A true professional knows exactly what he wants from the camera. The art of photography has many directions - portrait, landscape, reportage, subject photography, and each of them requires its own photographic parameters. But still there are general concepts that define a professional camera.
Which camera to choose for professional photography?
There are many types of photographic equipment, including professional. Some species existed 50 years ago and were distinguished by the highest quality of images, others appeared on sale more recently. Which camera for professional shooting to choose depends more on the preferences of the photographer.
Mirror camera for professional photography
In our time it is the most common type of professional cameras. The quality of such a device is checked by time, and a variety of models will allow you to choose photographic equipment for any request. Professional SLR cameras got their name thanks to the mirror system. Light passes through the removable lens of the camera, so it is important that the lens was also of high quality, not lower than the apparatus itself.
With the help of a mirror, we see this image in the video camera. When shooting, the mirror rises, and millions of matrix elements can capture light and transmit information to the camera's processor, which saves it as a file, thereby creating a digital image. The finished file is written to the memory card.
A professional SLR camera is capable of recording RAW files, which allows the photographer to easily correct the amount of light (exposure), color tone (to make the tones warmer or colder), white balance, contrast of shadows and many other important moments with the help of photo editors.
Professional mirrorless camera
This technique appeared on the market relatively recently, but, according to many, this is the best camera for professional photography. The main thing is how a professional mirrorless camera differs from the above-described mirror - it's the absence of a mirror in the design. The video detector is digital and has a high resolution. The image quality of the mirrorless camera is not inferior to the mirror, but due to its compactness and small weight, as a result of the absence of a mirror and an optical video detector, this technique quickly found its fans.
Professional film cameras
A few decades ago it was possible to say with confidence that the best camera for professional photography is a film SLR camera. Still, progress does not stand still, with the advent of new digital photographic equipment, these models have gone to the background. But there are big fans of retro-cameras, which still use exclusively film cameras, the image of which is distinguished by a special color scheme and softness of tones.
The principle of the film SLR camera is exactly the same as described above, with one important nuance - passing through the lens of the lens, the image is projected not on the matrix, but on the photosensitive film. Further work of the photographer occurs directly with the film - first it needs to be shown in special conditions, then transfer the photos either digitally or directly onto photo paper.
Professional camera for beginners
If you decide to start learning photography, without even elementary skills, then, according to many photographers, you should not immediately buy the best professional cameras - they are expensive, and you will hardly be able to appreciate them immediately. A good option for young photographers is to purchase an amateur camera. It will help you learn the basics of successful photography, formulate your requirements, and then buy a professional camera - in that case, with a huge chance you will be satisfied with the technique.
Professional cameras for videographer
If earlier videographers were forced to use only video cameras, now this possibility is in many professional mirror and mirrorless cameras. Did you know that many films and serials were shot with cameras - for example, some series of the beloved "House of Haus" were shot on Canon EOS 5D Mark II, many moments of the famous "Avatar" were shot on the same camera.
What makes videographers, including highly professional ones, stop their choice on cameras? First of all, this is the price. A professional camera is not cheap, but at times cheaper than movie cameras. Secondly, with the help of professional photographic equipment it is easy to create interesting video effects that are not achievable for video cameras - great depth of field, smooth focus change, blurred background with an interesting drawing (bokeh).
Considering modern professional cameras, it is very easy to determine which one is better for a videographer. First, the video quality should be with HD resolution, and even better FullHD or 4K. The leading mirror photo camera used by videographers is the EOS 5D Mark II and the newer EOS 5D Mark III, but many other cameras can be used successfully.
Features of a professional camera
What distinguishes a professional camera from semi-professional and amateur class cameras? Why is this photographic technique worth a lot of money, and how to choose a professional camera, taking into account important characteristics? Let us dwell on each important criterion in detail.
How many megapixels in a professional camera?
Making the choice of a professional camera, many beginners in photo art are interested in the number of megapixels. But very few people know that this parameter is important for simple photographic equipment, for high-end cameras it is of secondary importance. Most professional cameras have a resolution of 12 megapixels and higher, like the amateur midrange SLRs. Remember that this is only the size of the image, to quality this is not directly relevant.
The Matrix of a Professional Camera
The main criterion distinguishing a professional camera is a matrix. The very first and main parameter is the size of the matrix. All professional cameras are full-frame , that is, the matrix has dimensions of 36x24 cm, which corresponds to the film frame size. The full-sized matrix receives a large amount of light, which ensures excellent quality of photos even in low light conditions, as well as low noise in the pictures. Both mirror and professional compact cameras without a mirror system must have a full-size matrix.
