camera

1. 5 Responses to “What kind of a camera should I buy if I want to get into glamour photography?”

2. By electrosmack1 on Jul 1, 2009 | Reply

   ODIS

   First off, you need to learn all you can about a camera-Reciprocity, focal length, film speed, etc.
   When you get to a certain point, look for a camera that fits you. Look for a camera that is in your price range, but has all the features you want. Think about where you will be in a year, when using that camera. A good camera to start off would be the Nikon D40x, D80, the Pentax K10d, or the Canon DR XTi. All these cameras are excellent cameras, and have a short learning curve. Higher up models include the Nikon D200, the Canon 5D, or the 30D. Sigma has the SD 14, and Fuji has the new S5 Pro.
   Some store to try would be, Wolfes.com, or B&HPhoto.com. Both are online, and have many yaers of exprience.
   Another thing to keep in mind is that the lenses make the camera. Don’t go out, and buy a $90 18-55mm lens, and expect to get superb shots. Think about a lens that is high in quality. A lens like that, might run you $500+, and sometimes are twice as much as the camera itself. There are however “Prime” lenses. Most of the time they are a 50mm 1.8. These are inexpensive-$120-and very good for just walking around with. The only problem, is that on most DSLR cameras, the 50mm will actually be the equivalent to a 75mm lens on a film camera, due to the conversion.
   In the end, look for a camera that feels right to you.

3. By Karl W on Jul 2, 2009 | Reply

   WILLIS

   One of the basic features needed for studio photography is not included on a lot of the entry-level digital SLR cameras. That would be the PC sync socket. This socket allows you to connect to the standard studio lights used for most portraiture, glamour, etc. type of work.

   Basically, the the type of camera you should look for is at least a mid-level digital SLR like a Nikon D200, Canon 30D, etc. The reason to go with an SLR is to get the interchangeable lenses and other vital accessories. True, the lens will cost nearly as much or perhaps more than the camera body, but it will be worth it. In fact, you will probably upgrade your bodies later, but you’ll probably keep your good lenses for a long time.

   I would suggest getting some basic books on studio lighting and posing because this is really where the photographs happen, not in the the camera.

4. By wackywallwalker on Jul 4, 2009 | Reply

   JEREMIAH

   A time-tested and very popular camera with fashion photographers has been and still is the Hasselblad V series. If you are serious about fashion photography I would suggest a used Hasselblad 500 series camera (500c, 500cm, 503cx or cw) coupled with a 150mm lens. This camera is very simple and straight forward in its design and functionality. In fact you will find its features much more stright forward than many of these really complex digital slrs. This is also a camera that will grow with you. At this point you probably can only afford to purchase the film back and polaroid back, but this camera can also shoot digital. At this point there really arent many used digital backs on the market and if there are they are way out of the budget of most people, so the simple suggestion is when you go to the pro photo finishing shop just have them develop the negatives only, no prints. Simply go home and scan the negatives into your computer using a basic Epson flatbed film scanner, and you have the best compromise between the resolution of film and the convenience and flexibility of digital. Even with a cheap scanner you are going to achieve better images than most digital slrs.
   The best place to buy a used hasselblad is through KEH.com or Ebay.
   Here is a link to some fashion photographers who use Hasselblad medium format systems
   By the way if you can’t afford a used Hasselblad look at the mamiya Rb or RZ series, as well as the pentax 67. These cameras are also the staple of some fashion studios, granted these days most of their cameras are converted to shoot digital.

5. By Bill P on Jul 5, 2009 | Reply

   MONROE

   I have a friend who is a photographer at the CDC in Atlanta and who is constantly testing lenses and camera to always have the best.

   First, the word camera means room or box, so a camera is a box and not much else. The difference from one camera to the other is in the glass and while Hassy have excellent Glass, the Mamiya glass tests out as better.

   If you attempt to go into glamour photography, you need more than a digital SLR, you need a larger camera and you should shoot transpariences rather than print film.

   I would suggest either a 6×6 or 6×7. I don’t know if Hassy has a 6×7 format available, but Pentax, Fuji, and Mamiya (and probably more) do. You don’t need a SLR, to tell the truth, and the Mamiya 6 or Mamiya 7 is a handy, comfortable camera to hold. Mamiya’s camera are not made out of Kleenex boxes – you can take all of them that I have seen and beat someone to death with them and then take a picture of them. They are heavy. Some people might tell you to try Bronica, but my camera repairman who keeps all my cameras in adjustment, tells me that Bronicas come in more frequently than to the other brands. Nothing herein mentioned is cheap and the glass you will need will blow the price out of the sky.

6. By fhotoace on Jul 8, 2009 | Reply

   LEROY

   Quick answer.

   Buy either a Nikon or Canon SLR film camera with either a 85mm or 105mm lens and start shooting.

   A class or two at a community college will help you hone your skills and learn lighting so when you are ready to spend about $8000 on a DSLR that matches the lenses you have already and some studio strobes, you will know exactly what you want and won’t have to purchase equipment twice.

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