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KerryG

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Hi there,
Ive just joined the forum and it looks amazing, Im looking to buy my 1st dslr but im so confused about which to buy. Canon,nikon,sony etc:bonk:
I have a budget of £1500 for a full setup. I would like something that will be good for portraits, landscapes and im a massive aviation fan so would love to take pictures of planes. Obviously i would need lens in my budget also.

Thanks for reading and advice would be grateful

KerryG :help:
 
Hi, and welcome to the forum.

The choice of camera brand is a relatively easy decision. Get to a good dealer and handle the cameras to see which brand suits you best. The size and flexibility of your hands and fingers can play a huge part in the ease and convenience with which you operate the buttons, and each brand feels different.

Your requirements for portraits, landscapes and aviation is more relevant to your choice of lenses. Landscapes are generally shot with a wide angle lens, portraits with a short telephoto and aviation in flight needs a longer telephoto. You can perhaps see how your budget will "shrink"!

All is not lost as you could purchase a small telephoto covering say 15-85mm on a crop bodied camera which will be fine for landscapes and portraits, you are then left with deciding on a longer telephoto for aviation.

I'd suggest 300mm or a zoom lens up to 300mm to keep down your costs.

However, as a newby to DSLR, I would strongly council against trying to do too much too soon. Buy the best mid range zoom (15-85 or 17-55) you can afford and concentrate on learning to use that and the camera for a long period before considering buying another lens.

Good luck and enjoy your photography. Post your shots on here for critique.
 
Kerry, do you have a london camera exchange near you? Definitely go in and explain you're looking for your first DSLR. The lads in there have always been super helpful and accommodating to me, and have always given really good advice and support.

Once you have your DSLR, you might want to consider joining a local camera club - you can just google 'camera club' and you'll find one close to you.

However, if you want to be dazzled by every bit of camera kit ever made, have a think about going to the Focus on Imaging show at the NEC in early March.

x
 
Hi Bob

Thanks for the advice you given, most of its gone straight over my head :lol:.
Regarding a dslr's i take it they range in sizes then from what you've said, a neighbour up the road from me takes pictures as a hobby and i spoke to him a few days ago about his camera, i think he said it was 5 mk2, didnt no if it was nikon,canon etc but he let me have a hold and it felt really comfortable from what i remember. All this is so confusing.

KerryG
 
Hi maria

London camera exchange? Is that a shop? Ive never heard of it but will have a browse on here to see if there is one near me. That focus on imaging sounds very interesting, is it a convention?

KerryG
 
Focus on Imaging. 3rd March to 6th March, at the National Exhibition Centre, near Birmingham. Just about every camera maker will be their demonstrating their products. It's BIG. And a must go to exhibition. Trade stands too often selling below even internet prices. Lots of seminars and demos, from portraits, fashion, et al. Google it and see for yourself.
 
The camera i held the other day, called a 5 mk2 i think, felt really nice to hold. but there are so many out there.

KerryG
 
you would be looking at getting a package something lik the following
a Nikon D7000
a Sigma 120-400 or 150-500 lens for your aircraft shots
a Nikkor 35 or 50mm prime for portraits and landscape shots
Thats about your £1500 spent

but as said its best to try before you buy, generally stick with cannon or nikon as more lens selection IMO
 
Thanks pdm, i will have a browse and might well take a visit.

KerryG
 
Id start off with something like a Canon EOS 60D+ 18-55mm IS II Lens £699.00 http://SPAM/apog9rc dont for get youll need a bag to keep it safe in, memory cards, cable release, tripod, and get a longer lens with whats left
 
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Thanks for the info gr8shot, like ive said ive only held the 5 mk2, dont know if its nikon,canon etc but it felt really comfortable, Is the nikon d7000 a good dslr? With all my previous compact camera's ive always had canon and never had a problem with them?

KerryG
 
Hi Dave
I think it was you who said hi in my welcome thread, not sure though? What is a 60d?? is it a good starter dslr?

KerryG
 
As I'm sure you're finding, there are countless options available, and whichever way you turn somebody will suggest something different.

As you say you are new, I'll explain things at their most basic - apologies in advance if I appear condescending.

For landscapes, you'll generally want a wideangle lens - this would be one with a small focal length, for example a 10-20mm zoom.

For portaits, you might want to consider something a bit longer - maybe a 50mm.

For aviation, where the planes are a long way away, you need telephoto lenses, and zooms are the most versatile - if its airshows you go to you might want to think about a lens that goes up to 500mm, such as the sigma 150-500mm.

You are asking quite a lot to buy all these plus the camera new, but I reckon its doable if you buy the lenses second hand.

As a suggestion, you could get a canon 650d new for under £500, a second hand canon 10-22mm for landscapes second hand for around £400, a new 50mm for £82 and a second hand sigma 150-500mm for around £500.

