Could do with a bit of advice please...

CharlieWinn

Suspended / Banned
Messages
7
Name
Charlie
Edit My Images
Yes
Hello all...well, I'm ready to start taking photography seriously... I have enrolled onto a photography course and have around £800 MAX (otherwise I'll never get out of this overdraft!! ooops) to spend on a decent camera and lenses etc to go with it. I have done plenty of research (with lots of head scratching due to all the technical terms) and am leaning towards a nikon d3100 with 55-200mm vr & 50mm lenses.

Any thoughts on this as my first set up would be great...

Thanks a lot!
 
Last edited:
I don't know if that is a good price or not but this wording on the warranty would make me steer clear completely.

"Please Note: The camera is a direct import model and is 100% identical to the USA model. It is manufactured in the same factories by the same workers. Direct import models do not carry a USA manufacturer warranty. Service plans with extended protection at better prices can be purchased in our store."
 
They offered me 5 year world wide warranty with the kit as an extra...however Nikon Uk is a franchise so would that be covered?? Hmmmm I think I'm just going to steer clear anyways and keep it local in the UK...What do you reckon to the camera itself and the 55-200mm & 50mm lenses as a starter set up? Thank you for your help =]
 
any reason you want a nikon?

basically for me .. i started out and i felt comfortable with Canons and there kit

I bought a 500D, loved it thought it was great but always had the urge to play with bigger toys.

After a month i sold it and bought a 50D .. the 50D controls dont change MUCH right up to the big guns where as the 500s are completely different.

I then used the 50D as a roundabout learning tool so when i have perfected it all i have an awesome camera and i have the skills to use it properly. When i'm one day clever and rich enough i can upgrade to a full frame body or even a top end crop like the 7D and the controls and layout wont of changed.

You can get yourself a

50D = £500 or less used
50 1.8, = £60 used
55-250 IS = £100 used
2 or 3 Memory cards = £40
Bag = £30

And you have change ..
 
If I had £800 Id be looking for either a second hand prosumer body like the Nikon D90, or a brand new slightly better than budget D5000.

Personally I'd go the second hand route and get a D90 with something like the 18-200 or 55-200 to start with and then upgrade the glass as and when you can.

With the likes of the D3100 and D5000 you are limited to AF-S lenses, which isnt a major problem in itself, just limits the choice of lenses slightly if you want to use autofocus.
 
There are lots of good kit that don't cost the earth.

I would buy used gear as you get a bit more for your money.

Canon 40D or 50D
Canon 50mm F1.8
Tamron 17-50mm

You can get the above and still have some change.

After that over time I would be looking for following to complete the set:

canon 70-200
Sigma 10-20
Tamron 90mm macro
Canon 430ex flash
 
Back
Top