Here is what I am looking for (beginner)

Joined: 04 Jan 2007 Posts: 8

Hello ,
I always loved photography but never had any experience in taking photos. I want to start. I am still a student so I cannot buy the most expensive camera but I can buy a kind of advanced one.

Here is what I want :

- To be able to take nice B&W pictures with a DIGITAL

TIPS that I would reeally appreciate :
- Suggestions for Cameras
- Suggestions for what to read as an Intro and what I need to be aware of.

Thanks very much

Joined: 30 Nov 2006 Posts: 71 Location: Sheffield, England

If you are a student, I would recommend approaching the 'art' department. I know that the art section of the college I was at always had equipment for sale. This is usually adverts by art students that are short of money. You usually get good stuff as they are former photography student cameras.
Alternatively, most photography stores sell second-hand cameras. I know that my local store sell second hand cameras with a 2 year warranty, and at a fraction of its 'new' price. If it is a good professional store, you will also get some good advice off them too.

Joined: 04 Dec 2006 Posts: 79

With something like a Canon XT or XTI you just shoot in RAW mode and set the picture style to Monochrome. When you open the photo up, it will still have all the color of the photograph, but you will view it in monochrome. You can then post process it in monochrome to get the desired effect that you want, or you can switch to a picture style that you want and view/process/keep it in color.

Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:48 am

I've found taking pictures in color and converting to BW has let me develop more of an eye for what will make a good BW before shooting.

As for what camera, it depends on your budget and your commitment to learning how to use it. Fixed lens cameras have lots of features, while DSLRs offer more flexibility. As suggested an Canon XT or Nikon D70 will both do the job just great for a pretty reasonable price.

If the budget is tighter get a $200 camera that has manual features like a powershot A540 (i think) and learn the art of composition and converting to black and white before investing on more expensive hardware.