This would represent quite a steep learning curve as all 3 subjects require different techniques, but if you are prepared to put in the time and effort, I see no reason you could not do what you want with my above kit suggestions.
 
KerryG said:
Hi Dave
I think it was you who said hi in my welcome thread, not sure though? What is a 60d?? is it a good starter dslr?

KerryG
Click to expand...

It was me yes, :) yeah its a higher range starter DSLR, not to big if you have small hands, reasonable weight wise, has video, and for later off camera flash capabilities when youll want a flash gun, it has a flash but you can get a dedicated flash
 
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Kerry
i think you'll find your friends camera a little out of your budget see link below
linky
so youll be looking at a 60D (canon) or D7000 (nikon)
 
pooley said:
As I'm sure you're finding, there are countless options available, and whichever way you turn somebody will suggest something different.

As you say you are new, I'll explain things at their most basic - apologies in advance if I appear condescending.

For landscapes, you'll generally want a wideangle lens - this would be one with a small focal length, for example a 10-20mm zoom.

For portaits, you might want to consider something a bit longer - maybe a 50mm.

For aviation, where the planes are a long way away, you need telephoto lenses, and zooms are the most versatile - if its airshows you go to you might want to think about a lens that goes up to 500mm, such as the sigma 150-500mm.

You are asking quite a lot to buy all these plus the camera new, but I reckon its doable if you buy the lenses second hand.

As a suggestion, you could get a canon 650d new for under £500, a second hand canon 10-22mm for landscapes second hand for around £400, a new 50mm for £82 and a second hand sigma 150-500mm for around £500.

This would represent quite a steep learning curve as all 3 subjects require different techniques, but if you are prepared to put in the time and effort, I see no reason you could not do what you want with my above kit suggestions.
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike

God there's alot of info going around in my head now:gag:, im defo prepared to put in the time and effort. I dont mind buying secondhand at all.

KerryG
 
Just Dave said:
It was me yes, :) yeah its a higher range starter DSLR, not to big if you have small hands, reasonable weight wise, has video, and for later off camera flash capabilities when youll want a flash gun, it has a flash but you can get a dedicated flash
Click to expand...

hI Bob
And thanks for saying hi in my welcome thread.:D
I will have to have alook at the 60d which youve mentioned :thumbs:

KerryG
 
KerryG said:
Thanks Mike

God there's alot of info going around in my head now:gag:, im defo prepared to put in the time and effort. I dont mind buying secondhand at all.

KerryG
Click to expand...

Id just start off with the basic as I said,

10-22s are good for landscapes but there meant more for getting closer to foreground objects not general landscapes (a lot of people make that mistake thinking wider is better, but all it does is make things in the distance smaller, what would be nice with a kit lens would be wider but seem miles off), 150-500mm lens is a heavy beast to carry around
 
Gr8Shot said:
Kerry
i think you'll find your friends camera a little out of your budget see link below
linky
so youll be looking at a 60D (canon) or D7000 (nikon)
Click to expand...

Hi gr8shot
My budget isnt really fixed at £1500, its just a figure i had in my head to spend, if i wanted i could budget £3000 but just to start out i thought £1500 was a sensible amount to spend.

KerryG
 
Just Dave said:
Id just start off with the basic as I said,

10-22s are good for landscapes but there meant more for getting closer to foreground objects not general landscapes (a lot of people make that mistake thinking wider is better, but all it does is make things in the distance smaller, what would be nice with a kit lens would be wider but seem miles off), 150-500mm lens is a heavy beast to carry around
Click to expand...

Hi dave
ahh i see so a really wide lens makes things in the distance seem smaller or alot smaller? I see you have a 7d camera, are these good? How heavy are the 150-500 lens.

KerryG
 
OK, I'm probably going to get grief for this, but here goes -

As a beginner, the landscapes and the portraits will be technically easier to start off with, so I would suggest going for a body, a wideangle zoom and either a 35mm or 50mm for portraits. The 50mm will be the cheaper option but needs a little extra distance between you and your subject than the 35mm.

I'd look to spend no more than £1000 on these, leaving some in reserve.

As regards camera bodies, they can all produce excellent results, don't let any brand snobs tell you otherwise. That said, nikon and canon have the largest ranges of lenses.

If you decide to go with Nikon, then you need to be aware that some of their cheaper bodies cannot autofocus with all lenses - this isn't really an issue, but check back here first before buying anything to make sure it'll all work fine together.

Mike
 
pooley said:
As regards camera bodies, they can all produce excellent results, don't let any brand snobs tell you otherwise. That said, nikon and canon have the largest ranges of lenses.

