Beginners DSLR?

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Hi all, Im looking at ( hopefully soon) finally getting a DSLR:clap:, Im a bit stumped as to what would be a good beginners camera, but one I wont 'outgrow' too quickly...not that Im some fantastic photographer, just looking ahead;):lol:

Im looking at Nikons (D3100 etc) or Sony...or if anyone can suggest a different make (that wont break the bank) I very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!:D
 
i bought my first dslr less than a week ago, nikon 3100 it felt good to handle, and the reviews said it was easy to use, there is a guide mode on it aimed at beginners, the kit lens is not supposed to up to much, must say i havent really used it much yet, i have ordered a 55-300 nikon lens at £80 less than shop price, so whatever you buy shop around, i'm sure you will get more advice from more experrienced people on here, good luck
 
i bought my first dslr just after christmas, i got a canon EOS 1000D. All the reviews say it is a ideal camera for a begginer (and it is) and it is easy to use.
 
Do you know anyone with a DLSR? I wold suggest getting to handle a few and just seeing which you prefer would be your best bet. I started out with a Nikon D60 and have moved over to a Canon 500D just through personal preference. I'm only just starting out with photography as a hobby. The D60 isn't wasted though, it just means we have a camera each now
 
have you thought about joining your local camera club if they are anything like ours most members are happy to let you try a camera and you cant beat a good hold to know if u get on
 
I got a Canon 550D, great camera imo :thumbs:
 
I personally own a Nikon D5000 and love it, but I've heard great things about the Nikon D3100... IMO though, it's worth just going down to your local camera store and handling all the DSLR's within your price-range. Everyone has different preferences and it's important to know what 'fits' for you!
 
Don't get too wrapped up in worry about one make being better than the others.

All dSLR models are pretty good these days, all come with a free warranty, most will have a decent lens, battery and charger and basic softwear for downloading and some editing. Some even have a memory card!

Learning to use a dSLR - any dSLR - is more important than what type it is. They all work in more or less the same way. Once you have a handle on the relationship between shutter, aperture and ISO and are comfortable with shooting in different conditions, you will be ready to move on to the more advanced/specialised stuff.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that buying a load of expensive gear will make you a better photographer. It won't. It will just make you a poorer one.
 
Join a local camera club, and look at whatever system most of the people have that are members there. They will know the equipment back-to-front (hopefully!) and maybe if you get a good rapport going you will be able to borrow the odd lens now and again if you go on any joint shoots (don't expect this kind of treatment straight away!)

Most importantly though, just pick one that you like. At your price range, most cameras from within their respective systems will have similar capabilities. Anyway, you are more likely to outgrow whatever lenses you get at first rather than find the camera the limiting factor in your photography, though you may not realise it at first!
 
I've only recently joined the world of SLR photography and got myself a second hand Nikon D60 for a good price. It fits my hands better than the Canons I tried and I'm still really enjoying using it after 6 months even though I only have the kit lens.

I'm still very much a beginner but getting out there and trying things out really helps. If you are buying new, see if you can get yourself to a shop to have a hold of the models you're interested in.

Andy
 
I've had my 450d around a year now, after having bridge cams before that - I think I paid about £575 for a twin lens kit. it's been a brilliant starter DSLR and I've been really impressed with the quality - especially after buying the 'Nifty-Fifty 1.8' also which is a must at the price.

In hindsight, I do wish I'd maybe I'd have stretched and gone up to the next range (60d or something) as I probably could have handled it with the experience gained from the bridges. If I can afford it I may jump up to a 5d MkII later in the year, or early next year.

But yeah, Canon's lower end camera's are ideal starters, as I'm sure Nikon's etc are too. All depends which camera set up works best for you.
 
You may also want to have a look at the Pentax K-r, their entry-level dSLR. There is a smaller range of lenses available so that would be something to think about but when compared to the entry level cameras from nikon and canon you seem to get so much more bang for your buck.

At the end of the day though its really whichever one feels best in your hands.
 
A few months ago I would have said just buy anyone and get used to it, but having bought a GF2 that I just don't like, I would say go to a shop and try them all, and keep trying them till you find the one you like?
 
Hi Nic,
You could consider a Nikon D70, or even a D80.
Shop around and you may get a d80 at a bargain price.

like here maybe...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=330631


or look at MPB photographic website, they have an excellent reputation and keen prices.

