Purchasing My own DSLR - First timer

EllisM

EllisM

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Howdy all,


Currently I'm a design student (Graphics) in which also have done Photography in-between lectures and have pretty much self-taught. (If that's even possible :bang:).


The issue is I have never actually brought my own DSLR, with the ability to borrow any lens / body at my disposal I didn't really see the point (Mostly Canon variants) , but now heading to university I thought it would be a much better idea to purchase my own to get familiar with it rather than flicking between different cameras from week in week out. I'm looking too purchase a fairly decent entry model that will see the foreseeable future.


What are you going too use it for and what is your budget?


My budget doesn't really have a 'limit' but i'm aiming for around £500-600 for a camera and a lens (or two if need be in which I will change my budget :naughty: )


I'm wanting too get into mostly nightclub photography as living within a city, this will be easy work (once I get that hang of it) and plenty of it. I'm well aware that it's probably a bad idea due too equipment getting damaged ect.


I'm also very interested in fast sport such as paintballing / airsoft and downhill biking and would If i got the chance too I would jump at doing it! And of course, still images - people / weddings / car shows ect are all also interests I'm wanting too take.


I know this is probably a large (If not all types of photography :shrug:) But i'm guessing I want to find the right camera for myself so I can play around with the different situations and see what I enjoy.


Currently doing research into the canon 600/650D but am i better off going for something a little cheaper? Or stick with someone a little higher to get the full benefits for the next coming years or so?


(Sorry for the long text and the ridiculous questions that have probably been asked 100 million times, but I'd really appreciate any feedback you guys have! )

Many thanks!​

​
 
What cameras did you use?

I'd generally recommend a 'better' older camera, the 40d S/H is a bargain, much better in use than a newer lower end camera. So a 40d and a 2.8 17-50 from Tamron or Sigma would be a much better buy than a 650d with a kit zoom.
 
Phil V said:
What cameras did you use?

I'd generally recommend a 'better' older camera, the 40d S/H is a bargain, much better in use than a newer lower end camera. So a 40d and a 2.8 17-50 from Tamron or Sigma would be a much better buy than a 650d with a kit zoom.
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I pretty sure 9/10 It was a Canon EOS 450D, Thanks for the fast response :)

Having a look at the 40d S/H the canon fitted ones seem to be more expensive, and will most lens covers fit this?

One thing I missed out, any clues and a good flash gun ?
 
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If you were happy with the 450d, then get one S/H and a better lens than you'd get with a new 650d. Possibly a 50mm 1.8 too. (a 450d body only is less than £200)

A 'good' flashgun will depend on budget, look at the Yongnuo 568 TTL as it has ETTL, built in slave and high speed sync. But if that was all gobbledegook, what do you want your flash to do?
 
I think after looking into the 40d more, I'm probably going too go for that.

Would It be a good idea to get both tamron 2.8 17-50 and a 50mm? Or would the tamron 2.8 be a good all rounder for lowlight / everyday shooting? Assuming that it's also a pretty wide lens, making it easier for indoor club shots?

I'm not entirely sure what exactly I'm looking for, I guess a flash gun that isn't going to blind my clients, but also enough so I can play around with the ambient lighting ( for atmosphere ect..)
 
EllisM said:
I think after looking into the 40d more, I'm probably going too go for that.

Would It be a good idea to get both tamron 2.8 17-50 and a 50mm? Or would the tamron 2.8 be a good all rounder for lowlight / everyday shooting? Assuming that it's also a pretty wide lens, making it easier for indoor club shots?

I'm not entirely sure what exactly I'm looking for, I guess a flash gun that isn't going to blind my clients, but also enough so I can play around with the ambient lighting ( for atmosphere ect..)
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The 40d is a great camera - I still use one regularly.

The 50mm 1.8 is 1 1/3 stops faster than a 2.8 and in low light that can make a big difference, but not so much if you're going to use a lot of flash.

HSS and EETL are great tools for mixing your light sources, I haven't got the Yongnuo, but I'd recommend it for the price, unless you want to go S/H with the flash too? In which case a Canon 430 ex II would be a good buy (not as powerful but better build quality).
 
