Beginner Photography on a very tight budget

teddyt

teddyt

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Name
Graham
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As some of you know due to disability , I can no longer work after 35yrs employed!!:banghead:

I have taken up Photography, and need to do it on a very tight budget, now that is gonna be hard!!!!!
Anyway I intend to buy the best i can afford (used) so Ebay will be my first port of call, I willl get the chinese knock off's and see what I can do????:thinking:

Please dont rant at me and say they are carp, and buying upmarket is better I KNOW!!!! But simply cant afford it, also I will give feed back on how Good or bad each thing is so others in my position can get a heads up
You never know may be able to go "PRO" for £50 investment:banana:

so any tips on cheapo stuff that performs well are more than welcome:ty:
 
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You don't say what your limit is, or what you want to photograph, but on the likes of MPB Photographic you could get yourself a Panasonic GF2 and 14-42mm lens for £93. That will give you full manual controls to play with, a decent zoom range and very good image quality.
 
Thanks Chris,I have a small pension so next to no budget really, I want to do everything,macro landscape etc.
This is what i have so far...
.
Nikon D5100 (used)excellent condition £150

Nikon 15-80mm kit vr lens (Used) as new £40

Nikon 55-200mm kit vr lens (used) as new £65

Neewer TTL flash (new) £40

Nikon kit bag (used) as new £5

Slik Tripod (used) as new £10

128GB sd card (new) £5

Battery Grip (new) £10.50

Spare battery (new) £9

Macro ring flash(new) £17

Shutter release cord £2

Total spend £353.50

so far am very please with the perfomance and quality of my kit.
however shutter cord and macro flash have not yet arrived so we will see.

have also ordered some ND and other filters today
 
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teddyt said:
128GB sd card (new) £5
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Of your list, this is the only thing that worries me. Unless you got a massive bargain in the sales that's very cheap for very big card. I can't but wonder if £20 for a reputable 32Gb card might not be a better long-term investment for performance and reliability.
 
I agree with Chris about buying from mpb. You can get a Nikon D100 and Canon 10D for around £50. There are some good bargains on there with lenses as well like the Canon 18-55mm for only £14. You also get a six month warranty with mpb.
 
Never mind as I see you've bought something.

Good luck with it :D
 
Looks like you have done pretty well. As a suggestion for the future if you want to do macro, I started with a set of these extension tubes for £8 which I still use now, you do need to be aware that they need to be used fully manual and probably best if the lens has an aperture control on it (the D nikon lenses have), I initially used it with a 50mm 1.8D which you can pick up fairly cheap second hand. The other option is to get some slightly more expensive macro tubes that will let you control the aperture through the camera.
 
Thanks Steve tubes are on the to get list now!!
Alistair, dodgy card never gave it a thought till now. and I must admit writng to the card does seem slow, I Just thought they either work or dont??? I do have a sandisc 32 gb card as well some where. think i'll find it thanks
 
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Quick update....I now have the MEIKE FC-100 Ring light (I got this from ebay £17 posted).:woot:
So whats it like, well it's not to shabby, looks the part and of course was silly cheap..Comes with a complete set of adaptor rings so fits almost everthing, and runs on 4 AA batteries. I have tried it out indoors and the results are pretty good(macro) gives a nice spread of light and can be made brighter or dimmer as you want.
also has the ability to only flash left or right side of ring and light on all the time, Useful for the video guys ...But the light that blinds you close up, falls off at around 10 feet/ 3 mtrs on a good day!! also its not the hardiest of builds being plastic, carefull handling in the field is a must!!!

