Please help with camera advice (New member).

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Nick_593

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Nick
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Hi, I'm new to the forum and I'm looking for someone to kindly give some advice on a camera for myself.

I'm looking for a entry level DSLR camera for as cheap as possible, but could push up to 500ish(£) if the right one comes up.

I am particularly looking for something with a good HD 1080 video as the camera will be for wildlife photography/ videoing mostly.
- The camera will mostly be used for wildlife photogrpahy, and i do a lot of snorkeling and some scuba diving, so once I can afford an under water housing, the video function will be quite important when videoing animals underwater.

- Something that will be good to travel with too.
- And the best camera to build up a couple of good lenses at the best price on budget.

Done a lot of research online, and I'm more torn between cameras now than when I started.


If someone could kindly give their opinion on what would be the best entry level DSLR for me that would be a HUGE help. !!

Thanks a lot,

Nick
 
drb5 said:
Is your £500 budget for body and lens?
Click to expand...

Hi thanks for the reply. The 500 would be for the camera with a suitable lens. I will be looking to upgrade my lens kit over time, so the lens market will be a consideration too.

Thanks
 
Hi Nick,

I have the Canon 650D which I find very user friendly, the kit lens is pretty nice with some very good options for telephoto lenses on a budget for wildlife photos.

I have no idea about underwater stuff but maybe you should consider a GoPro for that for HD movie stuff and photo snap your recording, (just a consideration)

I'm sure you can get a good deal on a 650D at the moment, if not a second hand one off fleabay for your money.

I'm sure ther will be a few members along with many options for you for your budget
 
Canon 650D with kit lens (£450) and then save up another £50 at some point to get a with a used 55 - 250 lens (£100). You would have the lens to let you get what you want straight away and they could be replaced at little loss in the future.
 
r1flyguy said:
Hi Nick,

I have the Canon 650D which I find very user friendly, the kit lens is pretty nice with some very good options for telephoto lenses on a budget for wildlife photos.

I have no idea about underwater stuff but maybe you should consider a GoPro for that for HD movie stuff and photo snap your recording, (just a consideration)

I'm sure you can get a good deal on a 650D at the moment, if not a second hand one off fleabay for your money.

I'm sure ther will be a few members along with many options for you for your budget
Click to expand...

Hi mate, thanks for advice! The 650D is the camera I had been looking into the most as it has focus tracking which would be great.

I also came across the Nikon D5100 on a 'compare' website which suggested the Nikon as a better camera for the money. But the Nikon doesnt have the tracking video, which I think I would be kicking myself in not getting if I ever was in a situation where the video focus needed to be good (!) (I'm thinking of videoing large animals underwater, as I hope to take it out to Southern Africa at some point).

But I'm not sure how much difference the tracking focus on the video would make compared to the Nikon?

Cheers
 
ernesto said:
Canon 650D with kit lens (£450) and then save up another £50 at some point to get a with a used 55 - 250 lens (£100). You would have the lens to let you get what you want straight away and they could be replaced at little loss in the future.
Click to expand...

Thanks for advice. Where would you suggest buying a camera?

I've searched all over the internet, and there's quite a big difference in pricing between online retailers, and my local camera shop is way over £100 more expensive for the 650D that online.

SLR hut seem to be the cheapest, but I've read mixed reviews?

Could you suggests where to purchase, or advise on a good retailer?

Thanks!
 
If you want a UK camera, but don't mind used, then try MPB Photographic.

Every used item they sell comes with a 6 month warranty and their prices are usually not a lot more than the prices folk look for their stuff on here.
 
drb5 said:
If you want a UK camera, but don't mind used, then try MPB Photographic.

Every used item they sell comes with a 6 month warranty and their prices are usually not a lot more than the prices folk look for their stuff on here.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the advice. Just had a look on the site and the 650D is a lot more expensive (new) that I've seen else where.
I really want to invest in something new, as it will be a long term investment and I will know where the camera stands with its condition.

Cheers
 
Just to get back to my first point;
Could anyone recommend any competitors to the 650D for what I want the camera for (video function + good photos for wildlife photography), at around the £500 mark?

Looking for peoples opinions on a range of good and competitive entry level DSLRs.

