Newbie : Need help on choosing a DSLR camera?

[Aakash]

Greetings ,

I am going to start photography as my new hobby ,(but as a serious hobby )
I am a totally newbie and amazed by pictures like below.

http://oi52.tinypic.com/ncgtg4.jpg

http://oi55.tinypic.com/2epqdtz.jpg

http://oi54.tinypic.com/2nvwgvr.jpg

http://oi55.tinypic.com/2d2tfa.jpg

I am wondering ..How to do that blur effect? How to get that amazing blue sky ? How to get those portraits?

My budget is around 1000$ (but can spend little more) .What kind of DSLR camera should I go for ? What kind of lenses ?
Basically,I need a cam which can take pictures like above. (I prefer Canon and Nikon)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Tom W]

ah, the age old question...which camera to buy!

the answer is....whichever suits you best, I presume you are looking at DSLR's, you need to find the ones in your budget, compare the spec, and see which features you think you will use most, then go to a shop and try the shortlist. you need to get whichever feels best in your hand, which you can navigate menus easily etc... there isn't really one camera that is the best in a price range.

I have the canon 500D (rebel T1i) and love it, but the nikon D3000/D5000 is just as good.

to get the blurred background, like the bird picture you need a large aperture. The aperture is determined by the lens, not the camera, you will struggle with the kit lens to get good Bokeh (blurred backgrounds) - for this, a lens around F/1.8 and under is perfect. ie, 50mm F1.8, which is a reasonably cheap lens, but with no zoom, you will need to be fairly close to whatever you are shooting.

Anyway there is so much I could tell you.....but the main point is research camera's, and try them in a shop, even if you then buy online. people in a good camera shop can offer really good advice.

good luck!
www.flickr.com/photos/tomwray

 

[sagara]

recommended cameras:
Canon 550D
Nikon D3100

Any money you might have saved ought to be spent on other things
- lenses
- photography classes
- books

"How to get that blur effect"
shallow depth of field. You want a lens with a low f/stop. I recommend teh 50mm f/1.8. It is fast, it is cheap, it is something you can carry with you everywhere. it is on my camera 95% of the time. For something so cheaply made, it is hard to believe how amazing that lens is.
in the example with the birds, it looks like the photographer was using a really long lens. Possibly a 400 or 600mm
How to get a shallow depth of field:
- use a low f/stop (in photography speed, wide aperture, or fast lens)
- get close to the subject, the closer you are more will be thrown out of focus.
- longer focal length. Some professionals use 300mm f/2 to take portraits.

"How to get that amazing blue sky"
using a polarizer can help you achieve those results.

"how to get those portraits"
In these protraits, the background isn't really thrown out of focus. The light is really good; there are probally some strobe lights, soft boxes and reflectors to get the light just right. And it gives the subject some really flattering light.

recommended lenses:
50mm f/1.8 (does everything)
70-200mm f/2.8 (expensive, but great for portraits, and with a tele-converter 1.4; you should be able to caputre some birds)

If i had to choose any 3 lenses for my Canon system it would be
16-35mm f/2.8 (wide angle, landscape, and street photography)
50mm f/1.8 (low light, fast, use it all the time)
70-200mm f/2.8 IS II (get arms like popeye because this lens will get heavy over time)

flashgun:
Metz 54 AF-1

 

[O??n]

I have a Canon Rebel XS. I personally love it, but you might be looking for something a bit more evolved. I probably wouldn't be the best to give advice on the camera itself, but as for lenses.
Make SURE you're getting a good telephoto lens, you'll need it for landscape shots like the ones you like.

How to do that blur effect?> This can be done by changing your Aperture, and various other things add to it.

How to get that amazing blue sky ?> This comes from good color settings, and nice custom settings such as Aperture, Shutter Speed, ISO, etc. You just have to know what you're dealing with.

How to get those portraits?> Again, good color settings and custom settings and great lighting. If you're going to be focusing on -serious- portraits, you're going to need external flash, light stands, reflectors, the list goes on.

I hope this helps you a little!

 

[Forlorn Hope]

you need to know how to use a camera, before you can take half-decent photos...

get something like the Fuji HS10... learn the basics, THEN get a DSLR...

http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/round-ups/100-helpful-photography-tutorials-for-beginners-and-professionals/