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Recommended cameras for beginners?
(lemmy.dbzer0.com)
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this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2026
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On the train you will want a fast lens, meaning low f-numbers (takes in more light) so you can use quick shutter speeds without it being to dark.
You might also want a camera body and/or lens with image stabilisation. Not a must, but good if shooting on the move or using long shutter speeds handheld.
Sorry for ignoring your buy nice, not twice. But you don't know what you want until you get your hands dirty. So get something less expensive and learn. Then buy someting nice.
I recommend either a cheapo used Nikon APS-C DSLR (Nikon D3200 for example) and some lens to go with it. Could cost ypu about 150€ to 300€ to get started depending on how lucky you are.
Or get a used mirrorless with a lens for a fancier start. A bit more expensive, but probably better than an old DSLR. More likely to have image stabilisation as well.
Then if you like to shoot, upgrade.
Compare different cameras on https://cameradecision.com/
For image processing I revommend Darktable. FOSS and Native to Linux. I've only used that and it works well for me.
PS.
I don't know what hardware to get for the butt pics. Maybe a wide angle lens if it's a big one and you like to get up close.
Not my area of expertise though. Someone else is welcome to chime in.
Thanks for the info! I've been looking at a few of the mentioned options and a few others (and again don't know anything beyond "oh stabilization that sounds nice" lol, I have noticed some have it in my limited searching), I do think that would be a boon and am willing to go mirrorless if that's what it takes, also I'm told mirrorless works better in low light, and is more compact, two points for mirrorless especially for the train and under bridges (for the graffiti), and in the woods under the trees, lot's of low light areas there, and also probably good for butts too lol.
The used market so far in my area seems to be "buy this used camera for a $30 discount" lol, might as well buy new so far, but I don't have a facebook and won't be able to wrangle one until tomorrow so there's still hope, but I might have to buy new. That said I've found a decent (I think) deal on a new Fujifilm x-t30 II (last gen, but pre-AI bullshit in the III) bundled with a 15-45 lens and a bunch of (probably cheap/crap, but whatever) stuff, and two batts, and I like the portable form factor. We actually have the x-t30 (I think the II actually) at work for taking product photos and it seems good idk, I do like the handfeel of it at least and the pics sure do look like product pics lol. I don't know how to see this f number, but if it's fps it looks like I can select down to 3 fps? It'd be a bit above budget but it also comes with extra things, basically a starter kit, and it would probably be my "never need another" camera, so I'd consider that for sure (I could always sell it later too I guess). Budget is flexible, I can just save longer if I need to! What do you think about that camera for a beginner/mid hobby camera? Also looking at an x-t3 minus "stuff" but with a lense for $100 more which is doable, again if I have to buy new. If that is sufficiently better (and your website there indicates 69% of raters think it is, so not nothing, but the website itself prefers the x-t30 for a few reasons) I could make that happen too.
(Edit: have an x-t4+lens used in the works, wish me luck!)
Thanks for the PS too lol, the butt pics would be not as much of a focus so I can figure that out down the line, though tbf the most likely way to make side hustle money might be working for an OF model haha. Not my plan but hey, if that is the opportunity that knocks, who would I be to judge? And thanks for letting me know about Darktable, that sounds perfect!
Some notes;
The f-number is not fps. The f-number is a property of the lens you are using that defines the ratio of light it collects.
Actual explaination of f-numbers
So there are many pros of having a low f-number lens, but don't go crazy. There are f/1.4 and even lower lenses. I have a f/2.8 and that is more than enough. But it all depends on your use case I guess.
FPS:
I don't know much about the fuji cameras you are mentioning, but if you are familiar with them and like them, then go for it! I find it to be very personal what people go for.
Someone else in the comments mentioned micro 4/3. Those cameras are very much more "pocketable" and have gotten way better (or so I've understood it). But the size of the micro 4/3 sensors is a bit smaller than both full frame and APS-C sensors which will mean a bit worse performance in low light conditions. It is up to you to decide if it is worth the trade-off.
Ooooohhh the f number is in the lens lol, that's why I couldn't find it in any camera's specs! Haha ok thanks!
Looks like the one I'm possibly getting used has an 18-55 "f2.8-4" "kit" lens, I'm guessing that means this lens has variable fs, but the low end is 2.8?
Yup!
So a kit lens is just a lens that is usually sold as a kit with the camera body. These are most often pretty cheap and not of the best quality. Think of it as getting a new TV. It has built in speakers. They work just fine, but if you want good sound you're probably getting a proper sound system.
The variability of the aperture is common in zoom lenses. So this lens can be as most open f/2.8 when you are at the widest zoom, 18mm in this case. If you zoom all the way in, the most open aperture you will be able to set will be f/4.
You can always stop down your aperture further if you like. So if you're at 18mm you can still set it to f/4. But you can't set it to f/2.8 if you are all zoomed in at 55mm.
Worth mentioning is also that there are lenses where the focal length does not affect the minimum aperture. I have a 20-70mm lens that can go down to f/2.8 regardless of what focal length I am working with. But this is often a premium feature. Variable minimum aperture like the one you've found is more common.
Also worth mentioning is that there are "prime lenses" that have no zoom ability at all. They are fixed at a focal length. These primes are often of better quality than zoom lenses since they don't have to account for optical quality in the whole zoom range, but you will be limited by not being able to zoom at all. These often have lower minimum apertures as well. It is not uncommon with primes at f/1.4 or f/1.8. These are great to use if the focal length is right for the purpose, but otherwise not very versatile.
I'd say go with a zoom of some sort unless you are sure you only need a specific focal length.
Your kit lens is a good start, but to get the most out of your camera, consider getting a better lens.
But hey, I don't know anything about fuji kit lenses, they might be good. Give it a try and see!
Awesome thanks! I figured that was the case with the kits, but I'll take one to get me started otherwise I'll have a camera without lenses for a while until I can save for one haha. I assume I'll need better lenses in the future for sure, at least I'll need a wide angle and a really zoomy one, prob want whichever is for "macro" too because I remember having fun with that mode on my old Droid X when those came out lol.