New Starter Equipment Advice

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TotalGameUK

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Tim
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Hi all. I am new to the forums and looking for some advice on buying a new DSLR and a basic set of lenses. I would like to take a variety of shots; but I am particularly interested in being able to take motorsports shots next time I am at Brands Hatch.

My budget is between £700 and £1000 and I cannot really decide what I should be going for. All I have decided so far is that I would like a Redsnapper Duo bag and RS-283+RSH-12 tripod and head (£140 for both). How would the rest of the budget be best spent?

I have yet to decide on which brand to go for; I assume that I really need to walk into a shop and have a go with them to work out which is best for me. How long typically before upgraditis sets in and I start spending all of my earnings on better lenses? :p

Thanks in advance.
 
scottthehat said:
are you mainly going to be shoting motorsport. also are you going to be investing in more gear, and also are you considering used equipment,
wahat are you main wants in a dslr,
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I will mainly be shooting motorsport, but would like a wide angle lens for landscape and family shots (I don't mind compromising the quality on these in the short term). I would hope to be investing in new gear in the future as my experience grows; I will probably be looking at getting other specialised lenses to broaden the variety of shots and hone different skills.

I am considering used equipment; the vast majority looks very well cared for anyway. That said, I would prefer newer bodies to older ones.

As for what I want in a DSLR, I really do not know at this stage. I think that will only come with time as I use the kit and find out what aspects are most important to me. What instantly springs to mind with motorsports shots is fast AF, having the ability to take shots in quick succession and being able to still get good shots on overcast days.

Karlos said:
a week, maybe two if your strong willed :)
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Oh dear....... :lol:
 
For motorsports, you'd want something with a fast frame rate, so something like a used 40D or 50D would be ideal. You can pick up a decent used 40D for around the £400 mark.

With the rest, you would be best spending it on a decent lens that is a tele zoom like a Canon 70-200 f/4 L or Canon 70-300 IS USM, or possibly something faster like a Sigma 70-200 f/2.8. If you still have some funds left, it is worth getting a decent budget general purpose lens with a wider focal range such as a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8.
 
are you looking at a nikon or a canon, or are you looking out side at the likes of pentax sony and olympus.(all 3 have sr/os/is/sss built in the bodys making lenses cheaper) unlike nikon and sony.
maybe something like this.
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/3103/Used-Sigma-120-400mm-F4-5-5-6-APO-Pentax-Fit-AF-Lens.html
http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/3393/Used-Samsung-GX20-DSLR-with-18-55mm-Lens.html
covers the lot.
also samsung is the same as pentax, its weather sealed, and pentax do some nice weather sealed lenses, also some cheap kit ones(weather sealed ones)an 18-55mm and a 50-200mm which are very very good.
 
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unlike nikon and sony
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Nikon and Canon even? :)

Canon - huge range of stuff for it, entry level cameras a bit small and fiddly if you've got big hands but mid-range enthusiast stuff is well built. No in-body stabilisation but big range of IS lenses.

Nikon - well respected quality, even with entry level although cheaper cameras need lenses with in-built AF motor. High end lenses are expenses but there are plenty of 3rd party alternatives. No in-body stabilisation, stabilised lenses (VR) are available.

Sony - the newer kid on the block but with Minolta pedigree on its higher-end cameras. Entry level cameras a bit plasticky but well specified and have in-body stabilisation. A bit limited in range of lenses but very high quality with its 'G' and Zeiss glass.

Pentax - great cameras with in-body stabilisation on the medium-higher models and well built. Lenses may not be stocked as well as other brands.

Olympus - 4/3 format using a 1/2 size sensor. High iso noise *might* be a bigger problem because of the smaller sensor and I think lenses can be expensive but they're very good quality. In-body stabilisation.

All of the above are capable of high quality results, but the biggest thing is in the handling. So you need to get down to your local shop and play with a few.
 
I used a Canon 40D and a 70-300 IS back when i was shooting motorsport, which I got some great shots with - if you buy 2nd hand you should be able to get this combination for around £700 which leaves you some money to get some extra toys with...
 
Just wanted to give an update and say thanks to everyone here. It took me a while to devote a day to go camera shopping; but I got there in the end. After having a go with a couple of cameras; I decided the 40D / 50D was the camera for me.

I managed to get an absolutely mint condition 50D body with only 1146 actuations and a year’s worth of warranty. Along with this, I ordered an 18-55 IS, 50 f1.8 and 70-300 IS USM from Kerso. This seems like a good starting set, I just have to sort out the remaining accessories and a bag which should arrive in the near future.

The 50D is a brilliant camera and I can’t wait to start using it in anger. I think it’s going to take me a little while to extract the best from it, but practice makes perfect! :D
 
Nice set of gear that mate, should be more than enough to get you going...:thumbs:

I loved my 70-300mm IS USM and the 50mm f/1.8 is amazing for the price.
 
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