Hi all. Iv never been in the photographic sene. But looking at taking kiting pics. There is so much info out there, and trying to understand all the photographer jargon is hurting my brain.
What would you recommend for a quality entire level camera.

Lenses. I get that the bigger the lense the more zoom you get. I'm sure there is so much more to lenses then this. So any information would be appreciated.
I did see on a post rowdy had some good info but I can't find it.

Regards kemp

Youtube is your friend!

What is your budget?

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dazed321 said..
Youtube is your friend!

What is your budget?

im thinking a grand. i dont want a big lens i think ether.

My vote goes to the Nikon 1 AW1
www.jbhifi.com.au/collections/cameras/dslr-cameras

Waterproof so you can get those great kite shots of your mates

But if you want a land only camera I have a Sony A6000 and it is very good (buy the 10-18 wide angle lens it is worth every cent)

My pick of lenses would be a 18-200 mm and a 10-18 wide angle you will get the best of both worlds

Wide Angle lenses let you get everything in as below

I think for the portability and quick pic factor, the GoPro can't be beat. And it's waterproof. Drop an SLR into the drink and it's bye bye $$$

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kemp90 said..

dazed321 said...
Maybe something like this?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Canon-EOS-700D-18-55-75-300-Twin-Kits-18MP-Full-HD-DSLR-Camera-1-Yr-Au-Wty-/171045328147?hash=item27d3189513:g:UXAAAMXQPatTIXet

Sure others will have their own suggestions, I think Sony mirrorless and pretty amazing these days.

Yes. I have a friend use this camera and it produces the goods. Are the lens you buy in a pack hopeless?

Kit lens are ok, but if you want a better lens you really need to spend $1000 plus for a decent lens alone

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loftywinds2 said...
I think for the portability and quick pic factor, the GoPro can't be beat. And it's waterproof. Drop an SLR into the drink and it's bye bye $$$

Haha no. I want magazine quality pics. Not sure the GoPro would cut it haha

As mentioned above Sony a6000 with native lenses is probably the best bang for your buck. A6000 has around the worlds fastest auto-focus.

If you want bigger form factor Canon 7D or 700D, 650D etc. could also be decent options. 7D has the fastest sequence rate of the canons and great autofocus, you can get them secondhand for a decent price, just look for a low shutter count.

Lenses can often be found at good prices secondhand and they tend to hold their value well if you want to sell them on again.

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kemp90 said...

loftywinds2 said...
I think for the portability and quick pic factor, the GoPro can't be beat. And it's waterproof. Drop an SLR into the drink and it's bye bye $$$

Haha no. I want magazine quality pics. Not sure the GoPro would cut it haha

Pay my flight and you'll have said pics by the weekend...

Otherwise I'd look at a second hand body and pro lense.
I'd go a Canon body, 60d or 7d (just my pref or Nikon. Like Holden/Ford). Then maybe Sigma Art series lens. You'll get some great gear for 1k if you buy smart (and then spend the time learning to use it).

Plenty of used gear for both Canon and Nikon.

If you go Canon get an L 24-105 f.4 IS, best money you can spend, it will pretty much be your lens for everything except tele or super wide shots.

My advice for a 3 lens super kit is:
11-16 Tokina f2.8 (or 12-24 f4). (about $400 or so secondhand)
24-105 Canon L f4 IS. (about $600-700 or so secondhand)
70-200 Canon L f4 IS. (about $700-800 or so secondhand)

This will cover everything you ever want to shoot kiting almost. If you can only afford one get the 24-105 though.

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sir ROWDY said...
If you go Canon get an L 24-105 f.4 IS, best money you can spend, it will pretty much be your lens for everything except tele or super wide shots.

My advice for a 3 lens super kit is:
11-16 Tokina f2.8 (or 12-24 f4). (about $400 or so secondhand)
24-105 Canon L f4 IS. (about $600-700 or so secondhand)
70-200 Canon L f4 IS. (about $700-800 or so secondhand)

This will cover everything you ever want to shoot kiting almost. If you can only afford one get the 24-105 though.

What do you use rowdy

Iphone







Just done a kite exploration trip with exmouth kite, tom showed me the panoramic set up, goes good I reckon,



Took the daughters top of the range canon, but wind = sand/salt air/ salt water= big dollars repair

^Some beautiful shots man! Wouldn't want to see how that would turn out with a moving kiter in the picture though .

@Kemp90, I have those lenses amongst others. I currently have a Lumix GH4 and had a Canon previous, I mainly shoot video though.

I think the only thing that iPhones are good at are panoramics.....but they really capture the moment.

A high megapixel camera is even better if you know how to use some simple computer software. I do agree though that for ease of use and portability that small cameras these days are quite useable.

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noodelsrominov said...
I think the only thing that iPhones are good at are panoramics.....but they really capture the moment.

Yep , we did 6 hrs off road to get to this spot, dragging my dingy over some solid terrain, but then came to this spot , you'll never catch the true moment, 3 blokes looking for some remote spots to kite, and we scored some crazy kiting terrain

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sir ROWDY said...
^Some beautiful shots man! Wouldn't want to see how that would turn out with a moving kiter in the picture though .

@Kemp90, I have those lenses amongst others. I currently have a Lumix GH4 and had a Canon previous, I mainly shoot video though.

Agree quality drops

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cauncy said..

sir ROWDY said...
^Some beautiful shots man! Wouldn't want to see how that would turn out with a moving kiter in the picture though .

@Kemp90, I have those lenses amongst others. I currently have a Lumix GH4 and had a Canon previous, I mainly shoot video though.

