HELP NEEDED- WHAT DSLR TO BUY

kirst87

kirst87

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Hi,

Im just getting into photography and want to buy my first DSLR camera. Ive been looking a millions of reviews on the internet and been looking round the shops but none the wiser what to buy. So thought you guys could help me please?

My budget is about £300 - £350 however I could stretch for somthing good, I want somthing thats quite easy to use for a beginner and takes fab shots.

cheers :thumbs:
 
They all do a good job - I would stick tyo Canon or Nikon though just because the systems are more advanced overall and they are the biggest two.

Really - they do the same thing - slightly differently
 
I purchased my second hand Nikon D40x (with 18-55mm kit lens) with bag, UV filter, 8gb memory card and infra-red remote for £210.

On top of this, I bought a 55-200mm lens which still kept the total below £300 :)
 
With your budget I'd go for an entry level body & kit lens from the forum classifieds.

You would have money to spare for;memory card/s,filter/s,extra battery,another lens etc...
 
cheers Ian, going to look on ebay now, what are your pictures like from it? also is it easy to us?
 
kirst87 said:
cheers Ian, going to look on ebay now, what are your pictures like from it? also is it easy to us?
Click to expand...

I've never been comfortable using ebay and bought mine from the classifieds on this forum. Keep an eye out there as there are always others upgrading etc.

I was in the same position as you and the D40x was just what I was looking for. It's easy enough to use but still a massive upgrade from my point and shoot / compact.

I'm not 100% you seeing pictures of mine will be the best way to help you make up your mind but here's a couple without any editing whatsoever (bear in mind I've had hardly any use with the camera at all).

1.
DSC_0043.jpg

2.
DSC_0089.jpg

3.
DSC_0106.jpg
 
Thanks Ian for your help.

Any other ideas from other welcome?
 
go into a camera shop and get your hands on the different cameras. Cameras all feel slightly different and you can feel whether it is right for...does it feel good (and right size) in your hands, do you like the menu layout etc. Once you know, then you can source it from wherever.
 
Seeing anyones images should not help guide your own mind. THere are many amazing togs who used much lower quality kit th=an we have now that produced amazing images!

Pick the one you like. I initially chose Canon because the Nikons didn't do ISO100! Lame reason but that's why I did it and at the time I was new too. After buying a few quality lenses I was locked in so now only look at Canon.

Others chose Nikon gor their own reasons, and there are others who chose Olympus, Pentax etc etc.

Go to a camera shop, put them in your hand and then decide - they all do the same - only differently :)
 
As others have said, go to your local shop and have a play, see what feels comfortable in your hands and which software system you like the look of.

It's worth exploring second hand - you will get a lot more for your money :)

Also, if/when you'll want to control things automatically where you're taking the decision on the settings rather than the camera, older higher-end bodies will give you more control than the newer cameras.

I can only speak for Nikon as that's the system I have, but I'd still use an old D70 which has two control dials than a modern D3000 which only has one. The D70 also has a screw drive motor in the body which newer entry-level SLRs do not.

Sorry if I'm speaking technobabble - I'm only trying to point out that older bodies give you more easy control than new ones.

All cameras, new or old give you full auto modes so you can still point and shoot like any compact :D
 
Cheers guys for all your help, just been looking around. Might pop around a few shops when i have the day off and have a play.

Im just impatient and just want to get one so i can start to learn how to use one and get out there and start snapping.

Also sorry to keep asking questions, but what do you guys think i should buy a body only then get a good lens or buy a camera that comes with a lens, then get a good lens later?

Thanks again
 
kirst87 said:
Also sorry to keep asking questions, but what do you guys think i should buy a body only then get a good lens or buy a camera that comes with a lens, then get a good lens later?
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Depends on your budget, Kirst.

Personally, I'd try and get one with a lens (the kit lens that came with mine was a 18-55mm) as this will let you get up on running straight away.

Kit lenses are generally cheap to buy in any case so if you see a body that's within budget just make sure to factor in a lens too.

Once you're used to using it you can upgrade the lens/es as per your requirements :)
 
If you're impatient, how easy would it be for you to get a body only and still not be able to take photos until you get a lens? ;)
 
Don't be put off by looking at things not Canon or Nikon. They have 90% of the market, but it doesn't mean:

- you can't get things second hand easily
- you can't get 3rd party accessories
- Canon and Nikon are better
- you can't hire the stuff

Check out the shops and try the things out - it's your choice for your needs!

Personally, I think the Olympus E-600 and E-620 cameras are pretty good to start with. If bought with the one or two lens kits, they are good value. The E-600/620 is also very compact, has an articulating screen, built in IS and the kit lenses are really very good quality - not things that you will throw away immediately and be wanting to upgrade.

