First DSLR ?

[dtmpower]

I've been using this zoom compact Fuji camera for the last few years. It was fine over Xmas but has always been a bit dodgy in low light or when taking red images.



Now I want to upgrade to a DSLR

Happy to buy new or used , budget hasn't been set. I want it to do at least what my current zoom compact can do.

HD Video
Flash
Reasonable stock lens 18-55 ?
Burst Mode
Live View on the screen

I don't have any preference on brand.

[Shaw Tarse]

I'd say setting a budget would be helpful?
Personally I bought a Canon 600D just before Christmas, haven't had opportunity to use it yet. (except from a few Christmas pics that my compact would have taken just as well)

[Malcolm Feth]

600D should be a good choice, but you just want something to use only in AUTO-MODE, then don't buy DSLR, it will be waste of time (and money). In such case probably G12 will be a better option. But if you really want a DSLR, it is better just get even used body and invest more money towards lenses.

[LocoBlade]

Including Nikon's current £55 cashback offer, a D5100 at around £350 with 18-55mm kit lens takes some beating, it's just above starter SLRs in the range and a competitor to the likes of the Canon 600D.

The bit of advice you'll always get though is go and play with them in a shop. Virtually any SLR will take outstanding photos so how you get on with the look, feel and menu layouts is as important as headline specs.

[FunkyNige]

dtmpower said:

I've been using this zoom compact Fuji camera for the last few years. It was fine over Xmas but has always been a bit dodgy in low light or when taking red images.

Now I want to upgrade to a DSLR

Happy to buy new or used , budget hasn't been set. I want it to do at least what my current zoom compact can do.

HD Video
Flash
Reasonable stock lens 18-55 ?
Burst Mode
Live View on the screen

I don't have any preference on brand.

You'll need two lenses on an SLR to cover what the zoom range of your compact, so if you use your zoom at all really you'll have to budget another £200 for a zoom lens (up to 200mm or 300mm at a guess, someone else will guide you to better options than me!) as well as lump it about whenever you want to take your camera somewhere.

What's a 'red image' that your camera struggles with?

[trashbat]

I would say drop HD video from that list, and you will have a bit more to play with. Perhaps I'm stuck a couple of years ago, but IME noone really likes using a DSLR for video, even when the kit is halfway competent.

[LocoBlade]

HD video on the D5100 is miles better quality than my Panasonic HD camcorder and for reasonably static stuff like filming the kids opening Christmas presents etc it was great. Focussing on moving objects is where it struggles in comparison to the camcorder but that's the same for pretty much any DSLR apart from perhaps the Sony's that aren't a true SLR by definition, so if video is really important then they might be a better bet.

[PJ S]

dtmpower said:

Happy to buy new or used , budget hasn't been set. I want it to do at least what my current zoom compact can do.

Might have something to tempt you - keep reading!

dtmpower said:

HD Video

Oh yes, and with autofocus and aperture adjustable whilst recording.

dtmpower said:

Flash

Yep, has one of those.

dtmpower said:

Reasonable stock lens 18-55 ?

An 18-250mm that's none too shabby.

dtmpower said:

Burst Mode

10 frames per second

dtmpower said:

Live View on the screen

Yep, does that.

dtmpower said:

I don't have any preference on brand.

That's good, since almost invariably you'll be told it HAS to be a Canon or Nikon - there are good reasons for suggesting those, but they're not the only game in town.

Sorry to sound like a sales pitch - well, I suppose it is until I bother getting round to putting up an official advert here or gumtree.

Here it is - http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Due to a couple of things, my first foray into DSLRdom will have to be cut (very) short, and evaluated at a later date.
As such, I've got to let this go to a new home, and will regret not even had it outdoors once in the 6 weeks I've had it!
Hey ho, such is life, as they say.

It's not all doom and gloom, I picked up a nicely priced bridge camera, which will tide me over for the interim period.

[Malcolm Feth]

PJ S said:

That's good, since almost invariably you'll be told it HAS to be a Canon or Nikon

And there is a reason for that too

[flat-planedCrank]

Malcolm Feth said:

PJ S said:

That's good, since almost invariably you'll be told it HAS to be a Canon or Nikon

And there is a reason for that too

My argument for going for one of the 'big two' is that you most likely have the most options available to you in terms of expandability through lenses, accessories, books, etc.

As a blunt example, if you look at WEX's range of canon-fit lenses they have 152 across the different manufacturers: http://www.wexphotographic.com/canon-fit/b3077
Nikon are around the same mark.



That said, if you 'click' with a different manufacturers way of doing things and they offer a range of options that you'll need (and at the right price-point) then great No doubt you'll get more use / photos out of a camera you find easier to work!

That's why I always recommend going to a local camera store and looking at the options, even the 'big two' have quite a different feel to how they operate.


Hope this helps

Edited by flat-planedCrank on Monday 31st December 20:35

[marcosgt]

It's true to a degree, but its a bit like only looking at bmws and Mercs if you want a new car, you might find something that suits you much better than the default choice.

Mrs mgt bought me a Pentax k30 body for Christmas to replace my Pentax ist. Not used it much yet, but even though I was never unhappy with the ist, I'm very impressed with the k30 and I find Pentaxs just fit my hand so much better than the big two.

Nothing wrong with Nikon or canon, but they aren't the best choice for everyone.

M

[dtmpower]

Just been in Jessops. The manager suggested a Sony Alpha37 on the basis is has the best burst mode of 7 fps.

Also SLT rather than SLR ?

Edited by dtmpower on Tuesday 1st January 15:10

[LocoBlade]

SLT means it hasn't got a conventional mirror in front of the sensor that gives you the eyepiece view, which flips up out the way when you press the shutter to expose the sensor. Instead it has a digital viewfinder with no moving mirror, and having had a play with a relatives A37 that was the one thing I couldn't get on with at all, the viewfinder was juddery when panning, not very clear and almost greyscale and was hard to judge if the image had focused correctly.

[dtmpower]

So that leaves a 550d / 600d / 650d or a Nikon ?

[andy-xr]

550D is a nice camera. I personally struggle with Canons version of changing things like ISO and focus points, prefer Nikon, but I bought my ex a 550D last year, worked out how to use it and shot some really nice stuff with a 50mm 1.8

[LocoBlade]

dtmpower said:

So that leaves a 550d / 600d / 650d or a Nikon ?

Don't discount it purely on my comments as it may be something you can get along with but I would have a good play with one before committing as for me it was a real step down compared to my D5100 in that area.

[PJ S]

dtmpower said:

So that leaves a 550d / 600d / 650d or a Nikon ?

Does that mean you've discounted a pre-owned Sony A65?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Translucent-Mirror-Di...
http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsi-body-and-1-lens/...

Compare that to the Canon/Nikon you'd be looking at in a similar £550 price point (used or new).
I'm surprised you never thought whilst in Jessop's to take a look at the A65 to see the difference in performance & features.

[trashbat]

Definitely have a look at used; having spent a grand on a camera body in the past, I'd strongly think about this in future.

For example: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

[dtmpower]

PJ S said:

dtmpower said:

Compare that to the Canon/Nikon you'd be looking at in a similar £550 price point (used or new).
I'm surprised you never thought whilst in Jessop's to take a look at the A65 to see the difference in performance & features.

I wasn't shopping for a camera and had my toddler in tow. I just popped in to see and then had a quick chat with the manager.

[dtmpower]

trashbat said:

Definitely have a look at used; having spent a grand on a camera body in the past, I'd strongly think about this in future.

For example: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

This I like the sound of - what would you suggest 2nd hand for about £300-£400 ?