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WannaTakePix

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Hi,

I'm a noob.

Want to buy a DSLR.

But now want to know what you guys would recommend for a complete beginner.

- Want to try a bit of everything
- Something I can learn & grow with
- Budget < £1000 (originally was £1500 for 7D/D7K)

& ultimately find out if I can take some decent photos.

Thanks

WTP
 
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Standard advice - go to a shop handle both cameras. Buy the one that feels "right", either will do the job nicely.
 
Honesly, in that price range I think the best you can get would be a Nikon D3100. Very good beginner camera, and the price leaves you a few £ to spend on lenses (a prime, maybe?). Sorry if I wasn't too much help, I'm also a beginner haha :)

Cheers
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Standard advice - go to a shop handle both cameras. Buy the one that feels "right", either will do the job nicely.
Click to expand...


Thanks, for the reply, I've heard that alot.

Only problem for this thread is there isn't a list at the moment.
There's not a both. (7D & D7000 was another thread)

Which ones would you recommend I go and pick up and FEEL?
 
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WannaTakePix said:
Thanks, for the reply, I've heard that alot.

Only problem for this thread is there isn't a list at the moment.
There's not a both. (7D & D7000 was another thread)

Which ones would you recommend I go and pick up and FEEL?
Click to expand...

There's no real point in anyone advising you to try a particular camera, just go along and try and handle as many different ones as possible. Once you have a shortlist drawn up of ones that you like the feel of then ask for advice, but bear in mind Nikon owners will advise you to buy a Nikon, Canon shooters will tell you it's a Canon you need and those with Sonys will say you want a Walkman Sony ;)
 
Have you budgeted for lenses? Buy a £1000 body but if you don't have any lenses........ (!!!!!)

I agree with daugirdas.....

Buy a cheaper body. I would recommend the 60D if you want something that can do everything. I may be biased but its a good all-rounder. Also consider a used 40D (£400 although I saw one today for £300 on ebay) or 50D (£500), and then buying good glass like.. 70-200 F4L (used for under £400) + Tamron 17-50 non vc ( £200 used)
 
travellingcello said:
Have you budgeted for lenses? Buy a £1000 body but if you don't have any lenses........ (!!!!!)

I agree with daugirdas.....

Buy a cheaper body. I would recommend the 60D if you want something that can do everything. I may be biased but its a good all-rounder. Also consider a used 40D (£400 although I saw one today for £300 on ebay) or 50D (£500), and then buying good glass like.. 70-200 F4L (used for under £400) + Tamron 17-50 non vc ( £200 used)
Click to expand...

I've removed the Bodies from my original post in this thread, it's obviously confusing people...

&

The D5100 Twin kit no good ???

Does anybody use this website I came across :
http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Ou...5100-vs-Canon-EOS-600D-the-dxomark-comparison

Thanks Again,
 
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DFon't worry about comparisons between the different DxO performances between bodies - they don't make a difference in real life (within reason). Any of the decent bodies will do as well as the other picture quality wise. IMHO, you could do worse than an older body with some decent glass... Just choose something FFS... Everything is a compromise, but there is one inalienable truth - better glass is always better..............
 
So what is your opinion on the glass in the D5100 Twin Lens kit I mention above?
How do u know what is good glass FFS ?
 
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WannaTakePix said:
So what is your opinion on the glass in the D5100 Twin Lens kit I mention above?
Click to expand...
No idea - my camera make starts with a C...

WannaTakePix said:
How do u know what is good glass FFS ?
Click to expand...
Generally, reviews, more reviews, price (there are exceptions) and max f-stop (which tends to equate to price). There are exceptions, but the more you pay for glass at a particular f-stop/range, the better it is. My glass cost to body ratio is about 2:1 in favour of glass... and I'm not close to the top of the glass range although I'm close to it in bodies...
 
Go to a store. handle as many you can up to say 1.5-2k limit (new)
Try to get a similar lens put on each of the bodies so you get a feel for weight.
Handling them give you an idea about button layout. If you have a memory card and it fits the store may allow you to take a pic with each camera for you to compare with the same/similar lens.

Nice glass is a must, well it helps! But that would depend on what you want to shoot. So a kit lens/normal zoom will assist in find ing out what you want to take pics of the most and what zoom/focal length you'd be using.

As I like nikon, I'd say look at a second hand d90 or poss d300(s). The 300 would be a steeper learning curve, but there are auto/program modes on it.

Problem is the d300 would set you back around 700-900... which doesn't leave much for a lens. I'd recommend the 35mm f1.8 from jessops at around 170ukp. Doesn't zoom but is a low light lens and should give you a good view.

If you do go to a store, and are testing the nikons, you could ask them if they have one to put on the end so you can see the field of view. And compare against a kit lens too.

Just my opinion :)
 
Ok, firstly by your own admission you are new to this and as such it may be best to work out what brand you prefer. This is the biggest decision as a few years and a few thousand pounds down the line you'll be less inclined to swap.

This will mean that you can change camera bodies within the brand and not loose out on the lenses as these are where the bulk of your investment will be.