Andy
 
You can get the E600 from Curries at the moment for £329 with a lens and if you bang in the discount word 5all ( or all5 ) you get 5% off. But the supply is running low. Its basically the E620 but without the backlit buttons, Multi exposure, and 3 of the art filters removed.
 
kirst87 said:
Cheers guys for all your help, just been looking around. Might pop around a few shops when i have the day off and have a play.

Im just impatient and just want to get one so i can start to learn how to use one and get out there and start snapping.

Also sorry to keep asking questions, but what do you guys think i should buy a body only then get a good lens or buy a camera that comes with a lens, then get a good lens later?

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I would recommend a good lens over any kit lens. But they do cost money. A 17-50 f2.8 Tamron would be a good starter lens or even the 17-70mm f2.8-4 Sigma lens. - Both generally much better than the kit lenses.

Lens choice is difficult though. A 50mm f1.8 is a great starting lens too - very cheap - but most people prefer a zoom lens so this in addition to a zoom is a nice start.
 
As has been said, the important thing is to go and try the bosies to see ehich you feel comfortable with. it is going to be your camera after all.

Do not forget to look at the other brands as well. Sony do some quite nice single or even twin lens deals.

www.camerapricebuster.co.uk is a good place to check out prices.

Also have a read of "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson.it's a great read.
 
Hi. Good advice as far as I can see. BUT from my experience and it has already been stated, buy from this forum if possible, I doubt everyone is a saint but you will get a better and more reliable deal. Also prices generally seem to be a lot less than the bay. You can ask questions much easier on here.
 
Hiya, I was in the same predicament a week or so ago.

I've had my DSLR - a Canon 450D for 5 days now... I just have the kit lens at the moment though as learning how to use the camera and all it's settings etc is SO much harder than I ever imagined... and then when you factor is mastering and learning the software on top of that eeeeeeek! :eek:

I went into Jessops and had a play with a few cameras and the Canon is what felt good in my hands - so that's what I went for - I bought it from the classified forum on this website...

This is a picture from my old point and shoot compact digital camera..

6054_239409355382_613235382_7966697_1990291_n.jpg


and this is the difference in comparison, taken from my DSLR - only 3 days in..

26589_10150145965105383_613235382_11527395_7139278_n.jpg


You WONT be sorry when you eventually take the plunge - I'm absolutely LOVING the quality of the images it takes - and that's me not knowing what I'm really doing!!

I can't wait until I can harness it's true power :lol::grin:

Have LOTS of fun choosing and I hope you find a real bargain!!!
 
Kirst,

I would suggest having a think about what type of photography you're into, and base your assessment on that. For example if you're into indoor photography you'll probably want something that performs well at high iso level. If you're into HDR or landscapes you'll probably want one that allows you to bracket. If you're into night stuff you might need one that allows the use of a remote etc.

If you don't know what you're into (ie you're discovering it all) then I think your best bet is probably a second hand one with a good wide feature set. That'll allow you the most exploration of the art and you probably don't need the very highest latest and greatest pixel count whilst you're still discovering it all.
 
kirst87 said:
Hi,
My budget is about £300 - £350 however I could stretch for somthing good, I want somthing thats quite easy to use for a beginner and takes fab shots.

cheers :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Both Nikon and Canon can take pretty good pics - but fab shots are down to the person behind the camera.

And that takes time - lots of time - lots of practice - lots of disappointment - until one day you realise that you've actually started to get quite good pictures.

That's when you realise that in photography the search for a better picture never ends - and you've only just started.

Good luck.
 
maybe look at some pentaxs, k10d or k200d weather sealed built in shake reduction that will work on any lens,and some very good lenses that are not to bad prices.
also there are alot of cheap lenses on ebay,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pentax-K10D-D...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item19baa8b35b

samsung gx10, same as k10d(just made by samsung)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samsung-GX10-...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item4cee2c645b

samsung gx20 higher spec than the k10d and gx10.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SAMSUNG-GX20-...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item19baaebad9
 
Couldnt go wrong with canon or nikon TBH something like the rebel series like a 400D or 450D seems to be common then again a Nikon D40 or D60 would also be good, kit lens is always a good starter lens check the forum for a good starte kit :thumbs: good luck
 
Hi :D

I thought I'd put my two cents in for what its worth. I'm new to DSLR also and have had my camera for 3 weeks now and am loving it! I ended up buying a Canon 450D and what persuaded me is that I have fellow Canon friends which gives me an oppurtunity to nick their lenses !! (for a while atleast!)

I bought my DSLR body from a Forum, from an enthusiast with a high iTrader rating, I got the body only because I wanted to choose specific lenses to help me develop. I then bought a 50mm fixed lens commonly known as "Nifty Fifty" again from a Forum for 50 quid (you pick them up for 40 - 50 quid). All in I paid £350. Mate those lenses are awesome, am loving it. Being a fixed lens it really gets you moving and learning a hell of alot!

Any more Q's just ask I'm sure there will be lots of advice on here.

All I can say is dive in....it just gets more and more exciting with every click :thumbs:
 
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