First Stop, Buying a DSLR

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StirlingBear

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Right folks looking to go out and get my first DSLR camera so I have been doing a bit of research and read up on a few bits and bobs. I don't want to rush out and buy any DSLR just for the sake of it so basically looking to get a decent deal on a used one with at least a kit lens to get me started and out snapping. Going on holiday in a few weeks so when I get home is when I am looking to make a purchase.

Now this is what I have gathered from my research so if any of you can correct me on anything please do, just really trying to gauge opinion and to see if my research has paid off so far.

- Been looking on e-bay for a bargin, a good starting point as i can gauge what certain models go for ect. Of course e-bay has its pitfalls so asking questions of the seller is important.

- forget megapixels, as they are not the be all & end all. I have read various recommendations on the sensors and I have seen some say even DSLR's with 6 mp can still give you a great result, I reckon 8 will do.

- Lenses, these are in some ways more important than the body.

- Choosing a system: Canon or nikon will give me more choice but others should not be dismissed out of hand.

Anything else I should be looking at that is really important, there is only so much I can read?
 
How it fits in your hands?

What are you going to be shooting to decide on lens choices. Are you getting kit lens? 35/50mm primes? Wide angle, telephoto etc...

As for the body,

ISO performance
Button layouts etc
FPS

And so on...

Go down to a camera shop and just get a feel for them in your hands and go from there...
 
Thanks for the reply. You highlighted one aspect I had not even considered, how the camera actually feels in my hand. I suppose it is natural to forget such a simple point when deciding for the first time on a DSLR. I just assumed that they are bigger than your average compact and that most would feel the same.

One other point I was wondering about is should I be looking at the entry level models first or would I be better just going for something towards the middle?

To pick up on your other questions, I guess I would be looking to take photos primarily outdoors. My city has a lot of history with lots of old monuments, ruins ect that could make some pretty interesting photos. Also when out walking with the dog there is lots of interesting views so landscapes and things like that are what I would like to be shooting.

I would also like to be able to get some nice shots of the family too of course but mainly outdoors.

Also getting a camera with a kit lens will do me to learn with and should give me some time to figure out where I want to go.
 
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holty said:
whats your budget??
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I have £240 in cash sitting there at the minute, which isn't a lot in the grand scheme of things but really I don't want to go over the top, would rather learn first then maybe save up for better lens. I still have about a month before I am going to buy a camera so I will add to that, in fact if I get a good deal I have money there at the minute. £240 is definite camera money at the minute so its the least I will have but really I don't want to go over £300.
 
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I'm in the very same predicament at the moment - would really like to get a DSLR. I'm looking at the Nikon D3100 or the Canon 550D....just not sure which one.
 
davemk said:
I'm in the very same predicament at the moment - would really like to get a DSLR. I'm looking at the Nikon D3100 or the Canon 550D....just not sure which one.
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I looked at even older models than those, the nikon D3000 and the canon 350D/400D can be picked up at a fairly reasonable price second hand with a kit lens. seen these models on ebay for between £200-£250.

My thinking is I don't want to blow a great amount on the latest entry level body & kit lens when I am just starting out. Something to get me started is what I am after.
 
She if anyone on here has a second hand body and then see what comes up, you might get a real bargain.

With that amount of money a d3000 or d3100 second hand will be available and second hand 18-55mm seem to go for around £50. Don't forget photography is an expensive hobby!

If you could get your hands on just a little more money a d3100 and 35 1.8 or 50 1.8 but as for focal length the kit lens is brilliant for starting out...
 
350D 18-55 Job done, if you need longer zoom buy a 55-250, dont be tempted with a 75-300 , normally go for £100 so you could either go for a 55-250 or an 18-55 all depends on what your going to take photos off. Quick search on mpbphotographic

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...d-canon-digital-slr-cameras/canon-eos-350d-1/

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/us...-lenses/canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f/3.5-5.6-is-1113/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/SanDisk-Ult...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1338581754&sr=1-1 (4GB is an ample) On my 20D i can take over 1000 images in jpeg and in RAW nearly 500, with the 350d it will increase due to it being slightly less megapixels.

All together 217 I think roughly and you will get good photos, im using a 20D myself and i absolutely love it, my first camera ive ever owned and all though everyone says its odd i dont care as my images look the same or better than my mates who have £600 cameras, just take your time to learn shutter speeds apertures and iso to make the most of having a DSLR

Dex
 
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I wouldn't buy a camera or lens of ebay - just a bit risky / hit or miss I think. Here is a good place to buy. I'd say just about any canon or nikon within your budget will do plus a 18-55 and a 50 1.8. get your self over to a shop and try them in the hand first so you know if you prefer 550d or say a 40d. Last thing is do u want video?
 
