What Kind of Camera Do You Use When Railfanning?

 I use a Canon 7D, but it is about $1400 over your stated budget.  However, when I saw the end coming for roll film cameras, I bought a Canon Rebel and learned digital photography by using it and some on-line instruction.  Than I upgraded to the 7D.

The Rebel is a good camera, light, durable, and reasonably well-equipped, and you can surely get your money's worth.  There are a lot of lenses and accessories available from Canon for the Rebel.  Canon markets toward professionals, but also does a lot of marketing to advanced amateurs, mores than Nikon.  So there is a lot of helpful instruction on the Canons website.  I would suggest that, whatever camera you decide to purchase, read -- and try -- everything in the owner's manual.  The image software that comes with the camera is not bad.  If you like the camera and want to use it a lot, then use Adobe Lightroom.  For railroad photography you can do anything you need with that program, unless you plan on making murals or selling prints, in which case you might need Adobe Photoshop for acute adjustments and repairs.  Lightroom will get rid of birds and utility wires, make your teenage daughter's acne disappear, improve color saturation, and many other things.

Nikon's cameras have a sterling reputation for being able to take a licking and keep on ticking, which makes them popular with professionals, and you could not go wrong with Nikon's competitor to the Canon Rebel, if you so choose.  However, the Canon marketing is friendly to advanced amateurs, and I have found Nikon's to be aimed more toward professionals.

I was a happy Kodachrome 64 and Kodak/FUJI print film shooter until 2007, using all Nikon manual cameras, but today I use 2 digital cameras and 1 Nikon manual loaded with Fuji Velvia slide film.
In the past 3 years, I purchased first a Canon A-1400, and then a GE X-550. While both are point and shoot digitals, the GE is more like a DSLR in that it has many more settings and features. Total cost for both: less than $300.00. I use both for train pics and vids,depending on weather, train speed, and other variables.  

My Nikon FM10 loaded with Velvia has been relegated to working steam photos only, it was used on trips to see: #611,#765, #734, and EVRR #11.

Since my other hobby is posed photography of emergency vehicles, both digitals have viewfinders.

I am satisfied with this set-up, as my income is restricted.

First off, asking what camera -I- use gets you nowhere.   Sometimes I use a 1942 Leica IIIc, sometimes I use a Chamonix 045n 4x5, sometimes I use a Nikon D800E with many  thousands of dollars worth of lenses.  

A better question is, "What's the best way to get what I need for $500?"  I will begin by telling you this, you have it backwards.  The MOST important thing is not the camera.  All cameras made in the past ~8 years are pretty close the same when it comes to making an image.  Foamer photography is about the LEAST demanding kind of photography you can do.  My advice is to get a capable but cheap USED camera, from ebay.  The value of digital cameras drops very fast.  Buy a new one, and you're throwing money away.  Buy a used one and you are taking advantage of that rapid decline in price.  I suggest a used Nikon D7000.  Very capable camera, a definite step up from the entry level Rebel.  These can be had for $300 on ebay, and will be cheaper after Christmas.

Now for the important thing, the lens.  It's the LENS, not the camera, that determines what you can photo and how well.  If you buy a new Rebel that's going to eat up all your money right there.  Buy a used Nikon D7000 and a USED Nikon  55-300mm VR for ~$150.  You've now spent at total of $450.  With the remaining money buy a USED Nikon 18-55mm VR for about $50.  Add a camera bag for $20 and you're all set!  By buying used gear, you will be able to have TWO lenses instead of one, which will double the kinds of shots you can take.  You will have lenses that cover from 18--300mm, and that's almost certainly all you're going to need for several years (unless you start getting into night photography.)  The D7000 is a better camera than the Rebels, all in all.  You will get more for money.

Kent in SD

I have a NIKON Cool Pix. It's small and light weight, and takes great photos. My wife and sons wanted to get me an expensive camera, but I declined out of practicality.

Don

Yeah, I have a few cameras I sometimes use that are a little on the older side. I shot with a Pentax K1000 for several years before I finally embraced digital.

Then, there's these...

A canon 60D I got when they first came out 5 years ago. Still have my 10D as a spare. They are both nice cameras, have served me well. Probably a better camera than I am a photographer. I have only been taking pictures for about 60+ years.

