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sparky_steve

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steve
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hi all, i hope some of you may be able to help. I have always owned small compacts and i would like to venture into the world of a dslr camera. not knowing anything about these i would like your knowledge and guidance if some of you could spare the time. I mainly use my camera for fishing trips with my son, i like to take pictures of wildlife but am restricted to fairly close up work which not always possible. i have a budget of around £350 though will have to tell the wife a differant story.. one of the things i really need within a camera is a self portriat mode etc as some of my fishing is also on my own with nobody around when you need somebody to take a pic.

many thanks in advance for those who read and reply to this thread.

steve
 
Hi. I don't think any DSLR has a 'self portrait' mode. I just bought a Samsung EX1 as a replacement compact and it seems pretty good to me, does close up and all sorts of stuff nicely in a smallish compact. I don't think you'll get much for £350 in DSLR terms, so a better compact for less might be a possibility.
 
hi, sorry when i worded self portrait mode i meant via a remote . i also dont mind buying a second hand camera either as i hope to get something resonable.
 
you will need to buy second hand on a budget of £350, does that include a lens? try somewhere like MPB photographic you'll get a small warranty and a decent camera, just having a quick look and they have a 2od for £189 which should leave you pennies for some glass or a 30D for £259

never having used Nikon i don't know what the nikon equivalents are
 
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Before you buy it, make sure you ask whether or not it is capable of being used with a wired release. ( Some DSLRs have no remote facility, others may have an infra red version available, but that will limit what you can do.) If you get one that will accept an electronic plug in wire, you can use a cheap short cable type, you can also purchase slightly more expensive ones which will allow for longer extensions, and RF wireless remotes. There are also the options of plugging in timed exposure and beam splitter devices which would be ideal for nature work.

Second hand is certainly the way to go with that sort of budget, as you should be able to get a good piece of kit to get you going. It's not just the camera you need to consider, but also a tripod and bag etc as it sounds as though they will be important for the things you want to do.

When I bought my DSLR (2nd hand) I went for Pentax, because I had existing lenses that would work with it. Although I am happy with it, I think if I were starting from nothing I would opt for either a Nikon or a Canon within my budget, as there seem to be a lot more items in the second hand marketplace for them.

I hope this helps. And whatever you get - Have fun !
 
i have been offered on my fishing forum these two cameras:-
fuji s9600 digi camera with remote lead £150 or a Panasonic Lumix G1 Complete with 14-45mm lens £290

are these any good and would they do the job?
 
as far as i'm aware these are bridge camera's the next step up from your compact, but not quiet a DSLR, i have no experience of either, but hopefully someone will be along who does
 
Morning lizzy, your an early bird. I have also been offered this morning a nikon d5000 for £400 is this a bridge or dslr ?
 
sparky_steve said:
Morning lizzy, your an early bird. I have also been offered this morning a nikon d5000 for £400 is this a bridge or dslr ?
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most definately a DSLR and a pretty good one i think, does its have a lens with it?? like i said if it were me buying a first DSLR i would look at MPB , just having a quick look they have two D5000's both at £319 so i think this maybe a tad overpriced unless it has some glass

PS always up at this time dogs to walk before work:lol::lol:
 
sparky_steve said:
Yes it comes with a lens too.
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Do you know what lens? It sounds like a good start, I'm a canon girl myself, and you will find lots of healthy debate on Nikon v canon
 
Your right there and (I know I have said it before) you can get some cracking Minolta glass cheap on fleabay etc.

.DAVID.
 
Cheers guys for all your help! Right I have narrowed things down now to a few cameras.
Nikon d5000 used and on eBay spoken to the owner who will let it go for £400.
Sony a 380 used again but from a shop with 6 months warranty £300

Or a nikon d3100 new from jessops this is a bundle deal and will probably get me divorced .

Or what do you think still as currently your the experts .
 
Thing is Steve - we all have our own branded kit- so ask me and I'll say Sony( I own 2 at present) same applies to Nikon/Canon owners

My advice would be get you arse down to a camera shop, tell them your budget ( new or second hand) and get the feel of a couple, within your budget- remember you'll need a good camera strap and lens cleanimng kit maybe a flash gun and a bag to carry it all in

welcome to the expensive hobby thats Photography :wave:

Most will do what you need - some also do things you dont need ( like video for example, something I dont need in a dslr as I own a camcorder)

good luck in your search

Les :D
 
Hi mate , been to the only camera shop I could find and it was not curry's lol. 3 of the above mentioned cameras are from that shop though the nikon has a better deal online unfortunately . They said all the cameras would be suitable for what I want . To be honest I am just stuck and not knowing anybody with a dslr or slr you guys and ladies (lizzy) are my best guidance. The sales pitch was more on the nikon rather than any used equipment .
 