Any help will be hugely appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Hi Nick, welcome to the forum, for a 650D with kit lens coming in under £500 I'd suggest Hdew Cameras http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-650d-with-18-55mm-f35-56-is-ii-lens-kit-997-p.asp You get a 3 year warranty in with that and Hdew are based in the UK.

If you don't mind imports you could get one even cheaper by buying from Panamoz http://panamoz.com/index.php/digita...s-650d-with-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-is-ii-kit.html You will get a 5% reduction on the price if you email Panamoz first and ask to pay by bank transfer.

Both shops give great service, I've used both more than once, and I know that Panamoz are very good at handling warranty work as I've had first hand experience.
 
tbh if it's main purpose is for video get a camcorder.

If you are set on a DSLR then there are no bad current production DSLRs - higher models with the same size sensor improve on features & ergonomics rather than noticeable improvements in image quality.

& have you seen how much an underwater setup for a DSLR costs?
I have a friend who dives a lot on the Great Barrier Reef & whilst he has a full DSLR kit for diving he uses a Canon S100 in a case.

Still want a DSLR? If you are happy with manual focus in video then any brand. If you want AF in video then probably Sony is ahead of the pack (& an A37 body is ~£270 atm).
But you will have a better choice of underwater cases for Canon & Nikon than Pentax, Sony etc.
 
modchild said:
Hi Nick, welcome to the forum, for a 650D with kit lens coming in under £500 I'd suggest Hdew Cameras http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-650d-with-18-55mm-f35-56-is-ii-lens-kit-997-p.asp You get a 3 year warranty in with that and Hdew are based in the UK.

If you don't mind imports you could get one even cheaper by buying from Panamoz http://panamoz.com/index.php/digita...s-650d-with-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-is-ii-kit.html You will get a 5% reduction on the price if you email Panamoz first and ask to pay by bank transfer.

Both shops give great service, I've used both more than once, and I know that Panamoz are very good at handling warranty work as I've had first hand experience.
Click to expand...

Huge thanks for info on these dealers! Prices are great compared to what I've been looking at, along with a three year warranty.
650D seems the best camera for what I want too.

Thanks again!
 
heidfirst said:
tbh if it's main purpose is for video get a camcorder.

If you are set on a DSLR then there are no bad current production DSLRs - higher models with the same size sensor improve on features & ergonomics rather than noticeable improvements in image quality.

& have you seen how much an underwater setup for a DSLR costs?
I have a friend who dives a lot on the Great Barrier Reef & whilst he has a full DSLR kit for diving he uses a Canon S100 in a case.

Still want a DSLR? If you are happy with manual focus in video then any brand. If you want AF in video then probably Sony is ahead of the pack (& an A37 body is ~£270 atm).
But you will have a better choice of underwater cases for Canon & Nikon than Pentax, Sony etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks for info here (pretty much what I needed to know!).

I own a go pro camera and use that as a camcorder a lot for underwater videos, along with other stuff.

I want a DSLR for photos in general, as well as the zoom function on the video mode. And want it all in one as it will be used travelling too and I don't want to lug around a loads of equipment.

You said your friend uses a different camera to his DSLR for underwater footage, despite having the full underwater kit for his DSLR. Do you know why that is?
I may consider it too, but if I was to buy the same set-up with the cheaper camera, I would be spending more than just the DSLR and appropriate housing, as I'm buying a DSLR anyway (from prices I've seen anyway- but know the underwater housing isn't cheap!! and will be a while before I invest in this.

Cheers!
 
he has a full DSLR kit (actually a couple) but not the underwater set up for them primarily because of the cost (there is also weight, size etc.).
A case for a compact might cost £200 but for a DSLR the case + ports + + could easily be £2000.
 
ernesto said:
Canon 650D with kit lens (£450) and then save up another £50 at some point to get a with a used 55 - 250 lens (£100). You would have the lens to let you get what you want straight away and they could be replaced at little loss in the future.
Click to expand...

For that budget and HD video this is really one of the very few options

You do you have to clearly understand the kit limitation before you commit though. You need to consider the lens quality first and foremost as this is what will create the shots. You will be starting at the very bottom of the ladder, limiting your available light, sharpness and focus speed. IF this is rather critical and £500 is after all just a figure of the top of the head, I would suggest looking at Canon "L" designation lenses.
 
Thanks for all info in this thread, been a huge help. Got my Canon EOS 650D today and its great !!.

Thanks again
 
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