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Neill

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Neill
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Good afternoon folks,

Been recommended to this site by a few members.

Currently not running any gear at all, but thinking of buying something in the not so distant future.

Anyone recommend me a camera and lens? Im after a bit of photography of random things such as days out, car/bike shows, motorbike racing and the odd car event.

Some folk have mentioned a Nikon D3100? Would appreciate any comments or opinions given.

Open to all views or a range of items etc and im Working with a budget of around £500

Thanks
 
Welcome along.

My advice would be to go to a good camera shop & gets your hands on a few different models that fit your budget, see what feels best & more natural to you. Personaly I would also suggest sticking to the more well known brands, Nikon, Canon etc.
 
Thanks mate, a couple of people have said the same about the cameras and to try before you buy etc..

Was just wondering what the general census was in relation to newbie photography and what cameras or spec should i be looking for...
 
In very general terms, as a beginner you can't go far wrong with a Canon or a Nikon - or so "they" say!

Do you have a group of friends who also have cameras? If so, what do they shoot? Would you be swapping lenses, for instance. Look at the cost of lenses as well. What kind of thing would you be going for in the future and how does the cost compare between the two?

Also look at 2nd hand bodies as they can be a great way to start and save some cash for lenses. I went for Canon and started with a 350D and kit lens which I got from eBay (and topped up with a 50mm f/1.8 and a Tamron 70-300mm, for around the £500 mark all-in) then upgraded to a Canon 40D which I got from the classifieds on here.

But I agree with Glyn, that you can't beat actually handling different cameras and see what suits you best. That said, I bought my 350D sight-unseen having never even held a DSLR in my life before ... so what do I know?! :lol:
 
Welcome mate!

I'd defo go with ukglyn's advice i was just about to order a Cannon DSLR online but decided to wait till i got to a decent shop. Came out with the Nikon 3100d. I know squat all about cameras but i hated the feel and look of the cannon cameras.

Good Luck.
 
ebay, 2nd hand

Could get a Canon 40D or maybe even a Nikon D90 for £500. The 40D dosn't do video at all, the D90 has fairly ropey video but they are both better at being actual cameras
 
Would you get one with glass for that money? I agree though potentially not to go straight for the cheapest. I started on a D70 and was frustrated with it very quickly as my skills, well at least my desire to take more complex and in particular long exposure high iso stuff.

A second hand camera will give you much more kit that you could grow into. On the flip side, if you find it's not for you, you can sell the kit on for much less of a loss.
 
As suggested above by Babs and Glyn go to a shop and hold the cameras in your hand to see which feels comfortable.

Also consider what people you know are using so that you may be able to share the lens.

Consider buying a second hand, from either MBP photo or Wilkinsons etc.

I bought a second hand D80 with the kit lens and am very happy with it. Also my friend has a D90 so helps when I want to borrow his lens.
 
Frobius said:
Would you get one with glass for that money?
Click to expand...

Not sure if that was directed at me, but yeh, saw a few Nikon D90s with kit lenses going for around the £500 mark, 40D body only tends to go for £360-380 leaving a few options for adding a lens on top as well.
 
Yeah sorry, should have been more specific. That's good news then. If I were the OP, I'd be much more inclined to a used D90 than a new D3100. Although that could be my bias, but I'd imagine that even now, the 90 is still a lot more camera than the 3100?
 
Frobius said:
Yeah sorry, should have been more specific. That's good news then. If I were the OP, I'd be much more inclined to a used D90 than a new D3100. Although that could be my bias, but I'd imagine that even now, the 90 is still a lot more camera than the 3100?
Click to expand...



I second the D90 if just for the fact you can use non AFS lenses on it. It's a good camera and you would have to step up to the D300s to do better right now or D7000 if video was important.
 
The D90 will be a bit more of a learning curve, but well worth it in the long run. Plus its much better built, has the top LCD and as mentioned the focus motor.

The D90 does do video, just not particularly well.
 
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