Best DSLR and lenses for me? advice needed please.

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Lottie

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Charlotte
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Hello - Firstly hello and sorry if this has been asked a thousand times before! I currently have a Nikon Coolpix P100 and I've had that for a year or so now and I'm looking to get my first DSLR camera, my budget at the moment is around £800-1000.

I've been looking at a variety of DSLR cameras but I'm not 100% sure on what body to go for and especially not sure what lenses I would need to achieve what I want to do, I like doing macro shots especially of insects and I'm guessing I will need a decent tripod in order to do this? but I also want to be able to take clear pictures of my cats play fighting, running ect... but with my current camera I can't seem to get any decent pictures of them play fighting, it is my skill or lack of skill most likely lol but the play fighting is normally over before my camera decides to focus or its a blurred mess.

Another thing is lighting, I really struggle with getting good enough lighting to take good looking pictures, most end up dark or over exposed by the flash. At the moment I just have my camera and nothing else so I do try and 'bounce' the flash on the camera against a near-by surface to try to get the right lighting but that rarely works out well, the animal has normally gone while I'm trying to get the right angle to 'bounce' the flash.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated and thank you for taking the time to read the thread :)
 
So you probably want a camera, lens, tripod, memory card?, and a flash.

If you don't mind grey imports, Panamoz will give you more for your money than most places. You often get some very good deals on ebay too.

There are loads of different options you could take but here's what i'd probably do.

Canon 600d, Canon 430EX ii, 50mm prime lens . and that leaves plenty left for a tripod and a memory card or two.

A photography course would also be well worth the money.

EDIT:

Forgot about the macro side of things.
Maybe get a 60mm macro lens instead of the 50mm
 
You have a nice budget to start with. I would look at getting a entry level camera such as the nikon d3100 with its kit lens for around £285 with the cashback then spend £240 on a macro lens like the tamron 90mm, then a tidy budget tripod for £100 like the Giottos 9351B for £109 which is great for macro work. A fast prime lens like the 35mm f1.8 at £130 for low light indoor shooting, and when you are still not getting the shutter speed you need a yongnuo yn-465 flashgun for £50. Thats £800. You may want to add a budget zoom lens like the 55-200mm vr for £130.
 
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If you'd like to see some image quality comparisons THIS is a good website. I prefer Canon colours but Nikon usually have better low-light ability (when not using a flash).
 
fatmarley said:
So you probably want a camera, lens, tripod, memory card?, and a flash.

If you don't mind grey imports, Panamoz will give you more for your money than most places. You often get some very good deals on ebay too.

There are loads of different options you could take but here's what i'd probably do.

Canon 600d, Canon 430EX ii, 50mm prime lens . and that leaves plenty left for a tripod and a memory card or two.

A photography course would also be well worth the money.

EDIT:

Forgot about the macro side of things.
Maybe get a 60mm macro lens instead of the 50mm
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Thanks for your help and the website for compairing cameras is great too!

I think I would stick with Nikon because I currently have a Nikon camera and I've been happy with it but now I'm just looking for something better and looking at the comparison website I prefer the Nikon images, they have a warmer look to them in my opinion :)

Never thought about a photography course, I might have a look to see whats available near where I live.

rjbell said:
You have a nice budget to start with. I would look at getting a entry level camera such as the nikon d3100 with its kit lens for around £285 with the cashback then spend £240 on a macro lens like the tamron 90mm, then a tidy budget tripod for £100 like the Giottos 9351B for £109 which is great for macro work. A fast prime lens like the 35mm f1.8 at £130 for low light indoor shooting, and when you are still not getting the shutter speed you need a yongnuo yn-465 flashgun for £50. Thats £800. You may want to add a budget zoom lens like the 55-200mm vr for £130.
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Thanks for your help.

I've been looking at getting the Nikon D5100 with a 18-105mm VR Lens, would that be ok to start with?