Another important characteristic of the camera's matrix is its photosensitivity, called the ISO number. The maximum sensitivity of the matrix of a professional camera should be at least 6400 - this will allow shooting under low light conditions with a slight exposure. But remember that the higher the ISO number in the settings, the more graininess (noise) in the photo, so if possible, sensitivity should be set at a minimum.
Rating of professional cameras
If ordinary cameras for home use produce many companies, only a few brands specialize in high-end technology. Choosing a professional camera, it is worth to study their rating in order to acquire the best technique for high-quality photos. Today the market has the following brands of professional cameras:
- Canon EOS;
- Nikon;
- Pentax;
- Sony Alpha.
On the quality of work and a large assortment of modern models, the undisputed leaders in the ratings are the two giants of the photographic market - Canon and Nikon. These firms produce professional cameras as a middle class, which is available to people of small incomes, and unsurpassed in the characteristics of the model, the cost of which is measured in thousands of conventional units.
Professional Camera Canon
If in the question of what camera you need for professional photography, you stopped at Canon, you should study in detail the most popular and functional models.
- CANON EOS 1DX . Recognized as the best professional camera in the world. Ideal for both reportage and specific studio photography. It features a high shutter speed and focus capabilities.
- CANON EOS 5D MARK III - the most popular professional camera, which has all the necessary features for most types of professional photography.
- CANON EOS 6D - this model is in great demand and is known as the most affordable professional camera. On the characteristics of almost no different from the above 5D, inferior to it only in the resolution of the matrix and the speed of the shutter. But its parameters will suffice for high-quality photos.
- The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is the latest in the 5D range with an increased number of megapixels up to 37.1, equipped with Wi-Fi, GPS, 4K video recording and a touch screen.
- Canon EOS 5DSR - the best professional camera for studio photography. The resolution of the matrix is 50 Mp. But the model is very demanding for optics, it is necessary to shoot with L-series lenses.
- Canon EOS M5 - professional mirrorless camera. It features good sharpness at high ISO, has a good video finder and a very fast autofocus. But in pursuit of quality, this camera lost the main advantage of mirrorless cameras - a small weight. Without a battery, it weighs 427 grams.
Professional Nikon camera
There is a lot of controversy about which professional camera is better, Nikon or Canon, and all discussions in this matter are meaningless. These two firms are absolutely equivalent, even the models they often come with identical characteristics, and the prices for them are approximately the same. Therefore, making a choice between them, focus only on its convenience and taste.
Let's compile a brief overview of professional Nikon cameras by reviewing its best models.
- NIKON D4S - this camera is considered one of the best in the world. It was created for reportage shooting, it has a high frame rate (11 frames per second) and advanced focus capabilities.
- NIKON DF - thanks to its light weight (700 grams) is considered the best mirror camera for travelers, it will certainly appreciate the fans of retro design. For many it may seem inconvenient compared to modern ergonomic design, but this is the only drawback of the model.
- Nikon D3 - a modern processor, a wide range of focus, automatically determine the exposure and white balance.
- Nikon D800 - a matrix with a resolution of 36.3 megapixels will produce high-quality images with unprecedented depth of field and detail. Circuit autofocus, low noise - that's a brief description of this camera.
- Nikon D610 - a feature of the model is a quiet shutter release, so that the camera is often and successfully used for shooting wild animals.
This is by no means all kinds of professional photographic equipment of the famous brand Nikon, only the most popular models are represented in the rating. In fact, the model range of this company is very wide and will certainly allow you to choose the ideal option that satisfies your request as a photographer and fit into the budget.
How to use a professional camera?
If you previously used photographic equipment of amateur or semi-professional class, you can easily master a camera for professional photography. For beginners of the same camera users, we will outline tips that will help you learn to take pictures and make the first beautiful frame.
- Shooting modes. In each mirror and mirrorless camera there are automatic and manual modes, in some professional cameras there are no auto modes. In any case, to get beautiful pictures, it is better to use manual ones. The settings for each mode allow you to set the desired exposure, shutter speed and aperture (the amount of light that determines the depth of field of the image). Detailed manuals for each of the modes are in the instructions to the camera.
- Menu. Here you can adjust flash settings, effects, white balance, display modes on the screen.
- The buttons above the second screen will allow you to select the shutter release modes - single shot, serial, or delayed shutter release. Still here it is necessary to choose the ISO number - the sensitivity of the matrix. Remember that the value should be as small as possible within the limits of the given frame, high ISO is fraught with the appearance of noise in the photo.