Therefore, today we have proposed to tell you some tips to start losing your fear of reflex cameras and that you understand the most important of the vast world of photography. In addition, we have prepared for you a pack to get started in photography, with which you can have the basics at your fingertips to achieve the result you are looking for with each snapshot.
What do you need to get started in photography?
The first thing you should know, before joining the team that suits you best, are some key concepts on which the photograph is based. Thus, you will be prepared to use any camera on the market and obtain similar results with each of them.
The exposure triangle
The exposure triangle it is the ABC of photography. This concept is key to using any camera and its correct application greatly depends on the final result you achieve in your photos.
It is based on a simple formula that combines three variables:
- Shutter speed. The shutter It is an element of the camera that is used to allow light to enter for a certain time. There is some confusion here, since the lower your number, the faster the light entry you allow and vice versa, the higher the number the slower your opening and the more light will enter.
- Diaphragm aperture. If the shutter determines how long light enters your camera lens, the diaphragm determines how much light enters. Again, the lower its value, the larger the aperture, so more light will enter.
- ISO sensitivity. ISO sensitivity is a derivative of analog films, which had more or less sensitivity to light depending on this value. Digital cameras inherit this sensitivity, even if they don’t use film. Thus, you can use values from 100 to 6400 or 12800. The more sensitivity, the better photos you will achieve in low light.
How to take good photos?
In short, to do good pictures You must adapt each of these parameters to the conditions of the environment. If it is very bright, you will have to close the diaphragm and lower the ISO sensitivity, or do the opposite if you want to shoot night photographs.
Here practice makes perfect, so you will have to try all the possible combinations until you find the ones that convince you the most. Always remember that it all depends on the type of photo you want to get.
What SLR camera to buy?
The big question for those who start in photography is that camera to buy. Our advice is to leave compact cameras behind and go straight for a SLR, since the options they offer you are unmatched.
In addition, there are many models for tight budgets, as we already told you in our article about cheaper SLR cameras. It really doesn’t matter which one you buy to get started, as long as you have a viewfinder, lens, and basic configuration options.
What is the best lens for photography?
This should be your second investment after buying one reflex camera, since it will allow you to play much more with the type of photography. There are several types, although a telephoto and a wide angle are always safe bets to expand your catalog of options, as long as you already have the versatile 18-55, a classic for beginners.
However, do not worry too much about this, since with time you will be able to improve your objectives or even buy another body when you already know a little more about photography. So if your SLR comes with one, learn how to use it first before investing in more lenses.
Basic accessories
In addition to the camera, there are some accessories that will make your life much easier when you are starting in the world of photography:
- Memory card. The storage Internal, if you have one, of the cameras is usually very limited. Therefore, another basic is to get a memory card compatible with your camera with plenty of space to store all your photos. You can buy very cheap memories from 16 GB to 512 GB and even more, if your budget allows it, although with a 64 or 128 GB card you will have more than enough to start with.
- Bag or backpack. If you already have several objectives, a transport bag will make your life much easier, since it will protect your equipment and allow you to take it with you anywhere without getting lazy.
- Batteries. Another good investment, especially if you are going to do long sessions, since it guarantees you double the autonomy of your camera.
- Tripod. A classic that most beginners often forget. The tripod will allow you to take much more stable photos in the first bars of your learning and do away with the terrible ‘beginner effect’ of shaky photos.
- Other accessories. In addition to the basics, it never hurts to carry other accessories such as cleaning wipes suitable for photographic lenses, sun or colored filters for the lens or even a flash if you are going to take a lot of night photos.
The camera to start
As we have discussed, there are many inexpensive options on the market that you can start with. Specifically, these three are the ones that we recommend for their versatility and options.
Nikon D3500: with built-in lens
The most basic Nikon model has a great advantage and that is that it includes a objective so you can use it from the first moment. This will save you some headaches when choosing one and thanks to its sensor 24 megapixels you can achieve the photos you’ve always dreamed of with a little practice.
