M8 AND 8 SERIES
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums Off-Topic Discussions Board Photography/Videography What camera to buy?

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-29-2017, 09:39 PM   #1
Super Spartan
Colonel
Super Spartan's Avatar
1546
Rep
2,419
Posts

Drives: 2023 Nissan Z
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Dubai

iTrader: (0)

Question What camera to buy?

I've never had a camera other than my cell phone. I see awesome pics here which I'm sure were taken with a DSLR but upon checking the prices of DSLRs they are way too high as I'm no professional photographer.

So what camera would you recommend for someone like me who likes to take photos occasionally but with a decent quality.

I like how some shots have the car in focus and the background blurred out, don't know what camera or what effect does that but please keep that in mind in your recommendation.

Thanks
__________________
2012 BMW M3 E93 (Fire Orange)
Akrapovic Evolution Titanium Exhaust
Arkym Style Front Lip/CF Diffuser/CF Side Skirt Extensions
LUX H8 189 Angel Eyes

2023 Nissan Z Performance (Ikazuchi Yellow)
Appreciate 0
      07-29-2017, 10:03 PM   #2
c1pher
Primo Generalissimo
c1pher's Avatar
United_States
4544
Rep
3,994
Posts

Drives: All of them
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DC area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
What is your budget? The focus effect you’re talking about has to do with aperture settings. You can use a 3rd party app that allows you to control aperture and exposure on the iPhone as well as save in raw format which allows for better post processing.
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2017, 01:39 AM   #3
Super Spartan
Colonel
Super Spartan's Avatar
1546
Rep
2,419
Posts

Drives: 2023 Nissan Z
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Dubai

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MGM135is View Post
What is your budget? The focus effect you’re talking about has to do with aperture settings. You can use a 3rd party app that allows you to control aperture and exposure on the iPhone as well as save in raw format which allows for better post processing.
budget is let's sa north of 500 USD??

I have an HTC U11 which has an f1.7 aperture and it has manual controls as well but have never tinkered with them, I don't know what exactly to change to get that effect

If I could achieve this on my phone, that'd save me the hassle of carrying an extra camera.

This is a pic I took with my phone just for reference:

__________________
2012 BMW M3 E93 (Fire Orange)
Akrapovic Evolution Titanium Exhaust
Arkym Style Front Lip/CF Diffuser/CF Side Skirt Extensions
LUX H8 189 Angel Eyes

2023 Nissan Z Performance (Ikazuchi Yellow)
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2017, 01:47 AM   #4
Ickdeep
Brigadier General
Ickdeep's Avatar
United_States
5706
Rep
4,209
Posts

Drives: '13 F10 M5 | '15 F15 X5
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2015 BMW X5  [10.00]
2013 BMW M5 [SOLD]  [10.00]
2013 BMW 535i [SOLD]  [10.00]
This is what I got as my first camera into "real" photography. Canon T3i

https://www.amazon.com/Canon-T6-Digi...X6086MSQX9A5D8
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2017, 07:18 AM   #5
c1pher
Primo Generalissimo
c1pher's Avatar
United_States
4544
Rep
3,994
Posts

Drives: All of them
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: DC area

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
You can typically get a kit from Canon in the $600 range for their T6i.

As for your cat photo, you should try to be closer, use a low aperture setting so that what you’re focused on is sharp but everything past it is blurred. Fairly easy. On most D/SLR cameras, you would switch into ape rather priority mode, essentially turn the dial to “A” and set aperture to something usually below 5.6.

Do you have an iPhone? The portrait setting does this for you automatically. I use the ProCamera app which gives me more controls but not aperture. But I mainly use it to save raw photos.
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2017, 12:09 PM   #6
Mani59
BMW Miniature Collector!
United Kingdom
13287
Rep
7,980
Posts

Drives: E38 735i SE Individual
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Leicestershire

iTrader: (1)

I would definitely recommend a dSLR. Not too sure about pricing in your world area but here in the UK, you could pick a new good entry level dSLR (Nikon D3300) for Ł340.00 including a kit lens (less than $500 USD).
__________________


Visit my (mainly) BMW gallery http://jetone.co.uk
Appreciate 0
      07-30-2017, 12:49 PM   #7
dr.roro
Captain
United_States
196
Rep
832
Posts

Drives: 2019 G01 X3
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: MD

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
Canon Rebel SL2 + EF 50mm f/1.8 STM. Good starter set up. I'd buy the kit with the 18-55 or 18-135 lens.
Appreciate 0
      08-07-2017, 03:18 PM   #8
jmg
Lieutenant General
jmg's Avatar
18493
Rep
14,085
Posts

Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2022 G82 M4C X-Drive  [9.83]
2018 F80 M3 CS  [9.83]
2019 i3 BEV  [0.00]
I started out with a Canon T5i and the kit lens plus a 50mm f/1.8 STM. Great combo for any beginner, and that 50mm is called the "nifty-fifty" for a reason.
__________________

2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect*, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing
Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///M3
IG: Raging_G82
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2017, 11:59 AM   #9
rouxeny
Living the aloha
rouxeny's Avatar
United_States
240
Rep
449
Posts

Drives: 2017 LBB M2
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Maui

iTrader: (0)

I would recommend you buy a photography instruction book. Your phone camera is a GREAT camera. Capable to taking all the types of pictures you described. You can buy a nice SLR, but without any knowledge of how to use it, you will not automatically get better pictures than you would with your phone. A camera (like a car) is just a tool. The skill of the operator is what makes the difference.
Appreciate 1
Rikx1M559.00
      08-12-2017, 01:41 PM   #10
Rikx1M
MSgt (ret)
Rikx1M's Avatar
Germany
559
Rep
2,116
Posts

Drives: VO 1M #739/740
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Where the car was born

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
^ what he/she said....I've been shooting for 30 years....My perspective is that cellphones allow you to take pretty much any photo, DSLRs allow you to make any photo. Kind of like the current ongoing debate about self-driving autonomous cars versus manuals versions....it all depends if you want to get in and program end destination or one where you steer, accelerate, brake and shift on your own...and determine your own path to end destination. DSLRs give you that freedom.
__________________
Appreciate 1
      08-12-2017, 02:04 PM   #11
overcoil
Major General
3069
Rep
5,577
Posts

Drives: M235i 6spd
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

There are some very cool dedicated cameras.
You can shoot faster sequences and go back to your computer and enlarge to a degree no cellphone can.

https://www.sony.com/electronics/int...-6000-body-kit
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2017, 04:47 PM   #12
rouxeny
Living the aloha
rouxeny's Avatar
United_States
240
Rep
449
Posts

Drives: 2017 LBB M2
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Maui

iTrader: (0)

I think that the range of photos you can take with a SLR is certainly a bigger box than with a phone. But, for the average consumer/beginner photographer, who wants to take some snaps to share on IG or FB, a the box the phone provides pretty much overlaps with what they need.

Sure, if you need to print really large, or in low light, or need a big tele, then you need a SLR. My point is thst most people don't need that. Or they think they need that, but they really don't.

Until you can have a decent conversation about focal length, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, priority, and DOF, you really don't "need" a SLR.

Unless you want to be one of those people (there are many) who own $3000 of equipment but shoot on the green box....
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2017, 05:12 PM   #13
overcoil
Major General
3069
Rep
5,577
Posts

Drives: M235i 6spd
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Mid-Atlantic

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rouxeny View Post
I think that the range of photos you can take with a SLR is certainly a bigger box than with a phone. But, for the average consumer/beginner photographer, who wants to take some snaps to share on IG or FB, a the box the phone provides pretty much overlaps with what they need.

Sure, if you need to print really large, or in low light, or need a big tele, then you need a SLR. My point is thst most people don't need that. Or they think they need that, but they really don't.

Until you can have a decent conversation about focal length, ISO, aperture, shutter speed, priority, and DOF, you really don't "need" a SLR.

Unless you want to be one of those people (there are many) who own $3000 of equipment but shoot on the green box....

Just wanted to say that I wasn't trying to contradict what you suggested.
No doubt camera phones are very interesting and the new phone cameras plus their editing software are remarkable.
And the phone display's are so good for shooting.

But there are some sweet dedicated cameras just above the $500 dollar price point. Night time and macro capabilities that are impressive.

Tough question and tough to answer which camera, maybe smart phone cameras are the best or holding off for next iPhone
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2017, 05:46 PM   #14
Ric in RVA
Bergspyder
Ric in RVA's Avatar
United_States
1464
Rep
1,209
Posts

Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Richmond VA

iTrader: (1)

I'd look at mirrorless cameras with large sensors.

Canon makes some nice ones with interchangeable lenses.

The DSLR format is dead for the youngsters. They don't want to look through a view finder...just a screen.
__________________
Ric in RVA

2011 128i 6 MT Sport, 2009 Cayman 987.2, 2011 528i N52, 2018 F150 Platinum
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2017, 06:26 PM   #15
jmg
Lieutenant General
jmg's Avatar
18493
Rep
14,085
Posts

Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2022 G82 M4C X-Drive  [9.83]
2018 F80 M3 CS  [9.83]
2019 i3 BEV  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric in RVA View Post
I'd look at mirrorless cameras with large sensors.

