Spec me a kit please

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sandy

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Hello all

First of all let me introduce myself as this is my first post; My name is Sandy and I have been interested in photography for only a few months (since i first noticed what was possible with my girlfriends dads DSLR). I have read a few Scott Kelby books to help me understand the basics and now I feel ready to buy a camera.

Ultimately i hope to turn pro at this as i have so much fun with the DSLR, and i think i have a good eye for a photo. I am thinking along the lines of weddings / portraits but will be trying my hand at everything to get a feel for what works best and try to come up with a unique style.

On to my predicament:

I have a maximum of £1200 to spend and would like the following:

- a DLSR body pref Canon or Nikon (along the lines of a D90 or 50D is what im thinking at the moment)

- a couple of lenses 18 - 105 (i think) and another but which?

where is the best place to pick up the equipment i need? there are so many stores online, which ones do you use? would you recommend a higher spec refurbished camera perhaps?

i just want to make sure i get the best kit for the money i have to spend and one which could stand me in good stead for my prefered career route.

thanks for your help

regards

Sandy
 
My advice to newcomers is not to buy too much at first. Money is always tight and although most folks go for a medium telezoom (and there are lots of those to choose from) after the walkabout kit lens, you won't know until you get stuck in. You might want a wide-angle, or a macro, or a fast prime, or a decent flash and triopd, filter system etc etc.

So just get the camera that suits you best and fits your budget, with either Nikon or Canon written on it. They are all much of a muchness pound for pound in terms of performance, just a slightly different mix of features - eg video, fold-out screen etc. And any of the various kit lens options - they are so cheap, and really excellent value.

Best prices here www.camerapricebuster.co.uk
 
Welcome Sandy, photography is an enthralling hobby and there are a lot of people who do make a living from it, but the successful ones will have put a lot of time and effort into it and more to the point a great deal of money on equipment. A wedding photographer for instance will probably carry 2 of everything with him as a backup and even back ups for the backup.
£1200 will buy you a good starting setup but don't forget it's not just a camera and a couple of lenses you will also need lighting, tripods etc
I'm not going to suggest a camera for you as it's very much down to personal choice and how comfortable it is in your hands.
Have a look through the classifieds and see if there's anything there that interests you, but first get down to a camera shop and try several makes to find which suits you.
Good luck and enjoy yourself
 
Good advice. Nikon and Canon have different ergonomics and some people have strong preferences about this, and there's also the issue of size and weight. Both manufacturers offer entry level cameras, that are small and light, and mid range models that have more features and are larger and heavier. Personally, I find these more comfortable to use. We'll forget about the big/heavy professional models for now. Apart from everything else, they're pretty expensive! Go to a dealer and see what feels best in your hands. It's as good a rule of thumb as any.

Think about trying to spend a bit less on the body, and leave more of your budget for a good lens. This is by far the most important factor in determining image quality and you won't regret it. You don't need more than one lens initially. Take lots of photographs, learn/get some experience and hone your skills with it. You'll soon find out what really interests you, and your next lens will just about choose itself.
 
As said, little between Nikon and Canon, although the saying "Canon for show, Nikon fir a pro" is true ;-)

Have a feel of some cameras to see what feels good. I personally like bigger cameras. If you will be doing portraits, or really just general shooting, make sure you get a 50mm 1.8. Only £100 new and the best value lens around. Will help you understand depth of field well. The D90 is a very good camera. Guessing new us about £550-£600. A very good walkabout lens is the 18-70, very good for the £120 it cost second hand. Add a second hand sb600 flash at £150 sh and you have a good basic setup for around £900. Would probably see how you get on and after playing may then decide you need a tripod, wide-angle, macro lens etc. The D300 is a better camera jn many ways, but around £700 and bigger and heavier than d90 but I prefer it. Once you use a flashgun you will never use the built in one again!

For new stuff jessops are fine, as are warehouse express and digital depot and for 2nd hand then here in the for sale forum.
 
