New to DSLR. Would this be ok?

Bigvin

Bigvin

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Hi there :wave:

I've decided that i'm finally going to upgrade to a DSLR and I was pointed in the direction of this forum. I've spent the last couple of days searching the forums for advice and learning lots on the way.

I've been to Jessop's to have a feel for the cameras which were in my budget of £400 and found that the Nikon D5000 is the one i'd like. I think i'm going to go for this package. (So much for the budget!)

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/77217/show.html

Speaking to the lad in the shop, he said I could get the bag replaced for this one for an extra £10

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/72207/show.html

Is this setup any good for a beginner?

I asked the lad about the Tamron 70-300mm Lens and whether it had the VR in it. He said I didn't need it with a zoom lens because I would be using a fast shutter speed. I would have thought with a zoom lens is where i'd need VR.

I was also hoping to do a bit of close-up photography, but the macro lenses are a bit too steep for me at the moment. I've looked through the forum and read about the extension tubes. I've found a couple of sets on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270533926226&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AF-Macro-Exte...ns_caps_hoods_adaptors_ET?hash=item439d3a2b99

Would these work with the lenses I get in the kit?
Is it worth paying the extra for the one that supports auto focus?

Would I need a tripod straight away? I've seen the Gorrillapods, are they any good?

I'd be looking to photograph mainly landscapes and wildlife.

Many thanks for looking in.

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions that I hope you can help me with :D

Cheers for any reply's

Lee
 
1, i would definitely spend the extra tenner because the centon bag is ok for starting but youll just want to upgrade so go for the lowepro bag.

most people need VR on most lenses but depends on what your shooting whether you need it or not.

2, the £70 set of extension tubes are better for you as they will have electric contacts for adjusting aperture and autofocus etc.

remember though that with the kit lens aperture you'll have major light loss. if it was me i would also invest in a cheap 50mm f1.8 which will be much better.

3, if your shooting landscapes and wildlife then yes you will need a tripod. gorriapods are good but not for serious stuff like landscapes and wildlife. i would recommend the camlink tppro24a which is £50 at jessops at the moment and seems like a brilliant tripod for the price.
 
Hiya

I'm not a Nikon user, but I can answer a couple of points.

A 70-300mm would be much more useful with some sort of image stabiliser - you shutter speed is likely to be slower than ideal on an entry level telephoto zoom like this as they tend not to let in much light. ('Faster' lenses which let in more light are much more pricey). Be aware that image stabilisers do not freeze motion, so won't help much if you are shooting moving wildlife - for that you need lots of light.

Extension tubes are a great way to get in close cheaply. As they don't have any glass they don't reduce optical quality. I used to get good results with an old something - 300mm Sigma Apo lens + tubes.

Tripods can be very useful for landscapes especially as you might need slow shutter speeds for small apertures to allow greater depth of field (most of the shot in focus). Gorilla pods are very portable - I use one when travelling about - but a full-size tripod is better in most ways (more comfortable to use, flexible, easy to adjust etc).
 
Thanks for the reply's lads


mastertrinity said:
remember though that with the kit lens aperture you'll have major light loss. if it was me i would also invest in a cheap 50mm f1.8 which will be much better.
Click to expand...

Is this what you mean by a cheap 50mm lens?

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/19693/show.html

Also going to pick up one of them tripods you recommended.

What would be the difference between using the 50mm lens to a 300mm lens with the exension tubes?

Sorry for the stupid questions

Cheers
 
I am selling a like new D60, unregistered warranty in the sales forum that might interest you, would allow you money free to spend on everything else. Would be like buying new its in that good a condition.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=203776

If this is against forum rules, apologies in advance

Cheers
 
dan_yorkshire said:
I am selling a like new D60, unregistered warranty in the sales forum that might interest you, would allow you money free to spend on everything else. Would be like buying new its in that good a condition.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=203776

If this is against forum rules, apologies in advance

Cheers
Click to expand...


I was actually debating on whether to get a second hand D60 when I first started looking for a DSLR.

A friend has one and he has nothing but good things to say about them.

Still not quite sure, had myself all psyched up to go and buy the D5000 and now you've got me thinking again :(

Give me a bit of time and I'll get back to you.

On the other hand if anyone has any advice on why I should choose the D60 or the D5000 please post away with your advice.

Cheers
 
I dont think there is much in them to be honest.

The main advantage to the D60 is that it would free up lots of money for extras, and belive me you will need it, such an addictive, yet unfortunately expensive hobby.

Did have a 55-200 VR but that got sold.

Have it for sale elsewhere so let me know when you can.

I am looking to make £300 from the sale, so it would cost that plus the cost of whichever delivery method you choose (cheaper to send cam and lens recorded and rest first class, might save you some more cash)

Dan
 
Bigvin said:
I was actually debating on whether to get a second hand D60 when I first started looking for a DSLR.

A friend has one and he has nothing but good things to say about them.

Still not quite sure, had myself all psyched up to go and buy the D5000 and now you've got me thinking again :(

Give me a bit of time and I'll get back to you.

On the other hand if anyone has any advice on why I should choose the D60 or the D5000 please post away with your advice.

Cheers
Click to expand...

get the second hand d60 better camera and leaves you more money for the other things you want the 50mm you showed as a link is cheaper from amazon and there,s nothing wrong with their stuff all new stock.hth mike (commision £10 thanks yorkshire dan) :lol:
 
Bigvin said:
Thanks for the reply's lads




Is this what you mean by a cheap 50mm lens?

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/19693/show.html

Also going to pick up one of them tripods you recommended.

What would be the difference between using the 50mm lens to a 300mm lens with the exension tubes?

Sorry for the stupid questions

Cheers
Click to expand...

yes, the 50mm will be better not for its focal length but because its a prime lens (less distortion) and its a f1.8 aperture so when the ext. tubes are used you can let more light in so creating a better exposed image compared to the f5.6 aperture of 300mm.
 
i know you are going for a nikon here but imo you could do far worse than a used 40d for about £450.

try mpbphotographic.

this will last you up to pro level even. its a fantastic camera and far superior to a d60 which i also own.
 
Well I'm selling a complete Canon DSLR starter kit:

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=211221

But if the Nikon feels perfect in your hand then I would say go for it as the "feel" of a camera is a quite important part of buying a camera.

Which is why, after holding a Canon 5D MkII I definitely am going for it.
 
Thanks for all the replys lads.

I've eventually bit the bullet and bought the D5000 from Jessops.

I managed to get a D5000, 18-55mm VR lens, Tamron 70-300mm lens, 8Gb memory card, 2 x UV filters and a Lowepro Fastpack 250.

All for £693. £643 when my cashback from Nikon comes through, so I'm happy with what I got.

I'm going to wait til next month to pick up a Red Snapper tripod and a new flash.

Once again thanks for the input.
 
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