Canon makes some nice ones with interchangeable lenses.

The DSLR format is dead for the youngsters. They don't want to look through a view finder...just a screen.
If there was a mirrorless Canon with the same options and functionality as a 6D or 5D and I could use my EF lenses I'd get it in a heartbeat.
__________________

2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect*, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing
Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///M3
IG: Raging_G82
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2017, 07:10 PM   #16
Ric in RVA
Bergspyder
Ric in RVA's Avatar
United_States
1464
Rep
1,209
Posts

Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Richmond VA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
If there was a mirrorless Canon with the same options and functionality as a 6D or 5D and I could use my EF lenses I'd get it in a heartbeat.

Lens adapter.....

__________________
Ric in RVA

2011 128i 6 MT Sport, 2009 Cayman 987.2, 2011 528i N52, 2018 F150 Platinum
Appreciate 0
      08-12-2017, 11:51 PM   #17
cmplaya
Captain
212
Rep
774
Posts

Drives: B58
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NYC / Instagram: @cmplaya/@nyc340i

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric in RVA View Post
Lens adapter.....

you are still cropping and decreasing ability for shallow depth of field and auto focus is nothing like 5d/1d series autofocus ability
Appreciate 0
      08-13-2017, 10:53 AM   #18
rouxeny
Living the aloha
rouxeny's Avatar
United_States
240
Rep
449
Posts

Drives: 2017 LBB M2
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Maui

iTrader: (0)

I did try the Fujifilm mirrorless line recently and was pretty impressed. If I ever left Canon, that's where I'd go. Or if I wanted a smaller setup for travel.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2017, 08:07 AM   #19
peteg88
Registered
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: BMW Е91LCI
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by rouxeny View Post
I did try the Fujifilm mirrorless line recently and was pretty impressed. If I ever left Canon, that's where I'd go. Or if I wanted a smaller setup for travel.
a friend of mine uses Fuji, they are really terrific. I've used Canon all my life too, but now I can't understand why I didn't discover it earlier.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2017, 08:55 AM   #20
shemeld_135
Major
shemeld_135's Avatar
United_States
652
Rep
1,406
Posts

Drives: 2020 SO - M2C
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: KOP, PA

iTrader: (13)

Garage List
2020 BMW M2C  [0.00]
2016 BMW M2  [10.00]
I picked up Sony a6000 mirrorless with 50mm f1.8 lens after debating DSLR or mirrorless.

Reasons;

Deciding Pros: Smaller, LCD screen that shows what the pic will look like b4 takeing it

Major con: battery sucks ass

Do your own research.. but from what I gathered the decision is place on preference.
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2017, 09:04 AM   #21
jmg
Lieutenant General
jmg's Avatar
18493
Rep
14,085
Posts

Drives: G82 M4C X-Drive
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Orange County, CA

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2022 G82 M4C X-Drive  [9.83]
2018 F80 M3 CS  [9.83]
2019 i3 BEV  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by shemeld_135 View Post
I picked up Sony a6000 mirrorless with 50mm f1.8 lens after debating DSLR or mirrorless.

Reasons;

Deciding Pros: Smaller, LCD screen that shows what the pic will look like b4 takeing it

Major con: battery sucks ass

Do your own research.. but from what I gathered the decision is place on preference.
All the DSLR canons have an LCD screen.
__________________

2022 G82///M4 Competition X-Drive - KW-HAS, EBC Bluestuff, Millway Race Camber Plates, Cup2 Connect*, PSI High Flow Midpipe, Lightweight Front Lip, M Perf Flow Through Wing
Previous • 2018 F80 ///M3 CS • 2016 F80 ///M3
IG: Raging_G82
Appreciate 0
      08-15-2017, 09:07 AM   #22
Ric in RVA
Bergspyder
Ric in RVA's Avatar
United_States
1464
Rep
1,209
Posts

Drives: '11 BMW 128i Sport 6mt
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Richmond VA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by cmplaya View Post
you are still cropping and decreasing ability for shallow depth of field and auto focus is nothing like 5d/1d series autofocus ability
No one said you were going to get pro level quality. This adapter simply allows you to use the lenses you already have in a simple smaller format thus increasing the utility of the mirrorless.

Most people are happy with an I phone....what does that say?
__________________
Ric in RVA

2011 128i 6 MT Sport, 2009 Cayman 987.2, 2011 528i N52, 2018 F150 Platinum
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:15 AM.




m8
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST