The BEST CAMERAS for beginners!
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ค. 2023
- Head to squarespace.com/simon to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code simon
Want to take amazing wildlife photos? Check out my new course with 20 modules and over 5 hours of content, no fluff!
journalofwildlifephotography....
Some cameras mentioned in the video:
Canon R10 amzn.to/3nMVgCL
Canon RP amzn.to/41lYHhv
Nikon Z50 amzn.to/3NZsiKO
Canon R8 amzn.to/41tLEKW
Panasonic GH5 amzn.to/3NZDx5Q
Sony A7C amzn.to/3Bct9jo
Olympus OM-5 amzn.to/44Pm31T
Canon M6 II amzn.to/44MwJhW
Canon R7 amzn.to/41paKL5
Sony ZV-1 amzn.to/42LuU2Q
Fuji XT-4 amzn.to/3LKJpx6
Panasonic G9 amzn.to/3Be9boz
Canon M50 II amzn.to/3VVHkmz
Nikon D500 amzn.to/3VQqHsm
Nikon D7500 amzn.to/3Mf5hlC
Sony A6600 amzn.to/42JTgKp
Sony A6400 amzn.to/42ps43I
My name is Simon d'Entremont and I'm a professional wildlife and nature photographer from Eastern Canada. This video will tell you all you need to know about buying your first serious camera. I'll even include some recommended models.
I use Topaz Labs software for noise reduction, sharpening and upscaling:
topazlabs.com/ref/1943/Simon/...
Music in intro: "Nicer", by Houses on the Hill. Find that, and other sound effects at Epidemic Sounds
share.epidemicsound.com/0fbndn
My equipment:
Canon R5 body amzn.to/3UQeROc
Canon R6 body amzn.to/3RpYqVX
Canon R8 body amzn.to/3AR2mcA
Canon R5 battery grip amzn.to/3dUrHKF
Canon 100-400 EF II amzn.to/3UQi4gJ
Canon 17-40 L lens amzn.to/3y71MGt
Canon RF 16mm f2.8 amzn.to/3EmPNJ1
FLM Tripod (CP 34 L4 II) and Levelling Head (HB 75) www.flmcanada.com?aff=sdentrem
Sigma Art 50mm f1.4 lens amzn.to/3fkRjAC
Sigma Art 20mm f1.4 lens amzn.to/3CjKto2
Rokinon 135mm f2 lens amzn.to/3SoB3x3
Sirui x-k40 ball head amzn.to/3E7Z5sc
Sirui lightweight Traveler 7C tripod with head amzn.to/3dS9Bca
Manfrotto Video Head amzn.to/3RlZie5
Wimberley Gimbal Head amzn.to/3flhya8
Jackery portable 240 lithium-ion battery amzn.to/3rCzX5r
ProGrade Gold 128 GB CF Express amzn.to/3fyx1nh
ProGrade Cobalt 325 GB CF Express amzn.to/3y3Ywf1
ProGrade Gold 256 GB SD amzn.to/3y0Xssg
Zoom H1n field recorder amzn.to/3Sozob9
Comica shotgun mic amzn.to/3REWN73
Rode Videomic NTG shotgun mic amzn.to/3BRlcQK
Rode Wireless GO II mic set amzn.to/3BUfIoh
Lenscoat neoprene camera bags amzn.to/3SNiqmz
Lencoat rain cover for 500mm F4 amzn.to/3SGtyl2
Falconeyes F7 LCD panel amzn.to/3y75z6F
Lowepro 450 AW large backpack amzn.to/3xZOHyL
Lowepro Flipside 300 small backpack amzn.to/3SOTWt7
Mindshift 36L (closest available) backpack amzn.to/3C0fagy
DJI Mavic Air 2S drone (flymore combo) amzn.to/3M9TuDL
B&W circular polarizer, 77mm amzn.to/3SKc6Mx
B&W 2 stop ND Filter amzn.to/3URyIN6
B&W 6 stop ND filter amzn.to/3y6gs8G
B&W 10 stop ND filter amzn.to/3fwRIjs
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 binoculars amzn.to/3URprEz
Blackrapid retro-classic shoulder strap amzn.to/3y0wUHt
FjallRaven trekking pants amzn.to/3y77DeV
Heat 3 gloves (shell only) www.theheatcompany.com/en-us/...
Heat Company Merino Wool liners www.theheatcompany.com/en-us/...
HP Omen 17.3" performance laptop amzn.to/3BZ7w69
Synology NAS storage amzn.to/3BXfcWF
16 TB hard drives for NAS amzn.to/3LTdrOW
Follow me on:
Facebook / sdentrem
Instagram / simon.dentremont
VERO vero.co/simondentremont
Website www.simondentremont.com/
What was your first serious camera purchase, and why? I’m always looking for information to help me make more relevant videos!
i've had 2, a Canon 250D (rebel 3), mainly for videoing sports and pre match stills. Then after about 2 years learning with the 250D i stepped up to a Canon 90D, which for my needs was perfect at the price. Used mainly with a 18-135mm lens 135 with a x1.6 reaches perfectly to the far side of the pitch. As i get paid for my work , my next step would be a body that does 4k with full auto focus and dual memory card slots but that is a couple of years away yet i reckon????
