Help With First Ever Camera Purchase

[cciga]

Hello everyone, I am looking into getting my first ever camera and was hoping to get a suggestion or two. I want to be able to use it in low light conditions like star gazing if possible but the main reason would be to use on vacation, sight seeing. I personally found the DxO One which for the price of $500 not sure if the size would outweigh the specs of the camera for that price. I also was suggested the Sony A6000, $550. 

I was hoping to get some suggestions for a first time buy at or around the same price range as the two cameras as above from Canon. 

Thank you for your help!

[ScottyP]

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@cciga wrote:

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@ScottyP wrote:

I think you'll be happy with this for a first camera.  I was going to suggest a newer but more entry level T6, but then I compared specs and the SL1 is just better. 

I encourage you to get started right by understanding the simple but central concept of photography: exposure, and the "exposure triangle".  This is pretty painless really. There are dozens and dozens of free tutorials on the triangle. Most are just 5  to 10 minutes long. Just look on Google Videos or You Tube, etc.  watch about 3 of them, to get it from a few different presenters to be sure it is clear.

Congratulations and good luck!

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Thank you! Once I buy it I will defintely take a look into that. Anything else simple I could study up on?

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There is a book by Bryan Petersen called "Understanding Exposure".  It is in most bookstores.  It is mostly photos, and it is not a dense technical read; once you've watched a few of the exposure triangle tutorial videos you will know exactly what is going on.  He explains how the art and the personal expression come into the thing; there will usually be about 6 "correct" exposures, but you as the artist choose which of them is the "right" exposure for what you want the shot to look like.  I remember that this book made that point in my head in a way nothing I had seen previously had.  Great book.

[ScottyP]

And as for additional big purchases, I'd hold off until you know what kind of shooting you like, so you know what other lenses and stuff you will really need.  I know it is tempting to buy doo-dads like filters, lens cap leashes, and even extra lenses or tripods.  I'd hold off on all, especially the lenses until you know what you need.

Some inexpensive things you almost certainly will be wise to own no matter what would include:

1.) Collapsible reflector.  Basically a shiny fabric circle mounted on a round steel hulahoop.  Folds up into a little circle with a little pretzel-making hand motion.  Cheap as chips and simple as can be, and will allow you to add beautiful fill light.

2.) Microfiber lens cloth in a ziplock plastic baggie.  Don't wipe lenses with paper towels, etc...  Also really cheap.

3.) Extra memory card.  Nothing worse than filling one up and not having another with you.

One more piece of advice I, and lots of people, learned the hard way:  Don't pick up a cheap tripod.  You will end up just buying another tripod when you realize the cheap one is too flimsy and unsteady.  If you need one (not everyone does) expect to pay a couple hundred dollars minimum or more for a good set of legs and a head.

[cciga]

Thanks for the tips! This will definitely help me when its time. Thank you so much