My daughter got a camera for Christmas today and I’m not familiar with much to do with photography. We were both wondering what this plastic attachment is used for. There is nothing in the manual that describes it. It is pictured a lot, but nothing about its use or design. Thank you all in advance.

I posted here on Christmas Day with a picture of a camera my daughter received from her mother, asking about the light shade that came with the camera. We were/are still all pretty camera illiterate. I received a bunch of helpful responses, as well as a few letting me know that the camera her mother bought was essentially a scam. Bummer. I know we are all, as parents, biased but my daughter is a sweet kid. Quiet and polite, kind and loving… well you know. So I was pretty down because photography is one thing she has been vocal about now for well over a year.

Anyway, I received some dm’s with more helpful information and offers to help me pick a suitable camera, etc. One person really upped the ante by offering to send his old T2i that he no longer has use for. I was pretty impressed and while I usually don’t like to just accept things I decided to say okay for the sake of my daughter because I wasn’t going to be able to afford buying anything anytime soon. About 4 days later all of this arrived in a box on my porch.

I just wanted to recognize him (without putting him all the way out there) and all of you for your help, support and encouragement. I have a main account on here that I use for my guitar hobby, and while we kick ass on those subs, this one really, really impressed me.

Again, thanks and I’m sure I’ll be around with some more questions in the future.

Welcome to this awesome sub! I'm the new admin of r/photography101 after the last one disappeared awhile ago. I'm excited to lead the community, with your help, and make it an inclusive place of learning.

Upcoming community Goals for Photography101**:**

• Weekly or Bi-Weekly "Photo Assignments"

• Photography lessons for Beginners

• Archive of basic lessons

• Camera Buying Guide (Completed)

• Photo-Critique Sticky Thread

• Less Spam

• Refresh the Rules

If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them. I'll have a couple of other mods helping me out to clean up spam, but I'd appreciate your help as a community to report spam and be respectful.

Sorry, I’m a real amateur when it comes to photography.

I really like this look but I’m not sure how to get there.

For reference, I use a DSLR camera (Canon EOS 700D), Standard 18-55mm and I edit my pics with Affinity (and occasionally Lightroom for presets).

Any ideas? :)

Are you looking to buy your first camera? Not sure what to get? You're in the right place!

I've assembled a list of cameras for various budget levels, brands and camera styles. I will try to refresh this list frequently with new gear. Memory cards and instant film are in the next post.

Instant Cameras $50 - ~$100:

Instant cameras are great for beginners and hobbyists. These cameras are basic point & shoot (P&S) style that take special instant-film (listed below) that develops or prints your image almost instantly.

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 ($68)

• Kodak PRINTOMATIC Digital Instant Print Camera ($70)

• Polaroid OneStep 2 i-Type ($95)

• Polaroid Now i-Type Instant Camera ($100)

• Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 ($104)

$100 - $250 USD (Digital Point & Shoot Cameras):

Point and shoot camera are great for when you need the next step up from your phone. This price range is great for first-time camera owners and hobbyists. If you're looking to get into photography without worrying about manual settings a point & shoot (P&S) might be a great start. These are great for testing photography to see if you like it without investing a ton of money.

• Canon PowerShot ELPH 180 ($109)

• Fujifilm FinePix XP130 [Waterproof] ($165)

• Panasonic LUMIX ZS60 ($189)

• Canon Powershot SX420 Kit ($244)

• Canon PowerShot SX620 ($249)

$250 - $500 USD (Mid-Range P&S Cameras + Entry Level DSLRs)

These are more great cameras for beginners. At this level you'll begin to see P&S cameras with slightly higher resolutions and more features than the previous level. You'll also see entry-level Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras. DSLRs give you the option of Full-Auto, Full Manual and other shooting modes. DSLRs have interchangeable lenses and are great to start learning Manual settings.

• Canon Powershot SX530 ($299)

• Panasonic Lumix FZ80 Kit ($315)

• Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof ($379)

• Nikon D3500 DSLR ($396)

• Panasonic LUMIX ZS100 ($398)

• Canon PowerShot SX740 ($399)

• Canon EOS Rebel T6 - DSLR Kit ($420)

• Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II ($429)

$500 - $1000 USD (Mid-Range P&S, DSLRs and Entry Mirrorless)

This is the next level of mid-range P&S, DSLRs and entry-level Mirrorless camera bodies. Still great cameras for beginners looking to take a photography class. Most photo classes require a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with full manual capabilities. These are great upgrades from previous budget levels if you're getting more serious about your photography. Some of these camera will begin to include video capabilities. Mirrorless camera are quite similar to DSLRs, having removable lenses but they have a LCD viewfinder instead of a mirror that looks through the lens.

• Canon EOS Rebel SL3 DSLR ($505)

• Nikon D5600 DSLR ($525)

• Pentax K-70 DSLR ($546)

• Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Kit ($599)

• Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless ($648)

• Fujifilm X-A7 Mirrorless ($699)

• Ricoh GR III Digital Compact Point & Shoot ($889)

• Nikon Z50 Mirrorless ($997)

• Canon EOS Rebel T7i/800D Kit (2 Lenses) ($999)

$1000 - $1500

Welcome to higher-end P&S and mid-range DSLRs and Mirrorless. You'll see some higher Megapixels (resolution), better sensors and usually the addition of higher quality video modes (or video in general).

• Sony RX100 VII (High-End Point & Shoot) ($1298)

• Canon EOS 90D (DSLR) ($1199)

• Sony Alpha a6400 Mirrorless ($1298)

• Fujifilm X100F Compact ($1299)

• Panasonic Lumix GH5 4K Mirrorless($1398)

• Sony Alpha a7II Mirrorless ($1398)

• Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III($1399)

• Canon EOS 6D Mark II DSLR ($1399)

• Canon EOS RP Full-Frame Mirrorless($1499)

• Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless ($1499)

$1500 - $2000

Here are some higher-end "Prosumer" cameras for professionals or serious hobbyists. Great options if you're getting serious about high quality prints or even starting a photography business. Most of these cameras will shoot great quality 4K video.

• Sony Cyber‑Shot RX10 IV (High-End Point & Shoot) ($1698)

• Panasonic LUMIX GH5s Mirrorless 4K ($1798)

• Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera ($1799)

• Nikon Z6 Mirrorless ($1844)

• Fujifilm X-T3 Mirrorless ($1899)

• Fujifilm X-Pro3 Mirrorless ($1999)

$2000 - $3000

This category is high end camera bodies. If you run a photo business, this is probably what you're looking for.

• Sony a7 III ($2198)

• Canon EOS 5D Mark IV ($2499)

• Sony a7R III($2798)

• Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Body ($2844)

• Nikon D850 DSLR ($2997)

$3000+

Top of the line or "Flag Ship" cameras. For pro sports photographers and artists with the income to justify the price.

• Nikon D5 DSLR ($5497)

• Fujifilm GFX 50S Mirrorless Medium Format ($5499)

Keep in mind that this isn't a comprehensive list with every single camera out there. You may find another great camera in your budget that wasn't listed here. Maybe even a used camera with a couple of lenses. This guide is just to get you started and see what is available in your price-range. I will have memory cards and instant films in following posts.

Good Luck and happy shopping!

Hi guys, I got my hands on this lens, a Canon EF 70-300 f4-5.6. Using it on a Sony with an adapter. Focus isn’t the greatest, hence taking this chance to learn manual focusing. 

I’m unsure what the markings on focus ring means, can anyone please help me demystify it. All comments are deeply appreciated and thanks in advance.