Progression on to DSLR advice please

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greigym

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Hi guys,

Apologies in advance for posting this question but it appears you can get swamped with info on options when doing research yourself. I thought it best to contact the guys who know and have the wealth of their experience to perhaps help?!

I have very recently got the photography bug and having returned from a recent trip to South Africa and attending a few events I want to progress my knowledge to gain better shots.

Knowing virtually nothing about photography, I went on some basic advice and purchased a Fuji HS20EXR which I have to say was excellent. I researched the functionality and feel I have really tested the camera. I have a knowledge of where it falls down and now wish to progress further.

I had my wedding party last weekend and the guys taking the shots were using EOS 5D MkII's. The results were impressive and I thought that its time to move things on a little. I dont have the budget to go straight in and get something like a 2nd hand 5D with lenses and wondered if people could suggest an appropriate step up baring in mind a complete budget of around £500. I have a course lined up to better myself further in September and would like some time to familiarise myself with a unit so im not struggling to select appropriate modes and settings. Once ive progressed again I will then make a decision on whether to move up to something like the 5D.

Hope this makes sense and thanks in advance!
 
I was in a similar position to yourself a couple of years ago - I went from a panasonic fz38 bridge camera to a canon 1000D with kit lens; It was such a big leap in image quality & camera controls. It's the camera that gave me a lot of enthusiasm for photography.

I think any started dslr with kit lens from Canon or Nikon would be a good starting point & would leave you some change for another lens (50mm or 55-250mm etc)
 
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hobodan said:
I was in a similar position to yourself a couple of years ago - I went from a panasonic fz38 bridge camera to a canon 1000D with kit lens; It was such a big leap in image quality & camera controls. It's the camera that gave me a lot of enthusiasm for photography.

I think any started dslr with kit lens from Canon or Nikon would be a good starting point & would leave you some change for another lens (50mm or 55-250mm etc)
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100% agree. Don't just jump into full frame (5D is a full frame DSLR) as its an exceptionally expensive route to go down. I started with a nikon D5100 and had the kit lens and a AF-S 35mm F1.8, which was absolutely superb for day to day photos. Never thought about investing the cash to get a telephone lens to try and do wildlife shots as the ISO performance wasn't good enough (meaning I couldn't go to higher shutter speeds for moving subjects in low light!)

Ultimately, what sort of photography do you want to do? If you fancy a bit of everything, definitely get an entry level crop or even go secondhand and get a mid level crop camera. The lenses you choose are far more important than the body ever will be so do your research before buying.
 
James J said:
100% agree. Don't just jump into full frame (5D is a full frame DSLR) as its an exceptionally expensive route to go down.
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Hmmmm. FF camera bodies cost more than APS-C unless buying used but once you've got the pain of buying the actual camera over just as with APS-C there are a range of lenses available from relatively cheap to bloody expensive plus of course you've got all those old lenses from the film days that'll mount to either full frame or APS-C but will give their intended FoV on FF.
 
woof woof said:
Hmmmm. FF camera bodies cost more than APS-C unless buying used but once you've got the pain of buying the actual camera over just as with APS-C there are a range of lenses available from relatively cheap to bloody expensive plus of course you've got all those old lenses from the film days that'll mount to either full frame or APS-C but will give their intended FoV on FF.
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True, but then getting good glass is still pricey any way you look at it, especially if you want to avoid vignette when shooting wide open on a FF body.
 
James J said:
True, but then getting good glass is still pricey any way you look at it, especially if you want to avoid vignette when shooting wide open on a FF body.
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Good APS-C only lenses are expensive too and many FF lenses are a comparable price to their APS-C only alternatives. Actually, at some focal lengths with zooms and primes there are few if any APS-C only alternatives so the issue of which lenses are more affordable may go away altogether, sometimes, depending upon what focal length you're looking for.

Vignetting is a different issue. Some FF bodies show it more than others, I'd guess, as do some lenses but that's true of some APS-C only lenses too. For example my APS-C only Canon 10-22mm displayed more vignetting on my 20D than my Sigma 12-24mm does on my 5D. Strange indeed. However, vignetting is a relatively trivial thing to correct with modern processing software.
 
I'm fully aware of all points regarding sensor sizes and lens combinations, but the information is useful for those that don't.

I just don't see why everyone on this forum is obsessed with going full frame straight away when people have budgets around the £500 mark. Its just daft to even mention it, let alone discuss it.
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I wanted to make a sensible decision rather than going straight in and spending over £1000. I was thinking that it would be nice to get a Canon as I ultimately would like to progress to a 5D and there must be a basic crossover of familiarisation even from the basic to the high end in manufacturers. Perhaps this is a foolish thought as who knows how I will feel about makes, models and functionality when that time comes.

With regards the type of shots I would like to take, having recently seen those from my wedding party that were taken on the 5D mkII, I'd like to be able to take general shots to cover off parties, weddings, in the home and out walking the dog. Just very general stuff in an effort to fully familiarise myself with the basics.

I'm definitely looking at 2nd hand as I think that your budget gets you a lot more and hopefully I will find someone who is selling all I need rather than me having to spend out on additional lenses etc. One thing I have noticed is the reference to shutter actuations. As im making the comparison to car mileage...when would you consider shutter actuations to be high and to be wary?

Thanks again
 
It does seem that within the Canon range, 2nd hand with lens options, I am limited to the EOS 1100D, 550D and 600D.

Has anyone experience of using these cameras and possibly would recommend one other others given the nature of the pictures I want to take?

Many thanks again
 
greigym said:
It does seem that within the Canon range, 2nd hand with lens options, I am limited to the EOS 1100D, 550D and 600D.

Has anyone experience of using these cameras and possibly would recommend one other others given the nature of the pictures I want to take?

Many thanks again
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As I always say asking people to recommend a camera is not the way to go.
People like the one they bought for their own reasons, which may not be the same for you.

You should go to the shops and try as many as you can be it Canon, Nikon, Pentax or whatever.

Buy the one that feels most comfortable in Your hands, with the control layout and menu system you find most intuitive. After all it is you that will be holding it not us.
 
Thanks for your comments. I guess its not of massive importance that I get the absolute best camera for me at the moment as its a learning curve still and I will learn to appreciate the pros and cons as I use my next investment that will then put me in good stead if upgrading further...
 
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