First DSLR suggestions?

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Shivvyk

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Shivvy
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Hiya Everyone,

So far I have been using my Sony Cybershot for all my photography needs and have finally managed to save enough to invest (and take a jump) into the world of DSLR's. Overwhelmed by the different types available, I am keen on some suggestions from you all as to which would be the perfect beginner's DSLR (without burning a massive hole in my pocket) and at the same time one that will last awhile.

Any help is much appreciated, thanks!:)
 
How much do you have to spend? Are you looking to buy second hand? New? Have you seen any at all that take your fancy that we can give feedback on?
 
To be frank, there are no really bad DSLRs.

The vast majority of people buy either Canon or Nikon, but there are also cameras from Pentax, Sony etc. You need to find a decent camera shop, or go to Focus on Imaging, and handle the cameras and find the one that feels right for you. Speaking as a Canon user, the Canon EOS 1100D with 18-55 mm IS lens can be bought for a little under £400 and I think that would be a good starting camera.
 
That one, or perhaps that one..

There isn't a DSLR that's not suitable for a beginner that I can think of.

There isn't much to choose from between entry-level DSLRs, and any minor differences will only be relevant if you have an idea of what you want to shoot. If you're not looking for anything specialist, few of the differences will be meanngful.

If you want to think long-term, choose the lenses first and the body last. But again, that means knowing what are or will become interested in.

There are a couple of quirks I can think of that you should be aware of:
  • Sony - non-standard hotshoe for flashes, can be worked around
  • Nikon - the D3000/3100 and D5000/5100 don't have an autofocus motor in the body, this can mean that unless you are comfirtable with manual lenses you are paying slightly more for lenses that have the AF motor in the lens.

Do consider the m4/3 and other compact system cameras (CSC) as well. They are capable of excellent results and are smaller and more portable than a traditional DSLR (you won't get the shot if you don't carry your camera).
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the response.

I'm looking to spend about £500 , maybe a wee bit more. At the moment I really like the Nikon D3100 and I would prefer a new purchase.

S
 
Thanks very much, I will definitely take a look at the compact system cameras as well.
 
Shivvyk said:
Hi All,

Thanks for the response.

I'm looking to spend about £500 , maybe a wee bit more. At the moment I really like the Nikon D3100 and I would prefer a new purchase.

S
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I have a Nikon D3100 which is my 1st dslr and I love it. I actually thought I was going to get a Canon, as a couple of my friends have Canons and I'd have been able to borrow lenses from them etc.

BUT I then went into Jessops to see how the different cameras felt in my hands and walked out with the Nikon. It just felt better in my hands than the Canon.
 
Leslie said:
I have a Nikon D3100 which is my 1st dslr and I love it. I actually thought I was going to get a Canon, as a couple of my friends have Canons and I'd have been able to borrow lenses from them etc.

BUT I then went into Jessops to see how the different cameras felt in my hands and walked out with the Nikon. It just felt better in my hands than the Canon.
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Thanks Leslie, I have used my Friend's Canon EOS550D but never used a Nikon before. So might just go the a shop and get the feel of different cameras.
 
Like myself if your new to DSLR and going to need some help maybe in the way of training Canon are currently doing a promotion were you can get free photography DVDs and a free Photography Experience voucher worth up to £150, within your budget that would be the 550D so you would get the DVD's plus a £50 Voucher which you could use towards a training seminars from the following, http://www.experience-seminars.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=265&Itemid=84



http://www.canon.co.uk/eosexperience/
 
Welcome!

One of the photography mags had a test last month on the best starter dSLR. Can't rember the exact models tested but it was the Nikon D3100 vs the Cannon, Sony & Pentax equivalents.

The D3100 won the test but as others have said you need to try them out yourself to see what feels right in your hands.
 
I have a d3000 it was £295 with kit lens from the Argos outlet on eBay.

I love it so far and my fav lens is the tamron 70-300 macro which was £70 second hand from here.
 
