FAQ Beginner's Camera Buying Guide

Here's my answers to the most common questions asked when buying camera equipment for the first time:
What's the best beginner camera to buy?
Whats the difference between a DSLR and mirrorless camera?
How many megapixels do I need?
What lenses should I get?
What's all the equipment I need to start?
Will a more expensive camera take better photos?
If you can get great results with a cheap camera then why do more advanced and expensive cameras and lenses even exist?
What photo editing software should I get and learn to use to edit my photos?
My friend recommended that I buy "blah blah model camera" what do you think about it?
I don't think I'm any good at taking photos.
How do I become a really good photographer?
My Photography Course:
thephotographycourse.thinkifi...
Professional Work:
lukeayers.work
Questions?
Email me at [e-mail]

[@sanjeevarjungaur]

im realising slowly, watching you are not just a teacher, you are an inspiration! thank you 🙏

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you buddy 😊

[@1234567890gundam1]

because photography is about light!🎉🎉🎉 gosh that’s so on point

[@dyno269]

11:14 kinda needed that ngl

[@TecxoneTechnologies]

I really like the way you explain about cameras, lighting and techniques, very easy to understand, fabulous Job, keep it up!

[@LukeAyers]

Oh thanks a lot, Atif

[@cillajamieson751]

1. i love that you don't blah blah blah you just START. Fantastic! 2. you are very clear and explain the essential features needed. 3. i am a painter, but it makes me learn to be a photographer listening to you. 4. you're awesome!

[@LukeAyers]

Haha thanks Cilla

[@cillajamieson751]

@@LukeAyers took your advice and got a good deal on a Nikon d3500 with some extras thrown in. I really fell in love with the look of the camera itself.

[@firetrappp]

Your videos flows, you don’t get bored at all,i think you have got so much knowledge and you don’t want to go in to so much details, I can see that from your videos that you are trying to make so basic which is great!!! Thanks tho

[@joshmcdzz6925]

My take on editing software -- darkroom!! very good and guess what .. it's free!!

[@Visual_Voyages2]

So informative and easy to follow! Thanks for the info 😉

[@LukeAyers]

You're very welcome

[@tabishrazakhan5082]

Honest review.. pretty straight forward for the people who run after numbers.. this is the reason very few people go after Micro Four Thirds

[@marinelamalceva9026]

You helped me a lot, thank you for the advice :)

[@LukeAyers]

My pleasure!

[@probonojustice]

Excellent as usual !

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you

[@jimhill6865]

Great step by step process with the progression of your photos.

[@LukeAyers]

Thanks mate!

[@NHS1611]

Thanks so much Luke 🙏

[@LukeAyers]

You're welcome

[@fireflystore8041]

simply the super simple person ever seen on the complex world of internet ♥

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you

[@mkrphotoart]

Looking at Pentax KP or K-70 since I already have the lenses. K-70 comes in at about the price as the others, KP is much more, both offer much more and can stabilize any lens you use, even old glass.

[@LukeAyers]

Nice. Go for it

[@achimwasp]

Nobody needs PS when starting out. LR is more than enough, much easier to learn and also helps picking the best shots. Or my favourite: Capture One (again, it's features are way over the top for a beginner as it can do even more than LR). And btw: You can "see the real thing" and have an EVF in a mirrorless camera with e.g. a Fuji X-Pro3 or X100V (both preferable to a Sony 6x00 IMHO).

[@billybolang7052]

😂😂😂😂🤡

[@akunia8]

Tnx for the video ❤️

[@LukeAyers]

You're welcome

[@gordoneschke2433]

Very good no-nonsense video. Here's another question - considering phones have now such great cameras, what is the point of using a DSLR?

[@LukeAyers]

DSLR gives you more control. That's basically it.

[@jacobhonest8394]

You are the best

[@Jackylin888]

Thank you 🎉

[@LukeAyers]

You’re welcome

[@max477]

Hi Can you suggest any website where I can get backdrop/ wallpaper images to replace the background for Product Images. like if want to replace my white background with some sort of kitchen or outdoor environment. Thanks for the gr8 videos

[@smallcnclathes]

That was well done. Will 12 megapixel blow up to give a good 20x30 inch poster? Another way to frame that is, does 12 megapixels give much the same result as 35mm film, camera, lens and ISO all being the same? Any idea how many megapixels match 645 negs on film?

[@LukeAyers]

Hey mate! Cool question. First, with scanning film, the type of scanner you use will determine how many megapixels you can get out of a piece of film. Obviously 645 film has more details in it to record than normal 35mm. I've printed posters approx 20x30 with 12 megapixels and they have enough detail, yes.

[@smallcnclathes]

@@LukeAyers any idea how many megapixels would match 645 and I am not really talking about scanned negs, but perhaps you are not old enough to have seen much 645 when printed large from the neg? If not how about an educated guess

[@LukeAyers]

Educated guess would be 20 megapixels

[@smallcnclathes]

Luke Ayers thank you.

[@DM-ll7he]

The link you provided for your photography classes doesn’t work. Could you provide an update?

[@LukeAyers]

Yes. Here you go. thephotographycourse.thinkific.com

[@etsitua]

thanks for all your videos :) would a second hand D3200 be a reasonable choice if I don't have the money for a D3500?

[@LukeAyers]

Yes, absolutely. Go for it. It's very similar.

[@etsitua]

@@LukeAyers thank you for taking the time to reply, I'll be on the hunt for a D3200

[@adrianamaayan]

I need to save up for a camera, meanwhile the phone will have to do the trick, any tips?

[@LukeAyers]

Sure. If you want to practice people photos then try my free course and use the phone for it: portraitphoto.teachable.com

[@JulianDG]

Hi Luke, i bought a Sony NEX 5N (my very first serious camera) for only 105€ with a 18-55 lens kit: do you think is a good start or good enough for really nice quality pictures?

[@LukeAyers]

Yes! Great choice. Does it have a hot shoe so you can attach a flash?

[@JulianDG]

@@LukeAyers no, it doesn't but i know there is a converter for a classic hot shoe because this model has a proprietary slot, so basically i can do that with a very cheap piece :D Anyway, I 'm confused about what kind of product photography to do: many take photos with totally white backgrounds and subjects without shadows but, in my opinion, they are without personality. For this I would like to try with a few lights and give a more dramatic look, with maybe some particular background. What do you think about it?

[@LukeAyers]

Excellent about the attachment you can buy. And yes you're right, white background isn't the only way. In fact backgrounds and textures make for even better product photos sometimes. There are no rules really, so long as it "looks cool"

[@syblejones435]

what about a separate flash attachment?

[@LukeAyers]

Yongnuo 560III is awesome and very affordable.

[@levileolahi5208]

10.15 min - From me you wanna a you wanna a recommendation from ME PHOTOSHOP AAaawww in having said that theres another program 😂 your crack up, thanks for the info 👍