Beginner Just saying hello

Merlin5

Merlin5

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Lee
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Hello all. Just joined these forums. :)

I started my photography journey just over two months ago. The reason was simply because my mobile phone isn't capable of snapping pics of
birds in my garden that aren't a blurry mess, and what I wanted was photos that look the same as through my binoculars.

So I bought a used 5D Mkll on recommendation from a friend, and a couple of lenses and am starting to get photos close to my goal. But now that I have this gear I'm inspired to
photograph all sorts of things beyond my garden! I'm a member of another photo forum which is great, but I also wanted to join here since it's UK based and I'm in north london.

Look forward to meeting a few of you and being a sponge to any help that comes my way. :)
 
Welcome to TP Lee! Hope you enjoy your time here.
 
Thank you Ian! :)
 
Hi Toni, thanks for the welcome. I've looked at some photos on these forums, there's some amazing photographers here. I saw one of yours of a swan. Looks like you're in a boat low down to the waterline, probably on the Thames? Really great photo, I really like it.

Oh yeah, I'm finding out it's an expensive hobby and I'm already after a second camera!
 
Merlin5 said:
Hi Toni, thanks for the welcome. I've looked at some photos on these forums, there's some amazing photographers here. I saw one of yours of a swan. Looks like you're in a boat low down to the waterline, probably on the Thames? Really great photo, I really like it.

Oh yeah, I'm finding out it's an expensive hobby and I'm already after a second camera!
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You have a good memory - that was from the riverbank in Hyde park. :)

Buy new kit when the stuff you have doesn't do what you need.
 
ancient_mariner said:
You have a good memory - that was from the riverbank in Hyde park. :)

Buy new kit when the stuff you have doesn't do what you need.
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You have a memorable username, so that helped! Ah, Hyde Park. :)
 
:welcome: .......................from South Lanarkshire
 
Merlin5 said:
Oh yeah, I'm finding out it's an expensive hobby and I'm already after a second camera!
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Buying used is a good option, but I'd buy from this forum or a reputable dealer. I'd avoid eBay, gumtree etc, except for cheap stuff like straps, bags etc.
Nearly all of my gear is used, camera, lenses (all bar one), bags.
 
Nostromo said:
Buying used is a good option, but I'd buy from this forum or a reputable dealer. I'd avoid eBay, et al...
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so true - I bought two Nikon D300 from eBay - both faulty and returned
for roughly the same price i bought a mint D300 from LCE (London Camera Exchange) low shutter count and a 6months warranty.... (y)
 
Thank you guys for that advice. I'll avoid Ebay and Gumtree. I only bought a used Hoya step up ring from Ebay and it's fine. I bought my gear used online from mpb in brighton and I like that they show the shutter count for every camera they sell.

It's also good to know that I can buy from forum members.

What do you think about buying grey imports, is it ok or risky? One of the cameras I'm considering is being sold on a place called hdewcameras, brand new grey import, and it says with free 3 year warranty included.
 
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Merlin5 said:
What do you think about buying grey imports, is it ok or risky? One of the cameras I'm considering is being sold on a place called hdewcameras, brand new grey import, and it says with free 3 year warranty included.
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Grey imports are highly contentious here. Usually cheaper because they come from a locality where taxation is lower/non-existant and/or purchased by the vendor at lower prices than are possible for UK dealers. They are usually shipped without declaring value & thus avoid VAT and import duty where relevant, hence the cost savings can be substantial through tax evasion.

To some they're a money-saving blessing, while to others it's like purchasing from the devil incarnate. If you buy for business then there's no VAT invoice to use.

I've bought a grey lens from E-Infinity. It came when they said it would, works well, had no problems. I'd prefer to buy from a UK dealer (i.e. not Amazon) if I can find one with competitive pricing - there are a few that sell new lenses on ebay, and when there's a 20% voucher etc like recently then it can be the best route if you don't mind the timing.
 
Welcome to the forum, I am a dedicated Bird photographer, any advice you need just ask :)

My Flickr account is here https://www.flickr.com/photos/184767280@N02/ May I suggest you get an account too ( if you don't already have one - somewhere to display images and post onto forums

enjoy the forum

Les :)
 
ancient_mariner said:
Grey imports are highly contentious here. Usually cheaper because they come from a locality where taxation is lower/non-existant and/or purchased by the vendor at lower prices than are possible for UK dealers. They are usually shipped without declaring value & thus avoid VAT and import duty where relevant, hence the cost savings can be substantial through tax evasion.

To some they're a money-saving blessing, while to others it's like purchasing from the devil incarnate. If you buy for business then there's no VAT invoice to use.

I've bought a grey lens from E-Infinity. It came when they said it would, works well, had no problems. I'd prefer to buy from a UK dealer (i.e. not Amazon) if I can find one with competitive pricing - there are a few that sell new lenses on ebay, and when there's a 20% voucher etc like recently then it can be the best route if you don't mind the timing.
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Thanks Toni. So it's kind of black market stuff. I can see why it would be contentious! A grey import I'd seen with warranty was something like £635, and on mpb, a used one with low shutter count is £669. It's tempting to buy brand new, but yeah, supporting retailers like mpb I think is important.


Lez325 said:
Welcome to the forum, I am a dedicated Bird photographer, any advice you need just ask :)

My Flickr account is here https://www.flickr.com/photos/184767280@N02/ May I suggest you get an account too ( if you don't already have one - somewhere to display images and post onto forums

enjoy the forum

Les :)
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Hello Les, thanks and nice to meet you! :) Yeah, I have a flickr account.

I've seen some of your photos, they're excellent! I saw your robin photo in the rain, really really nice. I posted my first photo thread yesterday, also of a robin in my garden. Actually took it through my window but didn't come out too bad. If you'd like to look and post some critique I'd be grateful. It's here:
www.talkphotography.co.uk

Robin

I just started photography a couple of months ago so currently learning the ropes. I can sense my improvement since I started in July, but such a long way to go still. I'm enjoying the ride though! Anyway, here's a robin I captured on wednesday morning. Hope you like him and comments and...
www.talkphotography.co.uk www.talkphotography.co.uk
 
Tim Monaghan Photography said:
Welcome Merlin. I'm sort of new! I've been here before but under a different name. I wanted my full name here, so had to open up a new account. You will love it here.
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Probably worth contacting the admins here to tell them about this. Second accounts are usually frowned on and name changes are now possible (might not have been when you were a Badger!)
 
Hi Tim and Smadga, thanks for the welcome! I've been here about a week or so and am finding everyone very helpful. Learnt a lot already. :)
 
Merlin5 said:
Hello all. Just joined these forums. :)

I started my photography journey just over two months ago. The reason was simply because my mobile phone isn't capable of snapping pics of
birds in my garden that aren't a blurry mess, and what I wanted was photos that look the same as through my binoculars.

So I bought a used 5D Mkll on recommendation from a friend, and a couple of lenses and am starting to get photos close to my goal. But now that I have this gear I'm inspired to
photograph all sorts of things beyond my garden! I'm a member of another photo forum which is great, but I also wanted to join here since it's UK based and I'm in north london.

Look forward to meeting a few of you and being a sponge to any help that comes my way. :)
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You've got a brilliant equipment to start, could I know where could you buy a mark II second hand? Thanks!! Welcome! Myself new here today.
 
Angelprado said:
You've got a brilliant equipment to start, could I know where could you buy a mark II second hand? Thanks!! Welcome! Myself new here today.
Click to expand...

HI Angel. :) I got my gear from mpb.com. Great prices and you can see the shutter count listed for every camera.
 
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