Trying to choose a camera!

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sophief25

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Sophie
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Hello,

I've been interested in photography for a while and I'm planning on getting a camera but can't decide which is the best way to go. I'm taking photography at college, but it is also a hobby :) I'm only looking for something quite basic to start off with, and don't want to spend too much either!

I liked the sound of the Canon EOS 1000D, which is £329. But then in the shop, I started looking at the Nikon D3100, which is £399, but is 4 megapixels better, and has vibration reduction as well.

So I'm not sure if the Nikon is worth the extra money! What do you think? Any advice or opinions about either of these cameras or with choosing a camera in general, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)
 
Budget?
Does it have to be 'New'?
What will you be taking photos of?

P.s. whats wrong with Sony? :lol:

Sony_SoFar
 
As it's my first camera and I'm not looking to spend too much, budget is no more than £500 for the camera on it's own!
As I'm intending to use it for a college course I will be taking photos of a whole range of things so I'm looking for one that's a good all rounder? But in my own time, mainly nature, animals and landscapes :)
I've not actually looked at Sony's! ;) I'm just used to Nikon's and Canon's!

Thanks, sophief25
 
The best advice is to go to shop and have a feel of them, how they feel in your hand is far more important than any differences in specification (BTW, megapixels don't really mean very much).
 
I personally use the canon 1000D, if you can stretch to the 1100D you won't yearn for HD film when you get to it!
 
I have the D3100 but I didn't get it for the megapixels. My dad has always used Nikon film cameras so it's a name I am familiar with and that I trust. It is a nifty piece of kit as well.

The next camera I will be buying will be the D90. I was on a tight budget when I got mine and couldn't justify the extra ££ for it.
 
Nawty said:
The best advice is to go to shop and have a feel of them, how they feel in your hand is far more important than any differences in specification (BTW, megapixels don't really mean very much).
Click to expand...

Okay thanks, I've been to a shop and had a look at both of them, the Nikon was heavier but felt better overall!


shuttermog said:
I personally use the canon 1000D, if you can stretch to the 1100D you won't yearn for HD film when you get to it!
Click to expand...

Yeah, one of the reasons I was leaning towards the Nikon was because it has HD film whereas the Canon doesn't, I'm mainly interested in the photos, not film, but it's a plus! :)
 
Nawty said:
The best advice is to go to shop and have a feel of them, how they feel in your hand is far more important than any differences in specification (BTW, megapixels don't really mean very much).
Click to expand...

:agree:

All modern dslrs are capable of producing fantastic results, it's far more important that the camera is comfortable to hold and the controls all fall naturally to hand for you, otherwise no matter how many extra megapixels it has you'll find yourself not wanting to go out and use it.
 
Hi Sophie

I don't envy you choosing an entry camera - when I started it was just the canon 300D so easy choice lol

more mp does not = better camera just like VR in the lens does not = better lens.

with a budget of £500 I'd be thinking about the pentax Kr

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/pentax...om-lens-08722500-pdt.html?srcid=369&xtor=AL-1

it has in camera based CCD shift, decent AF, 6fps, live view etc



sophief25 said:
Hello,

I've been interested in photography for a while and I'm planning on getting a camera but can't decide which is the best way to go. I'm taking photography at college, but it is also a hobby :) I'm only looking for something quite basic to start off with, and don't want to spend too much either!

I liked the sound of the Canon EOS 1000D, which is £329. But then in the shop, I started looking at the Nikon D3100, which is £399, but is 4 megapixels better, and has vibration reduction as well.

So I'm not sure if the Nikon is worth the extra money! What do you think? Any advice or opinions about either of these cameras or with choosing a camera in general, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)
Click to expand...
 
I didn't realise that how comfortable the camera is was so important! So thank you, I will try them both out again and see what feels right :)
 
Flash In The Pan said:
: All modern dslrs are capable of producing fantastic results, it's far more important that the camera is comfortable to hold and the controls all fall naturally to hand for you, otherwise no matter how many extra megapixels it has you'll find yourself not wanting to go out and use it.
Click to expand...

I didn't realise that how comfortable the camera is was so important! So thank you, I will try them both out again and see what feels right :)
 
Personally I'd buy 2nd hand and save some money.

I had a D60 7-8 months ago and upgraded to a D90 not so long ago and very happy with my decision, now I dont have to look for AF-S lenses if I want them to AF, I like the extra buttons making it easier for me to change things. If I was to do it again, I'd have spent the little bit more and got the D90 to begin with.

So maybe worth looking at slightly older (than the new entry level camera's) and get something a little better.

Lots of good choice out there for decent money!
 
Mank said:
So maybe worth looking at slightly older (than the new entry level camera's) and get something a little better.
Click to expand...

I'd never actually thought about buying one second hand, I liked that I could try them out in the shop and see which was best and wasn't too sure where I could get a good quality one second hand? But it would be worth saving the money so I will look at some older models too, thanks!
 
sophief25 said:
I'd never actually thought about buying one second hand, I liked that I could try them out in the shop and see which was best and wasn't too sure where I could get a good quality one second hand? But it would be worth saving the money so I will look at some older models too, thanks!
Click to expand...

second hand entry level camera are not going to be that much cheaper than new ones and they don't have the spec either.
 
You could get a second hand 40D and lens for £500 or maybe a d90 and lens, it would be far better than any of the entry level cameras and you wouldn't need to upgrade for a long time, also it wouldn't feel like a toy.
 
sophief25 said:
Hello,

I've been interested in photography for a while and I'm planning on getting a camera but can't decide which is the best way to go. I'm taking photography at college, but it is also a hobby :) I'm only looking for something quite basic to start off with, and don't want to spend too much either!