Canon EOS 1300D camera: perfect to start
The EOS 1300D it is one of the most interesting options to be your first camera. With this model you take home a quality body with which you can do everything and on its website you also have a wide variety of objectives to achieve the perfect tandem. like the Nikon D3500, has a 24.1 megapixel sensor and is compatible with the format RAW, giving you the advantage of shooting first and editing later with no loss of quality.
Sony A3000: the most affordable
The third option that we present to you, in the same price range as the previous ones, is the model Sony A3000. This camera it is perfect for beginnersas it has all manual shooting modes, a large APS-C sensor that gives you great sensitivity in low light and a 20 megapixel sensor. Its only downside is that it only supports the objectives of E-mount of the brand, something that reduces its versatility.
The objective
The next investment you should make for your first photography pack is that of a good goal. Following the line of the previous point, we recommend three objectives, one for each of the previous models.
Nikon AF-P 18-55: with autofocus
Choosing a first lens is not easy, but we recommend you bet on the maximum possible versatility for your first photographs with the Nikon 18-55 lens, a classic to get started. This focal point does not stand out especially in anything, but it is an intermediate accessory for all kinds of uses. In addition, it is capable of rapid focus and is able to switch between autofocus and manual focus by using the camera menu.
Canon EF-S 24mm f / 2.8 STM: the best still
Without a doubt, we could have recommended the version of the 18-55 which also offers Canyon for your cameras EOS as a beginner … but with this prime lens you can achieve amazing results very easily. It is true that, being fixed, it does not have the versatility of the other model, but its wide lens will allow you to take incredible photos with effect bouquet (the famous portrait mode that smartphones imitate) and also have good results in night photography.
Sony SEL075UWC: your first wide angle
If what you are looking for is to be able to take larger images or even record a video with your camera, this wide angle lens it will literally expand your options. It is capable of providing a 21mm focal length and is specially designed for Sony’s E-range.
Other photography accessories
Finally, we tell you about the other accessories that cannot be missing in your basic photography pack. Namely: the memory card, the carrying bag, a battery pack and the tripod.
SanDisk Ultra SD memory card: the storage standard
The price of solid-state storage, such as that used by SSDs or memory cards, it does not stop going down with the passage of time. This makes buying a large capacity card very economical, although we do not recommend taking risks with brands of dubious quality.
Thus, the SanDisk Ultra offers you an acceptable data transfer rate (100MB per second) and 128 GB of storage that will probably cover all your initial needs.
Neewer transport backpack: to carry it all
The brand Neewer offers a large number of accessories for your camera and one of the essentials is its transport backpack. At the end of the day, the most fun thing about photography is being able to go out on the street or go on a trip to shoot and having a backpack like this will make you less lazy to carry all your equipment, by having it stored in one place.
It has a compartment for the body and five more to carry lenses, as well as two interior pockets to store chargers or any other accessory you want to take with you.
Manfrotto 290 Xtra tripod: maximum stability
Choose a first tripod is almost as complex as choosing your first camera, since there are many options on the market. Nevertheless, Manfrotto It is one of the reference brands with which you will always be satisfied. Its most basic model, the 290 Xtra, offers you a sturdy aluminum stand, adjustable height and three locking sections to achieve maximum stability in any situation.
Bonus: don’t forget the batteries
Regarding the batteries, each camera model has an adapter and a different model, so we recommend that you go directly to the manufacturer to get an extra one. The three cameras that we have previously recommended have this option, so you don’t have to worry.
The perfect pack to get started in photography
With the elements that we have discussed in this article, you already have plenty to create your pack to get started in photography. The basic elements are the camera and the lens, but you have also been able to see some of the most useful accessories to take your passion one step further.
As for the choice of equipment, it will depend a lot on your budget, but we assure you that with any of the three options mentioned in this list you can obtain great results. Of course, with some practice.