Depends on the brand. Your Canon 6D was a great choice. Nikon world, the D800/800e/810 33mp series if you're talking savings. Don't rule out ASP-C cameras of all the big three brands either.
I would be with a Fuji X-T2 or a Sony A7 II. Mirrorless is great for landscape as you can get the angle you want without crouching on the ground, sitting in some bush or whatever to look through the viewfinder. Both are quite affordable, both have great upgrade paths and great glass at decent prices and will be an awesome backup body in the future, or can be sold for pretty much what you paid for because they already have the bulk of their depreciation behind them. But both can do so much more than landscape, especially the Fuji with still seriously decent autofocus, good 4K video, even stuff like focus bracketing and what not if you do find out you like portrait or product photography better than landscape, or you like video more than stills. The 6D is a great camera and especially with the closed down and limited lens selection for R mount adapted Canon DSLR glass is still viable and arguably necessary for a lot of things, I wouldn't be comfortable with going DSLR in today's market, after a decade of great mirrorless cameras and glass.
Great comment and I agree on the XT2. I regret selling that camera. Don’t have a huge amount of experience in Sony but hear they are amazing. The 6d was an extreme example but a great option for quality on the cheap. Agree with you on all points, especially regarding lens options for Sony Fuji. Thanks for connecting!
Depends on what brand tickles you, the budget you have and what you want to do I'd say. For me, Canon just never scratched my itch somehow. Can't even explain it sensibly. So can't say much about them. At work we have an 80D with an 18-55 and 18-135 which seems to be fine. On the Nikon Side, I'd say D800, but it's a heavy beast. Solid, but heavy too. But they are a steal those days for a Full Frame camera. If you are a first time buyer, be aware, that you can only use the full potential with FX lenses, or you have to scour the older 35 mm Film lenses with F-Mount which work just great and are often available for little on 2nd hand marketplaces. If you want to go APS-C on Nikon and go a little smaller body, I'd say the D90 for the small purse or the D7000 if you can spend a little more. If you really just want a fun camera mainly for street photography, check out the Nikon 1 V1/J1. They can be had for an absolute steal because they get an IMHO partially undeserved bad rep, are compact yet offer a really good image quality. For Sony, I'd go for an A7 (II) if I could afford it. If the budget is tight, the A-6000 and if it's even tighter, the NEX-5T or NEX-5R. NEX-6 would be preferable, but you don't see them that much. Fujifilm with the current camera's I'd say the X-T2 or X-S10. X-T100/200 further down the line if you are on a budget AND if you can find them. They seem to be relatively rare. Another camera that will be laughed out the door by professionals - but I consider a good point to try the waters and see if photography is really something you want to pursue - is the HS-20EXR. It's cheap, you can shoot practically anything with a great quality lens and zoom range (24-720 mm!) and it's awesome to learn the ropes, it even handles quite a lot like a DSLR. It's lightweight, you don't have any fuss with lens changes, dust etc and it runs on AA batteries. Here in Europe you can pick it up for 50-100 Euros. Yes it gets noisy quickly, yes it is slow compared to DSLR / system cameras and your pictures will often lack that last bit of sharpness especially at the long end. Still, for me that one is a real sleeper... Micro-four-thirds is often overlooked, but something that I would recommend to the more ambitious beginner or people who have a basic grasp on photography but still don't want to break the bank. Who want to be mobile and want to do more wildlife / landscapes. (Or people who just don't want to lug around a lot of heavy gear.) Once more, those have a bad rep with "professional" photographers who frown on that smaller sensor. In my experience they deliver great pictures, especially for wildlife and landscapes, where their IBIS helps you to work without a tripod for a LONG time. Also, the lenses are usually dirt cheap compared to the other options. Show me a Canon or Nikon 600 mm lens that costs you around 550,- Euros and that doesn't break your back... The Olympus cameras have a (again, IMHO) more "artsy" look to it, surpassed only by the Fujis. The Panasonic are more... "realistic" would be the word I choose. Panasonic is also better if you also want to use it a lot for videos. But both are great camera's. If you can swing it go for either the Olympus E-M1 Mark II or Mark III or the Panasonic G9. Used prices are commonly starting around 500,- Euros for both of them. Don't be scared off by the fact that they are six years old now. They still deliver great shots, still AND video! If your budget is tighter, then I'd recommend the E-M5 Mk II / III or the G80/G81/G85 for Panasonic. Both still weather sealed, both still rugged and to be had for around 300,- Euros (and even less!) used. What I also like about MFT: You have those more professional camera's, but you can use the same lenses on compact camera's very suited for travelling as well, like the Olympus PEN series or the GX80. Bridge camera's might also be something to consider for starters, like the Sony RX-10 II / III or the Panasonic FZ-300 / FZ-330 / FZ-1000 or Nikon P900. Like with the aforementioned HS-20EXR, they are relatively cheap (if you factor in you don't need to buy lenses), flexible, comparatively lightweight and they can get you used on how to work with the settings as you would on a "professional" camera and can deliver great results if you keep in mind their limitations. (Being a bit on the slow side, getting noisy quickly and not ideal for real low light situations.)
