Advice on purchasing a professional camera?

Hello. I want to buy a professional camera (digital) and take photography classes. I have a very good eye, but have never used a professional camera before and I am a beginner at all this. Can you guys give me any tips on what camera to buy....my maximum budget is between $800-$900. I need something that is relatively user-friendly, but would be in the professional league where I can take classes and get into taking high-end photos. I just want to do this as a hobby btw, not professionally. I would really appreciate some feedback on what kind of camera I should get and what the pros/cons are to that camera vs. other ones. Thank you so much in advance.

1.) I have already signed up for the photography class and it requires you to own a camera before class starts. It gives some recommendations; I just wanted to double check with you guys.

2.) I know that it's not about the camera, but about photographer. I'm not asking which camera is going to make me the next Ansel Adams. I'm just asking for some ideas on a good camera that fits my budget.

3.) Actually I would (and did) buy a piano before i knew how to play. Obviously you need to have the instrument to learn to use it. And unlike a car, you can't crash a piano or a camera.!

Hi! I just bought a Canon Digital Rebel XTI, and am in the same boat. Just taking a beginner class to learn how to use it. I have LOVED using it. My friend got the Nikon D40 (very similar) and he likes his a lot too. They are both in your price range (and they'll probably come with a kit lens). You can get specs and reviews for them both at epinions.com.

Here are a couple pics I've taken with it:
http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/e...
http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/e...
http://s43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/e...

Good luck!

For your $800-$900 budget, I'd recommend a Nikon D40 (about $500 with 18-55mm lens) with a 55-200mm VR zoom lens (about $250).
http://www.stunningnikon.com/picturetown
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

Or you could get a D40x and add about $200 to the cost.

Here's a link to Ritzcameras who has some good deals on both with different lens options.
http://www.ritzcamera.com/slr-digital-ca...

By the way, here are some pictures I took with a D50, the older brother to the new D40.
http://www.spmsportspage.com/images/coll...

I hope this is helpful.

the best photography courses use film

as far as the tools go (cameras), they all proform relative to the skill of the user....

my angle is find a course and see what they recommend you use

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You make the basic beginners mistake in thinking that there is some magic in getting a professional camera, even before you have taken any classes. My immediate comment is that your budget does not enable you to acquire a true professional camera. I have to say that I am not even sure that your understand what the expression means. Some suggestions have already been made in previous answers, but all are for entry level amateur DSLRs - and there is absolutely nothing wrong with those. A true professional camera would cost probably 3 or 4 times the budget you have. You do not need a professional camera to take classes and good photographs. As I often say in reply to questions such as yours 'the best camera is the one you have between your ears'

Slow down.

Take the photography classes first. Learn about light and f-stops and ISO and shutter speeds and composition. Once you're competent with the basics then you can think about a "professional" camera.

Remember, its not the camera, its the photographer. The camera is only a tool, like a hammer or saw or violin or guitar. The ability to properly use the tool is what separates the competent from the incompetent.

After all, would you buy a car if you didn't know how to drive?

I would suggest a Canon EOS 400D or a Nikon D40. Both excellent cameras without having to pay too much.

You won't be able to get Professional Camera body with that money - but you can get consumer level DSLR with a kit lens.

Currently two companies are dominating the field. Nikon and Canon. Both companies make good cameras and amazing quality lens. Lens are interchangeable. Nikon lens cannot be used on canon and canon lens cannot be used on Nikon cameras. For beginners, Nikon cameras are easier to use - controls are more logical, better arranged.

I prefer Nikon D50 over D40. Both of them are excellent cameras. For canon, I would go for used 20D for that money.

For film cameras, I prefer N80 or F100. Should be able to pick these up from ebay for cheap.

Go with basic camera body, and spend the money on lens and a good tripod. Higher Megapixel allows you to crop pictures, but who wants to spend that much time playing with photoshop anyway? You want to take picture that require minimal amount of touch up so anything above 4 MPS should be good enough.