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treegle

treegle

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Hi, I am looking at taking the leap into the world of DSLR and will be looking at making my purchase in the next few weeks. Having read the many reviews/forums/guides etc, I have the feeling of 'is it really going to make much difference?'

I want to be able to use the camera for a variety of things, so I suppose what I am looking for is 'a good allrounder'. As well as taking general photos of my family, we also have a holiday to Florida in 6 months so I want to be able to record this once in a lifetime holiday (kids are growing up fast so last opportunity we will probably get) in as much quality as possible. Also, I run a sunday league football team, so I'd like to be able to get some shots of the lads in action.

My budget is not restrictive, but I don't want to spend for the sake of spending. I am a novice and if my enthusiasm grows in the future, then I'll be prepared to pay extra to move to the next level, but I don't want to overcommit if after 6 months my purchase spends most of its time gathering dust.

I have been using the Jessops website as my point of reference and have shortlisted the following options. I don't expect a 'definitely go for this option' because I know opinions will be subjective, I would just like some thoughts on the options I have considered, or other options you think may be worth consideration.

1 - Canon 1100D with 18-55mm DC Lens and Tamron 70-300mm f/4-5.6 Lens - £419 with £30 cashback. (£389)

2 - Canon EOS550D with 18-55mm DC Lens and Canon 75-300mm DC Lens - £449

3 - Nikon D3100 + 18-55mm VR + 55-200mm Non VR - £449 with £60 cashback (£389)

4 - Nikon D3200 + 18-55mm VR Lens - £421.31 with £45 cashback (£376.31)

5 - Nikon D5100 with 18-105mm VR Lens -£524.97 with £55 cashback (£469.95)

I have what I think is my preferred option already in mind, but any thoughts you can offer would be most appreciated. Thanks.
 
I can't help compare the models, but I can tell you about my experience of the Canon 550D. This was actually my 2nd DSLR as I had a cheaper Sony one before this.

It is quite small and light compared to some models, so great for holidays and travels. It has everything you need to proceed along the learning curve from automatic shooting options to fully manual.

The software that comes with the camera will allow you to process both jpegs and raw files (i.e. scope to extend your knowledge later).

I take photos of my husband playing football. I've recently borrowed his 50D and have found the extra frames per second have been great for this (6.3 as opposed to the 3.7 of the 550D). However the quality of the photos from each seems pretty similar to me. If I had to choose between these two cameras as an all rounder I would choose the 550D for the convenience of a smaller camera that I'd be more likely to carry with me.

I didn't get the kit lens with it. I got the 15-85mm lens. This is not one of the top of the range 'L' series lenses, but I believe is better quality than the standard kit one. It also gives a greater zoom range - also very handy when travelling!

Good luck with your purchase.
 
Whatever you get make sure you shoot in RAW. That way, you'll have a better chance of rectifying any mistakes you make.
 
All of them are fine and all will enable you to take very nice photos and allow you to control the camera as you see fit and learn from it.
The D3200 may get you wanting a longer lens at some point whereas the overs mostly have that covered.

Which one are you leaning towards and why?
 
Thank you for your comments so far - Truly appreciated.

I am leaning towards the Canon 550D. The extra lens is appealing, (part of reason why I am starting to discount the D3200), the specs seem to tick every box that is included in all the guides etc, and the slightly unscientific fact that it is the one I like the look of most. It just looks right. I plan to venture into town this week and have a play with some of them, so that will be another factor. I haven't completely discounted any of them, so I am still open to comment.

Thanks again.
 
Make sure you actually go into a store and compare handling them as well as looking on the internet. You may find a particular make/model feels better (for you).

To compare UK prices when you've decided on the model you want - a good site is www.camerapricebuster.com

Edit - cross post with yours - yes having a look at them in store will help you decide. I spent ages looking and reading before I decided on my first DSLR!
 
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I had the 550D to start with. It was a good camera. If your not sure whether you'll still be committed in 6 months maybe worth getting 2nd hand off here. Be careful with second hand if your not sure what your looking at take someone who knows or buy from someone on here who's got good ratings. :)

I now have the 60D which I don't want to get rid of ever, I'm confident on the controls, it feels comfortable, it takes great pictures!

either one you'll be happy!

Another thing - DSLR's are heavy! So consider this when purchasing the canon g11/12 looks good and light but cannot comment anymore than that.

A lens I'd recommend is the canon 18-135mm I got mine second hand for £160 posted and its definitely my favourite and produces great pics.

