What kind of Camera do you use?

Canon t3i
Canon EOS Rebel XS (very affordable used camera if just starting out)

variety of lenses and accessories
 
This is what my camera show

Before

50/50

After


Do you guys think camera shows good enough details?
 
Consider one of the micro 4/3s camera systems. Smaller size with interchangeable lenses. Panasonic & Olympus are the leaders in this format. If you want a DSLR, Canon & Nikon are the big boys in this arena and have an enormous collection of lenses to pick from - their entry level offerings are just great. However over the last five years, Sony has made a very strong showing with their mirror-less DSLR style cameras - especially if shooting video is important to you. I would give them serious consideration. It's been said many times but bears repeating, image quality is all about the lenses - because camera bodies are like cell phones these days and are replaced every 6 mos with something new. Allocate more money for quality glass and scrimp on the body if need be. Tuff to make a bad choice but remember, the best camera is the one you use and is always available, not sitting a home in a closet.
 
Still using my Nikon D80 with a 35mm F1.8 lens, even if there are already lots of newer models in the market, this dslr still performs very well.
If you want a decent entry level camera that will not break your bank, go for Nikon's D5200. But if you have access to good quality 2nd hand units, try looking for D7000 or D7100 units, then get a lens with a wide focal range like 18-105mm af-s nikor lens or 18-55mm af-s nikor lens.
 
I was using my iphone5 for a ot of my pics and just edited them afterwards.

Now I have a Nikon L610 that I absolutely love, got it for a steal on sale and this thing is fantastic. Not a DSLR but good enough for a weekend warrior.
 
Nikon D800
Nikon D200
Nikon 24-70mm F2.8
Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VRII
^Drooooooooooool. My next camera will be the D800, and I am working on aquiring the 24-70, 70-200 setup as well. Sounds like you're doing it right!

Yes Sir! It is you! I enjoy your Show'N"shine alot!

But all the camera you guys listed are starting at like $600 just for the body! let along the lens

What do you guys think about just a Rebel t3 as my starting camera??
^Any DSLR will have higher capabilities compared to almost any Point and Shoot. DSLR's have larger image sensors which yield much more potential for low light performance, shallower DOF, and overall image quality. All of these things are useless, however, if you do not learn to use the DSLR to its fullest.

The reason I wrote that quick "basics of exposure" thread was to try to convince people to get off of Auto Mode and start to learn and explore the true potential of their camera. A DSLR is nothing more than a glorified P&S if you keep it in auto mode.

**High quality lenses far out weigh the camera body. If you have a budget of $1000 (just a random #), I would find a nice used body and focus more on picking up 1-2 very nice used lenses. Camera bodies will need to be replaced every 3-5 years as technology increases, rendering the older bodies with a very low resale value. High quality lenses hold their value very well and are a worthwhile investment.

A typical kit setup is OK to start, but I promise that if you learn to use your camera to its fullest extent, it will be a matter of weeks before you are looking to upgrade to better glass (lenses). I highly suggest looking for used equipment - I purchase camera bodies and lenses used and have saved tons of money doing so, and I have much better gear for a much better price.

Also... you should probably get Nikon gear, no one likes Canon :argue: (let the onslaught begin! haha)

Don't be afraid to look at used. You could get a killer deal on something like a Nikon D300. Glass/lenses are the most important, but for your needs, a regular "kit" lens would suffice.
^Exactly

Am I the only one that uses PENTAX? :dblthumb2:
^... yes...

I see what you mean! But I just wonder if I can get better result from upgrading to a DSLR? Also, with DSLR I can get a remote and set it on tripo and upgrade to other lens! Point and shoot I can only use so much of its function
^Sure, you can get better results with a DSLR, but it will take time and practice to figure it out to maximize those results. You can also get 'good' results with a nice point and shoot... you have to figure out which one will suit your needs best.

Regarding the remote comment... I'm sure there are remote triggers for point and shoots? I do have a wireless trigger setup that I use to take shots with my body that I leave mounted on a tripod, and it is nice to have while I am working on cars for before/after shots of a particular section.
 
Do you guys think camera shows good enough details?

Shoot closer. The details are not that easily seen, maybe because the vehicle also has a light colored paint.
 
Tried a T3 today! It was very disappointed! I am going to check out some mid-level or wait till Black Friday or Boxing day here in Edmonton.

Since Detailing season is almost over, so debating if I really need a good camera at the moment!

I also played around a D3100, feels decent! price is good! So hard to pick!! lol

Unlike Polisher, there are way too many camera out there! FML
 
Tried a T3 today! It was very disappointed! I am going to check out some mid-level or wait till Black Friday or Boxing day here in Edmonton.

Since Detailing season is almost over, so debating if I really need a good camera at the moment!

I also played around a D3100, feels decent! price is good! So hard to pick!! lol

Unlike Polisher, there are way too many camera out there! FML

If your thinking D3100, go for D5200 instead, more decent pics, higher picture resolution, more features, video is a lot better too.
 
If your thinking D3100, go for D5200 instead, more decent pics, higher picture resolution, more features, video is a lot better too.

I was even thinking considering like 70D from Canon, or D7100 from Nikon. Its upper-mid level, so I can use it for more! but I am not sure yet! Still debating :cry:
 
The one attribute that I find that makes a big difference is higher ISO performance so you can shoot shots in lower light. This is one feature you find in the better cameras.
 
I was even thinking considering like 70D from Canon, or D7100 from Nikon. Its upper-mid level, so I can use it for more! but I am not sure yet! Still debating :cry:

I will say it again...

The body does not make as much of a difference as the lenses.

If you are new to DLSRs, I can almost guarantee you that you will notice no difference in image quality between the D3200, 5200, and 7100.

