Photography......camera

Question

I really like photography.

Not like scenery but taking picture of people and right now i have a normal digital camera and I'm planning on buying a "professional camera" soon.

I don't know anything about photography. I just kinda..point and shoot.

So what would be the best camera for a beginner.

I've heard the Nikon D60 is a really good camera for a beginner. What makes the Nikon D60 great for beginners?

What qualities in cameras should I look for to take great pictures of people?

Answer 1

A "beginner" DSLR would probably be your best bet.  Whether you choose Nikon or Canon or Pentax, there are great beginner ones available.  Nikon and Canon have nice kits available at Costco that include a couple of lenses (usually something like an 18-55mm and a 50-200mm).

I can't speak specifically to the D60, but it has all the DSLR features such as interchangeable lenses, all the right modes, the ability to use a hot-shoe flash, RAW mode, etc.  Same with the Canon and Pentax beginner bodies.

In reality, lenses and training are going to be more important.  The camera body won't matter a whole lot if there's lousy glass in front of it or a snapshot eye behind it.  You might want to do some reading about portraiture.  Or photojournalism if you're just going to go out and take pictures of people you don't know (candid).

Answer 2

I agree with most of what the previous posts said. I have a D60 as a spare body, and I think it is a fine camera for the money. I wouldn't go for and of the lower models of Nikons though because then you have to do a bit more research on which ones are capable of using AF lenses with and without motors in them and it can get a bit confusing/frustrating.

Answer 3

Actually, the camera isn't as important factor in taking photos of people as the lens is.  I don't know the Nikon line very well, as I have a Canon Rebel XT, but pretty much any DSLR will allow you to use manual settings as well as change the lens, which will be important.  For portraits, many people use a lens somewhere around 100 mm in order to get some zoom and to blur out the background.