Fujifilm X-T3. I shot Nikon film and Canon APS-C before. I’m a big fan of any of the big camera companies, tbh but Fuji had a pretty compelling price relative to capability. I might move to a Nikon Z in a few years, but right now, still enjoying Fujifilm.
I'm still using my first camera, a Canon 750D (Rebel T6i). When I bought it ~6 years ago I didn't know ANYTHING about photography, I can't even remember how I picked it and I used it in auto mode for years because I was too lazy to learn the basics of photography. Now I've been learning and practising wildlife/nature photography for a year, and I'm really glad I chose this camera back then! I don't have money to upgrade to a better one so I hope it'll keep working for a few more years (although I think I've taken more than 500.000 shots with it... I'm scared to check haha)
My 1st one was a Pentax K10D, but it's almost impossible to find lenses for the K mount back in my home country, so I switched to Canon (EOS 60D) for lens availability and more advanced video features at the time.
I was using a Fuji X-T1 for some event work. I could deal with the AF being temperamental and the lack of good video features. I had a Canon M50 on the side for that.
Once, the SD card I was using died on me at the begening of an event and that was kind of a trigger for me to get a bit more serious camera. Got my hands on a Fuji X-T2, realized that the video specs were far exceeding those of the M50, that I quickly sold. I kept the X-T2 to this day and I still use it on the daily! Extremely good camera for the price
i think the lighting and composition of your videos, with you well lit is under rated and rarely mentioned.
Too kind!
you're right, I always notice it but never mention it. Also the cyan lighting in the back contrasts well with the dark orange of the sunset printing
For sure.
It’s incredibly cozy.
Isn't it nice? Like, basically nobody lights their TH-cam videos this well. Maybe Patrick H. Willems, except he, does it in the style of Robert Richardson's cinematography in JFK, with a super-contrasty top down spotlight plus a Pro Mist filter.
The amount of information and wisdom you impart in just 15 minutes is why you are the best Simon.
The old saying ; you date your camera but you marry your lens. I find that I replace my camera body every 4 or 5 years, but a 24-70 2.8 lens is a keeper.
Agree!
I'm a bit lost there, maybe you can help. I've got a Canon R6 with the RF 24-240 lens and debating on weather to still get a 24-70 2.8. I dont need the 2.8 aperture, I shoot mostly at F8 for maximum sharpness. Weather sealing also not important. Is it still worth spending so much money on an L lens? Would I gain sharpness/quality or just for low light?
@@laiebi_3639 it won’t be much sharper at f8. If you don’t need the low light capability or thin depth of field, you can do without.
@@simon_dentremont cool thank you 👍
Whether I need it or not, I could watch your videos all day. No fluff, great information and tips, and just some genuine care! Thank you fr!
I've been watching lots and lots of photography channels recently but I find yours the best from them all: the way you present your unquestionable know how and experience is absolutely fantastic: precise, efficient, no unnecessary or endless digressions, no waiting for the interesting bit because your content consists entirely of condensed interesting bits. I'm now to photography so I'm looking forward to literally every topic you'd like to present in your super effective vlogs 😀
I just got into the hobby and your videos are the most helpful, info is so articulate and concise. Thanks
Worked in a photo lab at the beginning of the affordable point and shoot digital camera era. Had all manner of photographers come through, but I still vividly remember a guy that came through with a simple Olympus 5.0 MP camera and some of his shots were so beautiful we blew them up to 10x15 and got him to sign a release so we could use some of his photos for illustration purposes for sizes and stuff. So yeah, Megapixels isn’t the be all end all. Great video.
Thanks for demystifying all the options out there! Concise and great info.
You're one of my best photography tutors on TH-cam❤️📸🙌🙏🙏
I have shaky hands and chose my Nikon D7000 over the D3300 because it is quite a bit heavier and dampens the shakiness. It works! This was also a good choice because after using it a fair bit, I was glad to have the better build quality and extra features of the D7000.
I really like and appreciate your vlogs, Simon! You help a lot of people by generously sharing your knowledge of photography. Good on you for that! ;-)
Budget, weight and lens availability led me to the micro four thirds system. Love my Olympus camera and lenses. 😊
Hello Simon, I am a total beginner , and looking to buy my first camera EOS 250D because I want to learn manual first and watching your videos gives me confidence . Massive thank you for your videos 🙏🙏🙏
I'm showing my age, but my 1st SERIOUS camera was in the 70's - a Canon EF film camera. I wanted to move up from "snapshots" to real photography and over time made a spare room at home into a dark room. I learned so much about exposure going from film to print. I eventually sold the EF to a friend and went to an Olympus system due to its features (at that time). When digital took hold , I returned to Canon and kept that tradition, mostly for the lenses, and primarily shoot with an R5. You are spot on with your comment about lenses - it's all about the glass!
