-da-l-18-55-mm-f-3-5-5.html

10.2mp, anti shake, best dynamic range of any camera, metal chassis and lens mount.



Download Picasa3 or paint.net. Both free.

http://picasa.google.com/

http://www.getpaint.net/download.html



If you want a good zoom lens, look on ebay for a Sima or Tamron 70-300mm macro.

Answer 7

Here is a good article on why "Your Camera Doesn't Matter"



http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm

Answer 8

canon Rebel is good entry level camera, what kind of lens to get that is THE question.......