What camera to buy?
Discussion
Hi guys, just a quick question really and not sure where else to ask, I am looking to buy my first camera to start taking pictures of car shows I go to.
I also live in Germany with the army so hope I can get some nice pictures of the scenery.
I have never had a good decent camera before other than the odd little Samsung one and now I want to buy a decent good one but not sure what to buy, I have read on here about cameras but they seem to be for the more advanced photographer.
So if any of you have any good suggestions I would appreciate the advice.
I am looking to spend around £600
Thanks in advance
Tommo
I also live in Germany with the army so hope I can get some nice pictures of the scenery.
I have never had a good decent camera before other than the odd little Samsung one and now I want to buy a decent good one but not sure what to buy, I have read on here about cameras but they seem to be for the more advanced photographer.
So if any of you have any good suggestions I would appreciate the advice.
I am looking to spend around £600
Thanks in advance
Tommo
No problem. I assume that you don't want the camera to slip into your top pocket? (DSLRs are too big for pockets), but if you want good photos, DSLRs are the way forward.
If you need something small, there are others that will take good photos, but will not give the ultimate flexibility of an SLR
If you need something small, there are others that will take good photos, but will not give the ultimate flexibility of an SLR
No size is not a problem, I have a small Samsung one but the quality is not very good, just looking at a few now and Nikon seem to get good reviews.
Just want something that I can use to learn on and then maybe get a more advanced one at a later date.
Seems its more the lens that I get will make quite a bit of a difference, I would want one for more (close up) shots of cars but then one that will take a quality photo of the countryside too.
Thanks for the advice.
Just want something that I can use to learn on and then maybe get a more advanced one at a later date.
Seems its more the lens that I get will make quite a bit of a difference, I would want one for more (close up) shots of cars but then one that will take a quality photo of the countryside too.
Thanks for the advice.
If it's scenery shots you are interested in best leave a bit of cash aside for filters - a Circular Polariser would be a good start. They screw onto the front of your lens and help you get a nicer sky 
I've a Canon 450D which is excellent - the equivalent these days is a 550D which you can get with a 'kit' lens which will be a good starter. You'll need a memory card and preferably a card reader as well to get the pics off the camera and onto the PC.
Set up a Flickr account, load 'em up and post 'em up - sorted
I've a Canon 450D which is excellent - the equivalent these days is a 550D which you can get with a 'kit' lens which will be a good starter. You'll need a memory card and preferably a card reader as well to get the pics off the camera and onto the PC.
Set up a Flickr account, load 'em up and post 'em up - sorted
Mostly yes. £600 is a decent budget, you'll get good kit for that. Much of what makes the pro cameras more expensive is the build quality, waterproofing, lots of extra buttons to avoid annoying menus etc.
This taken with my wifes £500 D50 with kit lens - perfectly acceptable quality methinks
This taken with my wifes £500 D50 with kit lens - perfectly acceptable quality methinks
Edited by GetCarter on Sunday 9th January 14:07
I see, well I think I am going to go with Nikon, I did go to comet to buy one but am not sure the bloke knew what he was talking about so I thought I would post on here.
I just don’t want to get ahead of myself and start to run before I can walk as they say.
I will just spend what I need and maybe splash out on the more posh things at a later date.
Some very good advice from you both, thank you
I just don’t want to get ahead of myself and start to run before I can walk as they say.
I will just spend what I need and maybe splash out on the more posh things at a later date.
Some very good advice from you both, thank you
Tommo 87 said:
I did go to comet to buy one but am not sure the bloke knew what he was talking about
I had to help one out once; the punter knew more than he did. They either try to steer you to what you came in for anyway, or upsell. Both are perfectly fine sales techniques but don't tell you anything about photography. But then it is a bit more complex than selling washing machiunes, to be fair.Simpo Two said:
Tommo 87 said:
I did go to comet to buy one but am not sure the bloke knew what he was talking about
I had to help one out once; the punter knew more than he did. They either try to steer you to what you came in for anyway, or upsell. Both are perfectly fine sales techniques but don't tell you anything about photography. But then it is a bit more complex than selling washing machiunes, to be fair.I don’t blame him for not knowing but if he is trying to sell me something I would at least expect a little knowledge.
