Natwerk Designs

Cameras? Zoom? Optical digital? Quality ? MB? MP? Low light?HD?

I'm 14. Im VERY good at graphic design and photoshop CS2 although I don't often get called for a job, I am a tech geek with computers but do't know much about cameras. Right now I use my moms 4MP .... maybe 5 zoom camera. It sucks I want to take better pictures I can edit to advertise my graphic work. I have a horse, a paint and he is usually against some nice backgrounds. I want some high quality work to capture both him and the country landscapes. I also want a low light camera (although not as much as it will rarley be used) or a camera good for concerts.What is the highest camera zoom? How will MP and zoom work together to get a good picture? I go to Jonas Brother concerts where I am 50th row, or 3rd row balcony still high up. The light is dim and my camera is low quality and clearly the zoom isnt great.

Public Comments

1. I recommend FF dSLRs for concerts/low light and a Mamiya RZ67 for landscape. Put image quality first. (The Mamiya is heavy but not expensive anymore. Probably not for a petite kid.) A FF dSLR will work better in low light and you can put any sort of zoom you want on it. (The Canon 5D is light enough that anyone can use it.) (Point & shoots have tiny sensors, slow lenses, shutter lag and other negative issues. Unless it is an emergency, NEVER use the digital zoom.)
2. Either an entry level Canon or Nikon D-SLR will serve you well as a start. Both can use the available zoom lenses in the range of 18-200 or 25-200mm, which gives you a broad range of zooms. When doing concerts dial the ISO up as high as you can tolerate the noise. If you have a lot of money, get a Canon 40D with the F/2.8L 80-200mm zoom. Nikon has a similar package. However, I'm not as familiar with their models. As a 14-year old, you do not need a full frame D-SLR or Mamiya. These are for more professional use and are heavy and expensive.
3. Hi! Before I answer your question i need more information. please answer these questions: >> how much money are you willing to spend? >> how important are low light cameras to you? by the way the another term to use instead of "low light" is "fast," how important are "fast" cameras to you? >> what size and/or weight of the camera will best be suitable for you? >> will you only be shooting landscapes? if not, what other plans do you have for the camera you are looking for? >> will you like or plan to use artificial light in the future? >> are you familiar with resolution calculation? >> will you be printing your landscape or graphic work? ok sorry for all the questions but they will help me help you!! Dont dial your ISO way up for low light concerts, that is one of the reasons you get poor quality. (ISO is your exposure index on your digital camera.) It is complicated to explain but it basically just makes your camera more sensitive to light. the higher the ISO the faster it can capture light. Also many people dont know how to find zoom lenses, they just buy a big zoom lenses like 50-200mm. you also need to find out about its speed rating. yes zoom lenses have speed ratings just like a camera. there are "fast" and "slow" zoom lenses. if you get a "slow" zoom lens then that will also give you a bad picture at night. so much info so little space to write. answer my questions then i can help you with the rest i used to have a graphic design/photography business, but i got bored. would you like to buy my studio equipment?