As for the body, let's be realistic here, for amateur stuff and learning photography you could go and get pretty much any body from a range an it'd do the job. Whatever you decide don't go into it thinking a more expensive camera is what you must have - you're still the one telling it what to do. I'd recommend mid-range for now and it'll last you years, second hand is a good option too and saves cash for glass.

Glass is where it's at, this is where you need to do your research. If you buy wisely it'll last you for years and make sure you factor your future aspirations into it - eg I want to go full frame one day so I make sure I don't buy EF-S lenses as they won't fit. It's the simple stuff that'll save your pocket in the long run.

Ultimately it's your decision, I'll not attempt to sway you to a brand as it's about what works for you the simple fact is that if you don't like it then you won't use it - so buy what you like, not what someone tells you to like.
 
You have had the best advice. Go into a decent camera shop (it could even be a Jessops if the one in your area is decent!) and ask to look at all of the cameras in your price range. Fondle, poke and fiddle until you know which one you prefer. Then discuss lens prices and make up your mind from there. At the starter sector of the market there really are no duffers. I hear the pentax is very good though!
 
Get yourself the 50mm f1.8 mk ii its brilliant for the price and I'm sure if you read around you'll see its mentioned a lot as a recommended lens.
 
For the D7000 I'd get something like a Tamron 17-50 at least if you are after a standard zoom. Brilliant lens which costs next to nothing compared to the cost of a D7000. I wouldn't bother with the 18-200 it is just not a good match for a camera like a D7000.

Get the 35mm perfect lens to just make a light combo and walk about with it.

However do yourself a favour, go to your local camera store and handle a K-5 :) no need to buy or even consider, just hold it and take a couple of pictures. You just might change your mind one more time!
 
vrapan said:
However do yourself a favour, go to your local camera store and handle a K-5 :) no need to buy or even consider, just hold it and take a couple of pictures. You just might change your mind one more time!
Click to expand...

Not sure if I can take anymore.....

Why do you suggest it?
 
I come from a D40 and two weeks of a D7000 - maybe not too long but long enough for me.

The layout and the handling of the K-5 is better, the weather sealing is better, even the cheap kit lens is weather sealed - though you would want to change that one. The sensor is absolutely fantastic, great dynamic range and high ISO. Image stabilisation in the body so no need for heavy expensive VR versions and some amazing primes as well as a few excellent zooms.

Also despite being a semi pro camera in all sorts of ways and built from magnesium alloy like the D7000, it is smaller and lighter.

Took in the store my D7000 and 50-150 which felt a bit heavy and bulky and compared it with the the K-5 with 50-135 (fantastic lens) which felt just right balancing really well, also go check the 40mm from Pentax. Put it on the K-5 and it becomes one of the most if not the most compact DSLR kits, the lens is almost in line with the flash!
 
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I'll take a look...but in a strange way I feel like a brand snob already....does that make any sense?
 
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Am sure it does plenty of people only consider the major two brands, I wasn't considering anything but Nikon just till a few weeks ago. The D7000 is a brilliant camera just not a brilliant camera for me and I am obviously in the minority as so many people are perfectly happy with theirs.

It just so happened that the K-5 offered a combination of features and benefits over every Nikon available that I simply couldn't ignore.
 
vrapan said:
However do yourself a favour, go to your local camera store and handle a K-5 :) no need to buy or even consider, just hold it and take a couple of pictures. You just might change your mind one more time!
Click to expand...

I took your advice and had a look at the K-5 and I have changed my mind again....but to the Nikon 300s !!!
 
vrapan said:
LOL how? Why? How playing with a K-5 got you wanting a D300??? :p
Click to expand...

I had a good feel of the 7D with the D7000, then remembered you said the k-5, so had a play with that too...something was missing with all of them

...then I asked for the 300s...

I felt like Goldilocks....aaahhh, This Camera is JUST Right...
 
Excellent!
Very glad to hear you've finally found the camera for you :)
 
That's exactly how people nowadays should be buying cameras. Cause the better it feels in your hands the more you will want to go out and use it! :) Glad you found what you were after, it is a great camera :)

BTW if you don't care about video go for the D300 and save you a fair amount of cash. They are identical in all other ways.
 
There's been another development in this SAGA...
The Shop Assistant recommended to go USED while starting out, for a few of reasons:

1. The D300/s don't have an Auto mode & thus there would be a considerable learning curve, by going USED with an oldero camera with an Auto Function I will be able to go full Auto if I need to and have a play when feeling adventurous.

2. If I find out after using the DSLR for a few months that either I don't have the eye for digital Photography or it just isn't for me...the money invested will be a lot less with used than with new kit.

3. I can use the USED kit to learn as I'm getting a feel for DP and could keep it as a 2nd camera or even give it to someone to start their journey.

4. If I do decide to get a semi-pro after "I test the waters" I will be able to get a D400 by then or a reduced (slightly) D300s.

I've got a D70 & 18-70 on.its way, should be here by the end of the week.

Good idea? Bad idea? Or indifferent?

