Loki_bleu

4 hours ago, AJG said:

Depending on condition and usage this isn't a terrible price, but be aware that add on tele and wide angle adapter lenses are usually poor quality and not very useful. Cheap tripods are also usually not that good and won't last long.  That said, you could do worse for a starter camera and Canon has lots of lenses available if you stay with that brand.  

Great thoughts.   I have some good tripods here I used for cooking classes & I can sage the extra money for better lenses

I saw this camera system online & wanted to see if I can get your thoughts on the camera, lenses & accessories.  Also if the price is justified 

19 minutes ago, William Michael said:

My guess is you re in the USA, I have bought second hand (on line - delivery by mail) from B&H Photo - I reckon I am a lot further away from them, than you are. I found them good. If you are in the US, you have other large stores from which to choose, Adorama and KEH are often mentioned in these forums: I have dealt with neither.

That's an option. If I were you I would hold off on that option and research what your money can buy. The point is you know that there will be a new i-phone coming, on the other hand, it seems that you are not sufficiently educated on the alternatives, yet.

On buying into "systems" I believe that one should consider the advantages of buying into a 'big manufacturer' and 'readily available most anywhere' system: ergo second hand there will likely be more options; repairs likely easier; going to a physical camera shop - likely more choices; apropos range of lenses and accessories - likely a bigger range; apropos third party compatible options - likely a bigger range; etc. That means Canon or Nikon. As for lens recommendations - I comment below.

As a general comment, I think it unwise to classify lenses by the job that they do. The reason is that I think doing so might limit one's thinking and creativity. For example I have a very fine, thin 10" blade knife, I use it mainly for slicing ham, thinly: but I don't refer to it as my 'ham knife' or my 'carving knife' - this tool is really useful for: filleting large fish; flaying medium sized carcasses; butterflying steaks and poultry; etc.    

What is important to consider is the suitability of the characteristics of the tool, for the particular task.

Landscapes can be photographed with a range of lenses: noting that there is a large range of Photographs which fit the genre "Landscape" So too, Sunrises and Sunsets, for the same reason.

***

When you mention "Light Trails" I assume 'Night Sky Light Trails' you are now getting specific - that's a 'particular task'. So yes, we can now begin to define the characteristics of the lens which will be suitable for that task; keeping in mind that, such a particular lens might well (probably will) suit other tasks too, For 'light trails' - typically I would choose a wide angle lens, because I want a vast expanse of night sky in the image. Secondly I would choose a Prime Lens (not a Zoom Lens), because I would want to limit the likelihood of Ghost Images, Flare and Veiling Flare. Thirdly the Lens would not necessarily need to be very 'fast'  - that means it would not necessarily need to have a very large maximum aperture, because to capture a Light Trail, the shutter is going to be open for several second anyway, so fast lens speed in not a priority. On the other hand: IF I also wanted to have a lens to capture the night sky WITHOUT star movement then I would want fast lens speed. Ergo - IF I bought a fast wide angle Prime Lens I could use that for both tasks.

What I advise you NOT to do - Please do not read the above as advice to run out and buy Prime Lenses instead of Zoom Lenses - that was not my point, nor my advice. The above was an explanation, and example of how I believe one should work through the thinking and the planning of what you want to achieve. 

***

I have (mainly) SLR and DSLR Camera systems. I also have Mirror-less systems, both film and digital. (I have difficulty parting with my cameras and I have been at this for a long time - you probably have, or will have lots of favourite knives and pans.) That said, my digital Mirror-less system is Canon. It is Canon because Canon is one of the big two, it is also Canon because my DSLR system is Canon - my Canon lenses can fit to both.

However - for my digital Mirror-less system I have bought and use (almost exclusively) third party Lenses. The third party lenses are all manual lenses (meaning I need to use manual focus and metering). I could use any of my Canon EF (i.e. DSLR) lenses with my Canon Mirror-less camera, but I find the balance is poor (i.e balance - weight - in my hand). 

The above is merely to outline the background from which I am writing.

***

If I were to buy into a Mirror-less System, from scratch, I would investigate Canon and Nikon (I hold neither as preference). I would assess which camera feels 'right' in my hands. I would assess which Menu System is intuitive. I would assess the range and diversity of the lenses available. And (importantly) the Image Quality of the basic, or next up from basic, Standard Zoom Lens. These are the basics for the first choice.

With one's first camera, I advocate buying a Standard Zoom Lens, the better the quality, then good, within the budget - and then use that Lens, really use that lens, really really use that lens - the more one uses that lens, the more one will learn what is possible and what is not possible, and what one wants to do next.

You will be able to make many "Landscape" images with a Standard Zoom Lens. You will also be able to make "Light Trails" with a Standard Zoom Lens.

(Probably) for both tasks you will need a Stable Tripod, Head and Remote Shutter Release: if Landscapes are your thing, then factor these tools into your budget. A quality Tripod and Head are typically expensive if bought new; the good thing is buying these tools second hand, in person, is both are really easy test. My least expensive Tripod was bought at a money lender's shop - I simply plonked my biggest camera and biggest lens on it and then wobbled the rig - simple test.  

Good luck with your choices and have great fun in your Journey with The Craft.

WW

 

                                            

         

This was spot on.   Great information & help.   I am deeply indebted & appreciate all the knowledge 

All of this information is super helpful.   I really like the fact of going to a store to get a feel.   I would love to get a mirror less, & I know they are more $$.  I am not sure I can get a secondhand one that would be better than a new dslr.  Any sites you know of that have decent secondhand?   
of maybe I just upgrade to the iPhone 14 pro max for now & save up for a system.   
when it comes to a system, any certain lenses recommendations?  
I am pretty sure a night lens is different that a landscape/sunset-sunrise, & light trails (or am I in incorrect?)

You all have been super amazing with this & I am so appreciative 

even with my iPhone 12 Pro Max, I have won some awards    One is from the photo attached

$500 -$750. If I can get a package with body & 1-2 then maybe towards upper end.   I have a range of interest, from sunsets, sunrise, landscape & night    Would like to dabble in light streaks at night also. 

Greetings. I am looking for my first proper camera. I currently use my iPhone 12 Pro Max in raw.   I got a grasp for adjusting settings (ISO - f-stop - shutter speed) - well as much as you can on a phone.  I am interested in getting a proper camera (budget friendly); yet there are so many choices that I would like to get some input from those who have more experience.  Any help, input, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.