What is a good beginner landscape camera? Nikon or Canon? ?
I am very into photography and I want to buy one of those professional cameras. Which Nikon or Canon camera is good for people who want to take landscape pictures? Please, I want a camera that is cheap (affordable), great quality of pictures, looks great for landscape. Thank you
Tags: Beginner, professional cameras, Camera, Landscape, Good, Canon, landscape pictures, Canon Camera
Landscape photography by definition use wide angle lenses. NO P&S cameras have lenses wide enough to take dramatic landscape shots (24 mm or wider) so it is a good thing you want a “professional camera”.
The next level up, a 35 mm SLR with interchangeable lenses (camera with standard zoom lens is about $150 on craigslist) and then look for a nice used 20 mm lens or if your budget can handle it, a 18 mm.
I use a 12-24 mm f/4 on my D300 DSLR and the 14-24 mm f/2.8 on my D3 DSLR … not cheap or affordable unless your recently won the Lotto or are a working pro
To answer the other part of your question, both Nikon and Canon are excellent cameras. Which you buy has more to do with which fits in your hands the best and has the easiest menu for you to navigate
I agree with fhoto ace on this topic. Try to focus LESS on which CAMERA to purchase and MORE on which LENSES are better quality at the prices you can afford. Landscape photography would require you to have at least two “wide angle” lenses ranging from about 10-24mm….or one GREAT zoom lenses covering that range. A DECENT lenses for a digital camera might cost you $500-$1,500. depending on the aperature range of the lens, plastic lenses vs glass lenses and the construction of the lenses themselves. Both Canon AND Nikon make excellent lenses which work well with their “lesser expensive” DSLR cameras, such as the Canon EOS Rebel models or the Nikon D-60, D-80 or D-90 models. If you have the extra $$$$$$ I will strongly suggest the Canon 50D, the Canon 5D Mark II or perhaps the Nikon D-200 or D-300.
Hi,
The previous answers you’ve received are quite good, I’ll try to build on what they have recommended already.
Unfortunately you’ve given us a tough set of requirements… “Professional” and “cheap/afforable” are a bit at odds with each other!
If you are looking at a digital camera, I’d point you toward a Canon 5D (the original model, not the newest one).
This is probably the best value in a full frame digital camera on the market right now (compare with prices for 5D Mark II, D700, used 1Ds Mark II, 1Ds Mark III, D3, D3x and A700). Classic 5D are still available new, however the best value might be the many used but not abused ones people have been trading in when upgrading to the recently introduced 5D Mark II model.
The reason I suggest the 5D is mostly that the full frame format (meaning it’s image sensor is 24×36mm, or the same size as the image most film SLRs make on 35mm film) which allows you an excellent selection of lenses. You can choose from lenses made by Canon and many other lens manufacturers. The Canon mount also allows using many vintage lenses, via adapters. Nikon AI/AI-S, Pentax PK, Olympus OM, Pentax 42mm thread mount, Leica R and more can be fitted to the EOS/EF mount via adapters.
The classic 5D is now a three year old model. However the fact that its sensor is about 80% larger than so-called crop cameras’ sensors, along with it’s nearly 13 megapixels resolution, make it possible for the 5D to produce wonderful image detail even with a great deal of enlargement, for far less expense than the other full frame cameras currently available from Canon, Nikon and Sony.
But, yes, you could also certainly consider many of the crop sensor DSLRs tool. With those you will have a more limited selection of lenses. As has been pointed out already, often landscape photography and wide angle lenses go hand in hand. The crop sensor narrower angle of view reduces the “wideness” of any lens fitted to the camera. Instead of a 20mm, you’ll need a 12mm to get the same effective angle of view. And, there are simply fewer choices for wide angle on crop sensor cameras. (Note: the crop sensor camera also effectively increases the effect of telephoto lenses, which wildlife and sports photographers might find useful, but may not interest landscape photographers very much.)
On the other hand, if you decided to accept a crop sensor digital camera and work with it, you will have a much larger number of cameras to choose from, not just from Canon and Nikon.
But, eventually you will learn that the lenses you choose have a lot more to do with how your images look, than the camera itself does.
If you were willing to shoot film instead of digital, and purchase used, you might have better luck. There are some real bargains on film equipment these days.
There are many SLR 35mm film cameras available, both new and used. But a lot of professionals who specialize in landscape photography used medium format (120 film) and even large format cameras (4×5, 5×7, 8×10, etc. sheet film). Lenses and accessories for these cameras can be more affordable, too. Darkroom equipment, enlargers and enlarging lenses are particularly inexpensive when bought used, depending upon just how hands-on and professional you want to be with this!
But, the ongoing cost of film and processing, plus scanning images if you want to work with them digitally, are things to consider.
Hope this helps! ]
If you decide to buy used, be a little careful. You might want to shop stores online that offer modest warranties on used equipment, as a bit of a protection. Auctions and private party purchases generally don’t offer much, if any warranty. Adorama, B&H Photo and KEH.com are three large stores that feature a wide selection of used equipmen, plus tend to carefully test it before selling it and warrant it too. It might cost a little more than at auction or from a private party, but if it’s faulty you won’t have to pay for repairs or just be out the money you spent.
Finally, if you are finding it tough to make a decision, consider renting before you buy. Much pro level equipment can be rented for a weekend or a week, to try before you buy. And there good guide books and DVDs pertaining to most recent camera models, too.
Cheers!
Alan