WTP
 
not a Nikon user so not fully up on the D70 but it's quite an old body (introduced 2004) which uses a CCD sensor rather than the now more commonly used CMOS.
Imo CCDs give better IQ at lower ISO but get noisier a lot quicker than CMOS as you increase ISO.
It's also 6MP rather than the 12+ than a modern body would have - if you aren't going to print big that's not really a problem though.
& AF won't be upto a modern body but if you aren't doing sports etc. again that's not really an issue.
 
heidfirst said:
not a Nikon user so not fully up on the D70 but it's quite an old body (introduced 2004) which uses a CCD sensor rather than the now more commonly used CMOS.
Imo CCDs give better IQ at lower ISO but get noisier a lot quicker than CMOS as you increase ISO.
It's also 6MP rather than the 12+ than a modern body would have - if you aren't going to print big that's not really a problem though.
& AF won't be upto a modern body but if you aren't doing sports etc. again that's not really an issue.
Click to expand...

I can cope with non-sports photography outside or well lit in the day that I'm not going to blow up more than A4...Thanks for your reply, I can't wait for the kit to get here and PLAY !
 
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travellingcello said:
Have you budgeted for lenses? Buy a £1000 body but if you don't have any lenses........ (!!!!!)

I agree with daugirdas.....

Buy a cheaper body. I would recommend the 60D if you want something that can do everything. I may be biased but its a good all-rounder. Also consider a used 40D (£400 although I saw one today for £300 on ebay) or 50D (£500), and then buying good glass like.. 70-200 F4L (used for under £400) + Tamron 17-50 non vc ( £200 used)
Click to expand...

Best advice so far
 
Thanks for your advice and I will be looking for decent lenses and understand GLASS is the MOST important thing.

I may be new, I may not know much/anything, but one thing I do know, after being constantly told (after asking which one I should go for) to go into shops & hold the cameras and see what feels better...

I know I am a Nikonian.
 
My 20D is pretty good for a beginner :) Body is about £200, then that leaves you £800 for which you can get a couple of good lenses and other accessories such as cards,batteries,bag,filters,chargers etc!

Good luck :)

Oh and i wouldn't go any lower thna 8MP ( mine's 8MP and is just fine )
 
What did he mean no auto on a d300/s?

There is program mode.. (P)
Aperture mode (A) <--- this one is the most used anyway - for me
Shutter (S) - for those situations where you want a particular speed
and Manual (M) for experimenting...

WB is auto, ISO you'll probably set a 200 or 1600 depending on light...

Have you handled the d300?
If its too much/too big, have a look at the d80 or d90. Both should do what you need and provide a solid platform to move up in. Also both have motors :) for older lenses.


Edit:
Reread - congrats on the d70!! :) hope you enjoy it and post up some pics!
 
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WannaTakePix said:
There's been another development in this SAGA...
The Shop Assistant recommended to go USED while starting out, for a few of reasons:

1. The D300/s don't have an Auto mode & thus there would be a considerable learning curve, by going USED with an oldero camera with an Auto Function I will be able to go full Auto if I need to and have a play when feeling adventurous.

2. If I find out after using the DSLR for a few months that either I don't have the eye for digital Photography or it just isn't for me...the money invested will be a lot less with used than with new kit.

3. I can use the USED kit to learn as I'm getting a feel for DP and could keep it as a 2nd camera or even give it to someone to start their journey.

4. If I do decide to get a semi-pro after "I test the waters" I will be able to get a D400 by then or a reduced (slightly) D300s.

I've got a D70 & 18-70 on.its way, should be here by the end of the week.

Good idea? Bad idea? Or indifferent?

WTP
Click to expand...
:clap: Congrats, a camera at last- this is good progress:D

Just get stuck in and use A,S,M. There's really nothing to it and I pray for the day when auto/program/scene modes are removed from all DSLR's- would actually force people to learn:lol:

Good info here for you

Enjoy:)
 
Was passing, so, popped in to have a look at the D70.

I was expecting it to be rather tatty being so old.
But, it look pretty good to me. No scratches or knocks at all.
In it's original box, with leads, charger, strap, spare battery and smaller battery adaptor.

The 18-70mm was a bit dusty on the outside and had a few dust particles inside the lens, but generally in good condition too.

I was pleased to find it is bigger than I thought, when I held it - so felt great.

Took some photos with the 18-70mm and wasn't disappointed after hearing how slow the AF was supposed to be, guess it just shows my inexperience.
The more I held it the more photos I took the better it felt.

I even wasn't feeling as disappointed as I thought I would be about the 1.8" screen.

Reading on forums that the 18-70mm had a tendency to stick, that didn't appear to be the case. The Salesperson said if anything it looked a little loose. I pointed the lens to the floor but it didn't move "looks fine" the salesperson said.

I took a photo of a blank white card at f22 then looked at it on the in-store Mac at 100%. Just 1 small dust particle in the top left hand corner.

The only thing that was putting me off was the dust in the lens, near the front glass, but the salesperson said it wouldn't matter as it was too close to focus on and I would never see it in the photos.

Anything else I need to check?

I'm hoping to pick up tomorrow or Monday. :)
 
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Hey All,

I've not had a chance to pick up the kit...but in the meantime have found a 18-105mm which I'm going to go for instead.

Hopefully Friday is collection day...
 
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