Help for beginner

[trebor1892]

Hello there,

I'm looking for some advice with regards to a first purchase.

Im looking to move from a normal digital cam to an SLR.

I'm planning to start a few evening and weekend classes and want to have something to use when needed.

I'm curently looking at getting either the Samsung NX10 or the Canon 1000D.
Can you give any ideas which of these would be best and/or give some tips on anything else that may be handy - I'm keen to get into sports photog but want to learn the basics around exposure and editing etc first so just want something thats going to be easy to use.

Any other tips on books, courses or any websites that would be handy for beginners would also be good.

Thanks
Rob

 

[alexhcowley]

I don't know the Samsung but I am intimately acquainted with the 1000D's big brothers, the 450D and 550D. They are both beautifully engineered cameras that are ideal for DSLR beginners.

Most modern DSLRs scale their complexity very well. You can start off in the automatic modes and, once you have a basic feel for the camera, progess into program and aperture priority mode.

There are three issues to consider when buying:

1) Go down to a camera shop and fondle the stock. One of them may feel easier in your hands than the other. This is very much a personal, subjective issue.

2) There are loads of lenses and other accessories available for the Canon. There's also loads of books and videos available. I would personally recommend the John Wiley digital field guides. The ones on the 450D and 550D are very good. You can also get dummies books on many of the popular cameras, if you're really desperate. Check Amazon.

3) Since you're into sports you will be wanting a decent medium length zoom. Canon do a very good 55-250mm zoom which is very highly thought of around these parts and is also reasonably cheap. No other manufacturer, that I am aware of, does an equivalent zoom, most of the others only go up to 200m, which is a trifle short sighted.

Good luck!

 

[HoppyUK]

Good advice from Alex

Get the Canon (or a Nikon). Far bigger range, loads of second hand stuff, and that's what most folks on here use so you will relate to the threads better.

You seem to be going about things in the right way. Welcome to TP