SLR Digital Cameras

[RobbieB]

I wasn't sure whether to put this in Computers, Gadgets & Stuff or Photography so I've had a guess.

I've loved photography since I was little but since everyone and their Nan thinks they are a photography expert I've backed off from it.

Anyway, I've changed my mind now. Sod the masses, I want to entertain myself. So I am in the market for an SLR Digi cam. I don't have much money to spend and am probably better off getting one off Ebay, but I know too little about them. So if anyone could give me advice and/or answer these questions:

SLR Digi Cams can be used to focus on one object for the real arty style pictures can they not?

Are they hard to use? I am good with technology but I thought I'd check as I am a photography novice.

I've googled top 5 SLR Digi cams and so on, but what would you recommend?

Is there anything I should avoid or watch out for when buying second hand or in general?

Thanks

[Woza]

i would put this in the photography section...

i recently bought an slr - ended up getting the Sony A200, as a complete novice i think its a superb piece of kit and can't recommend it enough, others will have their own opinions.

Your best bet is to head over to Jessops or similar shop and have a feel for them - probably the best way to decide what is within your budget!

Woza.

[cyberface]

Mcflurry has recently bought one and is climbing the learning curve very rapidly from what I gather - maybe he'll chip in here (he's often on this forum)...

[//j17]

RobbieB said:

SLR Digi Cams can be used to focus on one object for the real arty style pictures can they not?

I think all mainstream DSLRs have multiple focal points, or will let you centre on the subject and focus, then move the camera to frame the shot without re-focusing (by holding shutter release half down).

RobbieB said:

Are they hard to use? I am good with technology but I thought I'd check as I am a photography novice.

They can be as simple or as hard as you like. Shove it in to full auto and you will get auto exposure/focus and it behaves like a simple point and click camera. At the other end you can go fully manual, setting everything from ISO speed up.

RobbieB said:

I've googled top 5 SLR Digi cams and so on, but what would you recommend?

Personally I'd stick to either Canon or Nikon. Not much to choose between them, both been around and using the same lens mount for years, both sold in numbers. What this means is there are a lot more lenses around 2nd hand so they are easier to find and generally cheaper than those for lower-selling brands such as Pentax or Olympus.

RobbieB said:

Is there anything I should avoid or watch out for when buying second hand or in general?

Make sure you see it and handle it before parting with your cash - especially in a private sale a-la eBay.

Look for any damage before firing off a few shots. You're looking for the camera to not make any odd noises, just normal camera shutter ones and to focus/re-focus. If you can take a sheet of black and a sheet of white paper with you and take full-screen shots of these (switching to manual focus)

If you have a laptop/memory card with you you can quickly grab the shots you've taken. The black paper should be all black and the white all white.

With any of the mainstream makes you should expect to see a good pic. If you don't I'd walk away.

[Mr E]

RobbieB said:

SLR Digi Cams can be used to focus on one object for the real arty style pictures can they not?

I think I know the effect you mean, and it's nothing to do with focus on a single object. Yes, a SLR will have manual focus if you want it (I usually let the camera focus where I want it, and then flick the focus to manual if I want to hold it there).

I believe what you're talking about is depth of focus, which if narrow gives you shots like this;



Any camera will do this with the right lens...

RobbieB said:

Are they hard to use? I am good with technology but I thought I'd check as I am a photography novice.

As hard as you want to make them. I can give my DSLR to my granny on full auto and she can use it. If you want to get the most from it, and play a little you'll need to understand what the various modes and settings can do. Which, I guess, is the entire point.

RobbieB said:

I've googled top 5 SLR Digi cams and so on, but what would you recommend?

Nikon or Canon - basically depending who you know who already has one that you can borrow lenses/kit off.

2nd hand 400d with a kit lens will probably be not to expensive.