Where can I find a camera that takes pictures like movie stills?

Question

I am fascinated with how movie stills look, I know I can't find a camera that will take EXACTLY that kind without being outrageously expensive.. But is there a brand or specific camera that can come very close to that, with a reasonable price?

Answer 1

I think I know what you are talking about. If you are normally looking at pics taken with cell phones and compact digital cameras, they are kind of like pinhole cameras, where everything is generally in focus.

The pics you speak of are taken on the set with dSLRs or medium format cameras that are film or have digital backs. With the ability to shoot with a wide aperture, you get these pics where say a movie star is in focus and everything else is just a creamy blur. a telephoto lens will usually make these photos 'pop' even more.

Is this what you are talking about?

You'll need at minimum, a dSLR cam. The cheapest are about 500 give or take. Sony, Nikon, Canon, Pentax all have entry level cameras in that range, and usually come without a lens.

Answer 2

Movie stills are often taken by photographers on the set, using still cameras. Sometimes, movie stills are taken from the actual film footage, so it's just one frame in the movie.

I'm not sure which look you are talking about. Can you describe exactly what you mean?

Given that, what you might want or need is a program like Photoshop to post process the image to give it the look you are looking for.