What is the best place to get lenses and camera equipment? I've been looking on Jessops but I'm not sure if thats the best place lol
 
The general advice given is to go to a shop and handle a few cameras - they are different sizes with different menus - you might find you prefer another brand to Nikon, and of course you might not!

You should also keep in mind that lenses are generally more important than the camera itself, and generally hold their value much better than DSLRs. There are generally great bargains to be had second hand as well, so you may want to consider that - either way you should concentrate more on the lenses than the camera.

You current camera is probably too slow to auto-focus, you will find the DSLR should not have this issue unless in really poor light, or with a poor lens on the front.

Good luck!

Al
 
Lottie said:
I've been looking at getting the Nikon D5100 with a 18-105mm VR Lens, would that be ok to start with?

What is the best place to get lenses and camera equipment? I've been looking on Jessops but I'm not sure if thats the best place lol
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The D5100 is in my opinion great value for money and strikes the best balance between performance & affordability.

The 18-105 is a perfectly adequate kit lens. But personally I would suggest seeing if you can get the camera body only and instead get the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 lens. I think this lens is great value for money and the f2.8 will allow you to shoot in lower light than the 18-105 as well as get a better nice bokeh effect.

Lastly I'd also get yourself a decent flashgun. The Jessops 360AFDn is a good starter flash for £80. This will allow you to bounce your flash much easier.
 
Just a word in support of the 18-105mm. I had one of these before I dropped my camera (from about 6ft) and it broke off. :'(

It's a very versatile lens to use as a starting point, while you explore your DSLR and find the aspects of photography which you might eventually become interested in and focus on. Though it's not the fastest lens, it's perfectly capable of producing an attractive bokeh.

It's good for landscape through portrait and on to short telephoto on a D5100, so it's a healthy all-rounder. Though it's a bit of a jack of all trades (and therefore a master of nothing), for anyone who's new to DSLR photography, it's ideal for that reason.
 
Thank you all for your help!

I'm going to go to my local Jessops and have a look, then go from there :)
 
While you're there, don't skip back out the door without stopping by the Pentax display, and taking a good gander at the K-30.
Image stabilisation in the body, not the individual lenses - so every lens benefits, and are cheaper/light to boot.
Lowest noise of all the APS-C sensor cameras, especially in black levels (according to DP Review's figures/graphs).
£50 cashback too - so £400 when the cheque turns up, if you opt for the kit lens (18-55) and WR (weather resistant) version.

If your Coolpix uses an SD memory card, then take it along with you and take some test shots with each.
Look at them back home, and see how that compares to which you liked the look of best or felt most comfortable/intuitive/easy to access features in the hand.
That'll help you decide which brand/model is the one to opt for.
 
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Another vote for looking at the Pentax K30.

The deal that PJ S mentions gives a lot of camera for £400. If you added the Tamrom f2.8 90mm macro lens the cost, in total, would be about £740, which would leave you with spare cash for tripod, flash, filters etc.

Dave
 
you can get a good Nikon D300 used with relatively low shutter count for around the £450 mark which will allow money over for a decent lens as well. Having owned this Nikon version for some years I can say it will do everything you need and more. Always check shutter actuations before any second hand camera purchase. One a well known selling site I just looked and there is one with only 6000 actuations for £419 a real bargain in my opinion.

Realspeed
 
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Wouldn't the jump from a Nikon Coolpix to a Nikon D300 be too much to cope with?

I'd go with an entry level DSLR and learn from that, then upgrade.

As the majority of replies have said, lenses are the better investment to make. Something I'm learning to with an awful lot of hindsight............................. :(
 
musicalbloke said:
Wouldn't the jump from a Nikon Coolpix to a Nikon D300 be too much to cope with?
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Yeah, because if we humans are known for anything, it's our complete inability to take on new ideas and concepts.

Oh.. wait...