So am I happy with my purchase and do I think it's worth getting...YES too both, remember that its a cheap alterative to a brand name and you will be happy. Will I keep it forever, NO, if i get really into Macro etc I would want a sturdier body etc. but for starting out it's just fantastic
ringlight_zpsfbmscolt.jpg


I have also found a very old set of extention tubes in a charity shop £3 they fit and work a treat!!!:nikon:
 
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teddyt said:
Quick update....I now have the MEIKE FC-100 Ring light (I got this from ebay £17 posted).:woot:
So whats it like, well it's not to shabby, looks the part and of course was silly cheap..Comes with a complete set of adaptor rings so fits almost everthing, and runs on 4 AA batteries. I have tried it out indoors and the results are pretty good(macro) gives a nice spread of light and can be made brighter or dimmer as you want.
also has the ability to only flash left or right side of ring and light on all the time, Useful for the video guys ...But the light that blinds you close up, falls off at around 10 feet/ 3 mtrs on a good day!! also its not the hardiest of builds being plastic, carefull handling in the field is a must!!!

So am I happy with my purchase and do I think it's worth getting...YES too both, remember that its a cheap alterative to a brand name and you will be happy. Will I keep it forever, NO, if i get really into Macro etc I would want a sturdier body etc. but for starting out it's just fantastic
ringlight_zpsfbmscolt.jpg


I have also found a very old set of extention tubes in a charity shop £3 they fit and work a treat!!!:nikon:
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If you want to do photography on a budget that ring light was a waste of money. :)
 
:LOL: I suppose the cheapest way would be to use a photo booth:exit:
 
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teddyt said:
:LOL: I suppose the cheapest way would be to use a photo booth:exit:
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For macro and 'interesting' light?

An angle poise lamp :)

You've spent £17 to get crap light, if you want photography 'on a budget', the best thing to do is buy only what you need, not all the cheapest bits you can find whether you need them or not ;)
 
mmm !!!!! I never said anything about "interesting light" and carrying an angle poise around the garden, house etc would be a bit of an issue 1, dont have a lead long enough 2 If you had spent the time to read my thread instead of looking for the quickest way to alienate new members, you would have seen that I am disabled so carrying a freaking lamp about is just stupid!!!! If down right impossible for me!!!!

teddyt said:
Please dont rant at me and say they are carp, and buying upmarket is better I KNOW!!!! But simply cant afford it, also I will give feed back on how Good or bad each thing is so others in my position can get a heads up
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If you had also read properly you would also seen the above comment.
so rather than acting a "COCK" and going out of you way to slag things off, why not be like the other long term members and at least add some value to a topic!!!

sorry if I seem a bit P****ED OFF but I AM!!!
 
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teddyt said:
Thanks Chris,I have a small pension so next to no budget really, I want to do everything,macro landscape etc.
This is what i have so far...
.
Nikon D5100 (used)excellent condition £150

Nikon 15-80mm kit vr lens (Used) as new £40

Nikon 55-200mm kit vr lens (used) as new £65

Neewer TTL flash (new) £40

Nikon kit bag (used) as new £5

Slik Tripod (used) as new £10

128GB sd card (new) £5

Battery Grip (new) £10.50

Spare battery (new) £9

Macro ring flash(new) £17

Shutter release cord £2

Total spend £353.50

so far am very please with the perfomance and quality of my kit.
however shutter cord and macro flash have not yet arrived so we will see.

have also ordered some ND and other filters today
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Don't take this the wrong way but you already have enough camera gear to get started. Don't make the usual beginner mistake thinking everything bit of gear is a must have. To start with you need a camera, a lens and willingness to learn by trial and error. Once you have tried various types of photography you will likely specialise in one or two areas. Once you have done that you will workout what extra bits you need to help you along. The problem is people can tell you what they use but it doesn't mean you will need them as your photography interests/needs could be very different. I wish I hadn't bought lots of bits that I thought I would need, I can count on one hand how many times I've used some of them.
 
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Good luck with the future and the photography,i think you have the right attitude towards your difficulties,hope if ime ever in the same situation i can look at it the same way.
 
Thanks Mike and for your input, Rob, and I do understand what your saying. I am trying not to get carried away and do enjoy the Macro side of life (so far).so hopefully I hav'nt wasted any money, also at present , even though I have been trawling fleabay etc.
There is nothing more I want/need at the moment.................However tomorrow is another day:LOL:
 
teddyt said:
Thanks Mike and for your input, Rob, and I do understand what your saying. I am trying not to get carried away and do enjoy the Macro side of life (so far).so hopefully I hav'nt wasted any money, also at present , even though I have been trawling fleabay etc.
There is nothing more I want/need at the moment.................However tomorrow is another day:LOL:
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Welcome to photography. Something you will hear a lot of is GAS, there's no known cure.....unless you burn your bank card and change your Paypal password to something you can't remember!

