Beginner Newbie needing help on what to buy! So many options..

T

tommysnap

Suspended / Banned
Messages
4
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

New to the forum, looks like a great place to start!

Bear with me, a tiny bit of background - I've always enjoyed taking photos, mainly using my phones, Samsung S3, S5, soon to be S7, I must have over 80GB worth over the years, I take pictures of everything and anything I find remotely interesting and can certainly appreciate a good photo, so the interest is definitely there.

I've decided to progress this into a hobby I can research more and learn about, especially over the winter months, so have decided to buy myself a camera to start out with - Hence why I'm here now... I am a complete utter newbie in the Photography world. I've read numerous different things, spoken to different people and almost everyone suggests something different which leaves me in a right old predicament!

So I've decided now is the time to get me something a bit more 'edgy' to help me take better photos / more detailed. Nothing better than a nice hi-res photo on the laptop. Currently, I have no idea what Aperture / Shutter speeds / Aperture / ISO / Lenses or anything does. Okay, so I kind of know it's relative to speeds / light levels but as I've never used a decent camera or any of these settings, I want to learn how to take pictures manually, read / watch Youtube videos and build up some understanding of what's what!


Generally I like taking photos of cars and motorbikes (stationary, for now!) but also landscapes, scenery and buildings/architecture.

I genuinely have no idea where to start or what is what in the photography world. So sorry if it's another 'what camera' thread, but I am seriously in need of some experienced advice!

Would people recommend getting a DSLR / Bridge camera / ?

I'm happy to spend up to around ~£300 on one, to see if I like it / get on with it and use it! Can go slightly higher if you guys think it's worth it.

A few that have stuck out a lot so far are the Canon 1300D, and the Nikon D3300, both of which I understand are aimed at beginners, Nikon comes with some 'setup' helpful modes apparently but obviously allows full manual control. (Is this a farce or actually any good?)

Would really appreciate any advice or links to things I should watch or read, or even a good starter camera you think I should be getting!

Thanks in advance,

Tom


(Have tried to post a few pictures but for some reason not working - perhaps the link restrictions on new members? Hopefully sort that out soon!)
 
Well looking at the specs of the 1300D it looks extremely good and at an incredibly low price so I personally would go with it, since I prefer Canon cameras.

I would also consider getting, when your budget stretches to it, the 50mm f1.8 either the older MkII model or the newer STM model.

Both are extremely good lenses at a very low price.

But remember that the camera is only as good as you are and that ANY modern digital camera will give excellent results usually far in excess of what you are capable of so if you find that your photos fall short of what you would like it's not the camera - it's you.

And the answer to that is perseverance - taking photographs and learning what you can do to improve them.

And ;learning about editing them.

And for editing here is a link to a free copy of Photoshop 7 which would make an ideal starter program for you:

http://softlay.net/photo-image/image-editor/adobe-photoshop-7-0-free-download-full-version.html

So good luck.
 
Get a dslr after visiting a shop and holding a canon or Nikon - at this stage its import at how the camera feels in your hands. You might be set on one but it feels horrible

FWIW, I bought my son ( 12 at the time ) a used d3100 and 18-105 for less than £200 - and he has produced some great shots. Ok, the d3100 is not the latest and greatest but it's still damn good
 
Brilliant, thanks very much for the responses already!

Funnily enough I popped into my local John Lewis and felt the above 2 Nikon / Canon models and the Nikon seemed to fit my hand much better (felt slightly smaller?) and the lady said it comes with some interactive menu for beginners?

The Canon has WIFI but in honesty I'm not all that bothered with this at all, I'd prefer to just chuck the SD card straight into my laptop anyway!

Thanks so far... keep them coming! :) Haha.
 
Go with the Nikon then but don't be fooled by the beginner menus, you only have to read a few of the links Elizabeth posted above and the camera manual (do read it, it will be very useful) and you will be far ahead of the interactive menus.

With respect to manual exposure, it might help more to think about it as fixed exposure as that is what you are doing, some situations require you to be able to fix the exposure and some don't. You are better much off learning about exposure and how the camera judges exposure so you will then be able to select the appropriate exposure mode for your use, rather than thinking 'I must shoot manual'.
 
Personally I almost always use AV on my cameras which means I can set the aperture and the ISO levels as I need and then just check the shutter speed to make sure it's not too low - even with an Image Stabilised lens.

But the secret is to try out one new thing every day on the controls instead of trying to learn it all at once.
.
 
Nawty said:
Go with the Nikon then but don't be fooled by the beginner menus, you only have to read a few of the links Elizabeth posted above and the camera manual (do read it, it will be very useful) and you will be far ahead of the interactive menus.

With respect to manual exposure, it might help more to think about it as fixed exposure as that is what you are doing, some situations require you to be able to fix the exposure and some don't. You are better much off learning about exposure and how the camera judges exposure so you will then be able to select the appropriate exposure mode for your use, rather than thinking 'I must shoot manual'.
Click to expand...
This^
There's more twaddle spoken about 'manual' by people who haven't got a clue about photography. There's times you'll need it, but learning about metering will stand you in good stead forever no matter what mode or camera you use.
 
Mike Browne's Youtube channel is full of great videos that'll introduce you to the basics of photography in a very easy to understand fashion.

