For a beginner DSLR, should I prioritize the camera body or the lens?
Asked 10/31/2012
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I’m planning to buy my first DSLR and want to know where I should put more emphasis: the camera body or the lens.
I understand that lenses often stay with you longer, while camera bodies are upgraded more often. As a beginner, should I buy a decent mid-level body with a kit lens and learn first, or spend more on lenses right away? Also, what body features matter most for a beginner?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Any modern DSLR will be just fine, you don't have to invest too much in the camera body (maybe not get the lowest-end model, but the second-lowest-end model is usually quite nice and will do everything an amateur will need for at least a few years - for Canon this is the 650D/T4i, I don't know the model numbers for other brands).
Also, the "bad" kit lenses are usually so much better than any point and shoot and will do just fine - 18-55 is a little too short for my taste but 18-135 is an extremely useful range (18-200 is even better but much more expensive, I went with the 18-135 when I was in your situation).
What you have to invest in is not the camera or lens - you have to invest in the photographer - you need to learn the basics and the common techniques and then take lots and lots and lots of pictures (and look at the pictures looking for ways to get better, otherwise you won't learn from them).
A photography workshop or two may also be a good investment.
Learning how to take good photos will improve your images much more than a better camera or lens.
After you'll be doing this for a while hopefully you will know what is holding you back and upgrade the specific piece of equipment that will most help with your style of photography (for example, for me, right now, lighting equipment is more limiting than the camera or lens so this is where I'm investing)
Originally by user2481. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user2481
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
For most beginners, prioritize a decent body and start with the kit lens rather than overspending on the camera body.
The general advice is that modern entry-level or mid-level DSLRs are all very capable, and even kit lenses are usually good enough to learn with and far better than typical point-and-shoot options. If you don’t yet know what type of photography you want to pursue, buying expensive specialty lenses too early may not be the best fit.
Lenses often last longer than bodies, so over time it makes sense to invest more in lenses. But at the beginning, the best investment is learning: master exposure, focus, composition, and shoot a lot. Once you know your interests, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which lens to buy next.
A practical beginner path is a solid entry- or mid-level DSLR with the kit lens; some also recommend adding a 50mm prime later as an inexpensive, useful next lens.
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