;)
 
I take a lot of pictures of my cats. I have a 430ex flash sat in the corner of the room pointed to bounce off the ceiling. The flash is controlled by an ste2 which allows me to retain ettl. The camera is set to manual and the flash to ettl so it automatically adjusts for the correct exposure. I have white walls too so the flash tends to bounce around and give nice big catch lights in the eyes like the pic below:


Pretty kitty by leega, on Flickr
 
SimonH said:
Yeah, because if we humans are known for anything, it's our complete inability to take on new ideas and concepts.

Oh.. wait...

;)
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How about the number of people who go from a point and shoot to dslr and struggle for months to get a decent photo. Start sensible and build up.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
How about the number of people who go from a point and shoot to dslr and struggle for months to get a decent photo. Start sensible and build up.
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What number of people is that? I don't know who they are, but I doubt they're the kind of people who come looking for help and advice on a photography discussion forum. :shrug:
 
SimonH said:
What number of people is that? I don't know who they are, but I doubt they're the kind of people who come looking for help and advice on a photography discussion forum. :shrug:
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There are a number of threads on here to do with people who have picked up a camera and are disappointed with the results. They get tips and they improve, but would a d300 benefit a beginner over a d3200? Not really, maybe after a year or 2.
 
The people who pick up a DSLR and get to grips with it in an hour are not going to be posting questions on how to use it though are they?
You have no way of knowing which category a user is in so both of you are just guessing.

If you have a technical background and have used many different devices for many different purposes then a camera is a pretty easy device to use and understand.
Whereas if you are technically challenged you will struggle with a D3200 and struggle with a D300, in fact you may even struggle with a point and shoot to some extent!
As "what camera should I buy" is the most commonly posted question it may help if people rated their technical ability and grasp of new devices to give a pointer.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
There are a number of threads on here to do with people who have picked up a camera and are disappointed with the results. They get tips and they improve, but would a d300 benefit a beginner over a d3200? Not really, maybe after a year or 2.
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A resounding Yes!

Most advice for newcomers wanting to get to grips with a DSLR go like this:
Shoot in Manual or one of the semi auto modes
Choose your focus point, don't let the camera choose for you.

All of this is easier to do with higher spec models than with the entry level ones which wrongly encourage a user to leave it to the cameras 'specialist' modes.

In fact only at the top end do you find cameras that get rid of the mickey mouse modes that are singularly unhelpful for any photographer.
 
Nice idea in theory Chris, but how does one rate their technical nouse so that it's meaningful rather than arbitrary?
What's the differing levels:
Can you operate an iPad without seeking assistance?
Can you set up iTunes and successfully use it? (This is a big ask for many a PH'er!)
Can you configure a home router?

I think it's best to presume complete ignorance unless the asking member demonstrates they've a fair grounding in specific aspects, but even at that, some buyers are thinking long term by considering going straight to the higher end of the cameras - so you really can't write that off purely because there's a perception the camera is aimed at manual setting of the parameters.
From my limited knowledge, even the likes of the 5D is beset with an Auto mode - which given the other areas of improved features (focus points/distribution, metering, ISO noise reduction) could (should?) mean its output will be a magnitude greater than the entry level models.

Ultimately, the best camera will boil down to which one they will bother to pick up and use regularly, and learn along with it, rather than the cheaper alternative - which disappoints for the money, and winds up sat in a corner gathering dust!
 
'It's a common misconception, but 'entry level' DSLR's aren't built to be 'easy to use' for photographers, they're built to be cheap and lure new users in with features designed for consumers who have no desire to learn about photography.

Photographers who move to DSLR's from compacts do so because their 'manual' options on those compacts didn't offer them enough 'control'. They don't need the sports, landscape etc modes, they don't even need the green box. They just need to take control of their photography.

However 'consumers' buy DSLR's because they believe paying more will give them better pictures. They need all the auto options because they don't want to be bothered by notions like 'camera's don't take good pictures - photographers do'. These people need the 'entry level' features.

