Food Photography/SLR Camera
Hi,
Not sure if this is the right board, but I'm thinking I might need to invest in a SLR camera to improve my photo skills and to possibly try to turn this hobby into a food styling/magazine career.
Any recommendations? I cureently have a Cannon PowerShot 1000, but all the classes seem to require an SLR. Thank you!
feel free to email me directly.
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19 Comments:
For an introductory camera, I used the Canon XT (the latest version of which is now the XTi) and loved it. Now I use a Canon 20D (which is comparable to the XTi but is older and weighs more..euh) with a Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 macro lens. I used to use a prime macro lens but I like the versatility of a zoom lens.
Robyn Lee at 4:41PM on 08/19/08
Hey there,
check out Steve's Digicam or DP Reviews for some really solid info.
If there's one mini advice for getting a new DSLR, that would be start with a lens that you will want to use for a long time. With These cameras, you'll update the camera bodies but likely keep your lens forever (unless you sell it). With that said, after you decide on which family of camera you want (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, etc), look up 'nifty fifty' lens. Both Canon and Nikon make a 50mm prime lens that's around $100. I would say start there, unless you're ready for a prime or zoom macro lens right out of the gate. Good luck.
foodinmouth at 5:02PM on 08/19/08
I got a Nikon D40 a couple months ago and absolutely love it. I did a lot of research, and many experts and amateurs recommend it.
chgoeditor at 5:12PM on 08/19/08
Robyn, actually I believe the latest version is now the XSi but if you can find an XTi used, it will be a lot of camera bang for your buck.
Note that for a lot of popular lenses, like the nifty fifty, your minimum required distance from your subject is much further away than with a point and shoot. Go to a store and try it out yourself, you'll be a little surprised. Your little point and shoot can get much closer than an SLR can with a non-macro lens. However, with a digital SLR you can get gorgeous, low-light, low noise, blurred background (bokeh) food shots.
You can get pretty decent shots with an XTi with kit lens. Just note that the kit lens is a starter lens and isn't suitable for low light shots. Once you know more of what you want, you'll probably want to upgrade. But if it's your first SLR, it might be worthwhile to stick with the kit lens for a little while just to see what you end up using the camera for, whether it's kitchen food shots or party food shots or restaurant food shots or whatever. Each one of these situations has unique challenges and requirements from a camera (and photographer).
kathrynyu at 5:17PM on 08/19/08
i second chgoeditor's endorsment of the nikon d40... its fabulous for a beginner.
agk685 at 9:32PM on 08/19/08
Thanks for the great advice, kathrynyu. I'd encourage everyone to bookmark that Sigma lens Robyn links to above. She gets some OMG-AMAZING shots with it, and Nick Solares, who writes for A Hamburger Today, uses the same one. It's pricey, to be sure, but if you really get into food photography and have the bucks, it seems to make a ton of difference. (Not that I would know firsthand; I'm still using my Canon SD 800is).
I know from watching Robyn firsthand, too, that she does a lot of TLC on her photos in Photoshop. She shoots in raw format and works some of her magic post-shutter.
Adam Kuban at 11:45PM on 08/19/08
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=14256
Canon Rebel XTi with a 50mm lens and a Canon speed flash
I have had a Canon SLR since I was 14, but this one takes beautiful pictures. I highly recommend it.
JerzeeTomato at 1:30AM on 08/20/08
See some examples of Robyn's awesome photography here.
Raphael at 2:30AM on 08/20/08
I've been cameras for years, and I can tell you its definitely a good idea to invest in a DSLR if you're looking to make a career of your photography. Either the Nikon D40, or the Canon Rebel Xti, both mentioned by others already, would be a great "beginnner's SLR". This is not to say that those cameras cannot be used long-term, however. They can still be upgraded with any number of lenses. For food-photography, I would reccomend a macro lens, which, simply put, is a lens specifically designed for close-up photography. Since you already have a Canon Point-and-Shoot camera, it will likely be easiest for you to convert to a Canon brand SLR, since the menus will, for the most part, be laid out the same. Good luck in your photo-endeavors! I hope this was helpful!