Kent, I have to say that is some of the best advice I have read about used digital equipment. My question is; if I go this route in the future, would the fleet of lenses I have for my current Nikon FM10 be usable on the 7000 body?
Thanks,
Warren Jenkins

I am always a little cautious about used electronic equipment, and digital cameras are big-time electronics.    So I would not recommend used off ebay.   If you want to go the used route, go to a camera store that sells used equipment.    That way you can test it and perhaps get a small warranty.   And yes you will pay a few bucks more.

My current camera is a Canon T5i.   When I was looking, B&H camera mentioned above had a package deal on a T3i which I found first.   Then I read a review and found out that the T3 was a 5 year old model.   I learned that they had release the T5 about 9 months previous.   I searched the B&H website and found a T5 package within my price range.   I figured the later model was better due to more pixels and stabilization.    B&H does mail-order and this is the second camera package I have bought from them.   

I did my reviews on a website called "DPREVIEW" which reviews all sorts of photographic equipment is very current.  You might want to visit their site and do some research.   They also give some estimated street prices.    I found the B&H deal the best if I bought a package including a second lens etc.

I primarily use an iPhone 5 for my videos. Occasionally, I will use a GoPro Hero 3 White. Neither is the cutting edge of videography in terms of quality, but both are relatively cheap compared to newer models. I'd say video quality is decent. 

For stills, I use the iPhone, and I used to use a Fujifilm Finepix S 2500. The 765 photo is with the Finepix, and the UP SD90MAC is a screenshot/photo taken with the Iphone while taking video. 

My friend just recently bought a canon T4i and likes it. I sure wouldn't buy used.

I just checked B&H photo, and they have the Cannon T5i at a great price

put this in your search bar

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/...s_rebel_t5_dslr.html

They have several bundles with the T5i, but this one has two lenses with

image stablization, a very good feature.

Also free shipping, no taxes unless you live in New York state.

I personally use Nikons, namely two D7000's, but having said that,

when you get to DSLR cameras, the later ones, it's up to the person

with the camera to make good images.

You can use the "program" setting while you learn. Taking many many images

helps, one reason I love digital. Keep your back to the sun and on your subject

while you learn!

I have purchased lots of stuff from B&H, I trust them, good folks to deal with.

Good luck,

Ed

Thanks for all the advice everyone! This is very helpful in picking out the right camera. I really like both the Canon T4i and the Nikon D7000. I think I would still go ahead and buy the camera new, but I will look at used just to see if I find anything. Keep giving your opinions!

Michael. check that link..thats the later Cannon T5i and two lenses, new, for

$449!

Ed

Be sure to check B&H's package deals. It is hard to beat them.

Michael,

Interesting that you should bring up this subject.

I use my cell phone camera (LG Stylo) and a Fuji Fine Pix (nothing expensive here) but have become increasingly frustrated in the quality of the videos of with both of them. Everything looks great on the device screen, but once I view it on a monitor, it's less than desired.  Taking videos of trains and planes requires zooming for long distance shots, and all I get is pixilation. 

So I'm finally going to look into buying a "real camera" so will be watching this thread closely as it goes on.

You can still find T4i out there, but I don't know if they are new.  It has been out of production for a few years.  It was replaced by the T5i.

Be careful on when buying T5 - it is different than the T5i.  I would not buy a T5. 

Just since this time last year I have purchased about $8,000 worth of used camera gear, mostly from ebay.  Going back the past 15 years I have no idea how much I've bought & sold, mostly on ebay.  Never once have I had a problem.  Sellers know that if you are unhappy you will give negative feedback, and that absolutely kills them.  I did have someone list a 105mm macro lens as something it wasn't, and when I contacted them they not only took it back immediately, they gave it free return shipping if I'd give them positive feedback.  I have zero qualms about buying something from ebay from a person that has an excellent feedback history.  You can save major money going this way.  A great source for refurb Nikons is Cameta Cameras.  I have bought three refurbs from them over the years and they were absolutely perfect.  They might sell refurb D7000, but honestly how can you possibly go wrong buying a lightly used D7000 for $300?  It's a no-brainer.  Saving the money on the camera is going to let you get a second lens, and that's an absolutely major plus for photography.  The $450 deal on the Rebel + two lenses sounds OK, although I still prefer the Nikon/Sony sensors.  Those make more of a difference for night and low light shooting though.  There are a lot of features on a D7000 that are aimed at the "advanced amateur"  that you might not use though, such as flash sync 1/250s and the ability to use a wider variety of lenses.  My main gripe with a new camera is they lose about half their value in the first year or so.  I'd rather make someone ELSE take that hit, LOL.

