DSLR or bridge camera?

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matt1

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Hi,

I'm new here and not very clued up with photography, but am learning. I've moved to Wales recently (very pretty place) and will be travelling around more and feel I'd like take up photography - or at least give it a go. Would be a great skill to have in later life.

I'm still a student, so don't have a massive budget. I've got up to £250 I can spend, but I'm struggling to make up my mind on how I should spend it. My thoughts so far are, either a decent 2nd hand camera like a Canon 20D or get a bridge camera.

If I go for the 20D, or a similar 2nd hand camera, I'm going to be restricted to what lenses I can get and I'm not sure if this is a wise move. I'd have to wait until birthday/christmas for money towards further lenses. Alteratively a bridge camera would solve the funding problem, but I may feel restricted before too long and want to change up to a DSLR.

Initially I'll just be photographing friends, family and landscape.

Opinions and advice welcome.
 
There are some very good bridge cameras out there which may well serve you for some time in photography.

But a DSLR will, IMO, serve you better.

You are thinking along the right lines with a used 20D - they are a very good camera and for the used prices now you are getting a lot of camera for your money. £200 should get you one with the original 18-55mm kit lens which will satisfy your initial landscape and general family requirement. Then you can look at about £60 for the Canon 50mm F1.8 which is the cheapest way you can get some low light photos done (The photographs you can achieve with a 50mm F1.8 are simply not possible on a bridge camera).

I believe Nikon will also have offerings in the same price range, but I am less familiar with their bodys.
 
£250 will still buy you a new dslr, if you shop around. There are still a few Nikon D40 + 18-55mm kits available for £240 or less and £260 will buy you a Sony A200 +18-70 lens from Dixons, with some change ...
 
I think I'd like to stick with Canon or Nikon, it just seems easier to get hold of their equipment 2nd hand. The reason I looked primarily at 2nd hand DSLRs is because you get more for your money and I have no problem with buying 2nd hand stuff provided it's in good condition.

Thanks for your advice guys :)
 
I would go with a bridge camera... but... be prepared that you will want to upgrade quite shortly... it sounds strange, but having a bridge camera really helps you to understand what you want out of your photography. because it quite a large focal range, you can really tell what sort of photography your into(and when you get a dslr, youl know rufly what lens to get)... the other plus is, its a nice stepping stone, you get a bit of manual control, but you can always revert back to auto mode, so you dont miss a shot :) (presuming your new and dont know about the many diferent veriables of togging...),
What i would suggest (in my completly un-proffessional opinion) is to get a bridge camera for now, then when you know that photography is definatly for you, and you have a good idea what you like to use your camera for... splash out and buy a nice body, and some really nice glass... then it will be an investment, that you know, your definatly going to like and use :)
 
Hi mate, I'd go for the DSLR every time, as you get more experienced you'll find the bridge simply too limited, you should get something half decent for that, check out the second hand stuff in the camera shop in College st (near Argos), they are pretty good with prices. Wayne
 
I'm a 'newbie' and so don't have much experience and so am biased but...

About a month ago I was in your position. My budget was £300, and for that I got a new Sony A200 with 18-70mm kit lens (£245), a couple of 4gb CF cards and a bag.

Warning though - you'll get hooked!! I have since bought a Tamron 55-200mm, a cable release and am currently stalking a 50mm prime lens too.

For a beginner, the Sony A200 is a fantastic bit of kit and really lets you know whether you will enjoy photography or not. I did find the 18-70mm kit lens a bit restrictive, but it really depends on what you will be taking pictures of. :)
 
matt1 said:
I think I'd like to stick with Canon or Nikon, it just seems easier to get hold of their equipment 2nd hand. The reason I looked primarily at 2nd hand DSLRs is because you get more for your money and I have no problem with buying 2nd hand stuff provided it's in good condition.

Thanks for your advice guys :)
Click to expand...

Keep in mind many of the minolta lenses fit the Sony system, there are loads of lenses available, second hand and new, for any budget!
 
+1 for dSLR. Nothing wrong with the 350D if the 20D doesn't fit your budget.
 
I have a bridge and wish I had a DSLR. But then, my wallet is glad I can't keep buying things.

I love having a bridge, becasue I can do anything with it, from macro to portrait, family to landscapes, sports etc. And I don;t have to worry about dust getting in places, or forgetting the right lens, or dribbling over a 1.4 50mm L or whatever it is.

It is a good way to learn, without over complicating things.

WHat I would say is to try and factor into your budget a bag, some memory cards, an external flash (makes a huge difference and mine was less than£30), remote release, tripod (again less than £15). You can get some bargain used lenses (a used 75-300mm minolta/sony fit went for less than £35 on ebay with a camera, same lens same day on it's ow was £110+) but at least I can learn. You also need to get Understanding Exposure, a really good book learning book. I would prioritise some of these accessories above a dslr, in fact, itis easier to start with your budget and take off the acessories you will need, to see what is left for a camera:

£250
-£12 - understanding exposure
-£20 - Bag
-£40 2x CF 4gb cards
-£15 Tripod
-£30 Flash
-£5 remote release (mine is old fashioned cable, not compatible with all)
and you now have £128 left.