Agree quality drops

Of the photos, not of the spots

Good luck with spending $1000. You need to do some research and you should go to a good store for advice too. I can suggest Camera electronic in Perth. they are a business where they know cameras at the professional level and also sell second hand or rental equipment.

I believe you need a lens in the 500mm range and these cost money. I suspect the lens may be your highest cost item. For example a Sigma 150-600mm lens could be around $1400 and then the camera you choose if not full frame will magnify this and could be around $500. Canon or Nikon lenses will cost a fair bit more and if they are fixed a lot more.

I would also suggest joining a camera club in your area too! I am in the process of doing this as the other factors to consider are what software you will use and how will you print your pictures.

I have recently gone down this road and am still learning despite messing around with dslrs for some time. In my case I ended up spending around 3 times your budget to do what you want and if I get good this could just be the beginning.

I agree that the Nikon 1 Aw would be the camera that comes closest to your budget but you may need to get wet and in the critical area to get the pictures you want.

Be good to hear what you decide.

For a grand just look on either the Nikon or cannon sites for a body and kit lens that fits your budget. Which brand? Put them both in your hands, buy what feels for comfortable. I use Nikon and my first kit was the Nikon 18 200 and tokina 11 16. Great setup but you'll be paying about 1500 just for those lenses.

Start with a kit lens, learn how to use it. When you've mastered that upgrade the lens and sell the kit lens. There's no point rushing out spending a fortune on good gear, you need to spend time learning how to use the camera first.

Spend some money on this book too, it's extremely good.
www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Edition-Photographs/dp/0817439390

Has my shot inspired you? You'll be dropping a lot of cash and spending a long time practicing to get shots like that Next time I see ya you can practice on me tough. Ill lend ya my gear

I have a 5dmk3 and a tamron 24-70mm f.28 for sale for 3k.. All in good condition.. Selling it because I want to move to the Sony A7r2

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Hybrid_Z said...
For a grand just look on either the Nikon or cannon sites for a body and kit lens that fits your budget. Which brand? Put them both in your hands, buy what feels for comfortable. I use Nikon and my first kit was the Nikon 18 200 and tokina 11 16. Great setup but you'll be paying about 1500 just for those lenses.

Start with a kit lens, learn how to use it. When you've mastered that upgrade the lens and sell the kit lens. There's no point rushing out spending a fortune on good gear, you need to spend time learning how to use the camera first.

Spend some money on this book too, it's extremely good.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Edition-Photographs/dp/0817439390

Has my shot inspired you? You'll be dropping a lot of cash and spending a long time practicing to get shots like that Next time I see ya you can practice on me tough. Ill lend ya my gear

Yes yes yes. You have inspired me. I'm fully convinced I can do this too

I have used the aw1 and it was ok but i want better haha. Although I didn't know how to use it.

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kemp90 said..

Hybrid_Z said...
For a grand just look on either the Nikon or cannon sites for a body and kit lens that fits your budget. Which brand? Put them both in your hands, buy what feels for comfortable. I use Nikon and my first kit was the Nikon 18 200 and tokina 11 16. Great setup but you'll be paying about 1500 just for those lenses.

Start with a kit lens, learn how to use it. When you've mastered that upgrade the lens and sell the kit lens. There's no point rushing out spending a fortune on good gear, you need to spend time learning how to use the camera first.

Spend some money on this book too, it's extremely good.
http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-3rd-Edition-Photographs/dp/0817439390

Has my shot inspired you? You'll be dropping a lot of cash and spending a long time practicing to get shots like that Next time I see ya you can practice on me tough. Ill lend ya my gear

Yes yes yes. You have inspired me. I'm fully convinced I can do this too

I have used the aw1 and it was ok but i want better haha. Although I didn't know how to use it.

This is not a bad deal, see if you can buy just the 50D and lens etc?
www.cameramarket.com.au/cannon-clear-out/

Bet he's confused now

If you think you're serious about it don't waste money buying kit lenses and other crap first. Although I agree you have to learn what you are doing, it's no easier to learn it with a kit lens or basic camera gear. If you don't end up liking it you will loose very little money selling your lenses again anyway. Buy once, cry once.

Tell you what is confusing me. Some cameras are very expensive but have say 12 to 18 megapixels and some cheaper cameras have loads more megapixels. This to me means that the megapixels arnt everything, correct?

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kemp90 said..
Tell you what is confusing me. Some cameras are very expensive but have say 12 to 18 megapixels and some cheaper cameras have loads more megapixels. This to me means that the megapixels arnt everything, correct?

Very True
Lens quality is everything but you said you have a $1000 budget

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NoWorries said...

kemp90 said..
Tell you what is confusing me. Some cameras are very expensive but have say 12 to 18 megapixels and some cheaper cameras have loads more megapixels. This to me means that the megapixels arnt everything, correct?

Very True
Lens quality is everything but you said you have a $1000 budget

My budget is $1000 today, next week it will be $1200 and the week after that $1400

I'm thinking I'll go with the Sony a6000. There are a few second hand ones available. Anything to look out for when buying a second hand camera?
Also it may get wet so don't think spending $$$$ on a body would be a good idea.

Look around online and you can find a6000's cheap enough new. I wouldn't bother with a secondhand a6000 body unless it's really almost new. Lenses are usually OK secondhand if they have been treated well.

Megapixels aren't everything, sensor size is also a big factor. a6000 has a decent sized 1.5x crop sensor, which is basically the 2nd biggest sensor you can buy. Pro level photogs tend to use full-frame mostly which a 1x crop (no crop).