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Best DSLR Cameras for Each Type of Camera Buyer

by LearnMorePhoto Leave a Comment

For professional photographers as well as advanced camera enthusiasts, digital single lens reflex cameras, or DSLR’s, are the best option for whatever type of photography that interests them. DSLR camera’s offer photographers several advantages over point-and-shoot digital cameras, including improved shooting speed, increased control over camera settings and superior image quality. DSLR cameras also allow a photographer to change lenses, making them far more versatile than any other type of consumer grade camera. Whether you are interested in artistic photography, wedding photography, portraits or landscapes, DSLR cameras are versatile enough to handle whatever kind of photos you are planning to take.

What Kind of Camera Buyer are You?

There are basically three different kinds of camera buyers. First there are professionals. They demand the highest performance and the best picture quality that they can get for their money. Their livelihood depends on having a reliable and versatile DSLR that will get the perfect shot every time. When they look for a camera, they go over all the specs and may even visit a dozen camera stores looking for the perfect fit. A professional like this will most likely invest in an industry leading DSLR like the Canon 5D Mark IV.

Next you have a group you may call the aspiring camera enthusiasts. These people love taking pictures of everything, all of the time. They take photos of their families and use the software that came with their camera to turn their family photos into Christmas cards that they have professionally printed. Or they take incredible nature shots that they have matted and framed and hung all around the house. These people are willing to spend a little more on a good quality DSLR, but they are probably not going to have a professional grade camera. Someone like this will find a DSLR like the Nikon D750 to be a great fit.

The last category, which most of us fall into, can be summed up with a single question — why bother with a DSLR when my iPhone takes such nice pictures? If you fall into that category — and you are certainly not alone — odds are that most DSLR cameras are just too much camera for you. However, there are some types of mirror-less interchangeable lens cameras, like the Sony Alpha NEX or the Nikon 1 J5 that will provide you with much better photos and movies than your phone will take and they will fit into most family budgets as well.

Is a DSLR Too Much for Camera?

A DSLR represents a serious investment for professional photographers as well as your average camera enthusiast. A DSLR with lenses, external flash and other accessories can run over a thousand dollars, and the top DSLR cameras, like the Canon 5D Mark IV may run you as much as $3,000. The good news is that there are plenty of good DSLR cameras geared toward the consumer market that offer a variety of automatic features for far less than $1,000, and the mirror-less DSLR cameras mentioned above, like the Sony Alpha NEX series and the Nikon J series, that offer beginners advanced features like interchangeable lenses, shutter speed priority, aperture priority and superior performance for as little as $500.

Odds are, if you are looking for a DSLR at all, you fall into the camera enthusiast category. Camera enthusiasts love to learn more about how they can use the settings on their camera to improve the pictures that they take. Point-and-shoot cameras simply do not have the versatility to manipulate settings like aperture, shutter speed and focal length in a meaningful way. If you are looking to take the next step in your photography, then one of these picks among the three best DSLR choices will be the perfect fit for you.

Choosing the Best DSLR for Your Needs

Canon 5D Mark IV

Canon 5D Mark IV
For years, the Canon 5D series have been the highest rated and most popular DSLR cameras among professional photographers due to their superior performance and incredible image quality. The latest in the Canon 5D line, the Canon 5D Mark IV is probably their most technologically advanced DSLR to date. Canon is on the cutting edge of digital image capture technology, pioneering CMOS sensors and incredibly fast imagine processing chips (in this case the DIGIC 6+ processor). It is this top-of-the-line DIGIC 6+ image processing chip that allows you to shoot an amazing 7 frames per second. No matter if you are shooting landscapes, portraits, sporting events or fireworks you will be able to get professional quality results from the Canon 5D Mark IV.

Another area in which Canon is an undisputed leader is in movie capture modes. DSLR cameras like the Canon 5D Mark IV offer an industry leading movie mode that produces such high-quality results that Saturday Night Live actually used an earlier version of the 5D to film a live sketch back in 2009. Reliable enough for network television, but easy enough for your average photography enthusiast to use.

Here are the specifications that put the 5D Mark IV at the top of the heap:

  • 30 Megapixel max resolution
  • Fully manual, allowing photographers complete control of image capture
  • Continuous maximum frame rate of 7 frames per second (fps).
  • Ridiculous ISO range of 50-102,400
  • Patented dual pixel 61-point auto focus system
  • Optical viewfinder
  • Auto focus and face detection technology that works continuously whether you are taking photos or shooting movies
  • WiFi connectivity for instant uploads to social media

Nikon D750

Nikon D750
Nikon has been a leader in lenses technology for nearly a century now, and it was Nikon that first solved the problem of marrying digital SLR focal length to image sensor size. Today, leading DSLR cameras, like the Nikon 750, have full size sensors. In the past, the image sensor, which is the electronic device that replaces the film in a digital camera, was smaller than a postage stamp, which is why digital camera image quality never quite matched 35mm. DSLR cameras with full sized sensors, like the Nikon D750 and superior Nikon lens technology give you the incredibly sharp and steady images that Nikon VR lens technology is famous for.