Great advice! When going digital I went with the crop sensor A77II from Sony, because I already had multiple lenses from Minolta, which my dad had used in the 80s and I don't mind the crop factor. I only had to get the body and memory card and I was good to go. I got a used one with ca. 15k shots done in great condition for a good price.
Back in the day I've talked to some friends and uni buddies and it turned out they had Minolta lenses from their parents lying around their houses, but they did not know that they could use those with the DSLR cameras from Sony, so they went for other brands and had to buy all the lenses they needed. Money they could have spent better. I would say, if someone has family members with old gear, check the lenses they have and are not using anymore, because you might get lucky and just get the body and brand to match those or easily adapt them to it.
Hi Simon, I really appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge and experience, especially for us newbies out here in the weeds. It wasn't that long ago that I went down the rabbit hole hunting for my first changeable lens camera. I came up with the Canon M50 mk 2 along with some extras needed as I am a one-handed southpaw. I have found the M50 mk2 with the kit 15-45mm and the 55-200mm lenses were a great starting point for me. One thing I noticed while diving into the gear hunt was that many other beginners were not considering all the extras that might be needed. I'm definitely still a green horn but love the journey. It appears Canon is moving away from the M series toward the R series, but I'm sure to be too busy for years to come to worry about it.
Showing my age now. My first camera was a canon A1 film camera. I used that camera until I bought an EOS 10D in 2004. Then a 30D in 2008. Moved to 7d later on and then the 7d mk2 when it was first released. I then moved onto the 5Dmk3 when that was released. I now have an r6 and rf with various rf and ef lenses. Tried Nikon a couple of times but couldn't get on with the buttons and dials. Love being able to get out and about and photograph all manner of subjects. Now we can do a burst of pics in 1.5 seconds that I would never have dreamed possible with the A1 and the 36 or 24 exposures per roll of film.
Great video as usual. Amazing how you can put so much information together and explain so much in just 15 minutes.
I started with a Kodak Brownie Fiesta. Then moved to a Canon A1 film, Canon 10D, then Canon 5D. Currently I shoot a Canon 5D Mark ii, converted to Infrared, and a Canon5D Mark iii for color.
So the only “brand jump” was from Kodak to Canon. I got into Canon, for it’s lenses, and have no regrets. I have been able to keep all my EF lenses since the 10D
And, yes, the most important feature is not the equipment, but your “eye” for light and composition.
Always learning
I got my first camera in 1975. It had three dials; ASA, shutter speed and aperture. Now 48 years later those are still the fundamental controls.
I teach a beginning photography course and start with those principles and how they control exposure and the artistic considerations of motion blur (or not) and depth of field. Modern cameras have so many features that they result in complicated menu systems that can overwhelm beginners.
I recently purchased a Nikon D90 camera to test whether it might be a first camera. It retailed for $1300 (US) in 2008 and can be purchased with a 16-85mm lens for $303 (US). (excellent condition, 30,000 shutter actuations) A battery, charger, and even a printed manual were included and it's in excellent condition. It lacks many features of late-model cameras but if you haven't experienced those features you don't know the difference. It has only 12.3 megapixel sensor but the small file size makes for quick downloads and the files are great for online posts and small prints.
There are many benefits to such a first camera. I you decide photography is not for you, your investment was minimal. You can learn the fundamentals. If you want to continue with photography, you can sell and recoup most of your investment and apply it to your next camera. You don't have much invested if you want to switch systems. If you stick with the same system you are already familiar with the organization of the menus.
I went with Nikon because I shoot Nikon but I'm sure there are still old but very functional cameras available at very low cost from other manufacturers.
My 9 year old granddaughter is interested in photography but isn't quite mature enough to be left alone with a DSLR, so for now she gets to do photography only when she's out with grandma or grandpa. I a few years it will be her first camera. If she likes it and wants to continue, grandpa will take her camera shopping for a new, modern camera.
I wish you great trip and an amazing experience and excited to see what you have for us afterwards😊
I began my photography journey with an Olympus OM-1 film camera about 35 years ago. My current camera is an Olympus EM-10. I like the quality of Olympus glass and the 4/3 crop factor makes for a very versatile setup that takes up little space and weight. If you can carry it easier you are more likely to have it with you.
Hi, Simon, you are my man to go to when I have photography questions! Your presentations are comprehensive, yet with details and examples....Thank you!😊👍👍👍
Wow, thanks!
Another excellent video that will be helpful to so many people. Besides your outstanding photography another of your attributes is sharing your knowledge and advice. Good man
Comprehensive, thorough, and clear. Thank you Simon!
this video couldn't have come at a better time. My bridge Sony DSC-WX500 recently broke down and I decided to upgrade to my first ever interchangeable lens camera, the Canon EOS R50!
It was a pretty huge spend for me so getting the telephoto lens might take some time, but your video really helped me decide that a mirrorless APS-C system was the ideal upgrade path for me.
Really nicely done video, thank you so much for this!!❤
What an insightful and helpful video!!
Thank you uncle Simon 😁
I went for OM-System OM-1 to go along my Z Cam E2-M4 cine camera. And I’m very pleased with my choice. Doing photos and videos on both!
Excellent review, Simon! I went for APS-C just for the reasons you mentioned: sports and wildlife. Fuji didn’t have a lot of supertelephoto lenses when I started and I found that I loved shooting birds and other animals. They’re starting to catch up, though. I find the new sensors have dynamic range that rival full frame, too.
Wow, I was surprised to hear Simon say he'd get a smaller sensor as a first camera for wildlife or sports. Made me feel better as a Fujifilm X user. (And stops me lusting after Fuji's GFX system, at dangerous Leica prices.)
One more thing I'd add to this very good list is the size requirements in terms of lenses and not just the camera.
Cropped sensor lenses are much smaller and lighter than the full frame counterpart. In fact some fullframe bodies are smaller and lighter than cropped sensor bodies (example is Sony A7 III vs Lumix GH5), but that changes quickly when you put a lense on them, especially telephoto or zoom lenses.
But generally if all you need is a 50mm then they're small regardless of the system.
Oh and another thing that is subjective is camera feel; i.e the ergonomics of the camera, the looks of the camera, how the shutter button and dials feel, how good are the displays, the user interface..etc. I only have experience with Lumix and Sony cameras (GX80, GH5 and A7III) and for me Sony isn't in the same ballpark in terms of making me enjoy the shooting process. Even my cheap GX80, which was my first proper camera, has a better, more premium feel to the buttons and dials. But that might be subjective so maybe try before you buy if that's an option.
Sheer knowledge and experience, this guy’s advices are so powerfu!
Great video as usual, thank you. I've had a Canon 6D for some years, along with the Sigma 150-600 lens, and really liked it - the 6D is a great low light camera but lacking in autofocus for moving subjects. For wildlife, I have just switched to an OM-1 and a Lumix Leica 100-400 and wonder why I didn't go to micro four thirds years ago. I can easily handhold what is the equivalent full frame reach of 800mm all day and because of this am getting more (and better, although this may be the law of averages at work) shots than ever before. Size and out of this world autofocus and bird tracking were my reasons to go for the OM1. I haven't noticed any loss of quality in going to a 2x crop sensor, but it has made me concentrate on filling the frame with the subject where possible. I prefer to have some habitat in my backgrounds so the effective deeper depth of field is also not an issue for me (depth of field and the stylistic tradeoffs that go with it should be one of the decision factors for anyone deciding on sensor size ). I've kept the 6D for landscape and astro - traded in the Sigma 150-600 though.
When I decided to capture birds, I initially used my iPhone with a telescopic lens from AliExpress-quite disastrous 😅. Subsequently, I switched to my wife's old Canon 500D paired with a Canon telelens 75-300, which was an improvement but fell short for bird photography. Experimented with Chinese lenses at 800 and 1300 focal lengths, but manual focus and F11-14 proved challenging. Eventually, I invested in a used Canon 5D Mark III and a Sigma 150-600, striking the ideal balance between price and quality. Though I've gained considerable experience, there's still room for skill enhancement. Your incredibly interesting and informative videos have been a valuable resource. ☺️
Excellent video, as always. Thanks for taking the time to produce these every week.
Welcome
I've found that even though most lower end cameras will have a lot of noise, shooting raw at a low iso on basically any camera made in the past 10 years looks great. I think the most important thing is that the camera has the features that you'll actually use/benefit from. And of course if your making large prints, 16mp is fine
I think it's rarely mentioned but Simon has a great voice. I just watched a 2 hour wildlife photography course and it was quite unpleasant to listen to that guy because he didn't have a nice voice (the video was very informative though). Maybe it's just me but I love listening to Simon :)
Stay tuned soon for my own course release!
I just bought my first full frame (a Panasonic Lumix S5II) and I still watched the whole video with interest. Your videos are so informative and entertaining. Thank you for all you do!
That’s a very good camera!
@@simon_dentremont It is! I've been loving taking pictures with it and learning how to use it. Quite the step up from my phone 😄
Looking at getting one of these for wildlife and landscapes. Currently rocking a Lumix G9.
I have been shooting on a used Canon EOS 7D for several years (my first real digital after a Pentax K1000). Now in the research phase for a mirrorless the Canon R7 or R8 has been the two contenders. As I focus on outdoor, nature, wildlife, etc, the features of each are compelling. Thank you for providing some non-biased facts! The R7, although cropped, is moving ahead for the features. Thank you for the wealth of knowledge you share with clarity and professionalism.
