Starters advice

jonathan_ed

jonathan_ed

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Jonathan
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Hi everyone, just joined the site.

I'll start by saying how my situation is. I am going to venture into DSLR photography, and I have or am willing to spend 500 - 520 pounds. I have been looking around and have narrowed my choices down (so far without any guidance as such) to three kit choices, which consist of:

Canon EOS 1000D, +4gb SD card, + 18-55mm IS lens, + Tamron 70-300mm lens, + canon bag / holdall for £460

Nikon D60 + 2GB card, 18-55mm VR lens, + Tamron 70 - 300mm lens for £465

Pentax K200d + SMC DA 18-55mm lens, + SMC DA 50-200 lens, Battery Grip, + Bag for £505

What is everyones first impression?

I'll be using it for a bit of all round photography (wildlife, potraits, sports etc)

Can anyone give me any advice, pros / cons, guidance, directions to look in etc. Would really appreciate any advice and or criticisms

Cheers all!
 
Welcome to the forums. :)
TBH you would be best going to a camera shop and trying the 3 out for yourself. We all have our favourites, but its very much down to 'feel.' Do you feel comfortable with the handling and how easy is it for you to change settings? These are personal preferences and the only way to find out is to get your hands on them.
Quality wise, it would be difficult to choose between them, they are all popular, although, obviously, Canon and Nikon are the market leaders.
You have a broad range of interests and for wildlife would certainly need something long, so a telephoto zoom up to 300mm would be a good choice. Take a look at http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/index.php for reviews on lenses as it is a very useful resource. For camera prices and peripherals like memory cards look at http://www.camerapricebuster.com/

Good hunting! ;)
 
Hi and :welcome:

The best advise any one will give you is to go into a shop and test these cameras out. Jessops and Currys etc will let you have a play and with any luck, in your local Jessops, you may get someone with some knowledge too. Each camera will feel different in your hands, with size and where buttons are etc.

Once you have decided on that then see what your money can best afford. Every one has a preference with either Nikon, Canon etc, so get what you are ultimately comfortable with.

Also look a little to the future, if you do get the bug, which system will have the best extras for you? Such as lens's. It's all as deep as your pockets!!

Best of luck, whatever you decide.
 
You really must get hands on with these cameras before spending loads of £'s.

Not tried the N & C models you mention, but the Pentax is built like a tank and well sealed against water and dust.
The two kit lenses are not the best, but see if someone will do you a deal with the 200D + 18 - 250mm zoom (note that the Pentax 18-250 is the very same lens as the Tamron 18-250) [Pentax 18-250 is actually now out of production].

Re the battery grip. Do you really need that. 200D is quite heavy without it.
That cam uses AA batts and you'll get over 600 jpegs from a set of batts.

Remember you'll also need a memory card so budget for that too.

Nikon & Canon have the lions share of the market and you'll find a larger choice of lenses etc available, but think what you will really need.
With an 18-250 or similar you will not be changing lenses very often so that cuts down the chance of dust getting in.

Photography is one of those pursuits where it is always tempting to buy another bit of kit or the next camera up the spec ladder in the hope of getting better pics.
Truth is that very few photographers realise the potential of the kit they have.
 
HI guys, thanks for the advice there. I have been and had a little look at the Pentax whcih seemed ok. Didn't feel to heavy of cumbersomb. As for which would i find easyiest to use, well i don't feel thats 'too' much of a problem as i'm sure i'd adapt easy enough.
To be honest my main concern is the choice of lenses.
I have been told similar advice regarding think about what lens you may be upgrade to in the future.
I've used / played with a Nikon d70 in the past as my dad has one for work (he doesnt use it to its potential, just really for quality close up photos of machine parts for catalogues) The camera itself felt quite sturdy and chunky to hold.
With regards to the lenses on choice, i am under no illusion that they are going to be of super high quality, but i am looking from a starters point of view, and wan the best for the money to be honest. I've heard some unflattering comments regarding the tamron 70-300....what is the general concensus guys?
Also with the zoom range....is 50-200 a decent amount of zoom for some wildlife shots, or would i be better plumping for the 70-300mm?

Like i say, thanks for the advice so far...any other pointers or comments?

Thanks people : )
 
I suppose it depends a lot on what wildlife you intend photographing. Small birds and mammals then you really need at least 300mm. As far as lens quality is concerned, take a look at the Fred Miranda site (link in my previous post) as there are lots of good reviews on there of marque and independant makes. There will always be bad copies of any lens and so go for the consensus of all the reviews. ;)
 
Do you want to buy new or is secondhand an option?
 
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