Myrdhinn said:
Nothing wrong with Ebay long as you are careful. I've bought lens of ebay that cost me 2/3rds of what camera shops sell used.
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I'll second that - got my 50D and my 28-135mm off ebay (separate purchases, different sellers).
 
wow thanks for all the replies and great advice. I cant see the classifieds yet but by the time I save some more cash up I should be able to view the classified. Regarding e-bay I was using it as a starting point to gauge prices at the moment but even after a few days reading this forum I know now what to look for and what to ask. The amount of clicks (photos taken) was one thing I would have never thought about, it can give you an idea how used the camera actually is.

Budget is not set in stone I have £240 there just now, If I need more for better equipment I will save. I have my holidays in 2 weeks so when I am back then I will go for it. I see this time as a research period.

Thanks again, your replies are overwhelming and superb.

Sorry Quick Edit, not really bothered about video. A quick question though, Which would be an ideal lens for starting out with?

I have been looking at just getting a kit with the standard kit lens included which is usually the 18-55mm. Would I be better looking at just getting a body only and looking for a better lens seperate?
 
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The 18-55 is a cracking lens for a starter than when you start getting into a particular type of photography you can choice your lenses based on this, I mainly shoot motosport and only recently picked up a 18-55 as i mainly use a telephoto, heres one taken with the 18-55, I wasnt expecting much from this lens when i got it but have plasently suprised with how good the photos have came out.



 
D-pearce92 said:
The 18-55 is a cracking lens for a starter than when you start getting into a particular type of photography you can choice your lenses based on this, I mainly shoot motosport and only recently picked up a 18-55 as i mainly use a telephoto, heres one taken with the 18-55, I wasnt expecting much from this lens when i got it but have plasently suprised with how good the photos have came out.



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Superb, I like how you managed to keep the moving car in focus but the background is still blurred slightly gives the impression of movement which seems ideal for motor sport. Have you worked on the photos after or is it just as the picture was taken?
 
It's a technique called panning - I think there is a tutorial on it here in the tutorials section but plenty of info on the web if need be.
 
akr said:
It's a technique called panning - I think there is a tutorial on it here in the tutorials section but plenty of info on the web if need be.
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I take it that means you take the shot while panning round fixed on your target?
 
I would recommend the D40 with 18-55 VR.

Cheap as hell!

Really nice camera and lens!
 
StirlingBear said:
I take it that means you take the shot while panning round fixed on your target?
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Panning is where you roughly use a shutter speed of 1/200th, you then follow the car with your camera and take the photo, this will make the subject look like its moving rather than being a static subject. Because i use RAW (no reason, i just like editing my pictures) the pictures in camera are dull and need a tad editing to make the colours pop. I know a few of the motorsport photographers use JPEG so they can take thousands of photos and not have to worry editing them. Example below of original side by side with an edit.



 
Yeah never claimed to be an expert, just making the point you can do a similar effect if you fail to get the perfect shot whilst out :-). I'll re work it tho and see if I can get rid of the outline!
 
Nikon advice:
Whilst the 18-55 is a good lens for the money, if you end up buying body and lens separately I'd suggest looking at the 18-105vr too. It has a few things that make it slightly better in my opinion;

1. Double the focal length range, without being any worse optically.
2. You can manually override the AF without having to switch it off (a minor point but useful).
3. The front element doesn't rotate when focussing, which is a huge help when using filters. I'd suggest getting a circular polariser (CPL) early on - they really do make a difference in the right conditions and I don't leave home without one.
 
James Hope said:
Yeah never claimed to be an expert, just making the point you can do a similar effect if you fail to get the perfect shot whilst out :-). I'll re work it tho and see if I can get rid of the outline!
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Sorry mate was not implying it was bad, I was just meaning I could see how you achieved the final shot. Did you use motion blur filter?
 
Llamaman said:
Nikon advice:
Whilst the 18-55 is a good lens for the money, if you end up buying body and lens separately I'd suggest looking at the 18-105vr too. It has a few things that make it slightly better in my opinion;

1. Double the focal length range, without being any worse optically.
2. You can manually override the AF without having to switch it off (a minor point but useful).
3. The front element doesn't rotate when focussing, which is a huge help when using filters. I'd suggest getting a circular polariser (CPL) early on - they really do make a difference in the right conditions and I don't leave home without one.
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thanks again for the advice mate. I was wondering if going for a different lens than the kit lens would give me more options.