I agree. If you never did any serious or semi-serious photography or used an interchangeable lens camera & on a budget. Even if you're not on a budget. Then run that camera into the ground, exhausting every feature & custom set-up. Try all sorts of photography & different techniques with the genres of eg., landscape photography & then & only then will you know what you need & want. After your first camera lens purchase, might be a good idea to rent a lens before purchasing. That is where establishing a relationship with a seller come in handy. Even if you purchase & decide the lens is not for you in a month or two/three/four, you can trade it in for another or return it with not much cost. I never used a Sony but lots love them. I think if you're switching from another brand to Sony, you need to give it time to get used to the menus & get the camera set-up to you're needs so one doesn't have to dig deep into the camera menus & that maybe true for any new mirrorless with a lot of gimmicks & features. Good advice & happy shooting to all!
Hi Bernie, Matt here. I'm just getting the interest of becoming a landscape photographer. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money into a camera and not know if this is something I tend to turn into a career as you mentioned. I'm actively looking on marketplace and found a deal on a Nikon Coolpix L310. Would you recommend this camera being a good start for landscape photography? Thanks in advance. Btw thank you for what you do on here. Great information you give out for us.
Great advice! I finally decided to get serious with my photography hobby so found a great deal on a very low shutter count Canon 70D with EF-S 10-18MM IS STM lens. It had all the original accessories including a Canon bag. The month after I found a superb deal on a Canon EF-S 18-135 IS STM lens. That's what I'm using now for landscape and some widlife shooting.
I did so much with my 70D and a6000. If you are just gonna be doing photography, I would still use Canon DSLRs and EF lenses. That is all you need. They are incredible. Still keep my EF Lenses around to use with my XH2S.
Bought a used Xt2 and used 18-135 and loved what that combo produced for around $1200AUD. Though I now shoot Nikon as well and into bird photography , I will never part with the Fuji. Guess there is no perfect camera.
Oh that is a great combo, the 18-135 was overlooked by a lot of people but I found it super convenient and great quality. Great to hear you have had a similar experience :)
There is no such thing as beginner camera. There is only a camera you can afford. It's not like a motorcycle, you are going to get in a trouble with a big bike. The original Sony A7 is around $400. You can adapt so many lenses. It will keep you busy for so many years.
What shit advice tbh, invest in what lenses? Canon EF lenses? Overpriced. Tamron and Sigma EF mount lenses? -.- Why not just go for a cheaper sony and get a sony e mount sigma or tamron lens and then when u can, upgrade to a newer sony e mount, no adapters needed.
Thanks for your comment mate, In the video I do say that the 6D is just an example, I mention it as I used it to begin with. I also state that you should look at all brands in the second hand market and point out Sony, Fujifilm are also great options. I agree, regarding current lenses. Thanks again and have a great weekend.
So if you had to recommend a beginner a camera what would it be? Or if you’re in the market for your first camera what you looking at?
Depends on the brand. Your Canon 6D was a great choice. Nikon world, the D800/800e/810 33mp series if you're talking savings. Don't rule out ASP-C cameras of all the big three brands either.
I would be with a Fuji X-T2 or a Sony A7 II. Mirrorless is great for landscape as you can get the angle you want without crouching on the ground, sitting in some bush or whatever to look through the viewfinder.
