Help with camera choice...

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rakester

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Hi all,

I'm looking to buy my first DSLR (whoop!). I want to spend around £500 tops on a camera and lens. I would prefer to buy new. A friend recommended a Nikon D3000, thoughts on this? Also I have been recommended (cheaper price wise) a Sony A200, thoughts on this? What other options are there for me. Also can someone explain to me the different types on lens?

I'm looking to do still photography. I want to photograph things like...

- Still objects ie cars, guitars etc

- People at party's and such

- Some landscape photography for my holiday snaps (i travel a lot)

Thanks in advance
 
Best advice is to go into the shops and ask to have a play with some different bodys and see what feels right in your hand. Get a feel for where all the buttons and dials are.

You will eventually realise that you want a Canon, but be sure to try out the Nikon and Sony aswell.
 
mtracerz said:
Best advice is to go into the shops and ask to have a play with some different bodys and see what feels right in your hand. Get a feel for where all the buttons and dials are.

You will eventually realise that you want a Canon, but be sure to try out the Nikon and Sony aswell.
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I went into a Jessops and tried a few out but I'm so overwhelmed by how many models there are of each I need to just narrow it down to a few in my price range / bracket from peoples opinions.

There seems to be a big debate about Nikon and Canon? A lot of people seem to love / hate the either one?
 
The thing is with Nikon & Canon is that they have one of the biggest range of lenses and accessories, especially when you buy second hand. You have to think that if you pursue photography as a hobby in the future you'll most likely be upgrading to better bodies and lenses. That's not to say the other makes haven't got a range, but they're nowhere as big as Canon & Nikon.

Give some thought to buying second hand - you can pick up some good bargains on forums such as this, and you won't lose much, if anything, if you decide a) to pack it in, or b) to upgrade. The suggestion to have a play before you buy is good advice. I did that. I went with my mind set on a Canon, had a feel of them all, then bought a Nikon (sorry mtracerz, but you know it makes sense ;))

Oh, and don't forget, if you buy a model such as a Nikon D3000 (or D5000, D60, D40 and one or two more models) you'll be limited as to lenses that will autofocus with those bodies.

Anyway, that's my 2p's worth for now. All the best and tell us how you get on :thumbs:
 
Some of the Sony bodies offer excellant value for money.

You've tried a few bodies in Jessops, did you like the feel of one of the makes over the other. The Canon 450D is a belter of a body and Canon have extended their £30 cashback offer.

It is a difficult choice for your first one, do you have any friends or family that have DSLR's, could you try their's for a short while. If you've close family that has one, might also allow you to try other lenses they have / share one ??

I'm sure. whichever you buy, you will enjoy it, good luck with your search :thumbs:
 
Does it have to be a dslr? A good compact such as the Panasonic Lumix range or Canon G range, or even one of the new ultra compact 'dslr's such as the Olympus Pen or the slightly better but less sexy Panasonic?
 
I liked the feel of both but didn't have enough models to try out. I need to find a better store to try some more out.

@andrewc, kind of set on a DSLR I just traveled the world with a decent Sony compact and I got some great photo's with it but couldn't help but think what I could captured with a DSLR

Oh, and don't forget, if you buy a model such as a Nikon D3000 (or D5000, D60, D40 and one or two more models) you'll be limited as to lenses that will autofocus with those bodies.
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Can some explain this in a little bit more depth please :)

Thanks
 
Ive got the Sony A200, its a decent starter camera but in six months Ive upgraded from the kit lens and am considering upgrading the body
 
rakester said:
I liked the feel of both but didn't have enough models to try out. I need to find a better store to try some more out.

@andrewc, kind of set on a DSLR I just traveled the world with a decent Sony compact and I got some great photo's with it but couldn't help but think what I could captured with a DSLR



Can some explain this in a little bit more depth please :)

Thanks
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ask the jessops staff they,ll be happy to explain :naughty: edit; sorry just a little dig at jessops some bodies dont have a drive for the lens in them and will only use compatible lenses makes buying more lens later a bit of a pain this is normal on beginner cameras but a pain in the butt when you upgrade later as you have to change you,re lenses as well hth mike
 
rakester said:
I went into a Jessops and tried a few out but I'm so overwhelmed by how many models there are of each I need to just narrow it down to a few in my price range / bracket from peoples opinions.

There seems to be a big debate about Nikon and Canon? A lot of people seem to love / hate the either one?
Click to expand...

The problem with opinions is they are personal to the user. You have to decide which suits you best.

rakester said:
I liked the feel of both but didn't have enough models to try out. I need to find a better store to try some more out.

@andrewc, kind of set on a DSLR I just traveled the world with a decent Sony compact and I got some great photo's with it but couldn't help but think what I could captured with a DSLR

Oh, and don't forget, if you buy a model such as a Nikon D3000 (or D5000, D60, D40 and one or two more models) you'll be limited as to lenses that will autofocus with those bodies.
Click to expand...



Can some explain this in a little bit more depth please :)

Thanks
Click to expand...

Basically lenses are focused either by a motor in the lens or from a motor in the body with a screw drive attachment.

The D3000 does not have a motor in the body, so to AF you would need to ensure that Nikon lenses with "AF-S" are used or "HSM" for sigma. AF-S HSM cost more obviously.

Other lenses would work but need to be focused manually which isn't really a problem as that's how we used to have to do it anyway.
 
The problem with opinions is they are personal to the user. You have to decide which suits you best.
Click to expand...

That is true but I literally know nothing so need at least some options to narrow it down :)

Does the Canon 450d a body that will auto focus with all lens (well compatible ones)
 
sony a350 still around and you can pick one up in your price range
 
Naith said:
The thing is with Nikon & Canon is that they have one of the biggest range of lenses and accessories, especially when you buy second hand. You have to think that if you pursue photography as a hobby in the future you'll most likely be upgrading to better bodies and lenses. That's not to say the other makes haven't got a range, but they're nowhere as big as Canon & Nikon.
Click to expand...

I had a Sony A200 as my first DSLR, and while it was a great camera, the smaller and more limited second hand market was one of the reasons that when I upgraded I changed to a Canon.
 
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