Check out my R8 review coming out soon!
I own the R5 and R7, so I can't speak about the R8. The R7 is very good for wildlife. I usually use my Rf100-500 and the R7 helps fill the frame with smaller animals for those at a distance. 32.5 MP may be overkill but it results in a lot of detail and you can still crop. However, it is not as good in low light as the R5 and I suspect the R8. I am sure you have done your research on the pros and cons of each. I am sure Simon's review will be great. If you haven't seen Wild Alaska he just did a review of the R8 for wildlife. He has also done the R7.
@@jeffolson4731 thanks! There are pros and cons for each camera.
If you buy the R8, you'll have to sell again the moment the R9 hits the market. And then the same thing will repeat when the R10 comes out, ad nauseam.
7Ds a sweet Camera.
I my first camera in 1969 was a Pentax Spotmatic with a 55mm f1.8, and a 135mm f3.5 and 28mm f3.5 Super Takumars. A true beauty to use and great lenses. Then in 1988 replaced by a Canon EOS650 with Canon 28-70mm and 100-300mm and a Sigma 24mm f2.8, another brilliant 35mm camera. And most recently a Canon EOS90D with 10-22 f3.5-4.5 and 18-200mm f3.5-4.5, lovely beast!
My first and only point and shoot was a Kodak box brownie. From there I went to an slr. Bought two a Miranda and later on a Minolta. Had these till I bought my canon rebel xs in 08. I'm still using it. When I first started out we was mostly prime lens all manual. My first long lens would be almost a big as your 600 and it was only 250 and very heavy. This is a great video with lot's of great help. Still for me break the bank. My newest lens 420 800 totally manual but I really enjoying it it was the best my budget can handle. It fits my xs and my t7. I told you I was doing my wife's grad last weekend. The light was poor but my t7 and 75 300 4 did the job well. I was able to get closets the front where the light was best😂 thanks for all your great help
My very first dslr is Nikon D3100 with Tamron 70-300mm. It was survived a dense rainforest, a trip to volcano, and countless rookie mistakes.
The battery is better than mirrorless, I'm comfortable with the grip, center point afc is doable, and for apsc the dynamic range is crazy (I pushed it like there's no tomorrow) 😂
Sadly, it was stolen. I've yet to take a nice photo of kingfisher with it.
People like me who had never touched a camera going for a kit lens dslr camera was the choice. I couldn’t know what was good for me and what are my needs until i came to a point that i discovered the limits of my camera. The main thing that i understood with my experience was how important is aperture (e.g f 1.8) and shutter speed (e.g 1/100). Yes! the body is not that important in front of the lens. Buy a lens that has f2.8 and below. Your light and background blur (bokeh) will be amazing!
Thanks for this fantastic video. Your knowledge is invaluable for beginners like myself. I would love to see a sequel video on this about which lenses would be a good investment.
Thank you for another great video. I really appreciate that you address all levels of photography, and make it clear that it is not the gear that makes a great photo. Good gear certainly helps, but if you don't know what you are doing, it won't help. Currently I am using a Canon T7i, primarily due to budget constraints, but am for the most part happy with the results. I have recently purchased a couple of used L series lenses and have been amazed at the difference a good lens makes.
Good job. Very comprehensive.
Olympus for cost/weight/superb IBIS etc. The choice of glass inc Lumix is brilliant, you can carry 2 bodies and 3 lenses and it weigh,s about 2 Lb,s, try that with Canon etc. So if you don,t want to carry a drainpipe len,s choose M4/3.
Thank you for the informative content, sir.
Recently acquired my first serious digital camera primarily for documenting my electronic projects (both stills and video). Totally finished with the cheap (point,shoot,regret) digital cameras & smartphones. When younger (70 yrs now), I used my RICOH KR-10m 35mm film camera & Kodak super 8. Too expensive to use these days. A good friend and youtuber in England recommended I start with a Panasonic G85 with the kit lens. Local dealers had them on extra special deal for $899 AUD with 5 yr warranty, just over 800 CAD. Blown away with the performance (including using my ancient Pentax / Ricoh lenses with lens adapter) , next on purchase list is tripod and a couple extra lenses. Abolutely love your channel and website( I taught website design at technical college when younger). Especially love the bird photos and the drone videos (I also own the DJI Air2S).
looking at the Canon R7 and R8 as my first camera of significance....i will be taking stills of soccer games from field level and look to also do nature/scenery pics as well. So the wide field needed for one and the ability to shoot fast moving sports is important.
A photographer named Chance Allred recommended the Sony a6000 to me as a started camera. It’s served me well and I am still using it years later.
My first DSLR was a Canon T1i. I was agonizing over whether to purchase a Canon 50D, originally. The price for the 50D was around $1500.00, which was more than I could afford at the time. Then, comparing the the T1i with the 50D I learned they both had a similar sensor size and megapixel capability. Also, the T1i could be triggered with an infrared controller and was video capable, which the 50D lacked. Furthermore, the T1i was nearly a third the price of the 50D; I bought the T1i on sale. I was happy with my decision to purchase the T1i, which served me for several years. Reading reviews and comparative shopping is the way to go.
