Need Some Advice

C

CW90

Messages
110
Edit My Images
No
Hi, looking at getting my first DSLR but cant make my mind up on what road to go down...
I want to buy new because had trouble buying a few things second hand before :thumbsdown:. Got a budget of around £500, £600 at the most, for a camera and kit lens just to get me started off, then will just buy other bits as I go along.
Done a bit of research myself and have came up with a few possible cameras:
Nikon D5000
Nikon D3100
Canon 500D
Canon 550D At the top end of my budget
But thought that I might be better getting an older camera with a more/better spec then a newer camera with a lower spec for the same money? :thinking:
Not really bothered on what make of camera I end up going for, more bothered about what camera will be better in terms of me not 'growing' out of it as I get better and how easy is it to get hold of lenses new amd second hand etc etc.

Any advice would be helpful :)
 
There's always a lot of talk about 'growing out of' this and that, on here, on motorcycle forums, and even on a Kendo forum I use. Everyone now needs a different body/ lens/ bike/ suspension/ armour/ shinai... Etc.

What almost always seems to be the case is that these people are nowhere near the limits of what they already have IMO. It's just about want (which is no bad thing in itself... I suddenly 'want' lots more zoom range!)

I'd suggest putting the model numbers of each of your choices into the search box above, using the advanced search to look at the pic sharing forums, and looking what people who can really take a photograph can do with that bit of kit. I spent ages doing that, and quickly realised that in the right hands, some fairly humble kit can produce excellent results.

As a result I bought new at the absolute bottom end of my budget, leaving me a few bob for lenses etc (when I have a clue what to do with them, or what kind of pics I'd like to take), and if I'm honest, having seen some of the shots a decent photographer can take with the same camera ,when I come to upgrade, it's really about what I want, and not what I need.

... Or something like that...
 
Last edited:
Hi CW90 and welcome.

You should go to the shops and play with all the cameras you think you might like.
Then either new or secondhand:

Buy the one that feels most comfortable in your hands, after all you will be holding it.
It will be the camera you find has the most intuitive button layout and control menu.
The price will be suited to your budget.

Don't forget to include in your budget a memory card and a bag if not included in a package.

Remember all the cameras can take good picture's, it is you however that make them great.

Never buy on the basis of other people saying "this one is great". It may be for them but not always for you. Buying a camera is a very personal choice.
 
Thanks for the help guys :)
Have read quite a few reviews etc on each and from what I have read they are all good just up to personal preference. I know good photos are more down to the photographer then the camera. Will go to a hop over the weekend and try some out.
Am leaning more towards D5000 just for the swivel screen, but don't know, how much use and useful it would be in real life conditions...
Got some spare money to buy a bag memory card etc so don't need to worry about that :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top