If you decide to go with Nikon, then you need to be aware that some of their cheaper bodies cannot autofocus with all lenses - this isn't really an issue, but check back here first before buying anything to make sure it'll all work fine together.

Mike
Click to expand...

I only said Canon as thats what I have experience with but yes Nikon are good, (hated saying that :lol: ) anyway its not really about the camera its the eye of the photographer to see the shots in the first place, you may have a PS but get fab shots
 
pooley said:
OK, I'm probably going to get grief for this, but here goes -

As a beginner, the landscapes and the portraits will be technically easier to start off with, so I would suggest going for a body, a wideangle zoom and either a 35mm or 50mm for portraits. The 50mm will be the cheaper option but needs a little extra distance between you and your subject than the 35mm.

I'd look to spend no more than £1000 on these, leaving some in reserve.

As regards camera bodies, they can all produce excellent results, don't let any brand snobs tell you otherwise. That said, nikon and canon have the largest ranges of lenses.

If you decide to go with Nikon, then you need to be aware that some of their cheaper bodies cannot autofocus with all lenses - this isn't really an issue, but check back here first before buying anything to make sure it'll all work fine together.

Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the info mike, im going to go out tomorrow and try out a few and see what i think :D

KerryG
 
Just Dave said:
I only said Canon as thats what I have experience with but yes Nikon are good, (hated saying that :lol: ) anyway its not really about the camera its the eye of the photographer to see the shots in the first place, you may have a PS but get fab shots
Click to expand...

Im going to go out tomorrow and have a day of trying out different camera's etc, so excited :D

KerryG
 
Everyone advised me to "buy Cannon or Nikon". I went to a dealership and played about with a LOT of camera's. I fell in love with a Sony A380 and bought it despite having a much larger budget ..... 2 years later - I have just bought another Sony the A77. I really don't care for what people say about name brands, I really also don't care if people don't like Sony's SLT technology - fact is I love it.


My advise to you........ go play with a lot of camera's, ask lots of questions..... go home and research some more based on what you found - then go play with some more camera's. You will find the one you love if you are patient.

You will hate the one you bought because the salesman said it was the "best deal".
 
Hi Kerry....

My advice would be not to buy anything until you have done lots of research and reading on here!

Then once you feel that you have the basics go to a camera retailer and touch every camera they have available...

Photography for us ams is about enjoyment of taking pics... that will not be realised if you leave your gear at home. Don't discount the micro 4/3 system at the expense of the "sexy" DSLR gear because you might be very surprised at what it has on offer.

By the way I love the Nikon FF kit (i have more than i wish to admit to!) but also have the micro 4/3 kit that i take everywhere with me....

Steve
 
Amateur said:
Everyone advised me to "buy Cannon or Nikon". I went to a dealership and played about with a LOT of camera's. I fell in love with a Sony A380 and bought it despite having a much larger budget ..... 2 years later - I have just bought another Sony the A77. I really don't care for what people say about name brands, I really also don't care if people don't like Sony's SLT technology - fact is I love it.


My advise to you........ go play with a lot of camera's, ask lots of questions..... go home and research some more based on what you found - then go play with some more camera's. You will find the one you love if you are patient.

You will hate the one you bought because the salesman said it was the "best deal".
Click to expand...

Thankyou for the info, there's so many opinions now my head is hurting:bang:

KerryG
 
SteveF said:
Hi Kerry....

My advice would be not to buy anything until you have done lots of research and reading on here!

Then once you feel that you have the basics go to a camera retailer and touch every camera they have available...

Photography for us ams is about enjoyment of taking pics... that will not be realised if you leave your gear at home. Don't discount the micro 4/3 system at the expense of the "sexy" DSLR gear because you might be very surprised at what it has on offer.

By the way I love the Nikon FF kit (i have more than i wish to admit to!) but also have the micro 4/3 kit that i take everywhere with me....

Steve
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info steve, all taken on board and going to have a look tomorrow.

KerryG
 
pooley said:
Great idea, but please don't hit the giddy button and buy everything the salesman suggests!

have fun

Mike
Click to expand...

Hi mike
Thanks, im pretty good at sussing out salesman, i know how they work so no worries on pressing the giddy button to early:thumbs:

KerryG
 
Yeah take your time buy once buy wise, have a read of reviews, I wouldnt go with Sony although Ive seen nice shots with them, canon and nikon have better lens ranges and 3rd party lens seem to be more expensive for sony than for canon and nikon
 
Just Dave said:
Yeah take your time buy once buy wise, have a read of reviews, I wouldnt go with Sony although Ive seen nice shots with them, canon and nikon have better lens ranges and 3rd party lens seem to be more expensive for sony than for canon and nikon
Click to expand...

Sony haters.... :bonk: :help:
 
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