Both are quite affordable, both have great upgrade paths and great glass at decent prices and will be an awesome backup body in the future, or can be sold for pretty much what you paid for because they already have the bulk of their depreciation behind them.
But both can do so much more than landscape, especially the Fuji with still seriously decent autofocus, good 4K video, even stuff like focus bracketing and what not if you do find out you like portrait or product photography better than landscape, or you like video more than stills.
The 6D is a great camera and especially with the closed down and limited lens selection for R mount adapted Canon DSLR glass is still viable and arguably necessary for a lot of things, I wouldn't be comfortable with going DSLR in today's market, after a decade of great mirrorless cameras and glass.
Great comment and I agree on the XT2. I regret selling that camera.
Don’t have a huge amount of experience in Sony but hear they are amazing.
The 6d was an extreme example but a great option for quality on the cheap. Agree with you on all points, especially regarding lens options for Sony Fuji.
Thanks for connecting!
I built an entire system around picking up a used 5DsR last year - what a bargain.
Great value, there are some amazing options and that's one of them. Glad you're enjoying it
Depends on what brand tickles you, the budget you have and what you want to do I'd say.
For me, Canon just never scratched my itch somehow. Can't even explain it sensibly. So can't say much about them. At work we have an 80D with an 18-55 and 18-135 which seems to be fine.
On the Nikon Side, I'd say D800, but it's a heavy beast. Solid, but heavy too. But they are a steal those days for a Full Frame camera. If you are a first time buyer, be aware, that you can only use the full potential with FX lenses, or you have to scour the older 35 mm Film lenses with F-Mount which work just great and are often available for little on 2nd hand marketplaces. If you want to go APS-C on Nikon and go a little smaller body, I'd say the D90 for the small purse or the D7000 if you can spend a little more. If you really just want a fun camera mainly for street photography, check out the Nikon 1 V1/J1. They can be had for an absolute steal because they get an IMHO partially undeserved bad rep, are compact yet offer a really good image quality.
For Sony, I'd go for an A7 (II) if I could afford it. If the budget is tight, the A-6000 and if it's even tighter, the NEX-5T or NEX-5R. NEX-6 would be preferable, but you don't see them that much.
Fujifilm with the current camera's I'd say the X-T2 or X-S10. X-T100/200 further down the line if you are on a budget AND if you can find them. They seem to be relatively rare. Another camera that will be laughed out the door by professionals - but I consider a good point to try the waters and see if photography is really something you want to pursue - is the HS-20EXR. It's cheap, you can shoot practically anything with a great quality lens and zoom range (24-720 mm!) and it's awesome to learn the ropes, it even handles quite a lot like a DSLR. It's lightweight, you don't have any fuss with lens changes, dust etc and it runs on AA batteries. Here in Europe you can pick it up for 50-100 Euros. Yes it gets noisy quickly, yes it is slow compared to DSLR / system cameras and your pictures will often lack that last bit of sharpness especially at the long end. Still, for me that one is a real sleeper...
Micro-four-thirds is often overlooked, but something that I would recommend to the more ambitious beginner or people who have a basic grasp on photography but still don't want to break the bank. Who want to be mobile and want to do more wildlife / landscapes. (Or people who just don't want to lug around a lot of heavy gear.) Once more, those have a bad rep with "professional" photographers who frown on that smaller sensor. In my experience they deliver great pictures, especially for wildlife and landscapes, where their IBIS helps you to work without a tripod for a LONG time. Also, the lenses are usually dirt cheap compared to the other options. Show me a Canon or Nikon 600 mm lens that costs you around 550,- Euros and that doesn't break your back...
The Olympus cameras have a (again, IMHO) more "artsy" look to it, surpassed only by the Fujis. The Panasonic are more... "realistic" would be the word I choose. Panasonic is also better if you also want to use it a lot for videos. But both are great camera's. If you can swing it go for either the Olympus E-M1 Mark II or Mark III or the Panasonic G9. Used prices are commonly starting around 500,- Euros for both of them. Don't be scared off by the fact that they are six years old now. They still deliver great shots, still AND video! If your budget is tighter, then I'd recommend the E-M5 Mk II / III or the G80/G81/G85 for Panasonic. Both still weather sealed, both still rugged and to be had for around 300,- Euros (and even less!) used.