There's a market for a cheap DSLR with just the controls you get on a pro spec SLR, but it's too small a market for the camera manufacturers, and all the computer program hardware is now so cheap to put into a camera - why wouldn't manufacturers do it, it broadens the appeal.
 
PJ S said:
Nice idea in theory Chris, but how does one rate their technical nouse so that it's meaningful rather than arbitrary?
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Fairly easily.
For example I would confidently say that I could get to grips with any consumer product within an hour and not need to ask any questions about it. Therefore put forward cameras without thinking about technicalities.
If my mum was asking 'what camera' she would say I haven't got a clue and barely know how to change the channel on a TV, etc, etc,
 
Phil V said:
A resounding Yes!

Most advice for newcomers wanting to get to grips with a DSLR go like this:
Shoot in Manual or one of the semi auto modes
Choose your focus point, don't let the camera choose for you.

All of this is easier to do with higher spec models than with the entry level ones which wrongly encourage a user to leave it to the cameras 'specialist' modes.

In fact only at the top end do you find cameras that get rid of the mickey mouse modes that are singularly unhelpful for any photographer.
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Took 400 photos today on my D3100, in aperture mode, changing focus points, changing ISO, modifying exposure compensation and changing white balance.

It is quick and easy to change focus points, aperture or shutter speed, ISO and dial in exposure compensation. How is it easier on a more advanced model?? (I spent today looking at D700 and D300 used by other users of this forum)

How does my D3100 encourage me to use the auto modes??? Just because they are there?? I've never taken a photo in those modes.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
Took 400 photos today on my D3100, in aperture mode, changing focus points, changing ISO, modifying exposure compensation and changing white balance.

It is quick and easy to change focus points, aperture or shutter speed, ISO and dial in exposure compensation. How is it easier on a more advanced model?? (I spent today looking at D700 and D300 used by other users of this forum)

How does my D3100 encourage me to use the auto modes??? Just because they are there?? I've never taken a photo in those modes.
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I'll deal with the bold bit first - what I meant was that those modes are there for consumers to lead them to believe that the camera will choose the settings for those particular types of photography. Not that it'll encourage 'photographers' to choose them.

As per the 'easier on more advanced models', I'll admit I've never held a d3100, but it's often the case that features on the entry level cameras are menu driven where they tend to have their own buttons on the higher end cameras.

For instance to change the ISO you have to delve into the menu; on a d7000 there's an ISO button, likewise image quality and White Balance. I'm sure there'll be other examples. You're luckier with Nikon, because you have an aperture dial, with entry level Canon's you have to hold a shift for the single wheel to alter the aperture in M.

I'm not picking a fight, it's just the way that cameras are designed and marketed. Look at the buttons on the rear of your camera. You're a photographer - how useful are those buttons to you? If you could swap them for other functions, would you? Would it be useful if you could change ISO without taking the camera from your eye?

Every single one of my cameras has controls aimed at people who aren't photographers (and they're not all entry level cameras). No photographer I have ever spoken to needs a direct print button - but even the 5d III still has one.

The point still stands, entry level cameras are designed for consumers, people who are interested in photography will not benefit from picking up an entry level camera, and have nothing to lose by picking up a 'better' camera.

We learnt photography on fully Manual cameras, there was never any suggestion that a more automated model would teach us quicker - if anything more automation slows down the learning process. But once we know what we're doing, some automation can be used to help us work more efficiently.

I've used entry level cameras and kit lenses, and I've used pro bodies and pro spec lenses (not just had a look at;)), and I can tell you that higher end gear is easier to get results from. And every other experienced photographer on the forum will tell you the same thing.
 
On the D3100, you set the Fn button to ISO, so I can change it without taking my eye away.

I know you aren't picking a fight.

I never change image quality and I never really change white balance off auto (shoot in RAW)

I did find out today about presetting the white balance which I did have to dive into the menu for.

Things I would need to dive into the menu for (the one screen menu, not full menu) - focust mode (single, constant), focus type (single point, matrix, 3d tracking) and metering mode. So far though I have not needed to change these quickly, they may be something I set at the beginning of the day and leave them on that.