Just glad I have posted on here now as I have had some good advice and am going to order one tomorrow I think
I have just purchased a Nikon D5000 with an 18-55 and a 55-200 lens from Jessops. £569 - then 40 for an 8Gb Scandisk Extreme card......
might fit your requirements
and they'll do mail order, and you can do 6 months interest free credit....which is useful if nothing else!
just have to learn how it all works and take pics!
might fit your requirements
and they'll do mail order, and you can do 6 months interest free credit....which is useful if nothing else!
just have to learn how it all works and take pics!
Edited by Chewitt on Sunday 9th January 15:27
Chewitt said:
I have just purchased a Nikon D5000 with an 18-55 and a 55-200 lens from Jessops. £569 - then 40 for an 8Gb Scandisk Extreme card......
might fit your requirements
and they'll do mail order, and you can do 6 months interest free credit....which is useful if nothing else!
just have to learn how it all works and take pics!
Never thought of going to jessops, mite have a look.might fit your requirements
and they'll do mail order, and you can do 6 months interest free credit....which is useful if nothing else!
just have to learn how it all works and take pics!
Edited by Chewitt on Sunday 9th January 15:27
Nikon seems popular, I take it you have quite a bit of experience in photography.
I guess I just need to get hands on with it and learn by myself, when I first started thinking about getting a camera I thought how hard can it be until my uncle showed me his camera!!
So many things to do with such a little piece of kit, but I am looking forward to getting going.
Tommo 87 said:
I don’t blame him for not knowing but if he is trying to sell me something I would at least expect a little knowledge.
I agree, but there are two levels here. If you go to buy a cooker, the salesperson will (should) be able to tell you what all the knobs and buttons are for. Great. But that doesn't mean he can tell you how to cook a three-course meal for eight people with it - for that you need a cook. In the camera scenario, once he's run out of buttons to explain, if pushed harder the salesperson will fall back on (can only fall back on) their own personal exerience of photography. He may be a keen amateur with loads of gear who gets good results, or his only experience might be 'Facebook' shots on his POS. I can't think that camera salesmen must be photographers any more than cooker salesmen must be cooks. Neither subject is one you can learn out of a book in a day or two.
It's not ideal but I can't think of answer!
Tommo 87 said:
I guess I just need to get hands on with it and learn by myself
Actually that's the answer!Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 9th January 15:41
Chewitt said:
Tommo 87 said:
Nikon seems popular, I take it you have quite a bit of experience in photography.
nope!but had a budget, tried a few out, read reviews, asked folk who know and hey presto......makes all the compact pics I've had taken look poor!
then just go take pictures of pretty much everything Thanks guys.
Tommo 87 said:
...just go take pictures of pretty much everything
You'll find this is more important than any hardware you use - compact, SLR, zoom, wide-angle, filters, anything. There are people who use iPhones to take better photos than I do with my SLR 
Go, play, come and show us all.
On the Canon/Nikon thing, I'll don my flame suit and say neither are really any better than the other. Comes down to personal preference, so just try both and see which feels right.
The other thing worth checking out is if anyone you know has a DSLR (even if it's just forums you frequent), as when they upgrade it offers you a good opportunity to minesweep their old goodies at a less than retail price.
I got a 50mm lens posted to me for about £80 in as good as new condition from a fellow forum member elsewhere.
Being "the odd man out" can be really frustrating when you see a good deal on the "other" brand.
The other thing worth checking out is if anyone you know has a DSLR (even if it's just forums you frequent), as when they upgrade it offers you a good opportunity to minesweep their old goodies at a less than retail price.
I got a 50mm lens posted to me for about £80 in as good as new condition from a fellow forum member elsewhere.
Being "the odd man out" can be really frustrating when you see a good deal on the "other" brand.
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