To DSLR or not to DSLR - that is my wallet's question

Sir Run Run Shaw

Sir Run Run Shaw

Suspended / Banned
Messages
15
Name
Phil
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm waiting for the car's MOT next week before I buy my first camera just in case I get stung for a new clutch or sommat. But god I want to splurge on something new and shiny, and soon!

The more I read this forum, and flick through the magazines, the more I wonder about what to buy.

Initially i thought I should get a compact point and shoot jobby, like the Panasonic Lumix FX30, as I don't know how serious I will get with this new fad I have.

However a lot of the techniques I read about seem applicable only to DSLRs, maybe that is my take on it.

However I don't feel the need to buy the best if I am a beginner. So my question is, would I be better getting something not current, e.g. the recently replaced EOS 350D?

Would it be beneficial?
Is there going to be a big performance difference?
Will the DSLR be too complicated for me?

Guidance appreciated.
 
Sir Run Run Shaw said:
as I don't know how serious I will get with this new fad I have.
Click to expand...

That's the problem right there. Get the DSLR and don't get into it and you've got an expensive paperweight which will sit in the cupboard. Get the Panasonic (or similar), really enjoy it and you're wanting an upgrade before you know it :D

A compact doesn't have to be restrictive, have a look at this thread here, some absolutely beautiful shots, I doubt having a DSLR would have made much difference. Having said that there are some areas where a DSLR gives you the versatility which a compact just doesn't have, no help whatsoever, I know :(

And welcome :)
 
Hi Dod, Thanks for replying.

One of the reasons I would consider the DSLR is in one of the current digital photo mags. It had some snazzy images of a bathroom where the lights were off but the guy had waved a torch around to create those trail affects. They caught my eye and I thought I'd like to try that. Presumably however the compact would require some kind of manual mode, which I don't think many of them have.

A lot of the magazines seem to really only focus on the DSLR and tehniques for using them. Or is that woefully inaccurate?
 
I say take the plunge on a cheap DSLR with kit lens like the 350D you mentioned, it won't set you back much more than a decent compact anyway and will give you the full creative range you want as well as the point and shoot convenience albeit not in a pocket sized package.

I opted for a bridge camera S6500FD and have very quickly found it's limitations my main problem being the huge depth of field it has regardless of aperature due to it's tiny sensor.
 
Hi,

I went through the same dilemma around 2yrs ago & eventually went for a "prosumer" - Konica Minolta A200. As good a camera as it was I could only "live with it" for 9 months & bought a DSLR.

Whilst it seems sensible to "try out" on a digicam, it won't be worth much 2nd hand anyway so if there's a reasonable chance of you getting into photography I would go with the DSLR - I wish I had initially !!

The 350D & also the likes of the Nikon D50 are great cameras & would prove ideal - with DSLRs is often more about the lens than the body anyway

simon
 
I have, or have had just about every type and format of camera available and I can't say I've enjoyed any more than the P&S Panasonic I got last year.

I shoot lots with DSLR's and medium format for work but when it comes to shooting for fun, away go the big bulky and heavy bags of endless kit and off I go with my little LX2.

It does pretty much 95% of the stuff that an EOS does, not as quickly or as well in some cases but I don't find it creatively limiting and that's the deciding factor for me. We all love the odd new shiny thing that makes us feel good but what's going to let you enjoy the picy taking the most?????

Only you can answer that one. :)
 
Buy a Nikon D3 mate.
When you are bored gimme a ring and I'll sort you out a good price.. ;)

He He, seriously, see if you can pick up an "older" model DSLR.
In the real world they are just a capable as the latest generation of cameras and will take you forever to out grow, if infact you ever do.
 
simonkit said:
Hi,

I went through the same dilemma around 2yrs ago & eventually went for a "prosumer" - Konica Minolta A200. As good a camera as it was I could only "live with it" for 9 months & bought a DSLR.

Whilst it seems sensible to "try out" on a digicam, it won't be worth much 2nd hand anyway so if there's a reasonable chance of you getting into photography I would go with the DSLR - I wish I had initially !!

The 350D & also the likes of the Nikon D50 are great cameras & would prove ideal - with DSLRs is often more about the lens than the body anyway

simon
Click to expand...

Totally agree and although im a Nikon fanboy, id say the 350d is probably the better out of the two, it may also be worth looking at the Pentax K100d/K10d. As mentioned above, the Lens is the most important part, although the kit lens will probably do you for a while, if you want to step up to the next level in terms of sharpness and quality, you will need to have a lot of cash!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top