Don't worth about books, there are some great websites out there with good tutorials.
 
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teddyt said:
mmm !!!!! I never said anything about "interesting light" and carrying an angle poise around the garden, house etc would be a bit of an issue 1, dont have a lead long enough 2 If you had spent the time to read my thread instead of looking for the quickest way to alienate new members, you would have seen that I am disabled so carrying a freaking lamp about is just stupid!!!! If down right impossible for me!!!!



If you had also read properly you would also seen the above comment.
so rather than acting a "COCK" and going out of you way to slag things off, why not be like the other long term members and at least add some value to a topic!!!

sorry if I seem a bit P****ED OFF but I AM!!!
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I'm sorry if me telling you that you've spent money on something you didn't need has offended you.

But you said you were trying to work on a budget, my point was that looking for cheap stuff isn't the best way to do that.

Some of the most important equipment in a studio is black card, white card, modelling wire, bulldog clips, blu tac etc. etc.

Newbies often believe that 'buying more and better stuff' is important, you appeared to understand that wasn't the case, but when I tried to agree with you, you appear to think I'm somehow attacking.

Sorry if I offended, enjoy your ring light:)
 
teddyt said:
Thanks Mike and for your input, Rob, and I do understand what your saying. I am trying not to get carried away and do enjoy the Macro side of life (so far).so hopefully I hav'nt wasted any money, also at present , even though I have been trawling fleabay etc.
There is nothing more I want/need at the moment.................However tomorrow is another day:LOL:
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It's best not to look, as there is always something else to buy! If you have the money you could easily spend hundreds every day, but ultimately why would you?

I've read what you said, the bit that stands out the most is that you have a small pension. Use it for the essentials in life, things like food and warmth, camera gear is fun but not essential, and you can have just as much fun, and probably more fun, with minimal equipment.

I say 'probably more' as it makes things challenging, you have to work harder. I love street photography, and when I go out I'll take the camera and one lens, nothing more, and I have to make do with what I have. Firstly I don't want to stand out so having a bag full of stuff isn't ideal, but secondly I could easily spend the time wondering what lens to use or should I use this or that. Just press the button. Take the picture.

You can do what you want, it's great you've found a hobby you enjoy, I have a longer term physical health condition that makes life challenging and I care for my three disabled children full time, I turned to photography as a form of escape really. It gave me something else to think about rather than he monotony that I often face. I'd love to drop loads of money on lots of camera gear, and I could easily spend much less but acquire loads if I scoured the internet for bargains. Would it make my photography better? Nope. Would it help me to enjoy it more? I reckon I'd enjoy it less. The gear is a distraction, just look through the viewfinder and take the best picture you can, if you can make a satisfying photograph with minimal equipment and a smile then you are winning.

Good luck to you
 
Phil Dont worry mate, I've got over it:D, however if you had made your first comments in the manner of your last, no issue would have arisen:ty:
 
I think with a £300 budget i'd just have a Fuji X100 and be done.
 
Graham, you have more stuff than me!:D I'm also on a tight budget at the moment so although I KNOW that buying cheap isn't always the best quality, sometimes you don't want to spend the money until you know that you're going to get some use out of it do you?

I bought a really cheap intervalometer that works just fine, it's money well spent and I saved myself loads, but other things I've bought, like filters, I quickly realised that although they were rubbish, I probably would actually get use out of them so I'll save up and invest in some good ones but it only cost me £10 to find that out, rather than £200+, only to find that I wouldn't get my use out of them.

You're facing your challenge and you're trying to circumnavigate it, that alone should be applauded. I'm going through some stuff at the moment and I can honestly say that photography has saved me, it really has and it would have done so if my camera was worth £100 or £1000 - it's the actual 'doing' that counts. Best of luck.
 
