Affordable nikon or canon for dog photography?
I'm trying to decide between a nikon or canon for my pet (mostly dog) photography.indoor, outdoor, portrait, action, etc… I shoot alot of different subjects but want to get some freelance work as a dog photographer. Any suggestions?
Canon or Nikon doesn't matter. They are both good brands.
If you want to produce professional pictures it's not just a good camera that you will need.
You will also need a decent computer, high quality printer and good software.
Do you have a ruff idea of what you want and what budget you can afford?
Fur high quality pictures you will need a DSLR and some decent lenses.
Howl you light the indoor ones? Flash or other studio lights?
The total cost might give you paws for thought.
Or am I barking up the wrong tree here?
Canon 310hs or s100
google them
Define affordable! To some $300 is affordable, and to others it is $3, 000.
What do you have now?
Is it a DSLR?
What experience do you have with a DSLR?
If you have a DSLR, what lenses/flash/ other gear do you have?
^^^These need to be answered for the best advice
If you don't have a DSLR:
Nikon fans will say Nikon is best and Canon fans will say Canon. IMO… The "best" DSLR is the one that feels natural in YOUR hands and has controls/menu systems that you can operate intuitively.
The best thing to do is visit an actual camera shop (not BestBuy/Walmart) and try the different models within your budget to see which feels the best to you AND they can answer your questions about the cameras. I bought a Canon for its ergonomics/feel/menu and control layout and a fellow photog chose Nikon for the same reason… It is about personal preference.
The one thing to remember though is to budget in extra money to cover an extra battery, memory cards, camera case, a USB memory card reader, and taxes (these can add another $200-$250 to the entry level camera price).
A lot of people get "sticker shock" when they go to buy their first DSLR. They go to the store to buy the $500 camera they see on sale, BUT… By the time they get everything they need/want and pay tax on it, the $500 camera is now $700-$1, 000+.
The biggest expense you will have for any type of photography is going to be the lenses and a flash. You will not always have good lighting, so "fast" lenses are needed (especially if you are trying to capture dogs in action where you will be trying for a 1/250+ shutter speed and maintaining a decent ISO) and a decent flash. For example, between a 50mm f/1.4, an 85mm f/1.8, a 70-200 f/2.8L lens, and a 580EX Speedlight… I have about $2, 900 invested.
BTW… When doing pet photography… Lens hoods and UV(0) filters are your best friends. Wet dog noses and tongues can slow down a shoot while you clean the wetness off of the camera.
A compact digital may get you a not-bad snapshot of Fido. Taking a pet portrait that anyone would pay for requires better equipment. A minimally adequate DSLR would be a Canon T3 or Nikon D3100. A Nikon D5100 would be better. You want a good external flash for indoor shots. At least a Canon 430EX or Nikon SB700. Bounce flash can eliminate the glowing eyes of direct flash when photographing dogs or cats indoors.
The primary difference between them is that Nikon has maintained the same lens mount for several decades. So if you're interested in some of the great manual or AF lenses of past years, you can acquire them inexpensively and use them on *most* Nikon bodies.