Model suggestion for a Newbie?

Jooo13

Jooo13

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Jo
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Hello! I'm Jo and a recently joined TP looking for advice and feedback on my photos :D

I've been into photography for almost a year now and have been currently using just a small digital camera but now I'm looking to buy a DLSR quite soon.
My portfolio is here: www.joannejohnson.da.portfolio.com

I don't really have a chosen field of photography, it's just anything thats out and about and I'm looking for a camera that's able to cope with different surroundings and subject matters. It'll be my first camera, so something basic but reliable :lol:

All suggestions open! Thank you!

Some of my work...
PaintYourCreation-Copy.jpg

RoadToNowhere.jpg

TheRealAlice.jpg
 
hi jo.

I'm new to photography, started around jan this year.
After much looking and playing with dslr's in the shops I settled for the nikon d5000.
since owning it for several months now I find it a great camera for all round use.
hope this helps.

Ben.
 
bopins said:
hi jo.

I'm new to photography, started around jan this year.
After much looking and playing with dslr's in the shops I settled for the nikon d5000.
since owning it for several months now I find it a great camera for all round use.
hope this helps.

Ben.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I shall look into it
 
Hi Jo and welcome. Im new to DSLR and Ive just bought the Nikon D5000 also, what a camera. I love the railway track shot you have, really like that, well done.

Someone will be able to guide you on what to do, I guess budget will have a lot to do with it also, so you need to get some sort of figure in mind.
 
Welcome,

Best advise on the camera I could give, is head into somewhere like Jessops and get your hands on some different ones, see what feels comfortable to you, and if the button layout is right for you, no point having a camera that is not comfortable to use.
 
I also agree with the above, the D5000 is very good. It was my first DSLR and I still love it and it helped me built up work. Some excellent photographs you have displayed above. I love the railway photo :thumbs: you have a pure talent.
 
As you are entering the DSLR world for the first time I reckon the fact that you'll have full manual controls is what will make the biggest difference from what you currently have.

I wouldn't worry about camera specs etc and would probably go for the cheapest Canon or Nikon body you can afford - to be honest the difference between the cheapest and most expensive entry level camera isn't going to be much. The bigger choice will be whether or not you choose Normal Nikon or Creative Canon? Now, I don't want to be bias or anything.....:naughty:

If you can stretch the funds then go for one with a kit lens and if possible try and get the 50mm f/1.8 lens as it's cheap (around £100) but a cracking lens which will give you lots of opportunity for creative shots as you can really throw the background out of focus.

Check out www.camerapricebuster.co.uk and you can see all the various cameras and lenses with their relative prices.


Good luck and once you go DSLR you'll be hooked big time!
 
Anything Nikon or Canon will do the job and 3rd party stuff is readily avaliable.
You have a good eye which is great and I also like the Rail shot.:thumbs:

Ben, so it has arrived then...........:clap:
 
Good plan, an SLR and full manual control will definitely help you to progress - it looks like you've plenty of potential.

As mentioned before, try and handle everything you can and buy what works for you and your budget but bear in mind the upgrade paths that canon and nikon have, not to mention the amount of manufacturer and 3rd party lenses available.

The 'nifty fifty' (50mm 1.8) is a bargain and although it feels a tad cheap it's a great little lens that can punch well above its price.

Kerso on here is worth keeping in mind when buying kit as he's got some great prices.

Other than that, welcome to TP and the world of photography!
 
Thank you everyone! Each comment is much appreciated :D
 
Hi Jo, sound advice from all. Really depends on your budget but you can't really go wrong with any of the latest models. I've recently completed a college course and a few on there were quite impressed with the Nikon D3000 for the price ( currently £275 at Bristol Cameras body only).
I would certainly recommend holding a few as I guarantee you'll prefer the feel of some compared to others.

Good luck in your choice of new camera :thumbs:
 
Nice shots!

But buy a bridge! it is more flexible if you are on a budget, you don't have to worry about what lens for what shot, which means that you can just get on with taking pictures.
 
Pete Bird said:
Ben, so it has arrived then...........:clap:
Click to expand...

So it has Pete, so it has!

Very nice bit of kit, well impressed. Been reading my 'dummies' book on it, god they do so much, its quite scary.

So many options, Im just trying to get my head around what it can do and where I need to start, dont want to get carried away and lose myself. Not got long before I will need to take some shots, but fingers crossed :naughty:
 
Koolpc said:
Definitely think you are on the right 'Track'.
Click to expand...

:lol: Nice one!

