First camera

[mircofragomena]

Hello,

I am going to start some photographic projects (indoor and outdoor) which are mainly going to represent portraits or shooting of objects. Some times I will also use it for short documentaries.

I would like to maintain the lines as straight as possible, so I was considering adopting a 50mm as closer to the human eye.

Too, I will get a couple of lights for indoor shootings.

As a body I am still undecided.

I have a budget of roughly 800$ for the body, and I am willing to consider a second hand product too, if worth it - considering good conditions.

The bodies that I have in my mind are 5dMii, 7d/6d, 70d/80d.
Unfortunately I don't have big knowledge about differences, if not the basics.

I might end up having to print some of the pictures, but it's never going to be a huge print, and it is actually rarely gonna happen.

How would you invest your money between these?

Thanks a lot!

 

[KCook]

Some times I will also use it for short documentaries.

The video game can be tricky. A DSLR will be Ok for video shot with a tripod. For handheld video I would much rather work with a mirrorless camera. Anyways, links for more views on Canon and video -

Video

5D mark III, 7D mark II, 6D ?

Kelly Cook

 

[Tim Reidy Productions]

for a first camera of the ones you listed

I would go with the 70d and

getting a 35mm prime or a 28mm prime

and a 50mm prime

You may not have the budget for full frame and you should get fine results from a crop sensor.

go to the canon forums for better canon tips than I can give with that system.

I know pentax and the answer would be basically the same but just getting a

k3 or k70 body

 

[Mark S Abeln]

You I would like to maintain the lines as straight as possible, so I was considering adopting a 50mm as closer to the human eye.

What you are writing about is a rectinlinear lens, which is one that always projects straight lines in real life as straight on the image. Very many lenses - if not most - are rectilinear, although ultra wide angle rectinlinear lenses tend to be expensive. Lenses that aren't rectinlinear might exhibit barrel distortion, where lines bulge outward, or pincushion distortion where they curve inwards. Good lens reviews should tell you the amount and kind of distortion: small amounts are fine for most work, and this is often easily removed by computer software, or by the camera's own electronics.

Perhaps you are thinking about perspective distortion: if you stand too close to a subject, their nose may look too large relative to their ears, for example. But this is an easy fix: stand 10-15 feet from your subject, and use a longer lens to get a headshot, and a wider lens to get full body.
So get a rectilinear lens and stand at least 10 feet from your subject.

 

[tonybelding]

I would like to maintain the lines as straight as possible, so I was considering adopting a 50mm as closer to the human eye.

I think 35-40mm is preferable as a "normal" lens. (And remember you have to convert that when using a camera with a smaller sensor. So more like 28mm for APS-C cameras, or about 20mm for M4/3 cameras.)

I would nudge you to take a look at some of the mirrorless cameras, especially the M4/3 models from Olympus and Panasonic. Or if you really want a DSLR, don't overlook Pentax. They can be very cost-effective.