First DSLR/Lens

Leslie · 23 Apr 2011

Hello, I'm currently considering purchasing a DSLR/lens combination and would appreciate some advice and/or recommendations.

I currently use an old Sony Cybershot W150 point and shoot so realise that any DSLR is going to be a steep learning curve. I recently had a loan of a friends Olympus E-450 with (I think) a 40-150 F/4-5.6 lens. I only had it for a short period and tbh I wasn't really happy with any of the shots I was able to get. I now realise that this is probably because the lens I had was not ideal for shooting pics of kids inside in low light. Wider and faster would have been a lot better.

I've been doing a lot of reading recently and am now considering buying a body only and pairing it with a prime lens. (As opposed to buying a body with the regulation 18-55 kit lens) I have no bias towards either Canon or Nikon although I have to say that I had a hold of the D3100 in Currys recently and liked it a lot!

I guess the main question I have is, if I go for say a D3100 and a 35mm F/1.8 G DX lens, will I miss the zoom that I currently have on my point and shoot.

Just to really confuse matters I'm also considering the Canon Powershot S95. Manual controls, (slightly) bigger sensor than a 'normal' point and shoot, and F/2 at the wide end of the lens in a pocketable body is very tempting.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Zarch · 24 Apr 2011

Hi Leslie,

Was in the same boat as you at the beginning of the year and don't regret buying my D3100 one little bit.

I purchased the D3100 with the kit lens (18-55) then bought the 35mm prime after that. Whilst the 35m is a great lens I do find its fixed focal length restrictive at times. Especially when trying to chase the little one around, especially now she's out in the garden.

And with the price of body only vs body with kit lens i'd recommend getting the kit lens pack for the small extra cost. They are virtually giving the kit lens away and it could come in useful.

Worst case, sell it and fund your 35mm if you really don't think you'll need it. You'll more than likely get more money for it that what you'll pay over the counter.

mercmanuk · 24 Apr 2011

One thing to bare in mind when choosing canon or nikon, with nikon you my find you need very deep pockets as regards lens go, and there range is less than that of canon,

Merc

cameramad · 24 Apr 2011

mercmanuk said:
One thing to bare in mind when choosing canon or nikon, with nikon you my find you need very deep pockets as regards lens go, and there range is less than that of canon,

Merc

tbh both of those are debatable.

Firstly, Nikon can be more expensive but it might be better than the equivalent Canon.

Secondly, even if canon has an extra 10-15 lenses more than Nikon how many are you actually going to use? I only ever like to use a wide 35mm, 50mm and sometimes 85mm which can be found on any system so like I say it's debatable and down to your own personal needs. Either Nikon or Canon have a perfect lens range for anyone and really those 10-15 lenses extra are specialty lenses so they don't have use to the majority of photographers

vrapan · 24 Apr 2011

D3100. Then buy a 35mm and if you want something more flexible a s/h 18-105

allotropic · 24 Apr 2011

The best advice I received when choosing a DSLR was to go to a local shop and try them and see how they feel in your hand.

I found the Nikon's didn't feel right, and that the Canon's fitted in my hand better.

Leslie · 24 Apr 2011

Thanks for the replies, they're much appreciated.

allotropic, yes I plan on trying out a couple of different bodies before parting with any cash. It's particularly important for me as I have hand and arm disabilities. My initial thoughts are towards Nikon as they seem to be a bit smaller and lighter than the Canon equivalent which suits me.

Zarch, do you find that you need to crop a lot of the shots you take with the 35mm lens? One thing I thought of was that if I was using the 35mm lens I could just crop the shot tighter in PP to compensate for the lack of zoom. Obviously the increased pixels (as opposed to my current point and shoot) would mean that I should be able to crop a lot more.

Steelfish · 24 Apr 2011

Thought about a 550d? It seems feather light compared to even something like a GF-1. I;m not sure how it stacks up image wise against a d3100, but the kit lens it comes with (18-55 despite feeling like it's made of cardboard) gives decent results.

Felt quite nice in my hand. I did send it back eventually but that was probably due to the fact that I'd just come from a d90 and the drop on body quality put me off a bit. (plus the guy buying my GF-1 disappeared so I'd have had some explaining to do to the wife).

Wish I'd have kept it now!!

Zarch · 25 Apr 2011

Leslie,

There are 2 problems for me.

1. In the house and in the garden the lack of zoom isn't much of a problem, just walk a pace or two forward. But the problem is the lack of wide. My little one moves pretty quick and soon fills the frame. But in the house, walls at your back mean you can't take another step back. I much prefer the 18mm when subject is not static in and around the house/garden when light allows.

2. When out and about the same applies but the lack of zoom really comes to the fore for me. In fact the lack of wide is also a killer. I only took the 35mm out with me once on a walk and I wouldn't do it again as my primary lens. I'd certainly take the versatility of my 18-70 and maybe put the prime in the bag just in case.

Hope this helps.

Sent from my Gingerbread driven HTC Desire using TP Forums

Zarch · 25 Apr 2011

To summarise Leslie (whilst not typing on phone now).

The 35mm is a cracking little lens, but personally I would really miss the versatility of the kit lens (or any zoom lens for that matter) where you need either wide or zoom.

And so for the small amount of extra cash, i'd certainly recommend buying the kit lens pack over "body only". But still get yourself the 35mm whatever way you go.