Part Two: With an Actual Camera

For this part, I’m gonna aim for slightly higher end equipment-DSLR or MILC cameras, lenses, flashes, tripods, etc.

To start, I’m gonna make a list of different cameras you could buy, all around the five hundred dollar amount.

For your camera, it may be best at this point to go with an older model that can be picked up second-hand for a fraction of the price of a brand new one. Now, this doesn’t meant that you aren’t going to get a high quality camera.

In today’s market, there are two types of cameras that are should be considered for someone looking to get into photography-DSLR’s and MILC’s. So, let’s start by explaining the differences between the two types of cameras, as well as the similarities.

What is a DSLR?

The acronym “DSLR” stands for digital single-lens reflex, a type of camera that is based off of the thirty five millimeter SLR’s that were used by many professionals in the past. Inside the body of the camera, there is a small mirror, which reflects the light coming in through the lens into an eye-level viewfinder that allows you to see what your camera is seeing.

Whenever you press the shutter release button in order to take a photo, that mirror flips up out of the way, allowing the sensor to be exposed to the light, recording your image.

What is a MILC?

“MILC” stands for mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. This type of camera is relatively new on the scene, and has only recently really gained its popularity in the photography world. As the name suggests, these mirrorless cameras do not have a mirror inside of the camera body the way DSLR’s do, meaning that an optical viewfinder is not possible, as the light from the lens cannot be reflected up to the viewfinder. However, many mirrorless cameras today have electronic viewfinders incorporated into the camera bodies.

An electronic viewfinder is supposed to act a substitute for an optical viewfinder. The viewfinder in this case is essentially a very small, but high quality viewing screen inside of a groove on the camera. This shows a continuous representation of the photo that your camera will take when you press the shutter release button.

Choices- Now that you know the differences between the two main types of cameras, or at least the very basics of them, let’s jump into a list of the beginner-level cameras on the market today.

1. 1. Nikon D3300- The Nikon D3300 is a DSLR (see above) type camera that was released by Nikon as the next in their line of D3000 cameras. This line of cameras is meant to tend to the photographer who wants to move up from their smartphone or compact camera, into a DSLR, but doesn't need all of the features of a professional-level camera. Nikon's official page for the camera writes about the camera, "Life is full of surprising, joyful moments—moments worth remembering. The D3300 makes it fun and easy to preserve those moments in the lifelike beauty they deserve: stunning 24.2-megapixel photos and 1080p Full HD videos with tack-sharp details, vibrant colors and softly blurred backgrounds.
2. 2. Olympus PEN E-PL7- Let's jump to the other side of the fence now with the first mirrorless camera on this list, the Olympus PEN E-PL7. In an article by Adorama (https://www.adorama.com/alc/9-...), one of the most trusted camera retailers in the US, the site writes, "The Olympus Pen E-PL7 is a mid-range mirrorless camera that caters to casual users who are looking for a compact and stylish camera that gets the job done. For such an affordable camera, it is extremely well built, has an array of customizable controls and functions, and delivers good image and video quality—though, of course, you’ll get better images with higher-end mirrorless cameras. It also has a tilting screen, creative on-board filters and effects, and Wi-Fi connectivity that’s sure to appeal to the Instagram crowd. Overall, for something so portable and inexpensive, the Olympus Pen E-PL7 is a great choice."
3. 3. Sony a5000- Another mirror-less camera, this one from Sony, this camera is once again mentioned in the previously mentioned article by Adorama, where it writes, "Despite its point-and-shoot appearance, the Sony Alpha A5000 is a high-performance mirrorless camera that packs a lot of desirable features in its small, compact body—at an affordable price. It offers excellent image quality, highly accurate autofocus, good noise reduction, and the convenience of Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity. With its simple and intuitive controls and settings, the A5000 is perfect for newbies, casual hobbyists, and even those who are upgrading from a smartphone or a simple digital camera to something a bit more sophisticated."
4. 4.Nikon D5100 (D5200,D5300, etc.)- The Nikon D5000 series is intended for the more enthusiastic photographer looking for a little bit more than what can be found in the D3000 line, but still not quite all the features of a professional level DSLR.  The official Nikon site writes about the D5300, "Dazzling image quality meets modern connectivity with built-in Wi-Fi®* for convenient photo sharing and remote camera control and built-in GPS with mapping for geotagging and tracking your adventures. An innovative new 24.2-megapixel image sensor captures pure, lifelike photos and 1080p Full HD videos, and a brilliant 3.2-inch swiveling Vari-angle display delivers beautiful views from any angle—all in a compact, sleek design."

So, this is my list of a few cameras that I believe would make good starting cameras for any beginning photographers. Now, let's move into some of the other items that you may need to start your new photographic pursuit. 

1. 1. A tripod- A good, sturdy tripod is a great tool for a photographer, and can be had at really great prices today, with stores like walmart selling them for as little as twenty dollars. 
2. 2. 50mm F1.8 Lens- Now, when you first start out, that kit lens that came with your camera should be more than enough to get you started and help you take some great photographs, but once that lens starts to limit what you can do, a fifty millimeter F1.8 lens is a great place to jump. These lenses have wide apertures, meaning they can let in a lot of light and give a nice shallow deph of field, and the best part is, they are some of the cheapest lenses on the market. 
3. 3. Remote Shutter Release- A remote shutter release is important for when you have your camera on a tripod and are going to give a shot at some long exposure photos, as it will allow you to trigger the shutter without the vibrations of pressing the button. 
4. 4. A Camera Bag- Now that you have all of this nice equipment, you need to be able to keep it safe. While you're just walking around, you don't want your camera and lenses just banging around, bouncing off of things and getting damaged.

Now that you know some good equipment to get you started, let me tell you what the most important thing for a photographer is-YOU. The most important thing for a photographer is them-self. The camera, lenses, tripod, all of that-they're just tools. You create the photographs, and without you, that camera is nothing. So, get out there, grab your camera, and start taking some pictures!