I liked the sound of the Canon EOS 1000D, which is £329. But then in the shop, I started looking at the Nikon D3100, which is £399, but is 4 megapixels better, and has vibration reduction as well.

So I'm not sure if the Nikon is worth the extra money! What do you think? Any advice or opinions about either of these cameras or with choosing a camera in general, it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Amazon are doing ,the slightly older D3000 with the 18-55 Vr lens for £305 delivered, which is not far off what is being asked on Ebay for a refurbished one with the non-vr lens

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002J9GIAQ/watersphotogr-21/ref=nosim
 
sophief25 said:
Hello,

I started looking at the Nikon D3100, which is £399, but is 4 megapixels better, and has vibration reduction as well.
Click to expand...

Hi Sophie,

Not sure about Canon, but with Nikon the VR is in the lens not the camera body so you only have VR if the lens you're using has VR. VR lenses are, of course, more expensive than non-VR ones and if you have steady hands and a good holding technique then non-VR may well be adequate for your needs. In my case ... boy do I need VR :D Some other manufacturers use a different VR technology and it is built into the camera body .... both methods appear to work equally well.

I'm biased and would always promote Nikon simply because it's what I have and what I'm used to but there are very few duff DSLR cameras out there so look around. Buying used or refurbished from a reputable dealer should not be discounted as it can save you money specially on the more advanced models.

Whatever you decide to get be sure to keep coming back here for tips and advice and to show off your successes.

Hope that is of some assistance :D
 
Bristolian said:
Hi Sophie,

Not sure about Canon, but with Nikon the VR is in the lens not the camera body so you only have VR if the lens you're using has VR. VR lenses are, of course, more expensive than non-VR ones and if you have steady hands and a good holding technique then non-VR may well be adequate for your needs. In my case ... boy do I need VR :D Some other manufacturers use a different VR technology and it is built into the camera body .... both methods appear to work equally well.

I'm biased and would always promote Nikon simply because it's what I have and what I'm used to but there are very few duff DSLR cameras out there so look around. Buying used or refurbished from a reputable dealer should not be discounted as it can save you money specially on the more advanced models.

Whatever you decide to get be sure to keep coming back here for tips and advice and to show off your successes.

Hope that is of some assistance :D
Click to expand...

Oh okay, I understand VR now! I probably need it as well! :D I am also used to Nikon's and when having a feel and testing each camera in the shop, the Nikon did feel better. I hadn't considered buying second hand as I wasn't sure if I could trust it but after the comments on here I'm going to look at some of them as saving the money would be a bonus!

Thanks very much for these comments, they have been really helpful! I'm new to this and as it's my first DSLR camera I want to choose the right one so I appreciate the help, I will definitley keep coming on here and hopefully will have some good photographs to share :)
 
The camerapricebuster lists Jessops as £699. On their website they show a D90 with 18-55 VR for £599. They will also order one in store for you at that price. I know because I have just bought one - fabulous! (Don’t buy your memory card from there though)

Phil
 
bornagain said:
The camerapricebuster lists Jessops as £699. On their website they show a D90 with 18-55 VR for £599. They will also order one in store for you at that price. I know because I have just bought one - fabulous! (Don’t buy your memory card from there though)

Phil
Click to expand...

Buying via Quidco would knock a wee bit more off that price too :D
 
bornagain said:
The camerapricebuster lists Jessops as £699. On their website they show a D90 with 18-55 VR for £599. They will also order one in store for you at that price. I know because I have just bought one - fabulous! (Don’t buy your memory card from there though)

Phil
Click to expand...

The jessops one on that link is with a 18-105.

Still a good camera with the 18-55 though.
 
there's a Nikon D5000 in the Classified for £295 ...''link''

i think 'new people' are allowed to BUY - just not SELL

then get a Nikon used 18-70mm AF-S off eBay ...super quality about £125 mint

then a 8GB SDHC card....''here''...£7.90.........and away you go..............:D
 
Got your wires crossed Phil :lol:

The one in the link @ £699 is with a 18-105. I said that £599 is good with the 18-55, which is the one you're on about. :)
 
Sorry Mank, misunderstood. I thought the 18-55 price was pretty good. It is my first digital SLR and will do everything I need for the forseeable future. Just bought a 70-300 VR as well so plenty to play with now.

Sophie

I started off a few months ago like you thinking what’s was the best way to start. Looked at the 3100 and 5100 but they had features I didn’t need and I was impressed by the “older” D90. Pleased with my choice.

Best of luck with your search.

Phil
 
Mank said:
The one in the link @ £699 is with a 18-105. I said that £599 is good with the 18-55, which is the one you're on about. :
Click to expand...

bornagain said:
I started off a few months ago like you thinking what’s was the best way to start. Looked at the 3100 and 5100 but they had features I didn’t need and I was impressed by the “older” D90. Pleased with my choice.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a Nikon now, but I'll have a look at the D90 as well and see which one I like better, it sounds good! Thanks very much for the advice and the links, I'll definitley have a look :)
 
50 50 with Nikon or Canon. Half like either. I have a Canon but really like the Nikons!!
 
It really is worth having the models you want in the shop so you can compare which one feels the best.
I have got a borrowed D200 which i like the feel of, a colleague then gave me a D300s (think to tease me) and felt as good as the D200, have held the D7000 in Jessops, and although a nice camera, it doesn't feel right, buttons not in the right place for me, the D90 felt better.
I have gone from an Olympus E410 (like a kids toy compared to others) and now i have felt a proper camera, can't go back.
 
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