best dslr for an absolute amateur

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vendetta85

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Matthew
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Hi guys,

Looking to you guys for advice on which camera would be best for a beginner. Been looking at Nikon D3100 and the canon 550d. But I don't really know enough to see what are the important differences between them. Any advice you guys can give me would be greatly appreciated.

I'm looking to spend between £300 - £400 on a camera and lens.

Thanks

Matt
 
Do a search, plenty of threads on this. You really need to have a "hands on" both. You might simply prefer one over the other.

Both will do fine for starting out.
 
I am currently shooting with a D3100 and love it.

It small enough to cart about and the images are great. Its cheap to buy to start out with too.

I was thinking of upgrading but have had people on here tell me to upgrade my glass instead.
 
You really want to try all the models you can, I would advise a Canon but only because of the odd thing nikon do with their lenses, ie on the cheap bodies I beleive you have to manual focus on some lenses because the body cannot drive the af, that to me seems very beginner unfriendly and ironically on the bodies a beginner is most likly to get
 
JohnN said:
You really want to try all the models you can, I would advise a Canon but only because of the odd thing nikon do with their lenses, ie on the cheap bodies I beleive you have to manual focus on some lenses because the body cannot drive the af, that to me seems very beginner unfriendly and ironically on the bodies a beginner is most likly to get
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Really not a big deal. Pretty much every Nikon lens made since 1998 has a built in motor. Very few specialist lenses don't.


As said, try them both. There is very little difference between thier function and quality, it purely comes down to how they feel in your hand, and how easy you find them to navigate.
 
I fully second that, if the lens issue is now a non issue there really isn't much in it.
 
When it comes to buying you want to check amazon for offers, black Friday is coming soon, also check mpb for second hand, this early on I would avoid eBay as you won't know if its got problems till its too late
 
Something like a 2nd hand 550 or a Nikon 5100 should fit that bill, you could try out London camera exchange with a warranty too, would avoid eBay for sure. Remember that you'll also need a card, spare battery possibly and probably some kind of bag. A good Sd card is only a few quid more and well worth extra imho
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the help. Guess I'll be off my local jessops for a 'hands on' this weekend!

Thanks again

Matt
 
I have the canon 1100D its my first dslr bought it from jessops as a kit . Its a excellent bit of kit and im very happy with it. But agree with what the others say go and try some hands on ,my local jessops where very helpful .
 
Jessops do some great deals, especially if you order it online - plus you can get a few % back via quidco. They beat amazon hands down for me, very happy with the service

I took a spare SD card into jessops and shot some photos, then reviewed them at home.
 
my vote is for D3100, feels good in hands, and cheap as chips. Good in low lights.
 
I don't get why questions like this are the most asked across the net/forums ... I really don't. I never even looked at a photography forum until I had made my own decisions and was ready to talk photos.

What camera you choose to start with really has to be your own decision.

ANY entry level body that suits YOU.
 
Cagey75 said:
I don't get why questions like this are the most asked across the net/forums ... I really don't. I never even looked at a photography forum until I had made my own decisions and was ready to talk photos.

What camera you choose to start with really has to be your own decision.

ANY entry level body that suits YOU.
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There is so much to learn at the start, and so many choices, that it can all be a bit overwhelming. It's resourceful to come to a forum with plenty of experienced amateurs and a sprinkling of professionals to ask advice - nobody wants to waste money on something obsolete or not fit-for-purpose.

The thread title was very clear - there was no need to click just to knock the guy.
 
Pablosammy said:
There is so much to learn at the start, and so many choices, that it can all be a bit overwhelming. It's resourceful to come to a forum with plenty of experienced amateurs and a sprinkling of professionals to ask advice - nobody wants to waste money on something obsolete or not fit-for-purpose.

The thread title was very clear - there was no need to click just to knock the guy.
Click to expand...

If u done wanna help me then don't reply, quite simple really
 
Cagey75 said:
I don't get why questions like this are the most asked across the net/forums ... I really don't. I never even looked at a photography forum until I had made my own decisions and was ready to talk photos.

QUOTE]

Why YOU don't get it is because it doesn't fit with how YOU operate, simple as that.
It is also not how I operate but I realise and understand that others look for advice, validation etc,. before making a purchase and fear making a purchase they regret.

And to the OP, I have used a number of DSLRs and found them all easy to use. They fundamentally have the same basic controls which allow you to take photos and only differ in the more advanced settings and features of which you may or may not find you need in the future.

Nothing about a 3100 or a 550 will stop you learning about photogrpahy and getting the knowledge to get the best from a camera.
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I have a Canon 1100d, brought as a bundle from Jessops about a year ago as an absolute beginner. It is still doing me well and as I have progressed I have brought better lenses. Jessops is a good place to get hands on with the cameras and your have great fun looking around too :)
 
vendetta85 said:
If u done wanna help me then don't reply, quite simple really
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Agreed.

The OP asked because they don't want to drop a few hundred quid on something without at least asking questions first - if they go into a shop they get someone who wants to sell whats in front of them or in stock, nothing more nothing less (usually), in fairness to the sales staff they probably won;t be an expect in every make, model and option in the shop even then, so why not ask literally hundreds of people with often much greater depth of knowledge?
 
Also have a look at the Pentax K30.

£399 and £50 cashback for camera and kit lens - not as great a dealership or range of lenses as Canon or Nikon but, image stabilisation in the camera body so any lens used is stabilised and any Pentax K mount lens made in the last 35 years or so will fit. Have a read of the reviews.

Dave
 
vendetta85 said:
If u done wanna help me then don't reply, quite simple really
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My point exactly (y)

As for the question in hand, the ONLY way to tell what's right for you is to try holding some in a shop. You'll most likely have a strong favourite right away. Then it's a case of 'congrats, you've found your first camera!'

Both cameras will perform similarly, don't get hung up on the differences. Whichever one feels right to you is the one to buy. Sorry to be so vague, but it's true!
 
Like everyone else has said, try all the makes in your hand. You'll know what feels right for you. Mine was Nikon, so since then that's all I've known. Argos have the D3100 for £270 with a kit lens at the moment, so you'll have extra money for another lens ;)
 
Whatever is the cheapest camera that has two command dials, one for aperture, and one for shutter speed, otherwise it's a pain to use manually, and you'll do what most beginners do and stick it on one of the automatic modes and learn sod all.
 
Pookeyhead said:
Whatever is the cheapest camera that has two command dials, one for aperture, and one for shutter speed, otherwise it's a pain to use manually, and you'll do what most beginners do and stick it on one of the automatic modes and learn sod all.
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Agree! What you are after is a beginners DSLR, something cheap, with a basic starter lens (for example one that comes with the kit) and your two command dials.

As a beginner, you will get the same out of a cheap and cheerful camera ie. canon 1100d compared with one that will cost you thousands.

Yes the better the camera the more dials but by starting with the basics you begin to learn to be a photographer. As you learn about shooting in manual mode and learn about composition you will see your photos improve, that will be down to you not the camera. Once you begin to develop your own style that is when you will think about new lens... Maybe a macro, telescopic or prime lens.

But... Until then every camera will be the same to you. These people with cameras worth thousands does not give them a better picture, it allows a better quality of photo to be able to sell.
 
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