Both cameras are excellent and you have enough fuctions to grow into and expand /experiment.
Best of all you can later trade / sell either for not a lot of depreciation if you are in a position to upgrade.
The kit 18-55g lens is a goodun and not heavy on the wallet @ around £60-£75 secondhand.

With these nikons you can use older af-d film lenses too and you can get some bargain examples by shopping around.

Canons have their strengths too, I suppose its just a matter of personal preference but i find that having 2 seperate control dials at the top of the camera and seperate top lcd display much less confusing and the d80 viewfinder is second to none for the price.
It is a wonderful camera for the cash.

No doubt canon/pentax etc fans have their own likes/dislikes about their models.



It is important to remember that you will be buying an slr but also buying into a camera system.

Do your research.
Take a physical look at a few on your shortlist if you have a used store near you like LCE.
Used camera stores are usually very obliging.

Good Luck
 
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http://gwcameras.com/cameras.html

This is an entry model targeted at digital SLR novices and family users, the PENTAX K-r not only offers an assortment of features and functions that make it easy for everyone to effortlessly capture high-quality images people expect of a digital SLR camera, but it also comes equipped with a host of handy tools that help user in creating more personalized, creative images. I personally like Canon Cameras myself and have always found them almost self explanatory, they do take exceedingly good photographs coupled with any of there lenses but as someone else quoted it is down to personal preference at the end of the day.
 
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Hi all, Im new to photography too. I started out on the D3100 and love it. Not too complicated, and as someone has previously said it has a walk-through guide and gives you examples on screen of what each settings do/change.

Well worth it, and at the moment they do a £40 cash back from Nikon (mine took 3 weeks to be sent to me). So whatever the price is you pay, knock £40. Put my £40 towards a quite nifty lowepro bag.

But the D3100 is well worth it. The stock lens isnt the best in the world, but is more than good enough for starting out.
 
Another vote for the D3100 from me!

I find it easy to use and it has some rather excellent advanced features. I hanker after a D90 but that will have to wait :D

As for the kit lens, it fits the bill for a DSLR beginner like me perfectly. Also, because it covers a variety of focal lengths, it gives you a taste of what to expect from some of the budget prime lenses that are available. Based on playing with the kit lens I took my Xbox to be sold yesterday and bought the 1.8 35mm AF-S and am loving it.
 
I got a Nikon D3100 a few months ago and love it but as another poster said, go to your nearest camera shop and look at all the options for your budget. And try not to get seduced by all the new shiny toys available. A decent starter camera, the kit lens and a memory card and you are good to go! Tripod, a camera bag, filters etc can come later.
 
I have a canon 450d and some nikon lenses!!! lol

I do prefer a nikon though and may end up getting one as the i only have the canon and stock lens so not spent any money on extras.
 
wastedyears1981 said:
did you get the nikkor 1.8 35mm norters? If so, if you traded an xbox for it, must be worth having. Be considering buying one for ages.
Click to expand...

That's the fella! It is a lovely thing. Well worth jibbing the Xbox off. To be honest, since the day I bought my DSLR and started taking photographs for the first time in ten years I hadn't switched it on. Especially since I am now addicted to collecting old film camera equipment off the Ebay!
 
I have a hot tip (shhh) The Nikon D5000 has plummeted in value since the D5100's release. Friend of mine picked up one from a camera shop with the 18-55 for £375, ebay has them at about £400. That's £100 off what they were worth a month ago. Check the london camera exchange to see what deals they are doing as you may find a similar deal on the 500D/550D in canon as the 600D is also now out.
 
Id did the same norters, spent most of my time wasting my life playing angry idiots on CoD MW2 all the time, got my first SLR, and every spare second of the day im out and about or in the kitchen taking photos of cutlery, chairs ....anything thats even slightly odd or quirky. Get rid of the xbox was the best thing I ever did. Although I do miss playing the mass effect games.
 
Did you try a few dif DSLR'S? What made you go for the one you have now?
 
I read reviews, bought a few magazines and scoured over google for the best entry level DSLRs on the market and the Nikon D3100 kept popping up the most often. Then I went into jessops, got hold of the camera and had a play around with it. I kept in mind that they were just after my money and tried selling me one that was a little bit above entry level. But i stuck with my guns.

I looked at one of the Sony DSLR's think it was one of the A series ones, and the d3100, and the nikon felt way better. Was worth spending the extra on it.
 
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