I have always been interested in photography but just recently decided to take it seriously. I have been shopping around for a new camera for a few month now. I have been doing alot of reasearch but still am a little unsure of what to buy. I am looking for something that is pretty advanced so i do not have to invest in a new one a few years down the road but I am still learning so I don't want to get ahead of myself. I will be taking enviromental, landscape, arctecture, and possibly wildlife. I am looking to spend a decent amount of money. If anyone could give me any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

-- Kimberly Muccio (kam9581@aol.com), May 15, 2001

Answers

the larger the format the better (except for the wildlife).

the simpler the camera, the less that can go wrong.

-- (ricardo_spanks@yahoo.com), May 15, 2001.

Why don't you take an adult education or community college class in photography? By doing some work, you'll quickly find out what you like & don't like, and if this endeavour is for you.

Trying to tell you what kind of camera you'd like, is like trying to tell you what style of clothing you would like without knowing anything about you or your personality.

In other words, the choice of a camera style is a very personal matter.

The types of photos you mention are somewhat at odds for the best type of camera. But for the sake of an answer:

For landscape and architectural photography I recommend a view camera.

For wild life, I recommend a 35mm SLR camera.

I'm not sure what "environmental" photography is.

If you are going to do your own processing, 35mm is a good place to start. You might or might not finish there, but it is a good start.

Perhaps you might consider buying a basic book on photography to help you make some decisions.

-- Charlie Strack (charlie_strack@sti.com), May 15, 2001.

Kimberly, I sure agree with Charlie. I am teaching an intro b&w workshop right now. The only frustrating part of it is that everybody has a different kind of 35-mm camera, from P&S to sophisticated SLR. Which means that it is next to impossible to answer and explain basic photography/camera concepts, and have them relate in a meaningful way to the equipment. From that experience I STRONGLY suggest you get a simple manual 35mm SLR with the best 50mm lens you can afford. Then, as you advance you can add lenses, more sophisticated bodies, go to medium or large format, etc. etc. As Charlie says, a good Photo 101 course at a community college/university would be the ideal way to start.

chris

-- Christian Harkness (chris.harkness@eudoramail.com), May 16, 2001.

Agreeing with both, get a Nikon FM or a Pentax K-1000 and you will learn more about photography than you will with any auto camera.

-- Scott Walton (f64sw@hotmail.com), May 16, 2001.

I'm going to jump on the bandwagon with a 'me too' for taking a community college course and with going with a simple 35mm camera. As you explore more about photography, you might want to switch formats (medium or large format) but for now, stay with 35mm. It seems to me that it would handle what you are trying to accomplish (for starting out).

As to which camera to buy, you have to do some research. First, figure out what kind of budget you have to spend on one. Don't forget not only do you need the camera body but you also have to buy lenses (well at least one). Then figure out which type you want: SLR or rangefinder. I would opt for the SLR because that helps you develop an eye for compositions. Then decide if you want a full manual or a auto-whizbang camera. Full manual is fine for what you have listed with the exception of wildlife. Not that wildlife couldn't be done with a full manual camera. Just that auto-whizbang (auto-focus, auto-exposure, etc.) cameras will do some of the work for you for those scenarios. Then there is brand and model. I won't get into why you should buy one brand over the other because it is a personal choice. I would however strongly recommend that you go to a camera shop and handle the equipment before you purchase. Feel the weight, feel the heft, see of they feel comfortable in your hand. How do you like the controls? How does it feel when you have it pressed to your face? Is it something you will feel comfortable lugging around all day long? Deciding upon which brand and model will be a personal choice. In all things, remember, the photograph comes from the photographer, not the camera. The camera is a tool to help the photographer obtain what they visualize. Buying an expensive camera will not guarantee you instant 'pro' results. It only proves that you spent a lot of money for a camera. ;-)

Charlie, I think 'environmental photos' are a type of portrait where the subject is in their natural environment. A portrait of a fireman with the fire truck in the background. A scientist in their labcoat and a slew of equipment behind them. That sort of thing.

-- Johnny Motown (johnny.motown@att.net), May 16, 2001.

I will go in a different direction. Purchase an older used Calumet 4x5 view camera and a normal (150-180) lens to go with it. 6 sheet film holders and a Polaroid back. One tripod and an inexpensive light meter along with a cable release and you are ready to learn. Use an old jacket for the dark cloth. Environmental, landscape and architecture are done just fine with this setup though when you learn more you will probably opt for one or two other lenses to complement your initial one. Wildlife isn't the forte of this camera. But, as a professional wildlife photographer anything you get to do serious wildlife work with will cost a lot more than this setup. Five inexpensive 8x10 trays & you can process & contact print your own B&W. When you move up or on you can sell the outfit for close to what you paid for it if not more. These old Calumets sold brand new for $90-199 depending on when they were made and now on eBay are almost always selling for higher prices than when they were new 30+ years ago. Or, purchase a new Calumet package with lens & holders for less than $900.

