Professional Digital Cameras…?

Hi! I’m 15, but I LOVE photography. I’ve taken a few pretty decent pictures on my crappy digital cameras, but I really want a good Professional Digital Camera. My dad likes photography too, and he is actually really, really good, so we were planning on sharing – but that’s the problem. I want a digital camera that’s good for me (a beginner), and one that’s good for my dad (whose really good).

Price range: I have about $500 on me right now, but if there’s one that is just amazing for me, then I’m sure my dad would throw in a couple hundred.
What I photograph: Landscape, people… everything pretty much.

:] thanks so much for the advise!
Maddie

I highly suggest Nikon or Canon. They are both easy to use, have a wide variety of accessories for a reasonable price, and they both come in a variety of “levels”

If I were picking out my first camera again, with what is on the market now I would go for the Nikon D40. In addition to the kit lens that you get with purchase (generally an 18-55mm) pick up a couple more, especially for your father – again, depending on what you want to use the camera to capture. Maybe you can buy the kit camera and your dad can invest in the glass. If you are doing portraits get a fixed 50mm, and maybe a 28-300 if you can afford it (a lifesaver for a wedding) and get a fin wide angle or fish-eye lens to expand your creativity.

I’ve evolved from a Canon to a Nikon shooter for the sensor. It all depends on what kind of photos you are going to be taking more of. NASA uses Nikon, therefore I know that a lot of their research and development goes into low noise/high ISO sensors that take amazing low-light images. Whereas Canon is sponsored by many sports teams, so their R&D goes into sensors that capture images at the highest speed possible. I’m also into wedding photography and I see more Nikon shooters – though I know a fair share of Canon shooters too, but I think that Pro’s choose Nikon for the low-light/low-noise capabilities.

I chose my first camera for the way it felt in my hand, the comfort. I chose my second for the same reason. I outgrew my Canon in six months, but I still feel comfortable with my Nikon, I don’t feel the need to upgrade and I’ve been shooting with it for nearly 4 years. Nikkor glass is also some of the best on the market, another thing that swayed my decision.

Good Luck!
-Elle

Olympus E-3 Fourthirds Pro digital SLR camera