A bit of advice for a first camera

Kristian Armitage

Kristian Armitage

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Hi guys, I'm new to this forum and I have been doing some reading on here.

I'm looking to buy my first camera next week and I'm stuck, so I'm asking for some advice.

I will generally be photographing cars and I love to do the long exposure shots at night, and using light to paint with wire wool and so on.

I use a Nikon at work and a friend has a d60 I believe so ideally wanting to stay with Nikon as never used a cannon.

Budget wise around the 300 mark for a kit with a lens, I can go higher if its worth the extra, any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

Cheers, Kris
 
As I say to everyone who asks this question (got the same advice off others here not so long ago) don't go for an entry level if you can afford not too. The d7000 should be in your price range easily and d7100 for not much more used. The use ability of the higher end will make it much easier for you (especially dual control dials, to make changing settings easier).
 
Thanks for your respose, Yeah I don't mind spending the money if its worth it, I would rather spend more first than think, 'what if I got the next one up'

Your reply made me remember another question I had, the 2nd hand stuff, I've been reading cameras last x amount of shots. I guess like milage on a car, I wouldn't feel comfortable buying a car with 100k on the clock, would this be the same with a camera? Where abouts is the mark where it gets to be a bit risky?
 
I bought my Canon 60d used with like 4000 actuations. When I asked that question i believe I was told the nikons are rated to about 150,000 actuations, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong I'm sure.
 
D7100 is a good camera but if you have nothing I'd recommend looking at all the makes, even consider mirrorless.
remember you need lenses too and once started it will cost you a lot to change formats.

The most important thing is to go to a shop and hold them all. They all feel different in your hand and have buttons & dials in different places. I bought Nikon as my hands didn't like where the controls were on Canons but I nearly bought a Pentax. Once you've chosen format but the most expensive as you can. Consider FX over DX for low light noise levels.
 
There will be plenty of relatively low mileage ones around as people change and upgrade. I wouldn't worry about a looked after example of a D7000 with 25k plus on. Im about to get a used D3 that has 120k but rated to 300k.
 
These are some great pieces of advise, it's getting me excited!

I thought Nikon just because I'm relatively familiar with the menu and overall controls and feeling of the camera.

Oh great I've seen a few d7000 with a descent amount of actuations, so generally 2nd hand is okay (with in reason)
 
I have bought all of my gear except my bag 2nd hand. No issues at all. Classifieds on here are a great place to look if you can access it yet? Personally I would like to think you get a better more honest deal on here then you would from a stranger on ebay etc. Although my camera and sigma 17-50 2.8 were both ebay. Although the first time you send someone money hoping you receive something you want/think you are getting is quite a nerve wracking time haha
 
There are a few sites that sell grey imports such as hdewcameras, panamoz and digitalrev. Possibly buy new in your price range on them and all have decent reputations. Or park cameras, wex, jessops etc will do more expensive but possibly deposit what you can and pay interest free for the rest of it over 12 months if your not convinced on 2nd hand
 
Yeah Unfortunately I don't have access due to been so new. I'm okay with buying through eBay as I work in a online retail shop so I no the whole long distance selling rules very well.

I hadn't thought of buying and paying monthly, but probably look at 2nd hand after hearing the positive feedback from people :)
 
MPB are another option for used gear, I've had a few things from them and they offer a very honest description of used equipment.
 
Ah great, I'll have a browse. This is a very good forum, glad my friend recommend me here
 
Yeah most people would prefer to buy outright but interest free makes it tempting for some (me!) But you will get a much better price for 2nd hand.
 
How about the cheapest entry-level Nikon plus short kit zoom ... and with the leftover money hunt down a used WIDE zoom/prime so your car photography can benefit from the proper wide angle?
 
Mpb tend to be slightly more expensive then ebay though? But yeah you do get a very good description and items usually priced to match it
 
Hmm I have been looking at the prime lenses, the pictures I'd be taking would be my car with a city land scape, or a motorway flyover. As the extra crisp imagines would be nice. But then thinking I'd like to just go for a walk and take pictures with my new toy :) so a 18-55mm lens would be good also. I can see me blowing my Budget well out the water lol
 
Hmm, this would be were my in-experience comes into play so wouldn't really no. Ive been reading most people keep about 3 lenses? Generally the standard 18-55 and I think a 55-200 and a prime of some sort, I could be talking rubbish though
 
Some rules are made to be broken, perhaps this can apply for budgets ;). Hmm you can really tell the difference there, looks tons better than my htc one pictures lol
 
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