Aerosvit From Ukraine, joined Feb 2004, 112 posts, RR: 1 Posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1002 times:
Hello,
I've finally realized I want to take up this hobby. I live right by O'Hare and Palwaukee airport and sniffed out some good spotting places .
So...I have a question:
What's a good camera to get? I want to get a digital one.
Is there a good photo program to make the images better? (as from reading your posts I guess I'd have to do that a couple times before I make it )
I think that's all the questions I have right now...maybe I'll think of others.
United4everDEN From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 985 times:
What do you want to do with the photos? Upload to airliners.net? I find it funny that someone would spend extra money (by hundreds of dollars) to just get pictures on airliners.net. I certainly wouldn't.
I find it great you want to get involved, but a good digital camera is an investment you should consider carefully.
It sounds to me as if you just want a hobby. I suggest starting with a digital camera that is point and shoot. You can a decent one for a few hundred, and it will create pictures worthy of putting together a personal collection.
If you want to get pictures worthy of airliners.net, you ought to go a bit higher in price for a point and shoot, or go all out for an DSLR. Go to www.dpreview.com for more info on which cameras to buy.
Aerosvit From Ukraine, joined Feb 2004, 112 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 984 times:
Well...my parents asked me what I want for my 19th b-day...I said camera and they said just pick one ....so money isn't my choice...it will be later but getting the camera I just want to pick the best one.
Yeah..eventually I would like to upload some pictures into airliner.net...but right now I just want to experiment and play around with camera and photos and see how things go. I live by two big airports so I can practise around...but like the long-term investment is shooting great pictures. Kind of like collecting stamps only I would collect plane pictures. And hopefully one day I'll get good and get pictures onto airliners.net.
I guess my question is what's a quality camera that is great for long-term investment. For playing around and later for serious stuff.
Sean377 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1225 posts, RR: 45 Reply 3, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 961 times:
I'm at the same point as you. I dabbled a bit with photography several years ago, but feel it's time to get started again. It would be great to get some shots like those posted here, although aviation is just one interest re: photography.
Money wasn't so much an issue for me at this moment in life, so I got a Canon 20D to 'play' with. The reviews speak for themselves and the digital EOS's appear to be quite popular with many photographers here! I believe there is a new 300D (the 350D) just around the corner if you don't want to spend as much, or now might be a good time to pick up a 300D.
Best of luck and happy snapping!
Sean
Flying is the second greatest thrill known to man... Landing is the first!
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 54 Reply 4, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 959 times:
Andrew
There are many cameras to choose from, Canon, Nikon, etc. Have a look at the link Ryan posted and do as much research as you can. Its really a matter of taste as to which make you want to get. You need to ask what you want to do. Do you want to be able to change lenses, do you need telephoto lenses, 200mm, 300mm etc.
I suppose good entry level DSLR would be a Canon 300D, I don't know the Nikon equivilant, you can invest in better lenses later, and it will give you a feel for digital. A lot of photographers on a.net use this camera and say nothing but good things about it. Also it comes with a baisic software package Photoshop Elements 2.0. Most photogs here use PS.
The decision is yours
Have fun.
Fergul
PS Happy Birthday!
Edit: Also go to a camera shop and try out a few cameras, rent them out if you can and see for youself what you like, but do as much research as you can, and practice practice practice. Search the forums for tips on post processing, its been discussed a lot here so just look them up.
IL76 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2235 posts, RR: 51 Reply 5, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 956 times:
...And, most important, read some books about the basics of photography and editing. Mastering the editing process is a must. A (D)SLR does not guarantee good pictures if you have no clue about what you're doing.
If you want to upload here, experiment with your camera first, and don't start uploading immediately. First try and compare your results to what gets added to the database each day. If you think you've got it going on, try uploading one or two shots and take it from there...
Aerosvit From Ukraine, joined Feb 2004, 112 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 921 times:
Thank you so much for your help everyone. I will go to some stores around here...I know there's a Wolf Camera store here where they got the Canon 300D so I will check it out. And of course..lots of reading and research...my favorite.
Diezel From Netherlands, joined Oct 2002, 646 posts, RR: 12 Reply 7, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 916 times:
I agree with Eduard, read as much as you can and compare your work with stuff that gets added to the DB (or show it on this forum before uploading).
There are lots of free digital photography courses on the internet which will learn you the basics.
Set yourself a target for the day. For example, close-ups or gear- shots or side-shots and use different camera settings on it. It will teach you a lot.
Wanderer From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 233 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 896 times:
Like Rafal, I have a Nikon D70 (with 28-100 and 70-300 mm lenses), and would highly recommend that. Having handled both D70 and Canon 300D, I think (just personal preference really, I suppose) that the D70 is better built.
I think Canon have got the 350D coming out soon, if it isn't already out.
Skidmarks From UK - England, joined Dec 2004, 7121 posts, RR: 60 Reply 10, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 891 times:
Ahhhhhhhhhh, Rafal, another Nikon user in the plethora of Canonites!!!!
Seriously, whatever you do, Aerosvit, take your time choosing, take care over your pictures and take every opportunity to learn from this forum. It's a good sight cheaper than a posh course!!!
And most people are helpful, friendly and will do anything they can to assist.
Enjoy your hobby
Andy
PS - It's my birthday on the 14th - anything from the Nikon range will be fine
Sponsor Message: 
From Ukraine, joined Feb 2004, 112 posts, 
. 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
....so money isn't my choice...it will be later but getting the camera I just want to pick the best one. 
From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 1225 posts, 
From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, 
From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2235 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
From UK - England, joined Dec 2004, 7121 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
