Looking to buy my first DSLR! What to buy??
Discussion
I'm looking to buy my first DSLR after always using a compact camera. Having spent some time looking on the web it would appear that Canon or Nikon would be the way to go, but then Sony look good too (or do you just pay for the name with Sony?).
I'm looking for something that will last me a few years, preferably with HD video recording.
Can anyone recommend what things an aspiring photographer should be buying? Which camera, an external flash, which lenses, memory card, case, etc?
Thanks
I'm looking for something that will last me a few years, preferably with HD video recording.
Can anyone recommend what things an aspiring photographer should be buying? Which camera, an external flash, which lenses, memory card, case, etc?
Thanks
Truth is they are all very very good cameras.
Canon & nikon have the widest range of bodies and lenses, and masses of used gear, flashes, gadgets available.
Sony bought Minoltas SLR business and has built on that (the Alpha mount) has a decent range of glass (if kind of schizophrenic), but is now moving into a slightly different path with the SLT cameras ( almost SLR's) seems better for video.
Pentax are also worth a look too.
As to which all the entry ones do pretty much the same thing, its more down to which works and fits you best.
Canon & nikon have the widest range of bodies and lenses, and masses of used gear, flashes, gadgets available.
Sony bought Minoltas SLR business and has built on that (the Alpha mount) has a decent range of glass (if kind of schizophrenic), but is now moving into a slightly different path with the SLT cameras ( almost SLR's) seems better for video.
Pentax are also worth a look too.
As to which all the entry ones do pretty much the same thing, its more down to which works and fits you best.
Big Worm 1 said:
Can anyone recommend what things an aspiring photographer should be buying? Which camera, an external flash, which lenses, memory card, case, etc?
If it's a first DSLR and you are looking at a 4-500 quid spend, try and find a kit deal that gets you a body and a short zoom like an 18-55 and maybe a card or something similar.
Nikon always do cashback deals worth checking them out, but worth saying that all the entry level DSLR's are pretty much of a muchness there isn't one particular brand that stands out.
Nikon always do cashback deals worth checking them out, but worth saying that all the entry level DSLR's are pretty much of a muchness there isn't one particular brand that stands out.
mattdaniels said:
If it's a first DSLR and you are looking at a 4-500 quid spend, try and find a kit deal that gets you a body and a short zoom like an 18-55 and maybe a card or something similar.
Nikon always do cashback deals worth checking them out, but worth saying that all the entry level DSLR's are pretty much of a muchness there isn't one particular brand that stands out.
This, my first camera was/still is the Nikon D60, sort of higher end of the entry level cameras and you should be able to pick one up for about £350 £400 and maybe even get cash back on that, then any extra money for the bags, tripod, SD cards, cleaning stuff.Nikon always do cashback deals worth checking them out, but worth saying that all the entry level DSLR's are pretty much of a muchness there isn't one particular brand that stands out.
Canon are currently doing an offer where you get an instruction DVD and a photography class worth £150.
I bought a Canon EOS450 a little while ago and it's brilliant. However, I know I'm just scratching the surface of what it can do. Hence a (groupon purchased) course in a few weeks.
The Canon offer would be my recommendation both for the camera and the course.
I bought a Canon EOS450 a little while ago and it's brilliant. However, I know I'm just scratching the surface of what it can do. Hence a (groupon purchased) course in a few weeks.
The Canon offer would be my recommendation both for the camera and the course.
Nikon D3100 is fine, as is canons 1100D and whatever sony is around this week (A33?)
Landscape, kids, family, general stuff can be shot with the normal 18-55 kit lens.
You can go faster for portraits, 50mmf1.8 etc, or wider for landscapes, 10-20mm etc but the kit lens is enough to get going.
Wildlife is a tricky one because you tend to need quite a long lens (lots of reach), a 70-300 or something is good, but long lenses tend to get expensive quick. This is because people want fast ones (animals move... and long focal lengths need faster shutter speeds), long + fast = expensive. So consumer level ones tend to be slow (f5.6).
Big Worm 1 said:
The photos will mainly be of wildlife, landscapes, my kids, and family occasions.
One of the benefits of an SLR is that not all tasks are suited to the same lens so you can swap them.Landscape, kids, family, general stuff can be shot with the normal 18-55 kit lens.
You can go faster for portraits, 50mmf1.8 etc, or wider for landscapes, 10-20mm etc but the kit lens is enough to get going.
Wildlife is a tricky one because you tend to need quite a long lens (lots of reach), a 70-300 or something is good, but long lenses tend to get expensive quick. This is because people want fast ones (animals move... and long focal lengths need faster shutter speeds), long + fast = expensive. So consumer level ones tend to be slow (f5.6).
I bought my first dslr last December, I also went for the d3100. I think I paid about £400 with the kit 18-55 lens. Within a couple of weeks I bought the nikkor 55-300 which was about £230 from ebay.
Since then I've bought a few bits tripods, new bag, filters and a remote. I also bought a 50mm f1.8 AF a couple of months back. I thought AF meant auto focus but you need an AF-S for the d3100
The best item I have bought without doubt though was this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3100-Dummies-Lifest...
