Beginner

simonm8

simonm8

Messages
346
Name
Simon
Edit My Images
Yes
Hey peeps. Posted in wring forum section so was advised to post
Had a Dslr 3 years ago but sold it before I learnt how to use. Well finally settled in new home and finances sorted so want to start the hobby back up again. Any recommendations for a good starter kit as such. Mainly using for when carp fishing with a few family portraits and some wildlife stuff. Local zoo etc. Budget wise £600 so is it worth going new or s/h. And what models etc
Thanks

Foot note I did go local jessops. Didn't like the feel of the 1100d. So narrowed it down to 500d,550d or d3100 or d5000
 
personally i havent tried any of the above bar the 550d! I cannot fault the camera as yet, its my little child! Some people say it feels plasticy but i havnt really noticed to be honest. The best thing to do is to go to jessops and play about with the other models some people just like the feel and layout of some brands! Look at lens prices and see whats going to work out better for you in the long run, as its the lenses that make the difference and thats where your money will go!
 
''Mainly using for when carp fishing with a few family portraits and some wildlife stuff. Local zoo etc. Budget wise £600 so is it worth going new or s/h.''

for starters, I would never take my DSLR whilst fishing...just use a Kodak P&S tucked into my fly-vest [on a lanyard.!]

so...£600
new Nikon D5000, kit lens is 18-55, add a 35mm 1.8 AF-S DX for kids indoors
55-200 AF-S VR is £100 used here but not long enough for 'wildlife'....ok for Zoos...:D
the 70-300 is better £300 used here but still not 'wildlife' ..

notice I quote AF-S lenses - this is cos D5000 does not have a focusing motor in-body

you may wish to go used .....would recommend a Nikon D90 [with built-in motor] ..:thumbs:
 
Last edited:
sorry ...you're new here...so :welcome:

so you need to have a 100 [contributing] posts over 30 days to access the Classifieds

have a look at MPB Photographic D90...''link''
 
Thanks for the replys..
Guy at work as offered me a cannon 50d (7000 shots) with 2 lenses canon 18-55 & sigma 24-200 £450 is this a good deal?.. is it a good started camera or am i moving on to quick?
 
for starters, I would never take my DSLR whilst fishing...just use a Kodak P&S tucked into my fly-vest [on a lanyard.!]

Yeah i know im risking my camera taking it to the lake, but when im there for 4 days at a time with quite a lot of wildlife round the lake, and lovely clear sky at night, gives me more chance to get some good pics, plus if i do manage to get 1 of the many 40s in the lake i want a good picture!
 
Last edited:
Hellooooo, I too would recommend the Nikon D5000. I love mine... have a look around I got the camer, 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR for £500 and I have never looked back :D
 
Miss Moo!! said:
Hellooooo, I too would recommend the Nikon D5000. I love mine... have a look around I got the camera, 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR for £500 and I have never looked back :D
Click to expand...

a good deal

Comet are carrying a D5000 but the 18-55 is NOT a VR

this is not 'too' important on shorter lenses up to 55mm IMVHO

but nice bonus to have

just depends what packages you come across......:thumbs:
 
Simon, double check with your guy at work since a 50d usually goes for more like £500 on the bay of e without lenses. The 50D will be a much better camera than the 500/550d or similar priced nikons but being a bit older doesn't offer video. It still has the auto modes that the more basic cameras have so it'll be fine for a rookie.

The 18-55 is a bit meh, but good enough for its price, the sigma 18-200 (24-200 dosn't sound right) is about £200 or £300 new depending on the version.

tbh, neither of these lenses are great, but i would buy that stuff from your friend, sell the lenses and with that money and the extra £150 you budgeted you should be able to get something that suits you a bit better. Maybe a 17-50 2.8 and a 50 1.8 unless you are needing telephoto stuff.
 
Regarding the d5000 - jessops have taken it off the web site now, spoke to local store said they don't have in stock no more and are hard to get hold off.. and that I would be better off buying the d3100 with kit lens and accessories and save for a telephoto at a later date, is words were d5000 is old technology and isn't great? - so not really helpful.. The search continues, might take a trip at weekend up London and have a look a round a few more shops and get hands on.
 
simonm8 said:
Regarding the d5000 - jessops have taken it off the web site now, spoke to local store said they don't have in stock no more and are hard to get hold off.. and that I would be better off buying the d3100 with kit lens and accessories and save for a telephoto at a later date, is words were d5000 is old technology and isn't great? - so not really helpful.. The search continues, might take a trip at weekend up London and have a look a round a few more shops and get hands on.
Click to expand...

They tried that one on me tooooo...
 
nano said:
Simon, double check with your guy at work since a 50d usually goes for more like £500 on the bay of e without lenses. The 50D will be a much better camera than the 500/550d or similar priced nikons but being a bit older doesn't offer video. It still has the auto modes that the more basic cameras have so it'll be fine for a rookie.

The 18-55 is a bit meh, but good enough for its price, the sigma 18-200 (24-200 dosn't sound right) is about £200 or £300 new depending on the version.

tbh, neither of these lenses are great, but i would buy that stuff from your friend, sell the lenses and with that money and the extra £150 you budgeted you should be able to get something that suits you a bit better. Maybe a 17-50 2.8 and a 50 1.8 unless you are needing telephoto stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've asked to bring the kit in for me to have a closer look at, as I couldn't find any information on the sigma lens. Wait and see now.

As a side note, what are the canon kit lens (18-135) I think it is that you can get instead of the 18-55 with the 550d like? Is it worth the extra £££ or would I be better for roughly same money get a twin lens kit (18-55 & 55-250) ?
 
Last edited:
simonm8 said:
Yeah I've asked to bring the kit in for me to have a closer look at, as I couldn't find any information on the sigma lens. Wait and see now.
Click to expand...

Spoke to guy.
Canon 50d – 5,500 shutter activations.
Canon 18-55 non os (5.5-5.6)
Sigma 18-200 DC non os (3.5-6.3)

2 batteries, charger, cables etc
 
simonm8 said:
Spoke to guy.
Canon 50d – 5,500 shutter activations.
Canon 18-55 non os (5.5-5.6)
Sigma 18-200 DC non os (3.5-6.3)

2 batteries, charger, cables etc
Click to expand...

I'd say that is a very good deal. The lenses, whilst not amazing, should get you going until you figure out exactly what type of photography you want to do. If it includes any CF cards I'd bite his hand off
 
I've had the D5000 for just over a year now and I can't speak highly enough of it. I think it's important to keep in mind that the biggest draw back with all these smaller dSLR's is the handling which you have to check out for yourself and judge it to your own personal taste.

You shouldn't worry about biting off more than you can chew as it's fairly easy to get to grips with the basics so that 50D is an excellent choice and will be all the camera you need to grow into (as long as video isn't important to you). If your really don't feel confident then the Nikon's have an excellent guidance on the screen to help you out, I'm not sure if Canon have something similar perhaps a more informed reader could fill the gaps in my knowledge.

I'm sure whatever you choose will serve you well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top