PastaPerson at 9:03AM on 08/20/08
*That is, I've been SELLING cameras for years.
PastaPerson at 9:28AM on 08/20/08
if you want cheap with great quality, go for a Pentax, K200D. I used to have a 100D and loved it but wanted some more advance and all around better, so I went to a Canon 30D. A Canon 40D is a GREAT buy.
Truth be told it hardly matters what camera you buy, it's all about the glass (the lens and its quality).
suburbangourmet at 1:36PM on 08/20/08
It's a baited question; gets the Nikon vs. Canon enthusiasts all riled up. Everyone will recommend the brand that they use (which is what I'm about to do too), even though they're all good!
Ultimately, the camera body you buy is less important than the quality of the lenses you'll get for it. I use a Pentax K10D. It's less expensive than Canon and Nikon for the features you get, and I defy anyone to say it's inferior. Whatever camera you choose, look for one with image stabilization (which I think is pretty standard on even the most entry level ones at this point). Most importantly, go to a camera shop and hold them all in your hands to see what feels right.
Also, immediately go and get yourself a 50mm prime (no zoom) lens. Somehow this size lense takes perfect food photos, and the really low F-stop means you can get a really shallow depth of field, which is a must for food photography.
Tactful_Cactus at 1:47PM on 08/20/08
I want to "third" the recommendation of the Nikon d40. After 30 years of old, heavy SLRs, and 10-15 years of digi point & shoots?, my d40 is absolutely perfect for my needs, which include baby golden retrievers, and cloud formations here in the mountains of New Mexico.
bonnyholder at 3:22PM on 08/20/08
ok... here's the bottom line...
go to a camera store and hold the cameras. see what you like best in your hands.
then invest in glass. primes are better than zooms. get a 50mm
suburbangourmet at 4:49PM on 08/20/08
I just upgraded my Canon Rebel XT to a Canon 40D. The Rebel is an AWESOME first DSLR. I recommend getting the body only and then buying the lens separate. If you're on a budget, the 50mm 1.8 lens is under $100 and is a great lens - I've used it to take many many shots for SteamyKitchen as well as for my cookbook.
Steamy Kitchen at 8:50PM on 08/20/08
Thank you all for great advice! Will definitely take it all to heart (or to the camera store...or to my credit card lol)
orchidgirl at 9:57AM on 08/21/08
consider also the olympus e-510. if you are doing close up shots, the live-view screen is a huge bonus, and last i checked the latest versions of the rebel and nikon d40 don't have the screen.
the olympus is my first dslr, and while i'm still figuring out what i'm doing with it, i'm really glad i chose it.
the feel of the camera in my hand is really important to me, too. i spent a lot of time fondling cameras in camera shops.
the other contender for me was the sony A-100.
vvvanessa at 1:10PM on 08/21/08
Note also that the Nikon D40 and D40x lacks the motor necessary to drive Nikon's current lineup of fast primes. So if you buy a Nikkor 50mm f/1.7 lens, your D40 will be manual focus only, no auto-focus.
For Nikkor lenses, only AF-S and AF-I type lenses will autofocus on the D40, from what I found on the Nikon web site. View all Nikkor lenses. I don't shoot Nikon, so I don't know the lineup as well but it's something to be aware of before you go out and buy a D40 and start getting lenses. For the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM lens, if you have a Nikon D40 or D40x, the autofocus, however, will work. More on the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and D40 combo.
Vvvanessa, the following Canon SLRs have liveview (you can frame your shot using the LCD screen, not just by looking through the viewfinder):
EOS-1Ds Mark III
EOS-1D Mark III
EOS 40D
EOS XS / XS i
kathrynyu at 3:00PM on 08/21/08
thx kathryn. one of these days, with any luck, i'll be upgrading to something more sophisticated than an entry-level dslr : )
vvvanessa at 9:16PM on 08/29/08