To add my tuppence Kev, I read your post earlier, saw the list of kit, and just boggled at the thinking behind it, and Phil's comment is simply voicing what I, and I suspect others, were thinking.

Disabled or not, buying three things you don't need, or wont work well, or wont work long, just because they are 'cheap' rather than one you will, ISN'T a 'bargain'.
It's same argument when O/H comes back from the super-market with three bottles of cordial no one drinks, and says "Yeah, but they were buy one get one free!!!"
Old adage buy cheap buy twice has a lot of truth, and is often source of SO much frustration when the 'cheap' tool doesn't do the job, or is so limited it makes more work than it saves.

You have got some good prices on some of the stuff you have listed, but it's an eclectic collection, that to 'me', suggests you don't really know what you are doing, don't have any particular specialization or genre to follow, and rather than finding one, and getting stuff to help you do it.. just trying to buy EVERYTHING in the hope you can find something to do with it!
Not so much "all the gear but no idea", but NO idea, must get all the gear and hope to find one among the wrapping!
teddyt said:
so any tips on cheapo stuff that performs well are more than welcome
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Was what you asked for, so Oh-Kay, yeah... stop buying stuff, and start using it!

My mind is truly boggling at why you would want to use ND filters in a situation you are using macro tubes and a ring flash!!!!!!!!!

Which takes me back to initial boggle, and is there a question in here; can we actually help this chap any, or does he just want us to pat him on the back for his bargain hunting prowess? Or what is the point of this thread? I don't want to burst your bubble or damp your enthusiasm, but, f you are looking for that 'idea' to employ your gear, a little check on it to help you find some direction is PROBABLY the best help any of us can offer right now, rather than suggesting other stuff you might like to add to the shopping list!

The 'idea', the inspiration to create, is where 99% of a photo comes from. NOT the equipment. If you cant go take photo's, get OFF ruddy e-bay, and look at the photo's you have already taken. Critique your own work; ponder what works and what doesn't; what you like and what you don't, and what you can learn from it. And look for inspiration in other people's photos NOT the camera catalogs!

Cameras don't take photo's PEOPLE take photos!
 
Mike - I think you're being a bit harsh there, I have much of the kit that the OP has posted and I use all of it bar the last few items. I don't have a 'specialization or genre' - I take lots and lots of photographs, landscapes, portraits, night time etc.

I really think that if someone asks for help then that's what should be given, the guy's already spent him money but if you felt that he should stop spending then there would be gentler ways to get your opinion across, you've no idea what difficulties the OP might be facing.
 
Applemuncher said:
Mike - I think you're being a bit harsh there,.
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Quite possibly; Diplomacy isn't my strong suit. Doesn't diminish the value of the 'advice' though.
At some point you have to stop trying to put together the perfect tool-kit for 'any' job, and bash the bludy screw in with a hammer to get the job done!
.
 
To redress the balance a bit, I have been using one of those Meike Ring Lights for about 3 to 4 years now and find it very useful for macro and close up stuff.
If it broke tomorrow I would be on ebay sourcing another to replace it.
 
I really dont understand some people ???? Mike what is your Problem??? and I feel sorry for someone who cannot work out that ND filters and Macro tubes/ring light would be used for different types of photography. may I suggest you go to you tube some great video's on there
for complete newbies who have no clue about pHotography all.

As for that "IDEA" at no stage in this thread at all have I mentioned that, another example of someone who is so full of their own s**t they dont even bother to read the thread properly!!!

So Just for you MIKE let me explain what the point here is....there are many people in my position(health/ money wise) so I am buying gear that "I" want to use...and due to lack of cash I have to buy cheap or not at all!!!
and cheap DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN CRAP so if for instance, If the flash I got is really good value, and works well. I am happy to pass that info on and the same with an item that is next to useless so others dont get caught. you must have missed the short review of the ring light???

It's called helping people rather than being a un-helpful jerk who can only see the inside of his own bowl as his head is so far up his bum!! If you have nothing construtive to say or cant read a thread properly please dont bother me!
 