The Nikon D750 is the latest in the line of Nikon DSLR’s featuring full size image sensors and professional grade VR lenses that offer users incredible image quality. The one area where Nikon has made strides recently is in camera performance. The Nikon D750 shoots full resolution images at a rate of 6.5 frames per second, which is nearly as fast as the Canon 5D. This is a significant improvement over previous models.

Though the Nikon D750 costs nearly half as much as the Canon, it has specifications that are comparable in many ways, making it the perfect fit for many camera enthusiasts:

  • 25 Megapixels max resolution
  • Full frame (35.9 x 24 mm) FX Format CMOS image sensor
  • Expeed 4 image processor
  • ISO range 50 – 51,200
  • Fully functional optical viewfinder
  • 51 point auto focusing system with face detection technology
  • WiFi connectivity allows instant upload of images to devices and social media sites

Sony Alpha 7R

Sony Alpha 7R
Sony is a serious player in the DSLR market. Though Nikon and Canon have been in the high-end camera industry for longer, Sony is an elite consumer electronics company that has made a serious push into the DSLR market with the Alpha 7 series. The Sony Alpha 7R is at the high end of the same series of mirror-less DSLR cameras that brought us an entire line of Alpha NEX cameras that have revolutionized interchangeable lens cameras.

Unlike the Canon 5D or the Nikon D750, the Sony Alpha 7 and Alpha 7R cameras are fully functional full frame interchangeable lens cameras that are approximately the size of a point and shoot. Being mirror-less, the Sony Alpha line of cameras are not technically SLR (single lens reflex) cameras, but somehow Sony has been able to create reasonably sized interchangeable lens cameras will full frame sensors that can shoot amazing photos at a rate of 10 fps.

The specs on the Sony Alpha 7 series cameras are comparable to both the Nikon D750 and the Canon 5D series cameras. The Sony Alpha 7 specs include:

  • 3 megapixel maximum resolution
  • Full frame CMOS sensor
  • Bionz X image processor
  • Hybrid Auto Focus system with 117 detection points
  • Sealed alloy and composite body
  • Multi-Interface Shoe 3-inch tilting LCD
  • HDMI output
  • Wi-Fi capability and down-loadable apps

Choosing Your DSLR Camera

For most of us, budget is the main limiting factor when it comes to buying a DSLR camera. While many camera enthusiasts would like to jump up to the latest version of the Canon 5D, it must be realized that there are many good DSLR cameras available for about half the price. However, if price is not an issue, the Canon 5D Mark IV would be well worth the investment.

If you are thinking of scaling down, the are many options available to you. DSLR cameras like the Nikon D750 offer you competitive functionality and comparable picture quality for almost half as much as you would spend on the Canon 5D. For most camera enthusiasts, Nikon DSLR cameras like the D750, with their sharp, VR (vibration reduction) lenses are the perfect solution to the features vs. cost dilemma.

For those of us who are looking for an interchangeable lens camera that is smaller and easier carry, then a mirror-less DSLR like those in the Sony Alpha 7 series may be the perfect solution. One trend among professionals is having a scaled down, mirror-less interchangeable lens camera on-hand because they are easy to carry and provide them with image quality and functionality that is comparable to their high end DSLR.

Whether you are a professional photographer, a camera enthusiast, or a beginner looking for a camera that can take far better pictures and videos than your phone, you are sure to find one of these DSLR cameras, or a similar model in another price range, that will provide you with the image quality and functionality that you want for a price that will work for your budget.

Filed Under: Equipment

DSLR Accessories, Cheap!

by Learn More Photo Leave a Comment

I was reading an article this morning about DSLR accessories and how a company, Zeikos is producing low cost DSLR accessories like batter grips, remotes, off-camera flashes and off camera flash cables.

The prices of these Zeikos accessories is much lower than the Nikon or Canon alternatives. I cannot attest to the quality but at that price they’re worth a buy for anyone hesitating because of the high price. Many of the prices are comparable to the Craigslist or eBay used prices on similar camera accessories used.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: accessories, B&H, battery, battery grip, cheap, flash, flash cable, strobist

Who Needs an Assistant when you have TriGrips?

by Learn More Photo 1 Comment

Came across this great article from Terry White today When I don’t have a photographic assistant via the Imaging Insider.