Just reading the forum makes me want to get out now and start snapping
 
Yeah used the motion blur plus some gaussian blur to fill in those gaps, it was one of those situations where I couldn't pan due to the mechanics of getting the shot so had to try something else. In regards to your original post, the 550D is my first DSLR and for what it's worth I've found it fantastic in learning the basics and getting a bit creative. I've not got anything to compare it to but I've had a great time with it, and with the 650D likely being announced this month the price might go down some more in the near future! :-)
 
James Hope said:
Yeah used the motion blur plus some gaussian blur to fill in those gaps, it was one of those situations where I couldn't pan due to the mechanics of getting the shot so had to try something else. In regards to your original post, the 550D is my first DSLR and for what it's worth I've found it fantastic in learning the basics and getting a bit creative. I've not got anything to compare it to but I've had a great time with it, and with the 650D likely being announced this month the price might go down some more in the near future! :-)
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cheers for the thoughts on your camera, all the xxxD canons seem to be pretty good for a first DSLR, I have kind of been looking at both the canon and nikons in more detail since joining the forum.
 
I was in a similar situation
I bought a Canon 300d for £50 from a friend of mine, its fantastic does everything I need as a beginner, now even if you pay £100, this still leaves a few quid for a flash, tripod etc.
I have been interested in photography for over 30 years, but just lost interest once we had kids, as our daughter is very keen she has got me interested again, now the one thing that hasnt changed is some people take pictures some people collect equipment.
And we all have a different opinion of whats good!
I would buy a good cheap DSLR in a face to face sale as usually the seller will give you plenty of advice, then get out and take some pictures.
I have dug my old City and Guilds file out and we are slowly redoing it in digital as a learning excersise.
 
Hi there...
I suggest u buy d3100, it ll b in ur budget as wel as it *** b comfortable... I got my first one a month ago and feelin really *** about dis one... Go for it... :-):-):-)
All d best...
 
Llamaman said:
Nikon advice:
Whilst the 18-55 is a good lens for the money, if you end up buying body and lens separately I'd suggest looking at the 18-105vr too. It has a few things that make it slightly better in my opinion;

1. Double the focal length range, without being any worse optically.
2. You can manually override the AF without having to switch it off (a minor point but useful).
3. The front element doesn't rotate when focussing, which is a huge help when using filters. I'd suggest getting a circular polariser (CPL) early on - they really do make a difference in the right conditions and I don't leave home without one.
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Totally agree with this. I'm currently using a D3000 with an 18-105vr and use this combo for motorsport panning shots too.

Here's one I took last year, only just got around to putting it up on Flickr.


20111023-0133.jpg by Richard Purvey, on Flickr
 
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Thats one steep hill, can i ask how you managed not to roll down it :lol: good shot though
 
Well ended up getting a canon 400D with a couple of lenses (kit lens & a Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 Apo dg macro lens)

All leads, charger, manuals, boxes & a 1 Gig memory card + couple of filters. So in all should be enough to get me started, can't wait until it arrives.

so now I will hit the tutorials on here tonight until next week when it arrives.
 
I'm pretty new and was in the same situation a few months ago. My photographer friend recommended a Nikon D3100 (which I bought new costing just over £350) and comes with a kit 18-55mm lens. Like the guys suggested I went to a camera shop and handled it first, felt good so I took the plunge.
I've got to say the camera is fantastic and I couldn't recommend it enough. There's obviously loads of other camera's you could look at but someone looking to learn I think you'd find this one a winner - just my opinion :)
 
Marc. said:
I'm pretty new and was in the same situation a few months ago. My photographer friend recommended a Nikon D3100 (which I bought new costing just over £350) and comes with a kit 18-55mm lens. Like the guys suggested I went to a camera shop and handled it first, felt good so I took the plunge.
I've got to say the camera is fantastic and I couldn't recommend it enough. There's obviously loads of other camera's you could look at but someone looking to learn I think you'd find this one a winner - just my opinion :)
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I Actually managed to get a hold of the camera before hand and it felt good so I am pleased with what I got, also have a couple of lenses so when I get a bit better I will sell the body and get a more advanced model. chuffed to bits just now and can't wait to get out shooting. :thumbs:
 
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