To be honest, it's all about what feels right in your hands. As many have said, there isn't really a DSLR out there that is bad for beginners so find the ones within your budget, and have a feel :D

I ended up coming out of the shop with a camera I hadn't even considered because it just felt right. Canon was a bit clunky for me, Nikon was good but wasn't quite right and the Sony was perfect. Deal done (y)
 
If you're thinking long term, and you want to start buying second hand lenses, then as the second hand stuff seems to be mostly cared for, but a lot cheaper than new, then I'd stay stick with either Canon or Nikon, as on the whole it's easier to get hold of their gear.

I would suggest buying a brand new body to start with, save the money on the body to spend on lenses.
 
ACW said:
If you're thinking long term, and you want to start buying second hand lenses, then as the second hand stuff seems to be mostly cared for, but a lot cheaper than new, then I'd stay stick with either Canon or Nikon, as on the whole it's easier to get hold of their gear.
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The m4/3 route appears to be an even better path to take for making best use of second-hand manual lanese.
 
Alastair said:
The m4/3 route appears to be an even better path to take for making best use of second-hand manual lanese.
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Oh, sorry I meant second hand AF lenses, not the older non AF lenses, but that's a good point, there is some very good older manual glass floating around out there.
 
I can only agree with the d3100 shouts
Its my first dslr and its a great camera for beginners, and can only see myself growing as a photographer with it
I studied reviews etc long and hard before I bought mines ( second hand with some kit) and I wouldn't change it
Good luck with your choice, whichever way you go
 
Canon 550d, it's a little expensive for your budget not giving you much room for lenses, however it is pretty new and has some nice features. Good auto focus for the price, it also does full hd video, you might not want it now but it's pretty awesome when you do need to take a video of something to be able to do it on your DSLR.
 
I've just started photography, ive got a canon EOS 550D DSLR
its really easy to use, i've never used any other DSLRs though.
paid £400 for mine second hand with 16gb memory card and 18-55mm lens.
 
Another vote here for the most basic of the Nikon DSLRs, the D3000. Great little camera and the kit 18-55mm lens is woefully underrated.
 
Oh Wow! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions, I will definitely post here whichever one I end up buying!

:D
 
Bought my first DSLR yesterday. I got the Canon EOS 500d bundle (includes 75-300mm lens) from Jessops at only £479.95 and I'm well pleased. :)
 
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How about a 2nd hand 40d and then 18-55is and 55-250is? Should come in around 500 quid. Seems that quite a few of the people that are recommending the d3100 havnt used other cameras before so probably a good idea to take that into account aswell (not saying their opinion is wrong but it's like anything with limited experience). That said I've had a quick look at one before and although it's too light an plasticky for my liking it may suit you. Best thing would be to go to a shop and try them out yourself

Either that or a new 550d with the same lenses shouldn't work out much more expensive
 
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Shivvyk if your near Brum, Focus on Imaging is still on at the NEC tomorrow. I picked up my Canon 60D from there on Sunday for £598 body only & then got my 28-135mm lens for £269. You will get some good prices there. For around £500 i think you may even be able to get a Canon 600D which is supposed to be a good DSLR, intact if i couldn't get the 60D that would be the one i'd have gone for.
 
Join the Canon Force!! :). You cant go wrong with them! And once you have saved enough so you can get the Canon L lens series then it really does start to get fun!

My starting camera is a 550D, Cant go wrong with the little fella! 18mp, Yeah the 3.7 frames per second can be a tad slow at times depending what you do, but still get the shots you want. The 600D how ever is that tad better with its rotating screen on the back which is great for videos.

But for that little bit less id go for the 550D. Cracking camera!

Hope this helped

Nick
 
Hello Again!

So I went to my local Jessops(very helpful staff). Played around with both canon and nikon SLR's. Did not like the canon eos600D nor the 5100D nikon. In the end I ended up liking both the 550D and 3100. Arrrgh, its going to be a close call. There is a pretty sweet deal going for Nikon 3100 kit. What I want to know if its worth paying 200 pounds more for Canon 550D kit?