My first serious camera was the Panasonic FZ-50, I had a very low budget, but it gave me really nice images also it's when I started reading on the different settings. With this camera I went manual quite quickly and loved it. After the FZ-50 I purchased the Canon 1000D, first DSLR, and used the twin kit lenses only. This is when I stepped it up thinking about light, when to use the flash, better composition and captured some great photos. After approx 13 years a change was needed and a few months ago I decided to go mirrorless and settled on the Canon R50 twin lens kit. Again the budget was low and the fact I live in New Zealand so along with a SD card this purchase was $2000.00, no it's not a typo, and while I thought about a better camera I'm never going pro so this was the one. Since owning the R50 I have taken some awesome photos with the kit lenses I've been watching Simon's videos and have decided to go for better lenses, thanks Simon.
Great overview, I have been shooting Nikon for many years now. Shooting mirrorless now. I got used to APS-C sensors from way back so I have stayed with that size. Your point about not getting too hung up with features is very critical. I met a couple of days ago another photographer with a Sony A6000 which still takes great pictures for him. So buy a good camera and lenses and enjoy it for many years.
On lenses, I tend to think most beginners are better off getting a kit lenses or an 'all arounder' and then buy more lenses as they find their personal 'pain point' of photos they missed because the lens was capable of getting them the photo. Then buy the lens that covers that area. But don't buy any lenses for at least 6 months or a better yet a year
Great video as usual Simon! Small and light full frame mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7C (it’s available at USD1,300 now) brought me into the full frame world. I love it so much. Pairing it with the 2070G the whole set up is under 1kg. Great for traveling :) buying a full frame camera body also enables me to invest into the (now) great selection of full frame lenses. If I have to upgrade the camera body later, I don’t need to buy a whole new set of lenses. I started off with APS-C DSLR cameras many years ago and the selection of lenses was not very good for me. You’re really spot on about considering the lens before the camera.
Très bonne vidéo, Simon. It's a good video for people new or relatively new to photography should watch. Quite often, people will buy a brand name and/or a price before buying the product itself.
My first serious digital camera was the Canon 1300D, my first serious 35mm film camera was the Canon 50E. I still use the 50E, my current digital dslr is the Canon T5i (700D). Nothing exciting, but they meet my needs. Though I now also use the Sony R1, Sony F828, and an Olympus Camedia C8080.
My first Dslr Nikon D5300 because of the flippy screen, purchased the Tamron lens 18-400 . Last year added the Nikon Zfc as my first Mirrorless and love it with 16-50 lens and 18-140 Z lens. Waiting for Nikon to come out with full frame Zfc . So enjoy your videos, lots great information. Have fun shooting.😃
Hello, Simon I started on Nikon D90, 3 years ago, I had a lot to learn. But I lovet
@Simon could you make a video about the harsh reality of finding small birds who are playing hide-and-seek and move fast ? I love your channel, great info !
On my list!
I just bought my first camera, a CANON 2000D (1500D or T7) and I just want to take photos of everything! I know I have a LOT to learn, but I'm sure Simon will help me with his videos 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your trip to Africa. I needed to get back with you. After following your videos my bird photography's at last at a all new different level. I can not describe HOW GRATEFUL I am. Even using my slower sigma 150-600mm zoom the images are amazing. I am not just taking a picture of a bird but I am documenting the bird DOING SOMETHING in its own environment!
Awesome! Africa is in 2 weekz!
Many thanks for the very helpful advices!
The way you explain everything is so engaging that I watch fully even the sponsor section of the video
Simon, your videos are great! You provide very practical an valuable information.
My first camera was the Canon 250D with the kit lens. It's a really good camera for beginners, in my opinion. After 1,5 years I bought a used Canon EOS R with used lenses. I'm so happy with it!
I started with a p1000. The tiny cell phone sized sensor in the p1000 resulted in not at all blurry backgrounds and insane color noise at iso 800. You also can't get usable images past 800mm anyway because of heat distortion, even though it can go to 3000mm. And then you only get 7 shots in a burst before the buffer fills up and locks the camera. But for video it's pretty awesome. The zoom allows you to get video other cameras just can't offer.
I've since upgraded to a D850. Now Im waiting for a Z series crop sensor with (better than) Z9 auto-focusing capabilities to come out, then I'll have every in my kit, and I can choose a camera for a given situation.
Great video!!!! Still trying to figure out my first camera abut have it narrowed down to a few lol
I like using my ef 100-40 mark 2 lens on my 80d to get that 640mm fov. I have used the super zoom on my eos r, but had to heavily crop and lose resolution to make some wildlife shots more attractive. I am contemplating replacing the 80d with the r7 because the 80d cannot handle low light very well.
