this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2024
11 points (92.3% liked)

Photography

4799 readers
2 users here now

c/photography is a community centered on the practice of amateur and professional photography. You can come here to discuss the gear, the technique and the culture related to the art of photography. You can also share your work, appreciate the others' and constructively critique each others work.

Please, be sure to read the rules before posting.

THE RULES

  1. Be nice to each other

This Lemmy Community is open to civil, friendly discussion about our common interest, photography. Excessively rude, mean, unfriendly, or hostile conduct is not permitted.

  1. Keep content on topic

All discussion threads must be photography related such as latest gear or art news, gear acquisition advices, photography related questions, etc...

  1. No politics or religion

This Lemmy Community is about photography and discussion around photography, not religion or politics.

  1. No classified ads or job offers

All is in the title. This is a casual discussion community.

  1. No spam or self-promotion

One post, one photo in the limit of 3 pictures in a 24 hours timespan. Do not flood the community with your pictures. Be patient, select your best work, and enjoy.

  1. If you want contructive critiques, use [Critique Wanted] in your title.

  2. Flair NSFW posts (nudity, gore, ...)

  3. Do not share your portfolio (instagram, flickr, or else...)

The aim of this community is to invite everyone to discuss around your photography. If you drop everything with one link, this become pointless. Portfolio posts will be deleted. You can however share your portfolio link in the comment section if another member wants to see more of your work.

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I have free access to a family member's camera but it really isn't the best. I think it has a 1/2" sensor though the sensor is not listed anywhere on the box or in the manual which I guess is a red flag. Should I wait and save up more money to buy a better camera or could I use this one to learn on?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 4 points 6 months ago

If the camera is free, then use it while saving up for a better camera.

200USD is quite a low budget for a camera here in Sweden, but I don't know where you are located.

I'd tentatively recommend the used camera market to start off with, if you go that route read up on how many exposures are resonable for the camera you are looking at and then ask the seller for that info, it is not a be all end all value, but gives an idea of how hard a camera has been used, it is sort of like a car's milage.

Some models to look for on the used market is:

Panasonic Lumix GX80 or GX85 depending on your location, it is an excellent small camera with interchangable lenses and plenty of settings to play with, note however that the rear control dial often breaks, and may need servicing.

Panasonic Lumix G80 or G85 is similar to the GX moddles but has much better ergonomics and control dials.

Sony RX100 has been released in several versions, it is an excellent small camera but without interchagable lenses.

Olympus have made cameras using the same lens mount as the Panasonic cameras I mentioned above, they have released cheaper and more expensive cameras, and are common to find second hand. I don't have personal experience with them so I can't give you detailed info about them.

Canon and Nikon are large camera makers, they make great cameras, but their entry level cameras can feel a bit cheap, if you are looking at Canon, then know that they have recently replaced their lens mount, going from EF to RF, that means that there is plenty of EF gear on the second hand market, but know that the EF cameras use an analoge viewfinder and not a digital one, they take brilliant photos, but for me who is used to a digital viewfinder with all the tools they provide I find the analoge style lacking, other really like them.

Nikon also changed their F mount to the new Z mount and like with Canon there is plenty of F mount gear on the market, F mount also means an analoge viewfinder.