This is my flickr if you would like to see what a newbie came up with in eight months, hopefully the newer photo's are getting better.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57637179@N08/
(all edited in picassa, I want to learn more about using the camera before going down the photshop route)
Since then I've bought a few bits tripods, new bag, filters and a remote. I also bought a 50mm f1.8 AF a couple of months back. I thought AF meant auto focus but you need an AF-S for the d3100
The best item I have bought without doubt though was this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3100-Dummies-Lifest...
This is my flickr if you would like to see what a newbie came up with in eight months, hopefully the newer photo's are getting better.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57637179@N08/
(all edited in picassa, I want to learn more about using the camera before going down the photshop route)
Edited by jonno990 on Monday 1st August 19:08
Big Worm 1 said:
I would just get the body + lens kit to start with. I think you'd end up selling and replacing the tripod, bag and perhaps the Tamron if you got more serious about wildlife photography.Like a few others I recently bought a D3100 as my first DSLR from Jessops
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78032...
I also bought this as well.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/81753...
It was looking at both the D3100 and the 550D, but I chose the D3100 in the end for price and it seems a good entry level DSLR. I just need the D3100 for dummies like jonno990 has got to get more familiar with the camara, so far i'm very happy with my choice.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78032...
I also bought this as well.
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/81753...
It was looking at both the D3100 and the 550D, but I chose the D3100 in the end for price and it seems a good entry level DSLR. I just need the D3100 for dummies like jonno990 has got to get more familiar with the camara, so far i'm very happy with my choice.
Agreed with the general consensus in the thread so far.
Canon and Nikon are the big patriarchs of modern day SLR photography and as people have already pointed out, have a vast selection of lenses and camera bodies to suit all manner of needs. Personally (Canon user), I find Canon's bodies to be better and Nikon's consumer lenses to be better. All the major third party lens manufacturers (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina etc) also make lenses with Canon and Nikon mounts so you'd be buying into a rich lineage of equipment.
Sony cameras present very, very good value for money and are a popular choice amongst people looking to get into SLR photography. The bodies have built in vibration reduction so whichever lens you stick on the body will be stabilised, even older Minolta lenses. Canon and Nikon rely on their lenses to be stabilised and these can be very expensive at times. The one downside a number of my Sony friends complain about is the lack of first party and third party gear available, especially on the second hand market. There are also limited upgrade paths available and this is one of the reasons why you do not see many pro shooters with Sony gear, it's almost always Canon or Nikon.
The HD video thing is a bit of a red herring, because it doesn't really behave like a traditional camcorder, more like a film camera that film makers use. I wouldn't let this bog you down too much unless you see yourself shooting multiple angle videos frequently.
If you're still stuck for which brand to go for, try all the possible bodies out and see how they feel in your hands. Some people love the Canon menu system but hate the button layout, and vice versa with Nikon etc. Additionally, if you have any friends that are into photography then it's worth buying into what they have. My Canon friends and I regularly borrow lenses from each other since it's cheaper than renting and it's not worth buying a lens unless it gets regular use.
The last thing I would like to mention (sorry for the long winded post!) is that you should consider signing up to a beginners SLR course if there's availability nearby. These will teach you things about composing a good image, what all the different settings will do, as well as introduce you to others who are in a similar boat to yourself. This will help you get the most out of the likely 18-55mm kit lens that you'll have initially.
Hope this helps.
Canon and Nikon are the big patriarchs of modern day SLR photography and as people have already pointed out, have a vast selection of lenses and camera bodies to suit all manner of needs. Personally (Canon user), I find Canon's bodies to be better and Nikon's consumer lenses to be better. All the major third party lens manufacturers (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina etc) also make lenses with Canon and Nikon mounts so you'd be buying into a rich lineage of equipment.
Sony cameras present very, very good value for money and are a popular choice amongst people looking to get into SLR photography. The bodies have built in vibration reduction so whichever lens you stick on the body will be stabilised, even older Minolta lenses. Canon and Nikon rely on their lenses to be stabilised and these can be very expensive at times. The one downside a number of my Sony friends complain about is the lack of first party and third party gear available, especially on the second hand market. There are also limited upgrade paths available and this is one of the reasons why you do not see many pro shooters with Sony gear, it's almost always Canon or Nikon.
The HD video thing is a bit of a red herring, because it doesn't really behave like a traditional camcorder, more like a film camera that film makers use. I wouldn't let this bog you down too much unless you see yourself shooting multiple angle videos frequently.
If you're still stuck for which brand to go for, try all the possible bodies out and see how they feel in your hands. Some people love the Canon menu system but hate the button layout, and vice versa with Nikon etc. Additionally, if you have any friends that are into photography then it's worth buying into what they have. My Canon friends and I regularly borrow lenses from each other since it's cheaper than renting and it's not worth buying a lens unless it gets regular use.
The last thing I would like to mention (sorry for the long winded post!) is that you should consider signing up to a beginners SLR course if there's availability nearby. These will teach you things about composing a good image, what all the different settings will do, as well as introduce you to others who are in a similar boat to yourself. This will help you get the most out of the likely 18-55mm kit lens that you'll have initially.
Hope this helps.
Edited by Cybertronian on Tuesday 2nd August 09:12
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