I was asking today which of the extra controls did they use and most answered none.

I am considering upgrading to the D300s, D7000 or even FF, but I am trying see where I will get the benefit. I know you get more controls, but will I use them?? FF has better low light performance and I believe higher dynamic range. One area I would like is more focus points, but I cannot justify spending £600 or so on that alone.
 
Dale_d3100 said:
On the D3100, you set the Fn button to ISO, so I can change it without taking my eye away.

I know you aren't picking a fight.

I never change image quality and I never really change white balance off auto (shoot in RAW)

I did find out today about presetting the white balance which I did have to dive into the menu for.

Things I would need to dive into the menu for (the one screen menu, not full menu) - focust mode (single, constant), focus type (single point, matrix, 3d tracking) and metering mode. So far though I have not needed to change these quickly, they may be something I set at the beginning of the day and leave them on that.

I was asking today which of the extra controls did they use and most answered none.

I am considering upgrading to the D300s, D7000 or even FF, but I am trying see where I will get the benefit. I know you get more controls, but will I use them?? FF has better low light performance and I believe higher dynamic range. One area I would like is more focus points, but I cannot justify spending £600 or so on that alone.
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The thing is, for lots of people it's not as tangible as that. But it's like any tool, you don't notice the good qualities or the things that make life better, until they're gone.

When you've upgraded, and settled into your new camera, come back and tell me how much different life is really.;)
 
I can see both sides of this but speaking from my own experience; as a beginner a couple of years ago I think if I'd dived straight in with a D300 (with no auto or scene modes etc) I'd have given up in frustration pretty quickly. At the time I was firmly in the 'I want a decent camera that'll take decent pictures' camp. A D300 would not have done that without a reasonable level knowledge or a lot of luck. It seems a bit like learning to swim by jumping in the deep end, you're either forced to learn and fast or you'd give up and never do it again (or drown!). It'll work for some but not others.

I started with a D5000 which had all the scene modes under the sun and that is what I used initially. Then I got curious about what all the numbers meant and bought some books. Then I discovered TP and things quickly got out of hand... The D5000 became frustrating as some features that I needed to access frequently were a chore to get at in the menus. I then moved to a D300, go figure.

Not quite sure where I'm going with this in terms of advice but it is worth mentioning that there is some middle ground in the Nikon range (and probably every other range) where you get a camera that is both beginner friendly but also suits the more seasoned user too. In Nikon terms that would be a D7000 or a D90 which is great value now. Plenty of do it all for you modes as well as more advanced features that can be grown into.

In terms of additional kit to budget for, a tripod is always useful for all sorts of things. A decent one that'll last you a while can be had for less than £100 with head. A flash would be useful for both cats and macro stuff. If you're using a Nikon D90 or a higher model you'll have a built in wireless flash commander system. A Nissin Di622 Mk2 flash works a treat with this and is reasonably cheap. You'll likely want a dedicated macro lens (around 100mm length should be enough) which would also work well for your cats if you're outdoors or for indoor close ups. A 50mm 1.8 lens would be a good cheap addition as well and would be ideal for your cats. Maybe budget for a more general zoom lens as well and you'll have a great set of kit.
 
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:bonk: I have a nikon D90 can i use a extreme pro 32 sd card and roughly how many photos can i get off the card
 
LES K said:
:bonk: I have a nikon D90 can i use a extreme pro 32 sd card and roughly how many photos can i get off the card
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Hi Les - not sure what this has to do with the OP's thread? You really need to start your own thread in 'Talk Basics'. But THIS may help answer your question (as will the camera manual :) )

Regarding pNo. of pics, it will depend on image quality and file type you use.
 
Thanks Nick as you can gather I'm a beginner but I do have a D90 Nikon camera really need to learn how to get the best out of it. My best lens I have is a18mm 200mm
 
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