can you recommend what i need?

[ribano]

Hi , this is my first post, i'd really appreciate your input as i have NO idea what im talking about.

I need a digital slr with lens for between 200 and 400 pound.

the reason i need one is that i am a junior architect and would be using is mostly for taking pictures of buildings.

although i do enjoy taking photos so i would like it to be able to take quality action and macro shots aswell.

is there such a camera? or do i need more money?

thanks in advance x

Adam

 

[Hobbytog]

If you want to do all this straight away then you'll need more money. I think you'll need a wide angle lens for your (close) buildings shots, probably another lens for action shots and you may be able to incorporate macro possibility. You'll need a camera as well. Sigma do a 10-20mm pre-owned could be about £250 Not sure what type of action shots you'll want to do but if it's something like motor sport then a 70-300mm may suffice and depending on which manufacturer you chose marco could be a possibility. Then the camera, Canon, Nikon, Sony etc etc Have a look on ebay or consider a top of the range compact.

Paul

 

[ribano]

thanks for replying, the most important thing right now is the building shots, the other lenses i can save up for. the actions shots will be almost exclusively football.

hope that helps

 

[TCR4x4]

For buildings you need a wide angle, like the 10-20mm, or if you are really serious, a tilt shift lens.
For football, you are going to need a long fast lens, minimum a 70-300, but I doubt that will be fast enough.
A 70-200 f/2.8 or f/4 will be better, but you'll loose some reach. Anything bigger you are talking serious money.

 

[acs]

For buildings ... if you are really serious, a tilt shift lens.

Are you talking serious architectural work or just documenting buildings for your own interest, in which case a wide angle lens should be fine.

 

[ribano]

the work is going to be mostly for architect degree projects at uni. so it doesnt have to be amazing but it does have to look professional. i'll admit i know nothing at all about cameras so i'm not even sure if its worth getting a specific lens for it.

i completely bow down to all your knowledge!

 

[phototuition]

I suggest a Canon 450d with 18-55mm kit lens. Consider refurbished (reasearch the benefits and pitfalls thereof) to stay within budget and grab a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 or later which includes perspecive correction tools to deal fairly effectively with the inevitable converging verticals when you shoot buildings from low down.

 

[Jared]

I suggest a Canon 450d with 18-55mm kit lens. Consider refurbished (reasearch the benefits and pitfalls thereof) to stay within budget and grab a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 or later which includes perspecive correction tools to deal fairly effectively with the inevitable converging verticals when you shoot buildings from low down.

If you can get all this for £400 it gets my vote completly

 

[ribano]

i'll check it out thankyouuu

 

[R.Y.K. LEE]

I suggest a Canon 450d with 18-55mm kit lens. Consider refurbished (reasearch the benefits and pitfalls thereof) to stay within budget and grab a copy of Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 or later which includes perspecive correction tools to deal fairly effectively with the inevitable converging verticals when you shoot buildings from low down.

+1 on this too It's not so much the camera, but the lenses. The digital bodies come cheap 2nd hand, it's the lenses, depending on your requirements that rack up the pennies. If shooting buildings, like mentioned, you will need to watch out for the distortion on the wide angles. For art shots it can add a creative spin, but for serious architecture shots I think they would be looking for something close to the original perspective.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

Architecture may require something wide, and ideally with tilt and shift functionality. Ideally this would be 5D mkII with 17mm and 24mm TSE L lenses.

For university course, you may be OK, with an ultra wide angle lens, tripod and cheaper dSLR. 40D is likely to be good enough for it, with live view and clean output. Others may work just as well. Lenses need to be wide (a must for interior, and a bonus for exterior). Sigma 8-16mm may be an interesting one, OR Tokina 11-16mm OR 12-24mm should give top results (really don't bother with 18-55 - that one won't do what you need). You can correct perspective later in Photoshop, or Lightroom 3.