Great content as usual !
Still rocking my old EOS 60D, tempremental AF that loses focus a lot of time. I think it's time for me to go mirrorless
I recently bought a Nikon d 3200 with 18 - 55 and 35 mm lens for 250 euros and it has got just 16000 actuations. Also this video is amazing! It has teaches me a lot of things that I didn’t know!
I got into backyard bird photography and ended up buying a Nikon B700 superzoom. That satisfied me for a while but in the last year or so I have been seriously considering getting an interchangeable lens camera. In the meantime I was in a thrift shop and stumbled across and bought a used very clean Sony SLT-A57 camera and 18-55mm kit lens, with less then 30,000 shutter count. An older camera and a strange combination of a DSLR and a mirrorless camera. Only 16mpxl but seems to take nice photos. Able to take 10 fps full resolution or 12fps 8 mpxl images, and has in camera stabelization. I went out and got a 2nd hand 75-300mm lens, basically it's a low end 2nd kit lens, but good enough in well lit conditions. I just wanted to see how it would work for bird photography with a longer lens, and it's been fun with bird photography. I thought about getting something like a 600mm lens for this but those even now are at or over $1000 and I can't see investing that much in a camera made in 2012. I'm going to save my precious $s and go for a mirrorless camera, been doing research and a video like this certainly helps as a guide. Great work.
Every video full of knowleadge and " I know You can do it" - I love it! :)
Yes! Thank you!
that “what prime lens to get” tip was actually very clever!
One hack I’ve recently had a light bulb moment with (not for every or most situations) is old dx lenses. I’m stuck at 120mm on my full frame atm and have the crop sensor body loaned out to a close friend. Got a 300mm dx lens I’ve been attaching to my fx d600. Not the sharpest but staying over f5.6 and cropping in a little bit ant it’s been a decent substitute. Usually cropping in to 1x1 or 5x7 or panos (keep in mind I’m primarily landscape) like I said not perfect but better than not taking the shot. It’s a cheap work around
Glad that you featured the GH5, I actually got one yesterday. I would like to add that imo, a used GH5 M1 (500€) is far superior over a new Z-VE 10 (650€), as it provides a ton more features and quality. The only thing the Z-VE 10 does better is autofocus, and very much so, but it’s horrible rolling shutter and dysfunctional image stabilization may make it a dealbreaker for people who‘d like to move around with it.
Edit: I like that you’re really concise and comprehensive, you seem to have a talent for that.
Where have you been all my life :) Best videos and info
EVER!!
Wow, thanks!
Simon, great clip. I feel that some of the confusion of a first camera buy needs to be explained in stages. You started to do this in your clip but I think , from a teaching point of view, it needs to be done in separate chapters. Maybe this isn't possible in YT I don't know. Your video literally bombards the viewer with options A to Z. All the way from simple DLSRs to the most sophisticated mirrorless models. Way too much information to digest in one YT video. Break this down into a series. I know, way more work. But maybe you can market it. Current camera choices are a complicated matter. Gawd knows I'm still learning! Keep up the good work! Looking forward to more!
Great video. I am watching this from the wrong end of spending hundreds of dollars on cameras and accessories that I don't use. When I started in photography I watched similar videos, but the hype and joy of gear acquisition deadened my ears to my real needs and demands. It's funny, my favourite camera and lenses have turned out not to be the highest specified, most expensive or hyped but simply the ones that match my modest needs and are the most portable. Ah, if only I could go back in time, I would have a modest setup and a modest lens, oh, and a pile of unspent money in my bank account.
Timestamps & Notes:
Budget - 1:18
buying used can allow you to get a better camera for less.
*when buying used ask for the shutter actuations: like miles on a car*
if you cant afford to fix it, you should prob buy a cheaper new one.
DSLR vs Mirrorless - 2:28
dslr's have a moving mirror inside that requires them to be bigger(live viewfinder)
mirrorless...are mirrorless and therefore are smaller.(LCD viewfinder)
mirrorless are more innovating and in fashion
Megapixels - 4:28
more megapixels allows better sharpness when cropping.
most cameras have adequate megapixels.
you don't need to worry.
Brands - 4:58
Canon,Sony, and Nikon are the big ones and have more used products for sale.
to be continued
You are an angel of god. Thank you for this comment🫶🏼
Great video ! , I had these thoughts -1) ergonomics ( weight, grip) 2) convenience of manual setting, custom button etc 3) availability 3rd party and 2nd hand lenses 4) if want to upgrade sensor size think of what lens are comparable and how they will suit different sensor. For example 50mm completely different beast at full frame compared to crop sensor ( effective 75mm+)
I just bought a Canon R8 and took the lens over body priority into consideration for my budget. I paired the R8 with a 35 mm f 1.8 and the 100 mm to 400 mm lens for outdoor sports. I can't wait to get started!
Nice!
Great content. I am new to you channel and really enjoyed this video. Thank you!!
