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Ask the readers: what is the best camera for a graphic/web designer?
As a graphic or web designer, taking decent photographies should be (in my opinion) part of the basic skills. You don’t need to be at a professional level, that would take too much time and effort, but you should at least be able to take pictures that will not destroy the designs you create. The is many cases when you’ll need these skills: to take a picture of your creations for your portfolio, take portraits of your client’s team for the about us page, take some products pictures for your client’s catalogue when he doesn’t have budget for a professional photographer,…
Now the question: if you had to buy a camera that you’ll use for work, which camera would you chose and why? I’ll do a blog post with your answers.
Being an amateur photographer on the side, I’d say megapixels aren’t really that important if you’re going to use it for the web. That is considering the file size of those with 12MP.
So for me, if you’re going to simply take decent photos, but probably take on photography for later on (it does become addictive at some point), I suggest buying Sony’s Cyber-shot® Digital Camera HX1 http://bit.ly/BrnOt.
It’s a bit pricey, but a camera’s a sort of investment. And it’s a consumer cam with a little bit pro-options on the side. At least it’s comfortable to those without a professional background in photography, but with a chance to feel like a pro every once in a while.
Canon 5d Mark II. As a web designer, you need to be able to do it all. The 5D Mark II takes care of this and makes it look like you’re a professional photog and videographer.
Nikon D90
Great pictures, light weight, easy to use, lots of possibilities.
I bought a Lumix GF1. I preferred it against a reflex, because it is more compact and it still makes great photoes. Also, it records HD videos with a very good quality. I’m very happy of it, coming also from traditional photography (I was owner of a Yashica).
I also got the Lumix GF1. The quality of the images is pretty amazing, and its compact size has made it easy for me to carry it around.
Canon 7D, a lovely piece of kit for the price. Capable of amazing pictures and full hd video (even slowmo). Add a lightweight strobist kit and a good lens or two and there’s almost nothing you can’t do!
You don’t need the top of the line dlsr for the most part. At sizes for the web you cannot tell the difference between a 5d, 7d, or rebel (or their nikon equalevents) Instead look at how you are going to use the camera. For product photography and texture elements, you are better off spending $ on lighting and a diffuse box studio setup. Additionally the rebel class cameras use sdc class cards making it easier to download the images to most computers. A good macro lens and lighting and you’re good to go.
EVIL camera is perfect for Designer.
Olympus EP1 series or Ricoh GXR.
Of course DSLR is great, but sometimes you want to have something that’s more simple, compact and can do more with little time.
love my Canon Rebel XTi. it does what I need. If you need studio or pro quality you might want to consider hiring a pro. Doug is right on the point. I’ve found that setting custom white balance for each session works wonders.
Ditto Rebel + good lighting
I agree. I have the rebel xsi with a decent sigma lens. Takes amazing photographs for me and was a good price. I also have a panasonic lumix Fz-5. The leica lens takes pretty sweet pictures as well, but inside lighting was challenging.
Nikon all the way . . . D3000, D5000, or the D90 are great easy to use Digital SLR cameras. The D90 even has an exceptional HD Movie mode.
You dont’t really need a superb camera, but a DSLR is a reasonable choice. Canon, Nikon, and others – they all make good stuff, so IMO you should choose system which is the most popular within your friends – you could then borrow lenses and other accessories from them
You don’t even need a new body – there is a lot of fully functional used cameras (and lenses) on ebay that cost a fraction of a brand new model.
Personally I’m aiming at used Canon 20D and 15-85mm lens – it would be quite universal set for me.
For example: I’m using Canon 10D with Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or Canon 400D with some EF-S lenses – but I don’t have my own camera – they’re all borrowed from my flatmates
But if you have some more spare money and don’t like heavy solutions, you could invest it in some micro-four-thirds system: Olympus PEN, Sony NEX etc. They offer DSLR quality (big sensor, RAW), detachable lenses, and they are quite compact – ideal to have it always with you in your pocket/backpack.
Nikon D500 will be my choice as it is easy, best and most stylish. It has charm of it’s own. It is pride to possess a Nikon
Canon 1000D. cheap, no video, but is light and handles very well. slightly biased and its the only DSLR I have owned. could go classic film and get a Canon FT. lovely.
my first digital SLR camera was an EOS450D, now i have an EOS550D which also shoots high resolution video ..~