Lez325 said:
Thing is Steve - we all have our own branded kit- so ask me and I'll say Sony( I own 2 at present) same applies to Nikon/Canon owners

My advice would be get you arse down to a camera shop, tell them your budget ( new or second hand) and get the feel of a couple, within your budget- remember you'll need a good camera strap and lens cleanimng kit maybe a flash gun and a bag to carry it all in

welcome to the expensive hobby thats Photography :wave:

Most will do what you need - some also do things you dont need ( like video for example, something I dont need in a dslr as I own a camcorder)

good luck in your search

Les :D
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What is your opinion of the Sony a380 ?
 
good enough depending upon what lens you get with it and a price

Im bound to be a little biased Steve Im a SONY Man

Les :lol:

Nikon or Canon are more poular camera's but in escense they all do the same job
 
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Les, thank you for the info on the Sony a380 it reads a very good camera as well as the nikon 3100. Now all I have to do is make a decision and stick with it. It's a shame I can't peek in the classified section to see what's on offer here on the site as it feels a shame to give my hard earned cash to a shop rather than a persons pocket .
 
cheers guys and sorry lez, i have just ordered my first dslr and went for the nikon d3100.
cant wait to get it then get on a course or two and learn to use it properly
 
sparky_steve said:
cheers guys and sorry lez, i have just ordered my first dslr and went for the nikon d3100.
cant wait to get it then get on a course or two and learn to use it properly
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before i got to the end of thread i thought d3100 for this man,

i have had mine a week and i think it is a easy to use camera, with guide mode which runs you through different settings, it is my first dslr, i have been bitten by the bug, bought 55-300 nikkor lens and tripod,

hope you have great fun with yours i'm loving mine,

ps if you do go for bigger lens shop around i got my 55-300 off of amazon £80 cheaper than shop price
 
Pick my camera up tomorrow . But have just been told maybe I should have gone for the pantax K-r model . I spoke to the shop and they said I should have a look at both before. Did everyone have this problem with there first camera?
 
Nope ;)

Did all the research on all the ones I liked, picked up my first Sony (a350) and everything felt right, the menu system was waaaay easier than the others. Went and had a coffee then walked back to the shop and bought it there and then, went from that to the 700 and now the FF 900 with several really good bits of glass, I'm happy.

Best thing you can do is 'try them out' no good buying a camera that someone else recommends and you can't get on with the feel of it or you spend 5 minutes going through the menu to change a setting as the shot could be gone by then. You WILL know what fits you best.

.DAVID.
 
sparky_steve said:
Pick my camera up tomorrow . But have just been told maybe I should have gone for the pantax K-r model . I spoke to the shop and they said I should have a look at both before. Did everyone have this problem with there first camera?
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i had a choice between d3100 and cannon 550, the £200 difference made my mind up to get d3100, glad i did it just feels right for me
 
sparky_steve said:
cheers guys and sorry lez, i have just ordered my first dslr and went for the nikon d3100.
cant wait to get it then get on a course or two and learn to use it properly
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No need to say sorry to me- its your choice and athe Nikon d3100 is a cracking camera- good luck with it :thumbs:


Les ;)
 
sparky_steve said:
Pick my camera up tomorrow . But have just been told maybe I should have gone for the pantax K-r model . I spoke to the shop and they said I should have a look at both before. Did everyone have this problem with there first camera?
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mmm thats a decent comparison model, faster shutter and higher ISO, I have tried a few Pentax DSLRs and they are superb value for money..

look at what you may want in the long term.. you have more choice with the Nikon and more chance of 2nd hand bargains, although the model you are buying doesnt have a built in motor so many of the older Nikon lenses will work but will not AF.

have a good feel of both cameras and get the shop to run you by how to use them, its a major factor.. for eg I cannot get on with Canon consumer level cameras yet I love Nikons but I prefer Canons xxd over Nikon equivalent.. its a strange little quirk but important nonetheless when operating a camera..

make sure you are most comfortable with what you choose, dont be shy to walk away and try another day.
 
Thanks loads guys , had nearly a day looking and playing with cameras. Got a good deal with a nikon d3100 with vr lens as well as a tamron af70-300mm lens , tripod , 8gb Sandisk xtreme card, filters and a bag too. All I need to do now is complete the manual and have a play. :)
 
Nikon 3100, a great entry level DSLR . . . 300mm lens, nice one.

Enjoy, CJS
 
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Good man, i'm guessing you went for a Jessop's bundle deal? The £199 deal with the Tamron lens bag and 8gb extreme and all the other bits is amazing!
 
bomberman said:
Good man, i'm guessing you went for a Jessop's bundle deal? The £199 deal with the Tamron lens bag and 8gb extreme and all the other bits is amazing!
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:) - still reading and getting to grips with the manual . Taken 10 picks deleted 6 . Have a dummies guide to digital slr on the way too
 
Good to hear you took the time to try out a few, nothing worse than a camera that just 'feels wrong'.

Main things to remember: practice lots, practice a bit more and then do a bit more practicing just to be sure oh and ENJOY, look forward to seeing your first shots

.DAVID.
 
I used to love photography and for years my OM10 and kit lived by my side. Kids, the want of a dslr but no money (10 years ago they were bloody expensive!) and work meant it came out less and less.

Finally decided to take the plunge with a dslr and planned to spend about £350 as well. Ended up going WAY over budget and buying the canon 500d package from Jessops (plus their bag/sd card/UV filter bundle) yesterday. Very impressed so far, but feel like a complete beginner again, which is probably a good thing!

Good luck with the new camera!
 
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