Looking for advice

[=ReBeL=]

Hello,

I am looking for a bit of advice on behalf of my mate. I've been into photography for a while, but I am not one of those people that buy gear all the time, therefore my views are a bit old-school (I am still rocking 5dmk2 as my main camera).

He is looking to get into dSLR camera world and has around £400 to spend. He is asking me for advice. He is a good guy and I really want to help him. So I am here asking you fine people to help me to help him

He really doesn't know what he wants. He knows how to use dSLR but never owned one before. He has already sent me a link or two with some auctions on ebay for old cameras asking whether he should go for it. The last one was Canon 40D body only, but I think he wants to spend £400 on both - a body and a lens. Tough call.

I am thinking about pointing him out in a direction of a well-kept 5dmk1. Those cameras are bargains these days. Really well spec'ed and yet in a great price. However, I am a bit worried about the poor AF points in there and that it will start annoying him after a while (I know something about it, I have the mk2). Also he'd also have to buy a lens separately.

There are also a new entry-level models available for that price, but I don't really know which ones are good now these days and whether this is a good idea for a person that (most-likely) will be keeping that camera for years to come.

I am a Canon user and don't know much about Nikon models, but I am open-minded so feel free to recommend anything good.

What would you recommend to a guy who really wants to get into dSLR world, but don't have the money to buy all the gear (other than keep saving )?

Thank you for the help in advance

 

[dinners]

What sort of thing does he want to photograph ?

Speaking purely from a Canon point of view - a tidy original 5D would be be a good shout if landscapes are his thing.

If birds and wildlife are on the cards then something like a 40D or 50D would be a good choice whilst still being good for the landscapes.

Think about the lenses too.

The full frame 5D will be limited to EF lenses whilst the crop body of a 40D or 50D will take EF lens AND EF-S lenses which will mean more options within budget.

 

[=ReBeL=]

I remember when I was starting out I wanted to photograph everything! To be serious though, I think it will be mostly people photography, portraits, some social photos (like parties, night clubs, etc), plus landscapes. I don't think there will be any sport or wildlife photography at all, at least not at the beginning.

Good shout on the lenses. It did cross my mind as well and it is one of the reasons why I posted the question here. I am really crossed what to recommend and I do want him to spend his money wisely.

 

[=ReBeL=]

Maybe an used 7D? But there wouldn't be much left for a lens.

 

[vetonbike]

Hi May be better to get him to join TP. Then it would be possible to get his interests and hopes first hand. Its never as effective through a third party.

 

[pete.rush]

I remember when I was starting out I wanted to photograph everything! To be serious though, I think it will be mostly people photography, portraits, some social photos (like parties, night clubs, etc), plus landscapes. I don't think there will be any sport or wildlife photography at all, at least not at the beginning.

Good shout on the lenses. It did cross my mind as well and it is one of the reasons why I posted the question here. I am really crossed what to recommend and I do want him to spend his money wisely.

7D not great for low light photography. 5D MKI used about £300 which doesn't leave too much for a lens. If he really doesn't know what he wants, it's probably best to wait and do some fact finding and see what he actually wants.

He could buy a Nikon D3200 or D3300 or a D5100, he could buy a Sony RX100, he could look at the Pentax K-50. Best advice is take him along to your local camera shop and for him to try out different cameras and see which one he gets on best with, ie feels comfortable to hold handle reach the controls, there's so much choice out there and most of the entry camera deliver similar performances, it would be better for him to choice one he feels comfortable using and perhaps it's not a DSLR but a compact system like fuji or sony, canon eos m or Panasonic.

 

[=ReBeL=]

Thanks guys! AFAIK he is set on dSLR. He had a couple of compact cameras already but wants to step up a bit. You are right though, the fact that I don't exactly know what he wants and because his limited knowledge he can't really explain exactly, we are a bit stuck. I need to get more info before moving this any further. As you say Pete, there are so many choices and different routes these days. Also £400 is not really that much in the world of dSLR photography.

The choices I see for him at the moment are:
- second hand camera + lens;
- grey import;
- brand new entry-level camera + lens.

I will explain what each of these points mean and let him decide which route he wants to take. Only after that I can start thinking about models and brands.

As for him joining TP, I will definitely point him in this direction. Even if just for the classifieds section.

 

[pete.rush]

Currys are sell new a Nikon D3200 and 18-55mm lens for £280, not much money for an entry level camera, or the D3300 with same lens for an extra £100. He just has to realise, it's not like a compact with built in zoom giving wide to telephoto, he's not going to get both and its better to invest in decent lenses rather than buy budget ones.

We all use this as a resource on camera prices.
http://www.camerapricebuster.com/

Recommended used camera dealers include ffordes, mifsuds, camtech, mpb photographic, park cameras, digital depot. Others include London Camera Exchange, WEX and finally Jessops