Phil V said:
The 40d is a great camera - I still use one regularly. The 50mm 1.8 is 1 1/3 stops faster than a 2.8 and in low light that can make a big difference, but not so much if you're going to use a lot of flash. HSS and EETL are great tools for mixing your light sources, I haven't got the Yongnuo, but I'd recommend it for the price, unless you want to go S/H with the flash too? In which case a Canon 430 ex II would be a good buy (not as powerful but better build quality).
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Okay awesome, I think my minds pretty set on the 40D. I'm probably going to aim for a lens set s/h for example;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digit...UTF8&qid=1374163410&sr=8-3&keywords=canon+40d
Then buy a 50mm for the time being? then alternate between the two, I know the lens that comes with the camera isn't great but I guess it'll do for now and upgrade it too a tamron 2.8 17-50.

Do you reckon that will keep me going whilst i'm learning? Anything else I'm missing please shout at me :lol:
 
I know it seems scary, but don't buy it with a lens, because it's highly unlikely youi'll get the lens you want. Buy the camera and look for a lens from a reputable dealer.

In fact you could possibly get a camera and lens from one of those dealers.
 
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In fact MPB have a choice of 40d's at £259, a 50mm 1.8 at £69 and a Sigma 18-50 2.8 at £169 would make a great starter kit.

There's also a S/H Jessops flashgun for £39

So that's £536 for a very useful kit.
169+69+
 
Phil V said:
In fact MPB have a choice of 40d's at £259, a 50mm 1.8 at £69 and a Sigma 18-50 2.8 at £169 would make a great starter kit.

There's also a S/H Jessops flashgun for £39

So that's £536 for a very useful kit.
169+69+
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Thank-you very much for your help! I'm definitely going too purchase these as my starting kit, look forward to taking some more pictures soon! :D
 
My pleasure - whilst browsing I found an answer to a question I didn't know I had:thumbs:

That gear is less than the 40d and one half decent lens from Amazon.
 
Phil V said:
My pleasure - whilst browsing I found an answer to a question I didn't know I had:thumbs:

That gear is less than the 40d and one half decent lens from Amazon.
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Haha awesome. However silly I might be being? That last sentence confused me?
 
40d or any of the **d series would be a better choice over the ***d series for nightclub work as they are generally built a bit tougher, 50mm will probably be too wide on a crop for club work as you tend to only be a couple of feet away from the punters, if its just standard club punter shots I used to just use my kit 17-85mm with a 580exii on my 40d but something like a 430exii and kit lens should be fine a lot of it like most things is down to technique, I'm sure theres a guide on here somewhere.
 
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ljphil78 said:
40d or any of the **d series would be a better choice over the ***d series for nightclub work as they are generally built a bit tougher, 50mm will probably be too wide on a crop for club work as you tend to only be a couple of feet away from the punters, if its just standard club punter shots I used to just use my kit 17-85mm with a 580exii on my 40d but something like a 430exii and kit lens should be fine a lot of it like most things is down to technique, I'm sure theres a guide on here somewhere.
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Okay awesome, So you think that a standard lens (Kit lens) will do the trick? Until it pays it self off and I've made enough to upgrade it?

Also, Will I need a decent 'flash diffuser' ( I think they're called ) Any recommendations? I heard they make life much easier to capture ambient light, but still make the client look good enough.

Thanks for your reply
 
EllisM said:
Okay awesome, So you think that a standard lens (Kit lens) will do the trick? Until it pays it self off and I've made enough to upgrade it?

Also, Will I need a decent 'flash diffuser' ( I think they're called ) Any recommendations? I heard they make life much easier to capture ambient light, but still make the client look good enough.

Thanks for your reply
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Genuinely - take a better lens, at s/h prices it's a bargain. Forget the flash diffuser (they eat light and don't offer much back), get a better bounce card (or whatever it's called) and learn to bounce and how to suck it up when you can't.
 
