Welcome to DPRevived.com and the "Beginners' Questions" forum. Whether you are new to photography or to a dedicated camera, this is a place where you can find informed answers to your questions.
DPRevived is an open forum. Anyone who wants to create an account and join in the conversations is welcome. This makes us a diverse community. We're diverse in photographic interest, perspective, experience, and knowledge. Please, keep this in mind when reading the responses to your question. While most DPRevived members are motivated to assist newcomers to photography and to the forums, not every member has the same level of experience or knowledge. In short, not all the responses to questions in this forum are equally informed.
What does this mean? Well, it means a fully-functional BS detector is a good tool to have at your disposal as you read the responses to your question. Here, are some tells to be on the lookout for:
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The Exposure Triangle: Anyone who recommends the so-called Exposure Triangle as the foundational model allowing photographers to get the most from their cameras doesn't understand the basics of photography. If you're looking for the best settings to do a particular genre of photography, ignore those who sell the mythology at the core of that discredited model. The key settings to keep in mind are f-stop and shutter speed. They control depth of field and the rendering of movement in the frame. They also control the amount of light from the scene that is delivered to the sensor. The f-stop and shutter speed choices you make go the farthest to determining the quality of the image you're about to make.
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The Lone Wolf: While there is no single approach to photography that guarantees outstanding photos with every press of the shutter release, there are guidelines that, if followed, reliably deliver the goods. They help to make a photo that captures a viewer's interest and conveys a compelling message. Mastery of these guidelines empowers a photographer to recognize opportunities to get creative, to know when the guidelines can be ignored, and to know when there's an opportunity to surprise the viewer with an image that departs from the norm.
Beware the iconoclast selling the myth that there are no guidelines, no rules, and no structure to a good photograph. Photography isn't formulaic but visual communication - as with any language - has a structure. There are decisions you can make and guidelines to put into practice that will aid in making a photograph that's both compelling and meaningful to the viewer. Understanding the basics of good photography empowers a person to know when to apply documented, effective visual communication strategies and when to work outside the box to make a compelling photo. The person who says there are no rules, the only thing that matters is you, understands neither art nor communication.
- The Brand/Product Advocate: There's nothing wrong with having a brand preference or even with advocating for the advantages in performance one brand may offer over the others. However, there is no one brand or product that is the best choice for every photographer. When making a camera purchase, it's important to keep your interests and needs in focus. You are the only person who needs to be satisfied and well-served by the purchase. Nobody else matters.
This is why I recommend caution when reading responses that recommend a particular brand of camera without knowing what your interests and needs are. In all my years as a photographer and as someone who responds to requests for advice on which camera to purchase, I usually begin by asking, "Would you please provide a bit more information about the kind of photography you enjoy doing, what's important to you in a camera, and what your budget is?"
While I have a favorite brand, I also recognize that my favorite brand and products - while serving my interests - may not be the best choices for others. Your needs may be completely different from mine. That's why I like to have some basic background information about a photographer before recommending a brand or product. When you ask for guidance about a camera purchase, it's not important whether or not I'm pleased with your purchase. The only thing that matters is if you are pleased with the purchase. And the best way to ensure that, is to recommend products that are designed to meet your needs and to be available within your budget.
If you keep these three factors in mind when reading through the responses to your question, it will be easier to weed out the uninformed comments, the iconoclasts, and the strident supporters of a particular brand or discredited perspective. This will make it easier to identify the counsel being provided by experienced, knowledgeable photographers who are focused on helping you to make a choice that's in your best interest. Once you've separated the wheat from the chaff, you'll be in a much better position to weigh and consider the responses and to make the choice that's in your best interest.
Welcome to the forum and best of luck to you.
