New Camera Advice

[alfred russel]

I use primarily 16-35 & 24-70 for most everything.

So...I've tried researching this, and am coming up a bit empty....

From what I read, below 35mm is wide view, and above 70mm is telescopic, with 35mm to 70mm being normal. I have no clue what the first number means. It also seems like there are lots of other factors, but I don't understand those either.

Fuck this is hard. This is the camera:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Translucent-Mirror-Digital-18-55mm/dp/B005IHAIDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355684978&sr=8-1&keywords=a65+sony+camera

Should I just get this and then sign up for a photography class? I assume this lens is decent and would allow me to zoom and stuff?

[katmai]

Yeah you'll be fine with that lens

[PRC]

I recently purchased a Pentax K30 and I have been very happy with it.  Great camera, performs very well and is highly water resistant if you're going to be doing a lot of outdoor shooting.

[mongers]

Yeah you'll be fine with that lens

Yeah, people sometimes get hung up on the lenses and technology and forget the photography; this guy generally used one fixed lens, get one of his books, it'll inspire you:

http://www.amazon.com/Henri-Cartier-Bresson-%C3%80-Propos-Paris/dp/0821224964/ref=sr_1_cc_3?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1355714919&sr=1-3-catcorr&keywords=cartier+bresson

[alfred russel]

Camera is ordered.

The average car purchase is less confusing than that was. Thanks for the help everyone.

[mongers]

Found a nice piece of glass, whilst I was clearing some stuff out, a Pentax 50mm 1.7, the optics look A1; I'll try it out on the dslr this weekend, weather permitting and see if it's up to anything. 

[Scipio]

Bought the wife a Nikon D80, an extra battery, and a 32 GB SDHC card.

She's gone fucking bonkers with it.  I introduced her to manual focusing of photographs (I grew up with my mother taking thousands of B&W photos and developing them in her own darkroom).  Digital is fucktons easier.

[Warspite]

I'm going to reiterate the idea that you should take photography classes or read a book on it.

The most expensive camera in the world cannot compensate for a lack of technique. You absolutely must know the basics of how to use light in order to take a good shot. For example, it can be as simple as taking photos of people outside with the sun in front of them - not behind them.

But the good news is that the basics of light and composition are actually quite easy to learn. Most people never bother with this step, which is why most photos aren't very good.

[mongers]

I'm going to reiterate the idea that you should take photography classes or read a book on it.

The most expensive camera in the world cannot compensate for a lack of technique. You absolutely must know the basics of how to use light in order to take a good shot. For example, it can be as simple as taking photos of people outside with the sun in front of them - not behind them.

But the good news is that the basics of light and composition are actually quite easy to learn. Most people never bother with this step, which is why most photos aren't very good.

Indeed and I'd suggest reading/looking at the work of great photographers for inspiration.

[Maladict]

Got a nice deal on a Canon 650d while in Germany.
Pretty pleased with the quality of the first shots.