Kent in SD

You can use AiS lenses on the D7000--I have three I use on my F3/T and D7100.

Kent in SD

I use my iPhone 6. It's a better camera than I am a photographer...

Jeff C

I have a Nikon D90 that I bought from B-H Photo on a trip to New York. I have 2 lenses, 35/105 and a 70/300. I use the shorter lens almost exclusively. That store is just short of insane.

Dick

Hi Members - I am a retired Industrial Arts Teacher. Taught High School for 36 years in Michigan. My subjects were Graphic Arts, Photography, Printing Trades, Year Book Advisor and Drivers Education. Owned several Driving Schools over the years. Still do side jobs in Drivers Education and Desktop Publishing, using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.

     The video below is a Train Room & Home Darkroom Tour. Published about three years ago.

    I will show you examples of railfanning in B&W Photography, in this video. The B&W Photography and Darkroom tour will start at about frame 4:14 - Enjoy.

• Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway - A Toy Train Layout

I use my old Canon Rebel XSi DSLR (2009) 12.1 MP camera that I originally used for college classes to take photos of trains whenever I get the spare time to do so (usually once to three times a month). Not too many trains come through Chico on a average Saturday (discovered that by sitting at the Amtrak [old Southern Pacific] station for five hours, only to see two Union Pacific freight trains come and go), which is a bummer sometimes.

Anyway, when a train does come through, taking photos from alongside the tracks or at the station platform with my old DSLR is pretty fun. Some examples below:

As for your question, it really just depends on what you want out of your camera. Both Nikon and Canon cameras are fantastic, each with their own pluses that make them stand out from the other. While my camera does not shoot video (that was on the next model up out of my price-range), it takes really good pictures, so long as I get the settings right.

No expert here, however, I've always found the http://www.dpreview.com/ site very useful in getting both owners(users) reviews, professional reviews, rating, and pro/cons features.  It also gives information on how cameras perform at multiple functions such as taking movies.  Be warn that it can be technical, or at least more technical than my current level.  We have an older Canon point a shoot G9, very good at what it is designed for, very useful and portable. Doesn't quite make it to the body/lens quality but better than almost any "pocket" camera.  My humble advice is to also consider the "feel" and ease of use.  Being able to operate the camera without looking down at it for every shot is a good thing.

-sb

Nikon D5100...

in fully automatic mode, this camera is truly idiot-proof.

i had about 2 seconds to pick up the camera and compose this photo.

my model has since been replaced with the D5200.

in kit form (good general purpose zoom lens included), it is well within your budget.

cheers...gary

My iPhone has better resolution than anything else I own......but, its major advantage is the I always have it with me, ready to go.

Peter

I recently bought a certified refurbished Canon SL1 with 18-55mm and a 75-300mm lenses package with charger. It looks and acts brand new for $269 with free shipping and includes a one year warranty. Even in the camera body craps out the motorized lenses are a great deal. Black Friday might have cleaned out inventory. Canon is always adding new refurbished product for sale.

See the Canon USA website for more information and pricing on refurbished models. That said you need to do you your homework and check pricing on models includig the T4i, T5i etc as the prices fluctuate with demand. Here is the Canon  link for refurbished cameras. I do not work for Canon just trying to be helpful. 

Canon AE1...Old school supreme !

Hello Michael

I don't think you've said what you plan on doing with the photos after you've shot them. If you plan on posting the finished product on websites or just doing small prints, then what some of these folks have suggested about using the Iphone really makes a lot of sense. On the other hand, if you're planning on large prints then a different camera is in order.

Like many here I've been shooting for over 50 years and have had so many cameras that I probably can't remember them all, from oddball Leica's to Hasselblads, film and digital. A couple of years ago I decided I was tired of hauling all the peripherals around with me wherever I went and decided to go the (gasp) pocket camera route.