I've bought off Panamoz a few times, if your prepared to send your camera halfway across the world if it fails under warranty this is a cheaper way to buy new, delivered normally in 3-5 working days!!!

Hope that helps but if you have any questions please ask, I'll help where I can!!!!
 
Slightly more expensive but the Canon 650D has the benefit of the flexi screen.

I started with a 550d but on occasions had problems viewing the LCD screen when it was bright light, with the 650D this has not been a problem as I can tilt the screen if using that mode, or to access the menus.

Also has a touch screen interface which is good to use.
 
I started with a 550D kit the same as you have listed. The 550D and the 18-55 are fantastic, but the 75-300 lens is awful. I had mine for only a couple of months and the image quality is terrible. I haven't got 1 photo from it that I am happy with. You'd be better off getting a 55-250 IS lens instead as they are much much better. The IQ is great, specially compared to the 75-300, and you can get a 55-250 for around the same price.

A 550D, 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS kit can be got here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item46019b7049 for a good price and I can recommend the seller as I have purchased from them in the past.

You would undoubtedly be better off with a 650D and the same lenses as the 650D has a better range of features. The touchscreen is very useful, the ISO handling is far better and the video capabilities are amazing. You can get the 650D and twin lens kit from Hdew Cameras http://hdewcameras6-px.rtrk.co.uk/canon-eos-650d-double-kit-18-5555-250-ii-1014-p.asp for a very good price. I can highly recommend them also as I have bought a 5D MkII and 24-105 f4l lens kit and a 5D MkIII body from them and received excellent service.
 
As a Nikon user, I have the Nikon D3100 and can recommend it. I bought it 7 months ago for the same price you have quoted with the additional zoom lens so you are getting a good deal there. I must say, it was been an excellent purchase. If I compare the pictures I took with my old Sony compact, the pictures are significantly better and it has made me a better photographer overall.

For your purposes as a novice, the D3100 will be excellent and fit for purpose. The D3200 and D5100 are better cameras but for the price, the D3100 at the moment is excellent value for money. (Can't comment on the Canon cameras)
 
I'm sure this is a topic where people will have different opinions. Most importantly get a camera your comfortable with :- controls, and grip and weight!
 
Am I allowed to say that it's really not important?

A camera sis about the least important part of photography, but you'll not realise this until you've got a full understanding of the important stuff. I'd feel like a fish out of water shooting Nikon today, but if I'd picked Nikon all those years ago when I went AF, the same would be true for Canon.

So you might as well go with your instincts, pick some gear that suits your needs and budget.
In 2 years time you'll either:
  • love the gear,
  • have sold it and bought replacements,
  • have barely used it.
 
Thanks again for all your advice so far. I suppose getting the cameras in my hands is going to be the deciding factor.

Also, a big thank you Phil..........

Phil V said:
Am I allowed to say that it's really not important?
Click to expand...

...........this was my biggest fear I think; buying a camera and then thinking to myself a few weeks down the line, 'b****r, why did I buy this one'. I get the feeling from all of the advice so far that there is not really such a thing as a bad DSLR and Phil you have given me the confidence to just go for the one I feel most comfortable with. :thumbs:
 
Phil is, of course, right in what he says :)

None of the mainstream camera manufacturers make a duffer, so more important than the logo is how the camera feels to you when you're handling and using it. Do the menu systems - all of the bodies you've listed are menu driven with a limited number of discrete command/control buttons - and layouts feel intuitive to you? If they don't then using the camera will quickly become a chore rather than a pleasure and will sit at home most of the time.

Whatever you decide to buy .... enjoy :)
 
treegle said:
Thanks again for all your advice so far. I suppose getting the cameras in my hands is going to be the deciding factor.

Also, a big thank you Phil..........



...........this was my biggest fear I think; buying a camera and then thinking to myself a few weeks down the line, 'b****r, why did I buy this one'. I get the feeling from all of the advice so far that there is not really such a thing as a bad DSLR and Phil you have given me the confidence to just go for the one I feel most comfortable with. :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Just don't blame me when you can't get along with it;)

None of them are bad, but I'd rather get a 2nd hand 'better' camera. The gear junkies will tell you to go for the latest bodies with the newer tech and better sensor etc.
The photographers will tell you that 'getting the shot' is more important. For me that means having plenty of controls without diving into menus. Like Steve said, all the cameras on your list have functions requiring menus that the higher spec cameras have on buttons and they have faster burst rates and better AF. For me, there's nothing worse than the technology holding me back - so better AF is worth more than a flippy screen etc.