I've just been reading on about the Nikon D5000 and it seems it dosen't have an auto focus built in, am I right?
 
I like the tracks too, watch out for trains, we don't want to lose a promising photographer. I like the brushes too, a great stroke.
 
Jooo13 said:
:lol: Nice one!

I've just been reading on about the Nikon D5000 and it seems it dosen't have an auto focus built in, am I right?
Click to expand...

Yes. The 3000 and 5000 do not have motors in, so you need to buy an AFS lens (or manual focus). Manual is fine for landscapes but not fast moving toddlers!!

The D90 has the motor, so the cheap but excellent 50mm 1.8 will AF.

I dont know how much budget you have but a D90 will be better bet BUT it is £600 for body only. There is nothing wrong with the 3000 or 5000 but beware the AFS issue (i.e. a D5000 and 50mm 1.4AFS is about the same as a D90 and a 50mm 1.8)
 
cambsno said:
Yes. The 3000 and 5000 do not have motors in, so you need to buy an AFS lens (or manual focus). Manual is fine for landscapes but not fast moving toddlers!!

The D90 has the motor, so the cheap but excellent 50mm 1.8 will AF.

I dont know how much budget you have but a D90 will be better bet BUT it is £600 for body only. There is nothing wrong with the 3000 or 5000 but beware the AFS issue (i.e. a D5000 and 50mm 1.4AFS is about the same as a D90 and a 50mm 1.8)
Click to expand...

So a D90 has the auto focus built in? Or am I better buying it with 50mm 1.8 too?
 
The D90 will AF with any new lens and many older discontinued. You dont need a 50mm but they are nice to have.
 
cambsno said:
The D90 will AF with any new lens and many older discontinued. You dont need a 50mm but they are nice to have.
Click to expand...

Thank you :D Are there any lenses you could suggest for macro shots?
Within a reasonable price range :lol:
 
lawrie29 said:
Nice shots!

But buy a bridge! it is more flexible if you are on a budget, you don't have to worry about what lens for what shot, which means that you can just get on with taking pictures.
Click to expand...

Cost and functionality is great and a bridge really helps you understand the basics and the functions of a DSLR; getting you more into the hobby. But I'd say Jo is passed this stage.

I've owned my bridge for a couple of years and it's provided excellent family shots and been great while out and about with the family. But during the last few months I've found more time to go out and use the camera for what I intended and I find myself wishing I'd bought a full DSLR - which I'll be doing by the end of the year:D

Got my eye on the Cannon 550D and Nikon D90.
Not been and held them yet as I'm too scared I'll buy there and then!
 
Best value Macro is the Tamron 90mm - Around £350 new, £230 used. They come on here often for sale, there was one the other day. Slow AF speed though but very sharp regarded as the best, other than the Nikon 105mm which is £600 (and I dont think there is much difference).

The problem you have is that you take pics of everything!! So need a number of lenses...

For landscapes and wide angle the Sigma 10-20 (not the f3.5 one) is regarded as a good lens. For everyday stuff the Nikon 17-55 or 24-70 are the pick, although the Tamrons 17-50 and 28-75 are available for a lot less and are virtually as good.
The Nikon 70-300VR is the pick of the long range stuff value wise, or you could get an older 80-200...

I would concentrate on getting just 1 lens at the start and see what you need after that, maybe a Nikon 18-70 or one of the Tamrons so you have a general lens. I did find though that it was when I got my first 50mm I really started improving - as you dont have the zoom ring, you think about composition a lot more.
 
Mentalblock said:
Cost and functionality is great and a bridge really helps you understand the basics and the functions of a DSLR; getting you more into the hobby. But I'd say Jo is passed this stage.

I've owned my bridge for a couple of years and it's provided excellent family shots and been great while out and about with the family. But during the last few months I've found more time to go out and use the camera for what I intended and I find myself wishing I'd bought a full DSLR - which I'll be doing by the end of the year:D

Got my eye on the Cannon 550D and Nikon D90.
Not been and held them yet as I'm too scared I'll buy there and then!
Click to expand...

I understand what you are saying, and as a bridge user do feel that I wish I had bought a DSLR at times.

But as a movement up from a P+S, a bridge gives a really good level of flexability for a fixed price. ALready the thread is talking about £300 lenses for macro, lenses for portraits, lenses for landscapes etc. As the OP is quote new to togging surely a good bridge, like the Fuji HS10 is a compromise to find out which areas of photography interest her most,so she can then work out what DSLR to purchase. And they do have a good resale. My S9600 is nearly 2 years old, and is still worth £120, and I only paid £180 for it.
 
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