Phil V said:
Genuinely - take a better lens, at s/h prices it's a bargain. Forget the flash diffuser (they eat light and don't offer much back), get a better bounce card (or whatever it's called) and learn to bounce and how to suck it up when you can't.
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Yeah after researching I'm defiantly going to go for the stigma :) It's got pretty good reviews on it as well as it's stability !

Thanks Again Phil, You're awesome :D

Finally, going to buying either a 50d / 40d with a stigma and an additional 50mm for now, and eventually a flashgun! :) Thanks for your replies !
 
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EllisM said:
I'm wanting too get into mostly nightclub photography as living within a city, this will be easy work (once I get that hang of it) and plenty of it. I'm well aware that it's probably a bad idea due too equipment getting damaged ect.
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i do nightclub work primarily (work for IAMVIP) and I use a 500D, with kit lens (cheap to replace if anything did happen, but fingers crossed) and 430ex. it isnt as bad as you think it would be in clubs so long as you are careful. i have not had any bad experiecnes apart from the odd occasion when people grab your camera, especially the flimsy but sticking out bits like the lens/flash! plus i walk around with it on top of my shoulder lens pointed up and nothing major has happened to it, and fingers crossed it stays that way. btw it has survived having drink spilt on it twice now, no damage apart from being a bit sticky...

i guess it would depend on which part of the country you work in, i am fortunate enough to be in durham which from what i have heard is a very civilised place :D

also agree with the above, if i knew what i know now when i first started a year ago i would have bought a **D second hand instead of my 500D, which was second hand anyway :bonk:
 
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FlyingShrapnel said:
i do nightclub work primarily (work for IAMVIP) and I use a 500D, with kit lens (cheap to replace if anything did happen, but fingers crossed) and 430ex. it isnt as bad as you think it would be in clubs so long as you are careful. i have not had any bad experiecnes apart from the odd occasion when people grab your camera, especially the flimsy but sticking out bits like the lens/flash! plus i walk around with it on top of my shoulder lens pointed up and nothing major has happened to it, and fingers crossed it stays that way. btw it has survived having drink spilt on it twice now, no damage apart from being a bit sticky...

i guess it would depend on which part of the country you work in, i am fortunate enough to be in durham which from what i have heard is a very civilised place :D

also agree with the above, if i knew what i know now when i first started a year ago i would have bought a **D second hand instead of my 500D, which was second hand anyway :bonk:
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Awesome man! Thanks for the heads up, it's definatly going to be a 40/50D I'm buying it shortly after my holiday in which I go in september :cool:.

Got any advise for someone looking to start working?
i.e find another photographer and shadow him? or just jump in the deep end and offer your sevices for free for a few times?

Also, do you email the club itself or is there events people that do the photography?

(Sorry for the 101 questions! ):rules:
 
i shadowed another photographer for one night to get the hang of things when i first started with IAMVIP (http://www.iamvip.co.uk/) and but that was organised by the company. normally they allocate me to various clubs around town on friday and saturday nights. i think we are more active in the north than the south though

no worries im happy to help :thumbs:
 
EllisM said:
...

Got any advise for someone looking to start working?
i.e find another photographer and shadow him? or just jump in the deep end and offer your sevices for free for a few times?
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Learn how to use your gear.
Learn how to use your gear really well

Learn how to make the best of your gear when something goes wrong

Then you can start thinking about selling your services.

How about - I've bought a scooter how do I go about starting pizza delivery (learn to ride the bike?)

I've rented some premises how do I open a restaurant?

The gear is just the beginning, using it is where the skill lies, and selling your services is an entire other skill set again.
 
Phil V said:
Learn how to use your gear.
Learn how to use your gear really well

Learn how to make the best of your gear when something goes wrong

Then you can start thinking about selling your services.

How about - I've bought a scooter how do I go about starting pizza delivery (learn to ride the bike?)

I've rented some premises how do I open a restaurant?

The gear is just the beginning, using it is where the skill lies, and selling your services is an entire other skill set again.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the heads up, but I was more-so talking about the business side of it than anything :thumbs:

I'm well aware I need to get 'good' before starting that :)

Thanks again all!
 
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