People are just fascinated by gear. The cameras and the lenses and the lights and the filters. I am too.
[poll id=”2”]
If you use with Point and Shoot (P&S), in the comments below, tell us what camera do you use and do you like it? For shooting food, what challenges do you have with P&S? What questions do you have?
DSLR Users, why did you buy the camera you use? DSLRs can be complicated. What would you like to learn about your camera? Tell us in the comments below.
Share your questions with us in the comments.
Photo courtesy: by Derek K. Miller
I guess I consider my Nikon D90 to be a low-to-mid range DSLR? Otherwise I might have voted wrong!
I bought my Nikon D90 because more people recommended Nikon than Canon to me (so I chose Nikon) and then because the D90 was the most recent version out on the market.
As for what I’d like to learn about my camera… I would love to know more about the different modes (I generally switch between manual, aperture-priority, and shutter speed priority) and what each is best used for, not just in the realm of food photography. I would also love to learn more about what the options are for flash and other accessories, and the differences between the options available.
Hi Carter, Thanks for the response. Just updated the survey for clarification. That would be interesting to write about all the different options.
I use a Canon 400D with 18-55mm lens for my finished and styled food shots. I also use a Canon G11 point and shoot for when I’m out and about or doing step by step pictures whilst cooking.
The point and shoot performs extremely well for what it does and is very good at getting shots in poor light without using a flash. I would like a different lens for my DSLR but am unsure what I should go for – probably a macro.
In my opinion, if you do a lot of food photography and close up shots, macro is a good lens to have.
I own a Nikon D70s which I got second-hand from one of my brothers-in-law. It’s in perfect condition though. The camera came with a 18-70mm 3.5-4.5G zoom lens. That minimum aperture turned out not to be good enough for food photography, so I recently bought a 35mm 1.8G Nikkor lens. I’m very happy with it till now. But the thing is that the more you know about photography, the more exigent you get through time. I used to have a Point-and-Shoot before and I find the control a DSLR gives you over field depth is almost essential for food photography.
Yeah I find 3.5 not enough, specially if I am trying natural light. I usually shoot after work and light isn’t much after I am at home. I have a 50mm 1.8 that I use, but I find that less useful for food photography.
I have a Nikon D200, my father gave it to me as a wedding gift since he was upgrading to the 300 back then. He also included one of his 18-200 mm AF VR 3.5-5.6G zoom lenses and a battery pack. So for me, having my DSLR was merely an occurrence of good fortune and a very generous father
Before then I used a Nikon Coolpix P4, which really did a great job. Since then I’ve learned a ton, and invested in 2 more lenses (50 mm f/1.8 and a 105 mm macro) and a tripod. I would love to learn about where/how to position reflectors depending on light source used…I always end up with such strong shadows!
Hey Jenn… great gift you got
Lighting, as you know, is critical and I think modifying it is even more critical. And not just with artificial light… but also natural lighting too.
I’m a P&S Blogger and use: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H20/B 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 10x Optical Zoom. It was a birthday present and I really love it. And most of my readers swear that I’m using a more expensive camera. And while it works for me know, the only issue that I’m now finding is that I have master the use of it and learning so many great techniques within my peers, it starting to lack certain features – I’m saving up for a DSLR! But, I’m sure I will continue to use it as a second camera.
I have a P&S–a Canon S5iS. It’s actually pretty great. I use the Macro setting (and Super Macro! The superhero of macro world!) for nearly all my food shots. I would love the crispness and control a DSLR provides, but I’m just not ready to make that leap yet. I know myself, and once I get the camera, I’ll need lenses, and a speedlite, and a pretty camera bag…
I shoot my food photos with a Canon 5D (original, not mk II) which I guess is an advanced dSLR? Just out of date
I almost always use my 24-70mm f2.8/L lens, which I loooove. I use that equipment because that’s what I bought for my nature photography hobby, so that’s what I had. Still debating on if I want to add a macro lens to my collection!
I have a Canon 7D. Love the camera, and still learning how to use it. Used a 20D before that. I’m just starting out with food photography. I was using my 24-70 2.8 lens. Lately I’ve been using my 50 1.8. Glad I stumbled into your site — I have much to learn!
