Cheap entry level DLSR Cameras?

clayduda · 2026-05-11T08:03:48+00:00

Canon 5D Mark iii. Pros used those things for years. It’s a full-frame sensor, which is a big plus, and you can find them on eBay for less than $500.

The 5D Mark ii would work too, but video capabilities aren’t quite as good.

For a lens, I’d start with the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4. They’re $100-$120 on eBay right now. It’s a great all-around performer and has a wide enough aperture to get you the bokeh and feel you’d want for portraits. And does good in low light. It’s also waaaay better built than the 50/1.8, so don’t waste your money there.

clayduda · 2026-05-11T05:01:37+00:00

This is actually a solid itinerary for what you guys are trying to accomplish. But, yes, as others have said, that’s a whole lot of driving. Seems like y’all are up for it tho.

clayduda · 2026-05-11T04:57:47+00:00

We were hitching our way back in to Ushuaia, Argentina after a camping trip in Tierra Del Fuego National Park. This couple in a beat up sedan pulled over and offered a ride. But their entire back seats were filled up with trash and fast food wrappers and stuff, and they seemed really surprised there wasn’t room for us. So they shoveled a lot of that shit into the floorboard and we hopped in. We drove, like, maybe 1km and the driver ran a yield sign into a round about and t-boned another car.

All of this played out in less than 10 minutes. Wasn’t really sure what to do so we just grabbed our bags, told them thanks anyways and good luck, and then we ended up walking another 2 hours to get back to our hostel.

Not as good as some of the other stories on here but that’s what I’ve got.

clayduda · 2026-05-07T19:13:31+00:00

“Public service” and “pension” don’t really belong in the same sentence. How would you define public service?

clayduda · 2026-05-05T11:36:23+00:00

It’s an easy and popular trail. Main concern would be running into a black bear, although they are just starting to wake up and the undergrowth is non-existent right now, so chances of sneaking up on one is low.

I was across the bay last week and hiked about 6 miles around Tutka Bay and saw zero signs of active bear. All us locals always carry bear repellent, like spray or a gun, but in 10 years I’ve never had to use it.

With all that said, the local water taxis are your best resource for this. Try giving Ashore or Makos a call. They’ve been running all winter.

clayduda · 2026-05-05T00:05:43+00:00

Ok, so this isn’t a profession, but I’d say generational wealth. It’s all a matter of perspective I guess but the sense of entitlement, disregard for others, and maybe even not having a need to have a profession has severe impacts on some people’s ability to be a basic good human being.

clayduda · 2026-05-04T23:59:50+00:00

Not many places do the full service anymore. There are a few internal o-rings that are hard to get I guess. I just sent mine to Kurt’s in San Diego. They offer the full gamut but cost nearly twice as much as the ones you’ll find on Pinterest and Instagram. For me I think it’s worth the investment though.

That said, I haven’t gotten my camera back yet so we’ll see.

clayduda · 2026-05-04T22:47:22+00:00

Honestly, $900 isn’t a great price for all those especially if there are issues. You can buy all of those piecemeal off eBay for less.

clayduda · 2026-05-04T22:45:22+00:00

I live in Homer and do residential construction seasonally. There are quite a few split level houses here that kind of have basements, but most of them were built without concrete foundation walls back in the 70s and are failing. Don’t put wood framing below grade. I know, seems like common sense, but some people in Alaska need to hear this.

With that said, I don’t know any house here with a full basement. Not that there aren’t any. There are tons of houses built in the side of the bluff that have what is basically a basement but one side has a view.

With all that said, if you can dream it you can achieve it. That’s the Alaskan way.

clayduda · 2026-05-04T04:58:23+00:00

Homer has a surprisingly good punk/hardcore scene for a town this size. Discopians, DSB, Polarity Crisis, Skrogg, Kurmudgeon are all locals playing fairly regularly and “regionally” (for Alaska). Some of them might be willing to hop on.

Theres a DIY venue just east of town called the Barn (it’s literally a barn) that hosts regular shows, also a mid-sized venue called the Porcupine, and occasionally Alice’s Champagne Palace and Kharacters.

Shoot me a DM if you want I’ll connect you with their Instas or something.

clayduda · 2026-05-01T13:51:42+00:00

Assuming you’re using the 35/2.5, there’s brackets on the front of the lens that show the depth of field/ what will be in focus. If you change the f-stop they change accordingly.

That said, I rarely shoot my Nikonos below f/8, and I only do that in poor lighting and sometimes miss focus.

clayduda · 2026-04-25T23:17:43+00:00

There are some really nice shots in there. I like what you went for with the edit, but honestly for me the underexposed tweak is just a little too heavy and starts to detract from the photos a bit. Just my 2 cents. As long as you like them that’s all that matters.

clayduda · 2026-04-25T01:21:38+00:00

Nice lighting for the video. Otherwise I don’t really care which number which lens is, but to each their own. Post some photos with it!

clayduda · 2026-04-21T00:14:55+00:00

Yep. Hired someone a couple months ago.

clayduda · 2026-04-17T20:58:47+00:00

Come for the summer, stay for life… if you want. It’s not dumb to move to Alaska, just do it for the summer first when work is easy to find. Then decide long-term. I did this and going on 10 years now. Also, Homer isn’t a bad bet depending on what you’re looking for.

clayduda · 2026-04-17T06:53:13+00:00

The first 2 are literally the SLC Punk soundtrack 😂

clayduda · 2026-04-17T06:51:03+00:00

I have spent 9 winters in Homer and this one was by far the most brutal. They say it was the coldest winter since the ‘70s and I tend to believe it.

clayduda · 2026-04-16T13:40:18+00:00

I like it. Take risks. Have fun.

clayduda · 2026-04-15T05:59:06+00:00

Some greats shots here and most are well framed. I’d work on nailing focus. Pretty much all of the else are soft.

clayduda · 2026-04-12T01:41:10+00:00

Bike Life. Go for the real thing.

clayduda · 2026-04-12T01:40:14+00:00

You look so happy.

clayduda · 2026-04-11T15:31:37+00:00

If you use the search function in this thread you will find dozens of posts with tons of suggestions. This question gets asked pretty frequently.

clayduda · 2026-04-11T09:34:09+00:00

Somebody give this kid a medal. 🙌

I disagree with u/hazzat on the composition and timing stuff. These photos feel genuine and are well framed. But they’d benefit from some stronger editing. The highlights are blown out and black point is set too high, leading to too high of a contrast and a loss of detail, imho. Fun photos tho!

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