I did a lot of research and testing and finally bought a Sony DSC-RX100. By now I'm sure there are many improved and upgraded versions of this camera and I have never regretted the purchase. It has a 20 megapixel sensor, Carl Zeiss lense and a full feature set with various priority modes and, of course, some features that are more of a gimmick than practical. It is still a pocket camera, though, and has the drawbacks inherent in that type of system.

I do a lot of night shooting (cityscapes mostly) and wanted a camera with a bright lense and this one fills the bill nicely - 1.8-4.0/10.4-37.1 - with a decent movie mode and 4.0 zoom before it goes into digital zoom mode. I've blown some of these shots up to 30+ inch prints and the quality is excellent. It's something that you might want to take a look at. it's certainly portable and is always handy without hauling a bag of stuff around, comfortable to use and has very sturdy construction. Just my thoughts on this subject.

The kit is a good price but I'd rather have a T5i than a T5. The T5 is a little to "beginner" for me, I'd rather have a more advanced camera. There is a refurbished T5i on the Canon website, hopefully it will stay there after Christmas, that's a very good price!

I would like to take photos of trains as a hobby, and probably upload some of them to social media. 

Micheal, sign up for the Canon email alerts. Visit the site often if your interested, again the price I paid is now gone and included 2 lenses. However, Pricing and supply are fluid and change every several days to one week or so. This is also a great way to get some quality lenses for much less money. Best of luck. Keep us posted.

i agree 100% about the availability of my camera.  it's typically not even in the car and my iPhone is generally always close-by.

the real downside is magnification, though.  if you're standing next to a train, great, but put any distance between you and the subject and the resolution goes downhill very fast.

here is a cropped image from my Nikon D5100 with my big telephoto lens, though i'm not sure exactly what mag this was taken at, the lens is a 26-300mm...

just a guess, but i believe i was a good 200 yards away from the train.

whereas i was no more than 50 feet from this locomotive taken with my iPhone5...

granted, i was on the wrong side for a good picture anyway, but my point is the resolution.

my camera is fully automatic, but i still have the option of framing the shot with the zoom lens.  that's the main advantage i can see.

cheers...gary

I have a Canon 750D/T6i, a newer model with 24MP, stabilization and very good imaging, which I bought at the B&H store in NYC with a similar smaller camera for my wife at the end of September (yes, I was more than a little concerned walking out of that store with a massive bag of cameras and gear). It is orders of magnitude better than the older version of the same camera I'd started shooting with in 2007 or so

 

 

 

Niiice shots!! I wonder how close the T6i is to the T5i, which is the camera I like the most at this point.

Michael -

There's been a lot of good advice. I use DSLRs - and film cameras, depending on what I'm doing. Sometimes both, as in the accompanying pic. DSLRs for video, perhaps, and the film for stills.

Are you jumping from point to point, or staying in one point, on a given day? Do you plan to use a tripod? If you're moving around, look for something you can set up and break down quickly, yet is still sturdy - especially if you're using a long lens.

David

I typically jump around when railfanning, and because I will primarily take photos vs video, chances are I won't buy a tripod now, but that could change in the future however.

Considering the digital technology treadmill, cameras manufactured in 7-10 years are "ancient" today -- especially with regards to sensor technology for low/existing-light photography.  If you're planning to do any type of existing-light photography, don't waste your time and/or money on older digital equipment -- even if the price looks like a great deal.  The main issue is you'll want nice CLEAN images straight out of the camera whenever possible.  If you're photographing in bright daylight, this is much less of a concern.  But for any kind of evening photography, choose a camera that can produce relatively noise-free images at ISO 6400 or greater.  Those kinds of cameras just didn't exist 7-10 years ago.

It's a double-edge sword in that digital cameras are on such a fast-paced technology treadmill.  The good news is updated features are readily available fairly quickly.  The bad news is the camera you buy today may be quickly "outdated" tomorrow.  So try and match your real needs to the camera body you're buying. 

Good lenses (i.e., top quality glass), OTOH, will easily outlive MANY generations of camera bodies.  I have a Canon 400mm F2.8 IS lens that is now pushing 12 years of every-day use (largely for sports photography).  If I wanted to (which I don't), I could sell that lens today for more than I paid for it in 2004 because the newer-generation glass is SO MUCH MORE expensive!!!  Try and say that about the digital camera body you just purchased this year even 3 years from now -- not to mention 12! 

David