Hello, I have decided to buy a camera. I mainly want this camera for nature shots, wildlife, family pictures etc. I had decided on the Canon Rebel T5 DSLR which looked really good and I can get some great bundles on.
I have recently been looking into some mirrorless ones from Sony and they also seem good and a bit cheaper than the Rebel T5. I am liking the Sony Alpha a5000
What would you guys recommend getting for what I want? I also have an iMac but no photo software and doubt I would do much editing besides playing around with it in Photos.
Thanks
TBH how a camera works for you is probably more important than the tech specs - I'd siggest you go to a store and handle some examples and see how the different flavours of ergonomics works for you between the different brands and models...
For a complete novice, going to a store, checking out a few cameras and talking to staff seems a sensible idea.
For what it's worth, my own path into digital photograph was this…..
Years ago I enjoyed photography on film, using simple fixed lens rangefinder cameras. My first was fully manual. It didn't even have a battery. I used a light meter to make the settings. Later I got a Ricoh which had some auto options, which could be chosen as desired. I liked the small, unobtrusive nature of the rangefinder. Although there were some situations where an SLR with a zoom lens would have been nice, I got enough good shots within the limitations of what I had to not be tempted.
I got some good shots…. people though they came from a much fancier camera. One picture of the local hunt meeting was blown up to 30 x 24" and still hangs above the fireplace of the pub where I took the shot.
Lesson: It's not about what you have; it's more about how you use what you have.
Living a somewhat itinerant life for several years put paid to much photography that needed a place to store negatives and prints. For many years I didn't take a photo at all.
I have a go with one of the first consumer digital cameras that came on the market back in the late '90's. It was very basic, with a resolution of less than a megapixel, and cost more than $500, a heck of a lot of money then. Friends bought it to make an on-line catalogue of their products.
When I got my first computer (the original 2005 Mac Mini) I started to look at digital cameras, but it was several years before I finally took the plunge and bought one…… in 2012. That was a $90 end of line special point and shoot Olympus TG 310, which can take a dunking and a drop.
I played around with that for a bit, finding out what digital photography was all about. I learned it's shortcomings and what I needed for what I want to do with a camera. Here are some photos taken with that:
I spent five times as much on my next camera, a Fujifilm X10, which I have since replaced with a Fujifim X20. While not being pocketable like the TG 310, the X10 and X20 are still easily carried around, and do represent a big step up in use and in image quality. The X20 has proven to be a worthwhile step up for me with it's very fast auto focusing, and negligible shutter lag. In use it is similar to the rangefinder film cameras I enjoyed in the past. Here are a couple of shots taken fem my apartment this morning and yesterday evening, and another used recently by the local newspaper (which uses quite a few of my photos in reports of local sports events).
As before, a DSLR would be nice, and one day I will probably get one, but to get a significant improvement on what I am using now would probably cost me five times as much again. However I am in no hurry; I continue to make the most of what I have, which fits my lifestyle and budget.
I just use iPhoto to edit my pictures…. Taking the photo is just the start. A bit of editing makes all the difference to the picture. One day I may get something more professional, such as Lightroom, but for now, again, I make the most of what I have.
I know several people with DSLR cameras that seldom get used because they find them too bulky, and because they don't have the time or patience to edit the results.
I would suggest you start out with something cheap'n'cheerful. From there you will find out what suits your style and needs.