I use a Pentax K20D, 14MP, which I righty or wrongly consider more than a low to mid range DSLR. I have a few different lenses but normally use my 16-45mm kit lens or my Sigma 50mm 1.4. which is great for getting a nice blurred background. I chose this camera over the other big brands, Canon and Nikon, due to the higher MP count that I got for my money, and haven’t been disappointed so far. Both the JPEGs and RAW files are pin sharp at very large sizes. I would like to add ultra wide angle and a macro lenses to my kit at some point in the future. For now my 16-45 and the 300mm with macro will do just fine.
I just got a used Olympus C 5050 Zoom, after years of using a point and shoot — an HP which did surprisingly well, considering its limitations. Now I need to learn how to set the F-stop, shutter speed and ISO for close-up food pics. Is it just a matter of experimentation to see what works?
Kathleen
Interesting question Kathleen. Selection of what fstop or shutter or ISO all depends upon what you want… asking that one question. This is a great question and needs a long answer
What I want is sharp focus in the foreground, and out of focus in the background. I haven’t figured this out yet.
These http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/tag/depth-of-field/ posts should help you. Specially the earliest of these. Let me know if you have more questions.
I have a Nikon D80. I know every one in food photography always talks about natural light but I would like to learn a bit more about shooting with flash and manipulating light in my photography. For example not just relying on natural light and a reflector but maybe the introduction of an off camera flash to create more drama as a way of establishing a focal point in a photo. I am not sure I explained it well.
I bought a Canon XSi/450D. I chose that particular camera because it felt the most natural in my hands. I asked the guy at the camera store I was looking to buy my first dslr so he put 6 cameras in front of me with no prices on them. 3 Canon, 3 Nikon. Told me to hold and feel each one before going into prices and features. I didn’t get a kit lens though, I went with Sigma 17-50mm/2.8 ex macro. It’s my first DSLR and I’ve been learning tons in the past 7 months. With blogs and sites and forums dedicating to teaching, learning is made quite fun. So far I learned about manual seettings, wireless triggers and off camera flash, don’t know much yet, but I do know how to get my setup going. My next lens will be either the Canon ef-s60mm2.8 macro or the 100mm 2.8 macro. Maybe Xmas. Practice is by far the quickest way to learn I’ve found, but the reading materials help a lot too.
I bought a Nikon D5000 after much pondering. It has a viewing screen that can be twisted making it easy to take vertical shots. I’m a novice and I stumbled on http://www.creativelive.com they had a live class on DSLR that was phenomenal. I would recommend buying it if available. John Greengo made my camera come alive. On the other hand I am still wrestling w/Adobe Elements 8.
I currently use Canon SD1100 IS. I struggle with low light situations for food photography.
I have a nikon d40 and a nikon 3000 , both were gifts when I began blogging. I try to use as much natural light as I can, but I still really need to learn to use my camera, to take time and learn shutter, f stops…etc..
sweetlife
I used to used a P&S…I just recently got a DSLR and just still learning how to use it properly which is why I am on your site
. The biggest difficulty I had with my P&S was that once it was past 5 pm aka no light…every shot was awful. And also lack of a clear crisp photo.
I bought a Canon EOS Rebel XS because I wanted an easier and more enjoyable photography process and the price was perfect for my college budget
. I would like to learn about the whole depth of field and aperture thing, making the best use of natural light, and maybe post processing? I have no idea how to edit afterwards haha.
Nikon D60
I have a Sony point and shoot that works just fine for me. You see, I have so many interests that I forbid myself the luxury of indulging in yet another pursuit: photography. Plus, it is an expensive hobby and I already have a few of those.
I normally use point and click cameras because as an amateur, I do not place that much focus into my pictures as other professionals. I like taking pictures of foods I eat when I eat out, but I have never thought of using the pictures to make money or to run a blog.
I used Hipstamatic app (iPhone) for my P&S camera. It’s simple and always give a nice pictures especially with Foodie package. And that the pictures I used most for food on my blog.
For DSLR, at this moment I used Nikon D7000 to take pictures. Before that I used Canon 30D second hand with good condition but unfortunately it lost at one of my trip. Why I choose DSLR? Because I used SLR back in 90′s when I start to learn photography, so I get used to it. I used Pentax K1000 & another Pentax but I don’t remember the type. I bought this camera after reading plenty of recommendation and review from Ken Rockwell. Now I try to expand my knowledge about food photography since I like to cook.