On your budget I'd probably look for a 2nd hand 40d, but I can understand why you wouldn't.
 
I know everyone always says go and try them in a shop but that really isn't long enough to get a feel for them. Just buy one and forget about the other options. Use it for 6 months+ and then have a think about what you would like to replace it with (you probably won't even want to anyway) based on how you actually use the camera and what features and functions are needed by yourself.
 
I agree to a degree with what Chris says - however sometimes you can hold an item and just not feel comfortable.

Whatever you choose, its important to read the manual and any other information you can on the camera - that way you can learn what it can do and hopefully how you go about it.

Creative stuff can come later once you know the basics of your camera - too many people think all they have to do is push a button and get superb photos - when that doesnt happen they often give up.
 
Started out with a 400d then to 550d tamron 17-50 2.8, 55-250 is and 50mm 1.8 the
 
I would avoid the tamron 70-300. The Nikon fit one of those is pants, so I guess the Canon fit would be too....

As to Nikon over Canon, choose whichever you feel most comfortable with. All the cameras you listed will do you fine, take good photos, and it really all comes down to what feels right.
 
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I've only just started out and have had my Canon 650d for about 4 months now. I absolutely love it. I don't know what made me pick Canon over Nikon really but I highly recommend this camera. It takes great shots and I find it really easy to change the settings without having to search through menus. The touch screen is really handy too.

I got mine with the 18-55 kit lens and have already asked the husband for a 50mm 1.4 for Christmas.

Happy shopping :-)
 
nikon d3200 the most advanced camera with the lastest exspeed3 processor
 
Thank you all. I am overwhelmed by the amount of advice on offer here. I was wary of a common forum feature of the noob being patronised and generally ignored, so thank you very much for the advice whilst making me feel welcome.

Now I have buttered you up :) , I am wary of all the 'extras' that any salesman will be convinced 'I need'. What would you recommend? Off the top of my head, all I think I will really need at this stage is a bag and a memory card (not sure what size etc so particular advice on that would be appreciated), but I stand to be corrected if there is anything obvious I am missing. Thanks again.
 
A decent bag - I prefer a lowepro slingshot, as this is good to carry gear around whilst out and about.

A decent memory card - I would say at least 8GB, and fast so as not to lower FPS (eg scandisk ultra)
 
If you're going into a high street shop for a camera, don't buy a memory card from them, get one online - you'll be amazed at the savings.

Bags are a subject in themselves, most of us have been through loads looking for 'the right bag'. Again, look online - set a budget and then it's down to personal taste and what kind of usage you need.
 
I wouldn't worry about memory card speed unless you're planning to shoot video. Even cheap cards will keep up writing at 8fps from the 7d.
 
treegle said:
Thank you all. I am overwhelmed by the amount of advice on offer here. I was wary of a common forum feature of the noob being patronised and generally ignored, so thank you very much for the advice whilst making me feel welcome.

Now I have buttered you up :) , I am wary of all the 'extras' that any salesman will be convinced 'I need'. What would you recommend? Off the top of my head, all I think I will really need at this stage is a bag and a memory card (not sure what size etc so particular advice on that would be appreciated), but I stand to be corrected if there is anything obvious I am missing. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

My memory - for the memory cards, sandisk extreme 8GB are around £7.50 each . I prefer lots of smaller capacities to reduce losses if the card corrupts. 8GB is more than ok for photos.

As far as a bags concerned :- as long as it protects and is big enough for your kit. I prefer lowepro bags, again there are different styles and sizes.
 
I would also buy a filter to protect my lens. It didn't really occur to me until I got a nice fingerprint on my lens when I was starting out - doh! Now I put filters on all my lenses straight away.

I think it's worth making sure the card is fast enough for video - it would be very disappointing if you couldn't video something on your holiday.
 
A spare battery ? Third party ones, in my experience are good & cheap
 
O've noticed that the number of shots in a burst is reduced when I use a generic slow card over a fast one on a d5100. The difference is small, but enough to notice two less frames :-)

Yeah maybe a spare battery, but I haven't needed one myself (I can get 800 shots from one charge if I don't use the flash and I make sure I don't leave the camera on when not in use).
 
Bebop said:
I would also buy a filter to protect my lens. It didn't really occur to me until I got a nice fingerprint on my lens when I was starting out - doh! Now I put filters on all my lenses straight away.
Click to expand...

Don't you now just get a fingerprint on the filter? Both wipe off just anyway without causing any harm at all.
 
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