You will learn to plan and photograph one shot at a time. Control of the image will become the norm. With a minimum of gear you will have newer & better gear than Edward Weston and many older photographers ever had in their life. If you learn how to use it you will benefit for the rest of your life no matter what equipment you get. Film isn't too expensive depending on what you purchase. Grain & the paranoia of 35mm won't be there. Just you, the view camera & your vision.

-- Dan Smith (shooter@brigham.net), May 17, 2001.

I agree with sticking with 35mm for now. My preference is Nikon and in particular the FE-2 or FM-2 would be excellent choices for someone just starting out and wanting to continue to learn and have total control of the creative process. You can purchase both of these cameras for around $300 on E-Bay which is excellent value considering their construction and features. You will pay nearly triple that amount for an auto focus with the same features such as 1/4000 shutter speed with 1/250 through the lens flash sync etc. etc. You can also get some very good used lenses there as well. The money you save can be used for film and darkroom stuff which you will go through a lot of as you learn.

-- Justin Fullmer (provo.jfullmer@state.ut.us), May 18, 2001.

In The Market For My First Camera

I recommend 35mm with auto features that CAN be turned off. If you want to learn photography, you very quckly realize that the thing that first gets 'in the way'of a pic that you see will be the camera! Capturing what you see is not all that easy, but auto cameras help until you develop skills & reflexes to work for you. Initially, learn to recognize pictures, not as easy as it sounds, then let the camera capture what you see. In this way you will eventually develop a taste for subject(s) you you prefer, which may not be what you start off thinking. 35mm is an inexpensive way to try everything without getting too bogged down in techicalities. Remember, photography is an art that stems from your brain, the camera is but one tool that is useed to record it! Why use difficult tools to the detriment of your art? Later, when you develop your style and reflexes, try more complex equipment if it will aid your endeavours. Good luck, John A.

-- John Amiet (imageman@satlink.com.au), May 18, 2001.

I'll suggest learning on a used medium format camera. I started out with medium format instead of 35mm and still use the same camera (Mamiya C330). Cheap and used medium format include the Mamiyaflex, Yashicamat, and Minolta Autocords. These are easy to use and all manual. You are forced to compose instead of haphazardly shooting away like in 35mm. Plus you won't waste your time in a futile attempt to get "grainless" 8x10 inches or larger prints that 35 mm spend so much time on. Large format is even better but more expensive for a beginner.

Cheerio

-- floren (flcpge@yahoo.com), May 21, 2001.

If you want to really learn photography get a LF camera. Just like Dan says. No other system will teach you more than LF. One shot at a time. That said, get yourself any 35mm SLR camera that feels good to you. Hold it, caress it's lens, fondle it's controls. A Pentax K-1000 with a manual 28-200mm zoom will teach you just as much as an automatic wizzbang Canikonolta with a 17-300mm auto zoom. Manual cameras are nice and lenses are inexpensive. But auto will allow you to do things for fun until you are used to using the beast and start really learning to see and capture the images that you are after. And get a zoom. When you do see an image, you will be able to get the shot quickly before it is gone. I will always argue this point. I don't waste my time changing lenses while the shot disappears into the trees or down the road. And at 8x10, you won't see any difference between that and a prime lens. Sorry folks. I've owned too many primes and zooms and printed too many 1000's of images to be fooled by personal make preferrences. I just zoom in and get the image. Smiles from little kids across the street don't wait for you to run over there and get them with your 50mm/f1.2. Couples kissing tenderly in a small cafe don't wait until you change your aperature/shutter speed combination. Let the camera do it for you. Get auto to begin with and get the images as they happen. Then when you have figured out the advantages of auto or manual focus/aperature/speed settings, you can turn off the auto feature and do it that way. Nothing like missing the shot because you just weren't fast enough. But aside from the wildlife genre, LF will definately teach you the technical aspects of photography. It forces you to learn. In fact, get an old Speed Graphic and really learn photography the old fashioned way. Guess the distance and shoot. James

-- james (james_mickelson@hotmail.com), May 26, 2001.

Kim, yet another opinion to add.Heres what I've done, and I hope it will help. First, I found a used 35mm rangefinder camera, an olympus XA with f-stops, distance scale, and flash. I have taken many wonderful shots with this camera. I purchased the Ansel Adams photography series(paperback) which consists of: Book 1, The camera; Book 2, the negative; Book 3, the print. This series has done wonders to help me learn about the technical aspects of photography. I have also purchased a minolta xg-1 35mm manual SLR with 28mm, 50mm, 200mm lenses, bellows w/lens, teleconverter, flash etc. I have utilized many of the techniques mentioned in Adams' series, with gratifying results. I also plan to take an associates degree photography program at the local technical college as well, which will deal with medium format, large format and darkroom work. This may be an option for you as well. Kim,you seem to have no end of advice available from the many fine responces I have read to your query. Simply do as you are: ask advice, try the results, add the information to your store of knowledge. Remember, you have yet to do your best work.

-- David Scarborough (shutterbug864@yahoo.com), June 16, 2001.