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The camera's I own probably won't be helpful to you deciding on something for yourself. I have been a gear head since I was a teenager and I have used all sort

The camera's I own probably won't be helpful to you deciding on something for yourself. I have been a gear head since I was a teenager and I have used all sorts. For the last decade I have worked elusively with film because I want to enjoy it while it is here to enjoy. I wouldn't recommend that for most because it is expensive and can be frustrating when you don't get good results. If you want to make the jump to something more capable I recommend skipping all the stuff in the middle like mirrorless, 4/3, or high end point and shoot. Nothing wrong with these if it is what you want. However, I recommend you get a digital SLR. Decide on a budget. If it is small, buy used. Heck if it is big it still doesn't hurt to buy used. Especially lenses and tripods. I have never purchased a new camera, lens, or tripod. Prioritize your purchase in this order: - A book about the photo style that interests you. - Lens or lenses. This is the most important thing. It doesn't matter how awesome your camera is if you are sticking low quality glass on it. - A good tripod you can tolerate carrying for extended periods of time. The number one thing you can do to take better pictures is to use a tripod. For most, tripods are an afterthought. - A digital SLR body. I recommend this order because lenses are very long term investments as are tripods. They can last a lifetime. Bodies churn constantly and you can always get a better one later. If I were going to buy a DSLR today, most likely I would choose Nikon (but I'm already invested in Nikon glass). I would probably go for a D750 (D700 if money is tight, or a newer variant if I'm feeling flush) and a 50mm f/1.4 AF-D. If I wanted to shoot portraits an 85mm or so would be my next lens. Otherwise I really like the 35mm f/2 AF-D for landscapes and general use. All of this said, I don't think you can go wrong choosing from any of the major manufacturers. Favor full frame over crop sensors.

codingdave 6y ago
I picked up a Nikon Z series mirrorless and it is terrific. I have an adapter for all my lenses, which is working well. I have found no decrease in quality compared to older DSLRs, so I would not lump it in with point and shoots. As an added bonus, when taking wildlife photography, the lack of a shutter click means that I can take photos silently without spooking birds and animals.
- frompdx 6y ago
  I haven't shot a Z so I can't really speak to it. However, no autofocus motor for AF/AF-D lenses makes it less appealing to me. However, many consumer grade Nikon DSLRs also lack this feature. I think it really depends on what lenses you want to use and how you want to use them.
- jakebasile 6y ago
  I think the Z series is fantastic. The native glass is all around great and mostly reasonably priced (as are the bodies). They have the best ergonomics for my hand of all the mirrorless I've tried.

codingdave 6y ago

I picked up a Nikon Z series mirrorless and it is terrific. I have an adapter for all my lenses, which is working well. I have found no decrease in quality compared to older DSLRs, so I would not lump it in with point and shoots. As an added bonus, when taking wildlife photography, the lack of a shutter click means that I can take photos silently without spooking birds and animals.

frompdx 6y ago
I haven't shot a Z so I can't really speak to it. However, no autofocus motor for AF/AF-D lenses makes it less appealing to me. However, many consumer grade Nikon DSLRs also lack this feature. I think it really depends on what lenses you want to use and how you want to use them.
jakebasile 6y ago
I think the Z series is fantastic. The native glass is all around great and mostly reasonably priced (as are the bodies). They have the best ergonomics for my hand of all the mirrorless I've tried.