Oh, and what has you girlfriends dad got? Any good equipment hd may let u borrow?
 
Sandy, I wouldnt think too much at this stage about turning pro because if you ever do then the kit you buy now will not be the kit you use professionally.

So buy something you are comfortable with and see how it goes.

Also I would only buy one lens at this stage, which might as well be the kit lens that the camera comes with. The cost of these will be well short of your 1200 budget and playing with them will give you time to decide what second lens you really want / need.
 
wow.. i wasent expecting such friendly and helpful advice! thanks everyone.

i have been scouring the web looking for second hand models and seen this:

http://www.beeston.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-item/335911/nikon-d300-with-nikon-24-120mm-lens

seems like a good deal, maybe too good to be true? i think i will give them a call to see what the low down is on this, possibly get them to send me some snaps taken with it..

i have been to jessops and had a muck about with a D90 and a Canon and to be honest i liked them both but for some reason i feel drawn to the Nikon.

i want something as close to pro as possible, because as some of you mentioned i woukd need to upgrade if turning pro so i would like to get something i could keep as a backup.

"canons for show, nikons for pro" love that quote made me chuckle.. im sure there is an alternative for canon lovere ***.

my dads girlfriend has a sony alpha, that produces some nice looking pics.. but im after something a little higher up the food chain i suppose.
 
That is not a bad deal but:

I would never buy from there as a lot of stolen goods go through these type of shops, plus the snaps they send would probably be poor as it would be likely that they will be taken with someone who does not know how to use it properly. I would be happy to buy on here as sellers here are trustworthy and have better pics of their camera and list any marks etc... this just says used which could mean anything!

Plus that lens is one of the worst Nikon do!

D300 is a camera you can certainly use as a pro though, and would be an ideal backup body.
 
My advise for what its worth..... Dont go mad buying this that and everything. Think what avenue you wish to pursue (Landscape / Portrait / Sport or Wildlife). then buy the lens to suit. You can always expand your equipement later, as you expand your knowledge. You may even want to consider buying a quality second hand bit of kit. People love buying stuff, not using it, then selling it. Others love keeping up with the latest technology, and changing their equipement for changes sake...... Heres hoping you get what you are after
 
There is a whole new world with photography so don't expect to be an expert straight away, it may even take years and still not get it right. There are so many aspects to photography to learn about let alone how to get the best out of the equipment. Remember its not just the photographic knowledge but if you want to go commercial there is the financial- legal -tax- and insurance to consider as well.

Realspeed
 
What do you want to photograph?

Define that and that will help you specify what kit to buy.

People? landscapes? macro? candids? weddings? architecture?

Each of these (and the many other subjects) will dictate slightly different choices.
 
Hello Sandy,

You've made the right start by playing with the demos in Jessops - you could be really cheeky and buy a couple of SD and CF cards, take a few test shots and then review them when you get home. Starting out find a camera that is intuitive and easy to use - a friend of mine with more money then sense nearly canned his newfound hobby after buying a 1DIII and really struggling with it!

What I would advise is going to an "old fashioned independent" camera store and asking for some good advice. Whilst a dying breed these are typically run by experianced people who really know what they are doing.

As for the set up, start with something walkaroundish and a decentish zoom, and a flash. Have a look at somewhere like MPB Photographic at second hand kit, you can always update and expand your bag later. £1,200 should get everything you need to start - in fact I've just had a quick look and £1,200 will buy you a 40D, 70-200L, 24-105L, 580EX flash and will give you enough change to get a couple of cards and a bag. Filters once you decide what you want to photograph you can decide if you need filters or not.

Finally, budget a bit for PP software, be it PS Elements or whatever.

sandy said:
"canons for show, nikons for pro" love that quote made me chuckle.. im sure there is an alternative for canon lovere ***.

Nah we're modest, but you normally see a lot more white lenses in action....
Click to expand...
 
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