Best starter camera

T

Total newb

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all :wave: well as the name suggests other than the usual snap shots I am only just looking to getting into photography.

I have been keen for ages but other things always came first. I have now booked a holiday to Iceland though and am determined to capture as much as I can.

So ..... looking about I can tell it should be either Canon or Nikon ... but which model :thinking:

Primarily I am mostly interested in landscape style photography. But being able to catch the northern lights (should we be so lucky to see them) is a big must. Then looking a little further down the road I would like to try some portraits.

Any help would be FAB!!!

Thank you!!
 
Looking at the entry camera's ... and to be honest my price range it's looking like it's between the canon EOS 1100D and Nikon D3100. Are these similar in capability and both be adequate for what I want?
 
:wave: And welcome aboard !!!

I'm going to move this over into Talk Basics for you, so it doesn't get lost in the Welcome section.

Broadly though, in terms of capability, features, image quality etc cameras at a similar level across the brands (and not just Nikon or Canon) are much of a muchness.
I'd really recommend you go to a camera shop and actually handle the different cameras that you're thinking about. Somebody here gave me the same advice when I was looking for my first DSLR and it was well worth doing - better to get it right now than to decide you want to change brands after you've already started investing in one of them.

For me, the decision to go with Canon was based on it just feeling more comfortable in my hands and the layout of the buttons / menu options etc being more intuitive to me. Of course, that won't be the same for everyone.
 
SarahLee said:
I'd really recommend you go to a camera shop and actually handle the different cameras that you're thinking about. Somebody here gave me the same advice when I was looking for my first DSLR and it was well worth doing - better to get it right now than to decide you want to change brands after you've already started investing in one of them.

For me, the decision to go with Canon was based on it just feeling more comfortable in my hands and the layout of the buttons / menu options etc being more intuitive to me. Of course, that won't be the same for everyone.
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome to TP

What Sarah has said is the best advice you will get all of which was the advice given to me and was definatley the decision maker and take your time when in the shop :thumbs:
 
So you're prepared to hump a dslr about, even if one of the lighter ones!

Feel in the hand is important - it has to feel sort of natural (I'm thinking of the body shape, essentially).

Whichever you get will function pretty well on auto but it's worth learning when and how manual intervention is needed for a good result - I'm talking exposure.

A lot of people take photos of 'things', but a camera doesn't see things, it sees light ...
 
Last edited:
Thanks very much guys!!

I have had a play and have to say I did much prefer the feel of the Canon in the hand and seemed as though it would be fairly easy to grasp how to use.

I am now being swayed towards a used 450d however?

I am planning on going back to my local camera shop on Wednesday and have a proper play with one.
 
A number of friends have said they want to get a DSLR after seeing me use mine. After a conversation about size, weight and having to change lenses and clean sensors it transpires that they didn't actually want a DSLR they just wanted a camera that took really nice pictures. The last friend that bought a camera took my suggestion and now has a Canon G15. F1.8, 5 X zoom, decent sensor and all the manual settings you get on a DSLR but fits into a pocket (a large ish one)

If you buy a standard starter camera say from Canon it will inevitably come with the 18-55mm 'zoom' lens, which in reality if you're coming from a compact camera won't really zoom that much (3 X)
 
I would suggest that you don't have to go to a DSLR to get the quality you want.

You could go for the Fuji X100 or X100s if your happy to shoot with one focal length or if you want interchangeable lenses then look at the X-E1 or X-Pro1, all of them are small, light and produce outstanding images.
Lens wise 14mm, 18mm & 35mm would cover all your needs by the sounds of it
 
magicaxeman said:
I would suggest that you don't have to go to a DSLR to get the quality you want.

You could go for the Fuji X100 or X100s if your happy to shoot with one focal length or if you want interchangeable lenses then look at the X-E1 or X-Pro1, all of them are small, light and produce outstanding images.
Lens wise 14mm, 18mm & 35mm would cover all your needs by the sounds of it
Click to expand...

For the price range the OP is looking at I don't think them suggestions will fit in.
 
When looking at your budget, have a think about the extras that make your photos special as well as the camera. e.g. if you're after the northern lights then a tripod will probably be needed- can you borrow one or do you need to buy one, etc.

Would be gutting to come back 'wishing' you had thought this through or not being happy with hand held images.

At my camera club, images are taken with a wide range of cameras, some of which are 3-4 generations old but were cutting edge when released and still produce outstanding images. The image quality hasn't changed and it might be better to go back a generation buying used allowing some other essentials into the decision process.

Good luck whatever you chose and I look froward to seeing your stuff in the critique section.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top