What to buy as a 'newby'

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FordacusMaximus

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Paul
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Hi All

I'm going to New Zealand in September and I am planning on taking some amazing photos of the beautiful mountains, lakes etc.

Due to the trip i am looking to buy my first SLR to ensure some extra amazing photos! My budget is upto approx £450.

I currently have a Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ5 which takes some alright photos buy I want a camera that I can use as a newy to SLR's and that can capture the beauty of New Zealand!

So any recommendations of which camera and where is cheapest to buy would be great!

Thanks
 
Hi and welcome to the forum!

I'm a Canon man, and would recommend looking at the 1000D and 1100D with the 18-55 lenses. Ultimately though, that lens sells the body short and you could find yourself upgrading in the future.

If funds allow I'd go with a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 lens (£268) + Canon 1000D (£329 from Currys - even cheaper than body only!). Flog the 18-55 that came with it for £50! Brings you in about £90 above budget all told.

Phil
 
Just make sure you buy it well before you travel, in order to give yourself time to learn how to use it so that you can get the best out of it.

A SLR is just as capable of taking crap photos if the user doesn't know what s/he is doing. A bit like expecting an ordinary driver to be able to jump in a F1 car and be able to set fastest laps. Whilst the car might be capable of doing it, the driver would need some training.
 
Scarecrow said:
Just make sure you buy it well before you travel, in order to give yourself time to learn how to use it so that you can get the best out of it.

A SLR is just as capable of taking crap photos if the user doesn't know what s/he is doing. A bit like expecting an ordinary driver to be able to jump in a F1 car and be able to set fastest laps. Whilst the car might be capable of doing it, the driver would need some training.
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:agree:

Amen to that. Ive had my 450D about 2 years and I still can't get a decent landscape shot with it!
Mind you the price of petrol putting off driving anywhere to actually practice taking shots doesnt help.
 
Been for a look at cameras and to get a feel for them and I am looking to get the Canon 500D with the 18-55 and 75-300 lens or the Canon 550D with the 18-55.

Would you say that these would be a decent camera and good enough lenses for a beginner and New Zealand?

Cheers

Paul
 
FordacusMaximus said:
Been for a look at cameras and to get a feel for them and I am looking to get the Canon 500D with the 18-55 and 75-300 lens or the Canon 550D with the 18-55.

Would you say that these would be a decent camera and good enough lenses for a beginner and New Zealand?

Cheers

Paul
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Yep they are, very capable camera and lens :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
 
Spare memory cards, possibly some filters (certainly think about a circular polarising filter), lens cleaning cloth, tripod and remote release if you want low light shots, spare battery if you are going to be away from mains power (look at 7 day shop ones).
 
If you're not interested in photography per se and just want a good camera for your trip I'd be tempted to sack off the dslr and get a good bridge/superzoom. A dslr takes a bit of effort (and money!) to get the best out of it as I'm sadly finding out.
 
If you want amazing photos be sure to save some cash for decent editing software
 
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FordacusMaximus said:
Excellent!

Other than a bag do i need anything else as a newby?
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I wouldn't scrimp on the bag either, maybe set aside some of your budget for a decent bag. If you are traveling up mountains you will need something decent to protect your kit in case you fall over.
 
of course its always good to be ready for anything but I cannot see where you would need a 75-300mm if scenery shots are going to be what you are after..

have you looked at micro 4/3rd cameras from Panasonic/Olympus?, great quality, smaller and easier to carry, something like a Panasonic GF1 and a travel tripod would see you right IMO..

defo get to a shop and have a feel we are all different, I dont like consumer Canons but love Nikon wheras I get on better with Canon Pro level over Nikon.. its best to have a feel.

hope you find one ro suit yiu and your needs, as mentioned above try to give yourself as much time to get used to your camera.
 
Can't over-emphasis enough that just buying a good camera won't give you amazing photos, the number of people I hear say "I've bought an expensive camera and not happy with the results" is silly so please please please take some time practicing and learning before you go.

Also, for what it's worth I'd probably forego the 75-300 and get an ultra wide angle and learn how to use it. UWA was made for places like NZ, it's what I'll be taking when I visit at Christmas.
 
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