Which doesn't leave you with much. But it gives you food for thought, and hopefully realise what an expensive hobby this is. You can easily cut back on some of these items, but i think most people will agree (floodgates opening :)) that these extras give you so much scope to take better photos than maybe a more expensive camera can.
 
fallen_mathi said:
the other plus is, its a nice stepping stone, you get a bit of manual control, but you can always revert back to auto mode, so you dont miss a shot :) (presuming your new and dont know about the many diferent veriables of togging...)
Click to expand...
You can do this on most entry-level DSLRs too.
 
dslr all the way, dude.
Pick yourself up a shiny new D40 with kit lens for under your budget price. ;) love mine to bits.
 
Thank you for all your input, I think a DSLR is the way to go! Can't wait :)
 
matt1 said:
Thank you for all your input, I think a DSLR is the way to go! Can't wait :)
Click to expand...

Good choice, matt ;).

DSLRs are really not that different to get to grips with than a bridge camera (if at all) and you can do so much more with them!

I'll put in my (usual :D) recommendation for the Nikon D40, if I may. At 246 quid (Amazon and other places ;)), it's almost the cheapest DSLR out there and a lot less money than the next camera in the Nikon range, but the kit lens is fantastic (for a kit lens) and the camera feels really nice in the hand (subjective).

Let us all know how you get on :).
 
Itti said:
You can do this on most entry-level DSLRs too.
Click to expand...

:thumbs: And all of this too, if you just leave the kit lens on ...

lawrie29 said:
...

I love having a bridge, becasue I can do anything with it, from macro to portrait, family to landscapes, sports etc. And I don;t have to worry about dust getting in places, or forgetting the right lens, or dribbling over a 1.4 50mm L or whatever it is.....
Click to expand...

;)
 
I had the same....got both in the end.
THe bridge is an old one from the forums. Not really fussed over the Megapixels...just something that allows me to practice taking pics.
The other one is a G1. I thought hard about this. Firstly it restricts my lens purchases, but I like that. The last thing I want is buy a camera and then feel, I cna improve my skills by getting a more expensive lens. I'd be glued to the classifieds always chasing a new bargain. Having said that, if you stick with canon/nikon you'll be spoilt for choice.

Start with a basic semi-old dslr kit fromt he classified here....Read the "understanding exposure" book and then as you get sure invest int he other equipment like the tripods, flash, etc.

Dont go buy all at once. Expesnive Kit does not necessarily make you a good photographer.


Ekso
 
I started out with a bridge camera and found it pretty good, it certainly got me hooked on photography...the thing is though I quickly outgrew it and after 8months decided I needed a DSLR.

One thing to be aware of though is that some of the Bridge cameras actually have better lenses than the "standard" kit lenses supplied with DSLRs - you often see posts from previous Bridge owners expressing disappointment with their move to DSLR... to get the best from a DSLR, generally speaking, you need to budget for a decent lens.

Simon
 
Really depends how serious you think you'll take it. If you're not sure you want to get in to the whole complexity and expense of DSLR yet, then there's some great bridge cameras about for really not a lot of money. You can then put the rest of the money aside and either upgrade at a later date or get something else if you decide it isn't for you.

There are undoubtedly things you can't do with a bridge camera (high ISO work, for starters), but then there are things you can't do with a DSLR too (yes, the gap is closing with things like live view and movie modes on newer models, but with the possible exception of the GH1 which isn't technically a DSLR anyway, there's still a way to go).

In truth, either will produce great results in the Welsh countryside, so decide which one gives you what you need and get that.

Good luck.
 
In your position (Student, not loaded with cash) I think I'd go with the bridge camera.
Yes... it will limit you somewhat but it will also limit what you'll be sorely tempted to spend on additional lenses and associated kit as well. Assuming your interest in photography continues, then you can buy a decent DSLR and a few lenses in a couple of years when you have a bit more money.
 
After thinking this over even more I'm actually leaning towards a bridge camera. I'm actually a little worried I'd overspend and get myself into trouble. At the present time I'd quite like to be financially restricted, in the future when I have an income I can get a dSLR and enjoy it more with all the extras.

I know less about bridge cameras than dSLRs! What would people recommend? Some more research is required I think.

Again, thank you all for your help. I'm amazed how great these forums are :D
 
Fuji FinePix. Can't really go wrong with them. Canon (what I've got) and Sony (what I nearly got) are good too but Fuji seem to just have an extra feature or two more than the others.
 
Hi Matt

I can only speak as a canon user, don't know about other brands.

If you get a 20D, you will not need to upgrade the body for quite a few years, the kit lens and the 50mm f/1.8 will see you right for a looong time, getting the right exposure will produce great shots with these two and a 2GB card is plenty if you shoot jpeg.

Don't worry about flashes, natural light and a reflector can get you some stella shots with this set up, and that's what it's all about, learning to control the light.

Don't worry about buying accessories, most can be made with cardboard, tin foil and sticky tape :lol:

With a DSLR you will hit the ground running and never have that niggle feeling of " what if " :thinking:

Good luck though with what you choose.
 
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