Lots of information and tips there, thanks folks
However, for a beginner, sometimes it all seems a bit bewildering, because there is
so much information to try to take in before splurging what is, after all, a not inconsiderable sum of money.
But you have all given me a list of things to look for, and that will be helpful. I do get the feeling that this is going to cost more than I thought, even going for 2nd hand kit, which is largely what has stopped me from doing this earlier. I think I need to spend more time absorbing the information, more time reading and gaining an understanding of the technical side - which I always feared would never be my strong point.
@fazersharp: I currently use a 1 terabyte hard drive to store much stuff on, so perhaps I could use the Mac to work on current projects but everything else goes on the hard drive? Convert back to jpeg, as you say, for photo albums for my own perusal (assuming I don't end up with a camera that takes simultaneously in RAW and jpeg)?
@Kosmic: the thing about kit-supplied lenses confirms what I have read thus far. Obviously, lens choice is something I will need to be careful about. Sorry, don't know what TIFF is
- a lot to learn? Ohhh yeah
Printers - first I want to learn how to use a decent camera and kit, learn how to improve shots with good photo software. Not sure where this hobby might take me eventually, but commercial work is not in my sights at present. Thanks for the book tip, I'll look for that one.
@devilsyam: had a look through your suggested site - never once does he suggest a set-up for landscape work! So I don't know if the kit he talks about will be the right gear for me.
@mickvp: Good tip on the autofocus, and was something that had been mentioned to me before, so another criteria to look for when buying.
@mark g: college course sounds like a good idea. Once I'm settled after moving, I'll look into what's available locally. Know what you mean though; books don't always answer specific questions that a beginner might come up with.
@VNA: I agree, don't like the idea of buying from ebay myself, never have when it comes to expensive things. Thanks for the recommendations of where to shop, and will see what might be local to me too. Sorry, what's CSC?
Another term for mirrorless? Yes, you really are talking to a n00b here
Won't be buying everything at once, as you say; To start with, I need ONE camera, and perhaps a couple of lenses - so I've got to find one that won't be silly money, will be versatile, relatively user friendly, but at the same time will give me enough manual capability to learn my way around settings and what does what. If I take to all this, I can always upgrade at a later time.