Understanding camera for the 1st time is really important and this is what I’m going to share on this post, dear lovely people my name is Bima and thank you for visiting my blog.
It was really fun to guide you about using your camera for the first time and if you feel confuse than don’t put to much worry on it because I know exactly how the feeling is but I promise that you gonna pass this challenge. It doesn’t matter what camera do you bought, an entry level or cheap camera because basically all of them will have similar features and basic specification for shooting.
My first camera back in 2004 is a Nikon F80 with 35mm film than I upgrading into Canon Rebel in 2006, I was so impressed for having my first digital camera but you know what,
I don’t know how to use the camera at all
If I thinking like in 2006 than there is lack of information about understanding camera for the 1st time so what I’m doing is asking my friend or buying some cheap photography magazine in the convenient store or joining a free photography class in my town. In this blog you could read various article of mine that will telling you about photography especially in wedding and portrait which belong to my main expertise. Just to give a short impression about this blog than you could consider to visit this link below:
General Camera Type
Before I telling you about how to how to understanding camera for the 1st time than I will share about general camera type due to this 21st century, it will give you more impression about what kind of camera that you going to buy or you already have at home.
Mirrorless Camera
When you want to shoot in a light weight than having a mirrorless camera is a good choice for your own, it’s modern, light, and off course it has a sharp and clean result. Present mirrorless camera also come in a good specification for capturing both photo and video and this is mean no matter you love in photography or film making than you seriously can work well with a mirrorless camera.
The black and white photo above is taken with my Canon EOS M during visiting Hong Kong few years ago, generally I have a passion to visit an authentic place like traditional market and the photo you see above is in Chun Yeung Street market around North Point. If you visiting Hong Kong than love for capturing street art like mine than you must go this place because you will see thousand of Cantonese passing by since early morning.
The most impressive thing that I saw in this place is there is a tram rail in the middle of the street so you can see on the photo there is an old tram walk slowly among the people and yes you can sightseeing around Hong Kong downtown by this tram with just less than $1.
The picture below is my Canon EOS M which belong to the first generation of M series, you can buy it as a used camera or now you can buy the latest series too which come with better quality for sure. As I said before no matter what camera that you buy than basically they will have similar features and specification so please consider about these few things:
Front Camera Side
- Focus Sensor and Self Timer Signal – This sensor will work when you are going to shoot something, generally there is an LED light that will automatically on when you push the shutter button in a half depth and this is where you camera work together with the lens to find the perfect focus. Once your camera “think” that he got the right focus than there used to be a beep sign or green sign on the view finder which mean that you are ready to push the shutter button.
- Lens Release Button – Another part that you will see commonly at the front side of your camera is a lens release button. If you want to release the lens than you must push this button to unlock the hardware than twist your lens to release.
Back Camera Side
- LCD – When you consider to use a mirrorless system camera than LCD could be the only one devices where you could see your object and preview the result. Please remind that this system will make you easier to see but it will drain out your battery in very soon. A high-end mirrorless like Fujifilm XT3 and Sony Alpha 7 Mark III have a view finder but when you want to buy mirrorless camera less than $1000 so go consider to buy some spare batteries.
- Hot Shoe – This device is located on the upper camera side and use to put some external flash, wireless trigger, or vlogging microphone. You may not consider it when you don’t have any additional accessories like what I mentioned to you before.
- Power Switch – This device will use to turn on and off your camera, it should be located in the upper camera body or close to LCD
- Menu Button – This button will bring you into all the camera menu where you can set up for the white balance, metering spot, file size and etc. When you just bought your first camera than this menu seems to be ridiculous but I still suggest you to click the menu and discover what your camera had.
- Setting – Some mirrorless camera will provide this setting button and others will bundle it into the menu button but basically all the function will just same.
- Preview Button – I sure that all digital camera will have this preview button and it used to placed on the backside camera body
- Video Record – This button will give you capabilities to record a video but make sure to witch your camera mode into video mode
Lower Camera Side
- Tripod Socket – Mostly all the tripod socket will placed on the lower camera side where you can connecting this socket to any tripod that you have, it could be professional tripod or simply a gorilla pod
- Card & Battery Compartment – Generally card and battery compartment will set in one place but when you find other camera that separate it than it wouldn’t take too far.
DSLR Camera
DSLR is a camera that I use for professional wedding and portrait session, I know for sure that every brand now provide their high-end DSLR camera but I personally feel comfort for bring this heavy weight camera for working since it gives me good grip and rigidity while having a pro lens.
I spend for 5 years on using Canon system till I move to Nikon for the present time, there is no specific reasons about why I move to other brand instead trying another system that will give me more impression on working. Even I get familiar with Canon and Nikon but I sure that every camera brand is good so you can personally choose which gonna be your best gear for enjoying your hobby or working on your professional job.
There are few brands that rock the world like Fujifilm, Sony, and Olympus and you can check all the review before buy this stuff.
All the basic specifications that I mentioned on mirrorless camera will seems to be similar with the DSLR so you don’t have to be worry when you prefer to choose if for your own. Since the most important thing to consider is understanding camera for the 1st time than I seriously said that you are free to choose what camera that you love for the most.
As I said before that I get used to Canon and Nikon system so down here I will give you an honest suggestions on choosing those two camera brands with a good consideration on a budget.
Recommendation for Mirrorless Camera
Once you understanding camera for the 1st time than you are free to choose what camera type or brand that you love for the most. You might have a friend who buy earlier than you and inspire you as well than you can buy as same as your friend had. Just in case you don’t have ideas about what mirrorless camera that you can buy than down here I will give you 6 suggestion based on my experiences.
Recommendation for DSLR Camera
I work as a wedding and portrait photographer for over than 10 years and I personally have a good experience about having DSLR on my hand. Some people think that all DSLR cameras are expensive but if you love for having DSLR type on your camera than you can consider to buy the entry level DSLR too for having this awesome camera in a budget.
Down here I will give you 6 suggestion of greatest DSLR camera that you can use for any purposes, it could be on landscape, portrait, street art or even shooting for fine arts.
