first dslr.....finally... decision time

jd26

jd26

Suspended / Banned
Messages
90
Edit My Images
Yes
Hey all. So ive finally decided that I am definitely going to purchase my first dslr.

Im looking to keep the budget to around £150 max.. and currently looking at either a canon 300d or a nikon d50 (due to af in body)

Ill be mostly shooting low light, cars etc.. but also your usual daylight shots and pet photos..

Will these cameras be up to the job for night use?

Ive also dabbled very amateurly in video making...so if I were to up the budget what would be my best option for a dslr with hd video..about £300 absolute max in that scenario


Thanks in advance

JD
 
Don't know about Canon, but I had a Nikon D80 and that was not good in low light. I upgraded to a D90 which is much better.

If going the Nikon route have a look at the D90.
 
The problem you will have is that the main difference in IQ over the last 10 years has been in high ISO performance. So while you will be able to get great shots in good light at low ISOs with the older camera models, they will struggle in low light/high ISO.
 
Ah right I see.. I have been toying with bumping the budget up to 260ish and trying to grab a new Canon 1100d as they seem very good for an entry model.. also like I say the hd video is a big bonus..

Just that id seen a few of the older models go on ebay for around £100 so thought id be safer starting out that way.

Thanks both!
 
I was the same, I wanted a dslr and did not want to spend much so got desperate and got the d80, then I saw some photos from my mates D90 used indoors and sold my D80 and bought a D90.

Try and save up for the best you can get. If you don't like it you can always sell it if it is a newer model.
 
jd26 said:
Just that id seen a few of the older models go on ebay for around £100 so thought id be safer starting out that way.
Click to expand...

The older models can be great and I use a £100 DSLR myself but I don't do low light very often (although my 1.7 lens helps when I do). For shots in daylight I don't need any better IQ than I get from an older model.
 
I'd be inclined to agree - the D90's a strong performer, even after a couple years, with more recent releases improving relatively modestly on its low light sensitivity, thus far. But, of course, used models consequently remain somewhat in demand.

However, for HD video, caveats remain: firstly, there's the "rolling shutter" effect. Secondly, its internal audio recording is inexplicably feeble - 8-bit 22kHz mono, with no external input. As one would expect, this has been remedied in subsequent models, but you'll be wanting to record the audio on a dedicated device, if you capture the video on a D90. (Not a bad strategy, either, especially if it's something planned out - then you can record all the tracks independently, and mix them down later)
 
ernesto said:
The older models can be great and I use a £100 DSLR myself but I don't do low light very often (although my 1.7 lens helps when I do). For shots in daylight I don't need any better IQ than I get from an older model.
Click to expand...

I still have and occasionally use my 300D and as above can get great results with it.

Doesn't do video
 
I'd also see what lenses you would use and how much they cost (new or used) before buying the body.
 
You could pick up an old Canon 20D for that money,still takes great shots.
 
The low light is going to be the problem though. Agree that something like a 20D is still a great camera but you see it's shortcomings against a current camera as soon as you go into higher ISOs.
 
But for £150? The OP would have to spend quite a few more £££'s.
 
Exactly, a compromise will need to be made on the low light side and you will have to put up with more noise than from a current model as low light ability (high ISO) is the most noticeable area where cameras have improved in the last 10 years.
 
Hmm its certainly all food for thought. Wont be rushing to a decision!

This is why im wondering if I should perhaps go for a newer entry level cam so that I know ill be good for low light too..

Appreciate all the comments
 
If I had the money I'd get a Nikon D700 secondhand fantastic in low light (with the right glass).
 
£150 for the lens & body? Youll be very hard pushed to get a decent lens let alone body for that. You might be able to get a D40 with a 35mm f1.8 for that much? No body AF but I know a lot of people who started with a D40 and got some great photos, cant go wrong with one if youre a beginner! You can pick one up for under £100 too, its just the lens then!
 
Last edited:
If we were talking D90 vs 1100d vs d3100 is there an easy winner.. ? (i know this isnt usually the case)
 
jd26 said:
If we were talking D90 vs 1100d vs d3100 is there an easy winner.. ? (i know this isnt usually the case)
Click to expand...

Don't know about the 1100d buy yes for d90 over d3100..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top