The LastoLite TriGrip comes in a number of different flavors. There’s are the 18″, 30″, 48″ and the jumbo 58″ sizes. My personal opinion is don’t waste your time or money with an 18″ reflector. I’m going to focus on the 30″ variety because I find 30″ to be the best value. It is my Goldilocks: not too big, not too little and not too expensive for the immense amount of use it sees!
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: diffuse, diffuser, lastolite, light, reflector, triflip, trigrip

Setting up a Background Stand and Muslin Backdrop

by Learn More Photo 5 Comments

My first video blog entry: setting up the background stand I purchased from Amvona.

Only took me 5 minutes to set up the system. I had no idea it would be this easy to use!

Song “All You Said” by Everyday Jones via Pod Safe Audio

Equipment Shown

  • AS-V306 Background Stand – $79* usd No Longer Available
  • Elite Solid Muslin (Thunder Gray) – $67* usd

Both purchased from Amvona.com. Check out my Amvona Profile.

* Prices notes are the price I paid at the date of purchase.

Similar Products from B&H

  • Impact Background Support System Including Stands, 12′ 4-Section Crossbar, Bag – $99.00
  • Botero MUSLIN BACKGROUND 10×12′ – Grey – $82

Photos Using Equipment

Here are some photographs I have taken using this equipment.

Transcript of Video

Terri:
Hi everyone I’m Terri this is my first video, so it’s the first time you’re ever going to see me fumbling with my words, just kidding, um it’s the first time you’ve seen men and heard me all at once. And today I just kinda wanted to show you how to set up this new background stand that I bought from Amvona.com.

Um, snap to set up, I just got it today, I got the background last week but the stand was on backorder. And it’s so easy to setup, this is actually the first time I’m going to be setting it up with the background attached too. Um, and I just think it’s really neat to watch how easy some of this photography stuff is, and think “Why am I setting up this jerry-rigged system behind me and throwin’ sheets over it and propping it up with things” when it’s not that expensive to buy a quick little stand.

No horse playing around it because it will break it’s not an expensive stand but if I’ve got people standing in front of a background, taking pictures, acting like adults this will last me plenty. So Let’s get to the time lapse video of em setting this thing up and I’ll talk to you a little bit later. Bye.

[Time Lapse Video of Setup]
[Still Frame: 5 Minutes to Setup]
[Still Frame: And Now the Tear Down]
[Time Lapse Video of Tear Down]

Terri:
So that’s it. Took me five minutes to setup, a little bit longer to tear down because folding a 10×20 background: not fun, in any ways shape or form. Um, Usually if I was really going to be shooting in a space this small all the time I would never have bought a background that big, but that’s actually a background I’m planning on using for different things.

Um, so yea. Leave me a message on the comments and let me know what you thought: good, bad, ehh… don’t ever get in front of a camera ever again, nobody likes your voice, you look like a tramp. By the way, beauty counter at Macy’s, okay, I don’t usually look like this so I apologize. Um and I guess that’s about it so thanks for reading and I hope this helps somebody somewhere! Bye!

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: Amvona, background, blog, kit, muslin, setup, stand, transcript, under$200, Video

Upgrade Your Tripod: Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 Ballhead & 190XB Legs with Low Profile Feature

by Learn More Photo 3 Comments

Back in August I went on a B&H shopping spree and got myself a new tripod legs and ball head.

This was kind-of a big deal for me since I went from my old $40 Walmart Tripod that I was ashamed to use in public to my new beautiful $300 Bogen/Manfrotto tripod legs and ball head.

Old and New Tripod

I looked at all the kits in my price range and unfortunately couldn’t find one with the parts I wanted so bought my legs and ball head separately.

New Equipment

  • Bogen/Manfrotto 190XB Tripod Legs
  • Bogen/Manfrotto 486RC2 Compact Ballhead with Rapid Connect System 2
  • Kaiser Opaque 2 Axis Flash Hot Shoe Bubble Level *for good measure*

One of my favorite parts of the 190XB Tripod Legs if the low profile feature. It’s super easy to use and really quick to switch to.

Low Profile on 190XB Tripod Legs

Switch to the low angle adapter

First switch to the low angle adapter by detaching it from the bottom of the center column, then pull out the center column (make sure you’ve loosened that screw before you pull), then pop in the low adapter and tighten the screw again. Take a look at the collage below for details, custom made for you visual learners!

Low Angle Adapter

Switch the legs to a higher angle

Then to get the tripod low you just need to push in the leg release lever at the top of each leg and pull out the leg. You can hear it click and lock in at 25,46,66 & 88 degrees. With all the legs compacted and at 88 degrees the tripod (without ballhead) has a profile of only 3.3″. Cool huh?

Tripod Legs Low

Scott Kelby Recommends Similar Equipment!

In his book, The Digital Photography Book , Scott Kelby recommends similar equipment. Well actually he recommends the older versions of this equipment as his “budget” picks on pages 8 and 9 but B&H refers you to these items…the updated gear!

Filed Under: Equipment Tagged With: B&H, Equipment, instructions, link, low profile, shopping, tripod

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