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I really cant be doing with this so can a mod please lock or delete this thread thanks
And i'll look for a more friendly forum else where
 
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teddyt said:
I have taken up Photography, and need to do it on a very tight budget, now that is gonna be hard!!!!!
Anyway I intend to buy the best i can afford (used) so Ebay will be my first port of call, I willl get the chinese knock off's and see what I can do????:thinking:
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teddyt said:
so any tips on cheapo stuff that performs well are more than welcome:ty:
Click to expand...

Jolly good, I look forward to the suggestions. I might be able to offer one or two myself.


20 mins.later

teddyt said:
Thanks Chris,I have a small pension so next to no budget really, I want to do everything,macro landscape etc.
This is what i have so far...
.
Nikon D5100 (used)excellent condition £150

Nikon 15-80mm kit vr lens (Used) as new £40

Nikon 55-200mm kit vr lens (used) as new £65

Neewer TTL flash (new) £40

Nikon kit bag (used) as new £5

Slik Tripod (used) as new £10

128GB sd card (new) £5

Battery Grip (new) £10.50

Spare battery (new) £9

Macro ring flash(new) £17

Shutter release cord £2

Total spend £353.50

so far am very please with the perfomance and quality of my kit.
however shutter cord and macro flash have not yet arrived so we will see.

have also ordered some ND and other filters today
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What???!!!
 
On reflection, attempting to be helpful, my suggestion based on what you have already bought....

sell everything except the D5100

Buy a 18-105 kit lens.

Take pictures.
 
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simon ess said:
On reflection, attempting to be helpful, my suggestion based on what you have already bought....

sell everything except the D5100

Buy a 18-105 kit lens.

Take pictures.
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I don't really understand why people are knocking the OP for the kit he has brought, while it might not be what I would have started with for just under £400 he has a reasonable set up to allow him to try his hand at most types of shots. How would he do macro for example (which he has mentioned a few times) with just a 18-105 lens?

Many on here would spend that much or more on just a body or single lens which is fine if you have the budget but some people do not so it is nice to here some reviews of the cheaper options.

I would agree that there probably isn't much more kit that needs to be added and that now learning to get the best out of it would be the next best step.

teddyt said:
I really cant be doing with this so can a mod please lock or delete this thread thanks
And i'll look for a more friendly forum else where
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This is a pretty friendly place really, even the replies that have been a bit blunt are actually trying to help you. Why not stick around and post some of your pictures, now you have a kit to use that probably the best way to improve.

I would recommend having a look at the macro section, especially the sticky thread about people's kit as there are lots of examples of home made solutions to lighting with things like Pringles tubes.

Also if you enjoy a challenge the new 52 challenge is starting in January which is a pretty fun and friendly place to get involved.
 
Teddy T - please don't let the bluntness put you off, I've actually had some pretty good advice off those guys for other things but sometime their method of delivery can lack tact and diplomacy and since they have never walked the mile in your shoes, they actually have no idea what you're facing.

I can't say I've seen much enthusiasm for cheap kit on here but I'm like you, I can't be spending money on 'the best', so I have to make do with what I can afford and it's all down to personal choice isn't it? I basically have a camera and a tripod and nothing else and last week I took these photographs in my bathroom with a torch and that was it (the wavy one is smoke). Sometimes you don't 'need' the expensive kit, but it's a hobby and I'm still finding what kind of photos I like to take and I'm not falling in to a particular genre and to be honest, I'm not going to make money from it so I don't mind that.

Keep doing what you're doing, I look forward to seeing your photographs. :)

[url=https://flic.kr/p/NKvJNy]IMG_3403 by Justine Edwards, on Flickr[/URL]

[url=https://flic.kr/p/N4T3r9]IMG_3576 by Justine Edwards, on Flickr[/URL]
 
Hm.
People try to be helpful.

OP spits dummy.

Ah well.
 