I had a point-and-shoot Panasonic DMC ZS1, that back in the days of the Flickr and Getty partnership got me noticed and made me some money (I should have stopped while I was ahead). Then I got a Canon T2i crop sensor and made the conscious decision to invest in lens quality. I then realized when every person in your family has to take some gear with them for you on vacation, maybe you've gone overboard. So I did a reset, sold off the Canon equipment, and did quite well because I had invested in quality glass. I moved into Olympus Micro 4/3 with the original E-M5 and then on to the EM-1 Mark III. Once again invested in quality glass. But the bonus is the Micro 4/3 lenses are so much more compact that I easily travel with all my gear in a single small(ish) backpack plus my guilty pleasure Leica Q2, which is actually my main shooter now. Full circle to a point and shoot....just a really expensive one!
Oh no! I hope I'm not heading that way having dreams of large fast primes...
I started with an EOS RP as a hobby. I can vouch for it. My wife finally convinced me to do photography professionally and for a budget build, $899 for a camera with the kit 24-105, 85mm from yongnuo, 35 and 50mm from Canon. They’re all plenty enough for what I need/want. These videos helped me relearn how to shoot, specially with Manual mode.
Hello, I found a used Canon RP with an RF 50mm F1.8, I negociated down to 710$ for both. Would it be a good upgrade over from a Canon 250d and is the price alright?
I must admit ... You are a genius! Thanks for all your tips and tricks !! Great videos!
Glad you like them!
Thank you for this! This helped me do much
I'm so glad!
It's a paradox that TH-cam's platform has made monetization so difficult that commercials direct in the videos are then norm now. I pay for TH-cam premium to avoid commercials but these days it's impossible to avoid them because the creators makes them them selves. This channel is wonderful, no pun.
Absolutely agree. I hate these forms of commercials …
Still working with an 11 year old Canon rebel 2000 with average lenses. Do have a nice macro. All were gifted to me new. Considering an upgrade! Take all sorts of photos. Love landscape, wildlife, and also enjoy some street life.
Sounds great!
I’m currently rocking a Sony a6400 I bought new with a used kit lens from an A7III, which is better than then the kit lens from the 6400. The plan is to build up my lenses before my next camera upgrade to full frame.
You videos are really solid! I'm very happy I subscribed... Minor correction this time... Olympus as a camera company no longer exists. The "EM" series were their last line. The successor, OM Digital Systems renamed the cameras to "OM". So the OM-1 is the successor to the E-M1 (Mark III), the OM-5 to the E-M5, etc. You covered M43 exceedingly well -- thanks! Can't wait for your OM-1 video :)
13:09 interesting because I’ve heard the exact opposite, to not go crazy on the lenses from the get go as a beginner, use a kit and spend de savings on photography courses and or trips
Safe travels, Simon! I'd watch your videos just to hear you pronounce your name. But indeed the depth of info is wonderful.
Cant wait to see your Africa photos. Blessings! Cheryl
Haha Thanks Cheryl!
@@simon_dentremontus too…Westcoast of Canada!
Another outstanding video, thank you
That was really a great video presentation😊😊
I just got into photography and I bought an almost brand new Canon 600d (1000 triggers only😊) and took the following lens:
- Kit 18-55
- Canon 50 mm f1.4
- Canon 24mm EFS f2.8
- Canon 10-18mm (ultrawide) f4.5 -5.6
-Flash Meike-320 (compact)
- Tripod
Did i made the right choices? Do i miss a lens?
I plan to take most of the photos in cities and in mountain sides (mainly lanscapes).
Thanks!
My first DSLR is a Canon 700D and I started taking photos of trains then eventually decided to use it as a video camera whilst taking photos with a Canon 1000fn
Great advice as always. I wish all the TH-cam channels were so informative; most are flash in the pan time wasters. Your channel NEVER disappoints.
Too kind!
I like the higher resolution cameras for their APS-C mode effectively having two cameras for the price of one. If it goes from 24 down to 10 MP then the probability is gone. But if you go from 50MP down to 30 then there's plenty of workable resolution left. My lens custom buttons are setup to switch between full frame and APS-C if the FF isn't white enough reach for whatever I'm trying to capture.
Great video always well presented
I just went for a bridge camera, the Sony RX10 lV.
It is a compromise, however I think like this:
- Like Simon said; "the best camera you got Iis the one that you actually bring with you"
- Even it is compact and kind of light, it got it all
- Yes, it is not as sharp as 4 or 5 premium primaries
- Yes, it is a little noisy in dim light
BUT, with the AI noise reduction and intelligent sharpening stuff in the newest software, who cares?
Anyway: Great video from you Simon. Got it all (almost) covered. 🙂
Love the information found here. I appreciate your insights. If you were buying a used camera, other than the number of shutter actuations and whether they've had the camera serviced, what other questions would you ask a would-be seller before purchasing?
Just how it was used.