The features between the 3 cameras are what make them unique. For instance, the D3200 and D5200 are more entry-level type DSLR's and have many features that are more menu driven where as the top of the line DX body D7100 has many more external buttons that can be used to change settings instead of resorting to camera menus. For someone who shoots in manual mode these added external buttons are very useful as they allow you to manipulate your settings on the fly without moving the camera away from your eye... for most beginners, they might seem more overwhelming than anything.

Again... spend more on lenses than on the body if you want the best 'bang for your buck'!!
 
I will disagree to that some.
Sure lenses do make a big impact but a body will make a large impact as well with what you are shooting. Just cause say you cant tell the IQ much between a T4i and a 7D because they basically use the same 18mp chip. BUT when it comes down to if you are a sports shooter the 7D is going to make a HUGE difference.
You have the ability to shoot 8fps vs 5fps that can make a difference in getting that fast paced action shot or not. The 7D is built to whitstand much more abuse and weather conditions so you can use it in harsher climates as well to get the shot. Ergonimcs of the 7D are lightyears ahead of the Rebels To me that is a big factor because if your shooting for hours you want something that is comfortable and quick to navigate. Also teh AF system of the 7D is a 19point system with dual processors to keep AF speed up and tracking for fast paced action.
I have only compared these 2 I know but there is a difference largely in what body you want to choose depending on what you want to shoot and what kind of budget you have. I wouldnt go about saying it doesnt matter what body you have cause it doesnt mean anything. if that was the case they would only make 1 camera body and call it a day

You can have the best lenses made but There will be a difference if both used on the T4i and 7D in its ability to get the shot.
 
I will disagree to that some.
Sure lenses do make a big impact but a body will make a large impact as well with what you are shooting. Just cause say you cant tell the IQ much between a T4i and a 7D because they basically use the same 18mp chip. BUT when it comes down to if you are a sports shooter the 7D is going to make a HUGE difference.
You have the ability to shoot 8fps vs 5fps that can make a difference in getting that fast paced action shot or not. The 7D is built to whitstand much more abuse and weather conditions so you can use it in harsher climates as well to get the shot. Ergonimcs of the 7D are lightyears ahead of the Rebels To me that is a big factor because if your shooting for hours you want something that is comfortable and quick to navigate. Also teh AF system of the 7D is a 19point system with dual processors to keep AF speed up and tracking for fast paced action.
I have only compared these 2 I know but there is a difference largely in what body you want to choose depending on what you want to shoot and what kind of budget you have. I wouldnt go about saying it doesnt matter what body you have cause it doesnt mean anything. if that was the case they would only make 1 camera body and call it a day

You can have the best lenses made but There will be a difference if both used on the T4i and 7D in its ability to get the shot.

Sure - when you start to break down specs like continuous shooting fps, weather proofing, AF system, etc there are tons of difference. It is true that each body (especially pro level bodies) are all geared towards different types of shooters - ie sports (Nikon D4 or Canon Equivlent - 1Dx?), portraits/fashion (Nikon D800 or Canon equivalent - 5d III?), however the difference in entry-level consumer grade cameras is marginal, and let's be honest...

The majority of people that are interested in this thread do not know what any of that is or how it affects them. They just want a "nice camera" to "take better pictures". ANY dslr body will do that... but first you just need to learn how to use it.
 
Well thats why the specs are there to set them apart. you cant dismiss them because of the user. If you lump everyone here into just looking for a camera to take nice pics and doesnt understand anything else then i wouldnt even steer them at a DSLR just point them at an advanced point n shoot and call it a day. it will cover everything they need from manual focus, decent AF, exposure control, macro shooting and a decent wide and tele end on them
 
ANY dslr body will do that... but first you just need to learn how to use it.

There is one aspect of the body that can be important and that is the ISO performance (color purity, noise, etc) of the sensor. If someone is shooting a low light and wants depth of field or a faster shutter speed, then ISO performance is a significant.

In normal lighting for typically use my D90 can take good pics with the kit lens but when shooting over ISO 800 image quality suffers and my D600 excels.
 
There is one aspect of the body that can be important and that is the ISO performance (color purity, noise, etc) of the sensor. If someone is shooting a low light and wants depth of field or a faster shutter speed, then ISO performance is a significant.

In normal lighting for typically use my D90 can take good pics with the kit lens but when shooting over ISO 800 image quality suffers and my D600 excels.

Sure thing... but for detailing photos (which was the reasoning behind much of my statements) there is a very simple fix for this... use a tripod, a low ISO, and a slow shutter speed.

Even my old entry-level D5100 could shoot cleanly to ISO1600 (at least clean enough for images posted on the web!).

-Zach
 
Just a thought...

People might consider supplementing the advice on photographic techniques and equipment by going to a photography forum.

There are many valid contrary views on just about every photography topic (more than in detailing, if you can believe that), and you have far more experts to fill in the holes or oversights or give a perspective that better matches your own, on a photography forum.

Sometimes well-intentioned simplifications and blanket statements can leave out things that may not seem important to the person making the comment but end up being very important to you (to the point that you'd make an entirely different choice if you were better informed).
 
I'm looking at getting a sony 5R. It's nice because it's fairly small and light weight compared to your standard DSLR cameras. But it has the same sensor size so quality wise it's going to be similar to something like a D3100, D3200, Rebel T3i, etc. The only downside is that it's fairly expensive being that it's a new technology (it's a mirror less SLR or compact system camera). It also does full HD video which is nice since I plan on also running a youtube channel as well. I'll start off with the 18-55mm kit lens and then I will get the 55-210mm as well as a lens adapter so I can use the sony alpha prime lenses and things like that.
 
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