Applemuncher said:
I think it was more the method of delivery than the content.
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I'm not sure he wants help, it's all very confusing. In his first post he asks for advice on cheap "stuff" without giving a budget and then 20 mins later he says he's spent £353 on a list of things, so what can anyone say?
 
sphexx said:
I'm not sure he wants help, it's all very confusing. In his first post he asks for advice on cheap "stuff" without giving a budget and then 20 mins later he says he's spent £353 on a list of things, so what can anyone say?
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"Congratulations, what a spendid fellow you are" is probably what the OP wants to hear,
 
When you're on a budget, you get what you can afford.
My first DSLR was a Sony a100 with a kit 18-70mm for £150 and it worked well for a starter camera.
Even now, I've upgraded my camera, I'm still using a budget Nissin flash gun bought from MPB for £50 and it works very well, the only thing it doesn't do is High Speed Sync. But you can get budget Yongnuo and Neewer flashes that do, which is likely what I'll buy.

I think your approach isn't that bad. When you start out, you don't know exactly what sort of photography you'll enjoy. So this setup allows you to get started and then in a while, you might start to see what you're enjoying shooting more. Then once you've worked out if an additional bit of kit might help with that, then consider what to get.
I started with a body and kit lens, plus a borrowed longer zoom, then eventually working out that I wanted a 50mm prime to take photos in low light and for taking photos with a shallow depth of field. But everyone is different, if you get into macro photography, you can try macro tubes as a cheap option, then if you get really into it, you might consider an actual macro lens.

Beyond buying the body, 2 general zoom lenses and a flash. You've only spent £60ish on additional items, so perhaps people need to hold fire before accusing the OP of buying pointless items.
Out of those additional items, I would probably get all of it, except the battery grip as I'm not a fan, but for £10 it's not a huge loss. The point about the cheap SD card should be noted though, it's probably too cheap. I'd only buy from reputable manufacturers.

Once you've shot for a while, you might, as many people do, find a prime lens would be handy, particularly a 50mm which are cheap and easy to source. The are loads of Nikon variations on the 50mm lens, but there's also now the Yongnuo budget ones to consider. Some people prefer a 35mm lens on a crop sensor camera like yours, and Yongnuo now do one of them too. Check out this article: https://www.slrlounge.com/yongnuo-offers-fast-35mm-f2-fill-gap-nikon-left-wide-open-90/

But as said, do lots of shooting with what you have, learn as much as you can, use free tutorials on youtube and stuff.
Don't forget you'll need to process the images, so there's lots to learn there too, I presume you have a computer and some suitable editing software. (If not there's a free bit of software called RawTherapee that will do the same job as Adobe Lightroom, http://rawtherapee.com/ )

Enjoy shooting, take some comments with a pinch of salt (this is an online forum afterall, some people can seem like keyboard warriors). When you're ready, post some photos for people to see.
 
sphexx said:
I'm not sure he wants help, it's all very confusing. In his first post he asks for advice on cheap "stuff" without giving a budget and then 20 mins later he says he's spent £353 on a list of things, so what can anyone say?
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Richard .. This £353 of kit, took me over 9 months to to build. It was not a one off purchase.
Ken.. Did I spit my Dummy maybe? or was it just shear frustration at the manner in which replies were given without reading or maybe understanding the point of this thread.
It is in the beginners section for beginners like me.WHO HAVE NO MONEY TO BUY THE GREATEST AND LATEST GEAR. and have to go budget. it is NOT about taking pictures or Who has the most kit when they die wins. it is about cheap kit and will it be worth getting for starting out

I have asked for help/suggestions on CHEAP KIT/DIYStuff. not on what I should or should not keep or throw away, SteveSc's comment about looking in the macro section for some diy stuff is the help i seek.

I have Chronic arthritus in nearly all my joints and am wait a double hip and knee replacement, so I am in constant pain. So maybe I can be a bit touchy at times, but please think before you bang in a rude, negative or blunt reply, how would you react to that comment if it was pointed at you

I have lost the motivation to carry on with this thread now so as stated above Close or delete please
 
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When asked what kind of photography he wanted to do he wrote "I want to do everything" which also doesn't give any information to base advice. Not knocking the OP particularly here because I notice that's a frequent response to the question.
 
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