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&s...ggbMAA&usg=AFQjCNHFLeD_ifEB33HVvL9sQjRAl-wzPA

I own a Nikon D3200 (the predecessor to the D3300) and it's a great entry-level DSLR that can produce outstanding results. If you like the feel of it, then you won't go wrong with the 3300 which is essentially the same camera but with a handful of improvements.
 
Excellent, seems this is the place to ask, thanks for the helpful responses and links, it seems I have some reading to do!

Cheers guys (and girls)

Tom
 
Haha, I will do!

Here's a few random pictures taken on my phone to give you and idea what I'll be snapping once I get my first camera. So basically, Nikon VS Canon, whatever fits my hand better, both capable of fantastic photos, it will be me that's the limiting factor! £320ish a good starter budget then?

20140926_150618_zpsnbjqme3e.jpg




20140924_144343_zps8nolwpeg.jpg





20150927_131353_zpsi4roqisg.jpg




20140925_172144_zpss0w0l5rj.jpg




Looks like I will be a frequent visitor then to pick all of your brains, thanks!
 
Well I will say that the photos you have there are very good with the exception of the last one which is a bit underexposed.

Just shows how phone pics have improved over the years - no wonder so many people use them now!
.
 
The base Nikon's are a good start or canon's I have the d3200 with 35 and 50mm 1.8f for car show and work very well and are about £150 each, the sigma 17-50mm 2.8f is also a good start
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    103.4 KB · Views: 15
Totally unrelated, but is that last pic in the set of tommysnaps at Looe?
 
Anyone can create an image, on any device. You can even make your own pinhole camera out of an old box and some film and capture an image with that.
Photography is very little to do with the equipment. It's more to do with composition than anything else.

A simple example of composition is your shot of what looks like a Ducati Monster.
Even though the bike is stationary the bike has nowhere to go, the picture would be better if it was framed so that there was more 'empty' space in front of the bike iyswim.

You picture of Fowey has no focal point, no point of interest to draw the eye to, had you spun yourself round to the right about 30 degrees I bet it would have been a better shot. Or get down on those steps and shoot the two small fishing boats.

My advice, get on a few forums (like you have here) and check out peoples composition, read up about composition in photography, read up about the 'Rule of Thirds'

Buying a £300+ camera will not make you a better photographer.
 
They are as cheesy as they get, but some of the Scott Kilby books helped me a lot when I started, at least from the what is what and 'how to create this image'.

Straight forward answers and explanations.

They are filly cheap to pick up.

Most of your learning will just come from getting out there. Shoot everything....;)
 
I'm in a similar situation, although sounds like this guy has nailed down which camera he wants.

Should you go with what your budget stretches to or your level of experience?

Whats the actually difference between entry level camera and say a Nikon 7200?
 
Camera body wise I see nothing wrong with starting out at entry level. Bodies come and go, so you can always upgrade later to new technology if you wish.

Lens' tend to stay around for longer and contribte the majority of the quality or effect to a photo. I'd always put more money into the lens than the body.

Of course, more expensive bodies will offer for features and capability - but it depends what your wanting to shoot.

If it's sport then aim for a body with good autofocus as a good frame rate. If it's static subjects then you don't need to worry so much about AF points and frame rate.

What's your area of interest?
 
Iggy_K said:
I'm in a similar situation, although sounds like this guy has nailed down which camera he wants.

Should you go with what your budget stretches to or your level of experience?

Whats the actually difference between entry level camera and say a Nikon 7200?
Click to expand...
Same as the difference between a Ford Ka and a Mondeo Titanium X, they'll both get you to your destination, but one of them will have been more a pleasurable / easier experience. Unless you have some very specific needs, that a particular camera will fit better.
 
the888account said:
Camera body wise I see nothing wrong with starting out at entry level. Bodies come and go, so you can always upgrade later to new technology if you wish.

Lens' tend to stay around for longer and contribte the majority of the quality or effect to a photo. I'd always put more money into the lens than the body.

Of course, more expensive bodies will offer for features and capability - but it depends what your wanting to shoot.

If it's sport then aim for a body with good autofocus as a good frame rate. If it's static subjects then you don't need to worry so much about AF points and frame rate.

What's your area of interest?
Click to expand...

I quite like taking fixed landscape/scenery/object shots day/night.

example of Holiday snap just taken on my Iphone 6.

IMG_1318.JPG

Korcula Bells.JPG
 
In that case there is an argument for relaxing any requirement on a 'premium AF system.

Perhaps consider low to mid entry that suits your budget (or perhaps go used?). Half the battle is finding you feet.

For perspective I started with a 450d Canon which I bought cheap as it was discontinued - almost below entry level. As i got into it and found my feet I started to upgrade bits.

I'd like. 5d4, but I know I wouldn't use the features (and would justify the cost) so I'd happily take a 5d3. It'd all about what you need out of the body.

I remember when I started out my wish list of kit was huge. Reality is I cover most things within 3 lenses rather than 6-7 I decided I would need.

Main thing is to enjoy it.
 
^^^ I think most people have covered the bases here, but I will add if you're looking for a camera get something that a)makes you want to go out and shoot stuff and b) something that you can easily transport/take with you depending on your personal constraints.

I've just switched from a Nikon DSLR to a Fuji X and find that I want to go out and shoot with the Fuji as I find the experience (and the results) so pleasurable and because it is much more compact in size I am more likely to take it with me to more places!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top