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Kingpin

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Neil
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Hi all,

I'm looking for a bit of advise as i'm totally new to dlsr photography and really dont understand that much at the moment!
I really want to take some quality photos of my family and some action shots of my son boxing and playing cricket.

So the question is which camera!

I've been looking at a Nikon D3100 and the D5100 and a canon 550, both the Nikons felt really good and the canon a little on the plastic side.
If i went for the 3100 i would have enough money left to get an extra lens,
but if the 5100 takes better pics i would go for that one and wait a few months for a extra lens.
Is there anything else i should be thinking about when buying my first dlsr?

Any advise would be much appreciated.
Thanks
 
The D5100 wont take better pictures, the only differences between it and the D3100 are the functions and usability of the camera.

When buying any DSLR, you need to consider how it feels in your hand and how easy you find the menu system.

Also remember its the lens that makes the pictures. A top class body with a rubbish lens will equal rubbish photos.
A not so good body with a top class lens will take much better phots.

So I'd concentrate more of the budget on a good lens, than get an better camera with a bad lens.
 
First stick to a budget which should include camera -lens-memory card as first priority. it is so easy to see something a little more expensive with a bit more added function wise. I would suggest a 4 gig Sandisk card would allow enough memory for starters and get one from a shop or on line like 7dayshop web site, be aware there are plenty of cheap fakes online

Take a look at this link which will give a rough idea of costs involved.

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

Decide on say only 2 or 3 cameras and kit then go try out in a shop. No one can say get this camera or that camera as it is down to personal choice in the end

Finally if you have a bit of spare cash left over consider getting an editing suite like Adobe Elements 9, so you can work on a photo if necessary. Later on you may well want to print your own photos so go for a photo printer against a normal printer
 
Last edited:
Kingpin said:
Hi all,

I'm looking for a bit of advise as i'm totally new to dlsr photography and really dont understand that much at the moment!
I really want to take some quality photos of my family and some action shots of my son boxing and playing cricket.

So the question is which camera!

I've been looking at a Nikon D3100 and the D5100 and a canon 550, both the Nikons felt really good and the canon a little on the plastic side.
If i went for the 3100 i would have enough money left to get an extra lens,
but if the 5100 takes better pics i would go for that one and wait a few months for a extra lens.
Is there anything else i should be thinking about when buying my first dlsr?

Any advise would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...

Hi.
It is the person behide the camera, that takes quality shots. Not the camera.
 
Agree with Tom4x4. And you will need a long lens for cricket.
 
Thanks guys!

I see what you mean about it been the person behind the camera, but what your also saying is that it's the lens that is as important as the camera itself.
I kinda had it in my head that the more expensive the camera the better pics it would take.

So with that in mind the nikon d3100 may be my first choice having had a play with one yesterday and liking the way it felt and it seems to get good reviews.

Can i also ask, apart from a memory card are there any other essentials i will need to buy straight away to get started in the world of photography?

Thanks again.
 
With a longer lens comes more risk of camera shake, so mind the shutter speed if you're doing sports photography hand held. You don't need it, but a monopod might help, but obviously invest in the camera + lens first and foremost.
 
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