What I also like about MFT: You have those more professional camera's, but you can use the same lenses on compact camera's very suited for travelling as well, like the Olympus PEN series or the GX80.
Bridge camera's might also be something to consider for starters, like the Sony RX-10 II / III or the Panasonic FZ-300 / FZ-330 / FZ-1000 or Nikon P900. Like with the aforementioned HS-20EXR, they are relatively cheap (if you factor in you don't need to buy lenses), flexible, comparatively lightweight and they can get you used on how to work with the settings as you would on a "professional" camera and can deliver great results if you keep in mind their limitations. (Being a bit on the slow side, getting noisy quickly and not ideal for real low light situations.)
I agree. If you never did any serious or semi-serious photography or used an interchangeable lens camera & on a budget. Even if you're not on a budget. Then run that camera into the ground, exhausting every feature & custom set-up. Try all sorts of photography & different techniques with the genres of eg., landscape photography & then & only then will you know what you need & want. After your first camera lens purchase, might be a good idea to rent a lens before purchasing. That is where establishing a relationship with a seller come in handy. Even if you purchase & decide the lens is not for you in a month or two/three/four, you can trade it in for another or return it with not much cost. I never used a Sony but lots love them. I think if you're switching from another brand to Sony, you need to give it time to get used to the menus & get the camera set-up to you're needs so one doesn't have to dig deep into the camera menus & that maybe true for any new mirrorless with a lot of gimmicks & features. Good advice & happy shooting to all!
Hi Bernie, Matt here. I'm just getting the interest of becoming a landscape photographer. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money into a camera and not know if this is something I tend to turn into a career as you mentioned. I'm actively looking on marketplace and found a deal on a Nikon Coolpix L310. Would you recommend this camera being a good start for landscape photography? Thanks in advance. Btw thank you for what you do on here. Great information you give out for us.
Great advice! I finally decided to get serious with my photography hobby so found a great deal on a very low shutter count Canon 70D with EF-S 10-18MM IS STM lens. It had all the original accessories including a Canon bag. The month after I found a superb deal on a Canon EF-S 18-135 IS STM lens. That's what I'm using now for landscape and some widlife shooting.
I did so much with my 70D and a6000. If you are just gonna be doing photography, I would still use Canon DSLRs and EF lenses. That is all you need. They are incredible.
Still keep my EF Lenses around to use with my XH2S.
6D/5Diii were my first thoughts too. Even seen 16-35 2.8s for under $1k. X-T3 is a bargain 2nd hand - still a great camera for stills and a lil video.
I was actually shocked, there’s some amazing gear being forgotten about.
They were and are great cameras, with a stunning library of lenses.
I have seen some beautiful South West, US Landscape photos from the X-T2 on a forum.
I put this reply on a vid I watched 2 vids before this. Way to go google.
I put this reply on a vid I watched 3 vids before this one. Yo google, you awake?
Bought a used Xt2 and used 18-135 and loved what that combo produced for around $1200AUD. Though I now shoot Nikon as well and into bird photography , I will never part with the Fuji. Guess there is no perfect camera.
Oh that is a great combo, the 18-135 was overlooked by a lot of people but I found it super convenient and great quality. Great to hear you have had a similar experience :)
The 6d is great value. You can get it with a 24-70 f4 and a 70-200 f4 for £1000 or under.
Definitely! It's a fantastic camera. All you need really.
Find out what system your friends use and choose that.
Great point!
There is no such thing as beginner camera. There is only a camera you can afford. It's not like a motorcycle, you are going to get in a trouble with a big bike. The original Sony A7 is around $400. You can adapt so many lenses. It will keep you busy for so many years.
What shit advice tbh, invest in what lenses? Canon EF lenses? Overpriced. Tamron and Sigma EF mount lenses? -.- Why not just go for a cheaper sony and get a sony e mount sigma or tamron lens and then when u can, upgrade to a newer sony e mount, no adapters needed.
Thanks for your comment mate,
In the video I do say that the 6D is just an example, I mention it as I used it to begin with. I also state that you should look at all brands in the second hand market and point out Sony, Fujifilm are also great options.
I agree, regarding current lenses. Thanks again and have a great weekend.