Any thoughts?
 
i have been told that the nikon can handle skintones better , but it still come down to which one you feel more comfortable holding. one thing to remember is that which ever system you go for it is expensive to change brands.

good luck with you decission.
these may help

which control layout do you prefare
which menu system do you like
which feels comfortable in your hand

unfortunaly its your decision in the end , we all get use to our own cameras so we can only talk about our equiptment.

i would say that the canon is the better , the d3100 will only auto focus with lens that have motors built into the lens themselves , this could limit you choice of buying second hand lens.

Cheers Steve
 
I was in your boat a year or so ago, Nikon... Canon.... which one to go for and I know a couple of pro photographers and they both used Canon, since getting started I've met a few more pro's and they all use Canon.

My evil stepdaughter had a 1000D and it was easy to use, nice in the hand and in the end I picked up a 450d in a deal at Jessops with a 70-300 and a 50mm prime so that clinched it for me.

At the Goodwood Revival last year there were more Canons where I was stood than there were at the battle of Waterloo... :eek:))

If you have less than £500 then the 1100D is a nice bit of kit, if you have £500 or more then I'd go 550d or better, 600d if you can.

I found the Nikon bodies slightly smaller in my hand and I havent got big hands anyway but there is no right or wrong with this, its down to personal preference.

What feels good in your hand and what you are comfortable with.

What are the costs of the additional lenses you might want to add to your kit in the future is also something to consider.

So really its what feels best to you.
 
Both are very good cameras, I was recomended to spend a bit of time holding/using both to see which I found more natural and ended up with the canon 450D second hand. Im sure in terms of image quality there isnt much between the two brands for similar specs.
Maybe go second hand and save money for better lenses as kit lenses can be a bit restrictive.
 
I was in the same boat as you a few months back and after loads of umm-ing and aah-ing i decided on a Canon EOS550D. I bought it online from Big Norman who I'd never previously heard of. First class service - they email you with a delivery slot to the nearest hour and it turned up exactly on time. More than happy with the camera and it will keep me going for a few years yet until I decide on an upgrade
 
Sony.....why? Because the sony has image stabilization built into the body therefore no extra cost on third party lens with IS, VR etc. People say that there are insufficient lens available to the Sony, but look at any lens manufacturer, sony, tamron, sigma and you will find what your are looking for.
 
Shivvyk said:
Hiya Everyone,

So far I have been using my Sony Cybershot for all my photography needs and have finally managed to save enough to invest (and take a jump) into the world of DSLR's. Overwhelmed by the different types available, I am keen on some suggestions from you all as to which would be the perfect beginner's DSLR (without burning a massive hole in my pocket) and at the same time one that will last awhile.

Any help is much appreciated, thanks!:)
Click to expand...

I recently went through the first time slr buying process. I narrowed it down to Nikon 5100 or the canon t3i. Truthfully they were very equal. The canon won for me partly because of the video portion. It really is more of which one makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Like the other post said, for a beginners we really don't know what's important to us. They also pointed out a big time important fact. Make sure you look at what each one offers in the way of lens. The more I learn the more I see how important this point is. I'm glad I went with canon but Nikon may have the fuzz factor for you. Good luck, let us know what you choose...
 
My other half went down the new Canon 550D route and she has been producing some great pictures with the standard kit lens and she is a beginner like myself.

I on the other hand bought a second-hand Canon 50D for around £100 less in total. I think on balance I prefer the more robust 50D and it was the cheaper of the two options.

Don't discount second-hand.
 
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I started out with canon 400d, loved it, so I then upgraded to a 40d. And I still love it. So much second hand kit around also which is a great way to add to your kit. I am a canon man. I've held a Nikon and had a little play but preferred canon. What ever you get I'm sure you will love. Even at the beginning when you don't understand it all, but it won't take to long to get to grips with how it all works. Good luck.
 
After searching for similar advice myself recently, I had a done a large amount of research and wanted the Canon EOS 550D but it was slightly out of my budget, but the Pentax K-r kept cropping up, after taking a look at the specs between the few I'd chosen, this appealed more to me, and when handling the cameras, this suited me perfect, the nikons and canons just seemed so much bulkier, so I got the K-r as it was a good deal with the extra lens, brand new £480.

All this handling is good, but I'm a little more technically minded, surely no DSLR is designed so ergonomically unacceptable that you can't get used to it?
 
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