Suggestions/Opinions needed please.

KryptoNeo

KryptoNeo

Messages
605
Name
Stephen
Edit My Images
Yes
Hello all I've not been on here for quite a while now since I sold my gear. But I was on a day out with the family last week and whilst out i saw various scenery and such that made me think to myself, if only I had a camera with me. So I've decided to get back into it, not that I was very good at it to start with.

So I would just like to ask some opinions on what would be a good camera for me.

I have previously owned a Sony A200 and a Sony A390 and was a compete beginner and still am. Since I have sold all my gear I have nothing tying me to Sony again when I get a new camera.

So I am looking at either Canon or Nikon ( please no arguing which is better.) I know nothing about these brands other than they are both better than Sony and they have a lot more lens available so that is what I want to go with.

First off, my favourite subjects for photographing are wildlife, and sports (mainly rugby), so would need a half decent Shutter speed. I also like scenery/landscape and portrait pictures but the 1st two are what I will be doing most.

I know for the sports and Wildlife photography I'm going to need some expensive glass and I've already priced up a couple that have taken my fancy.

Budget wise with the camera I am looking to spend between £500-£650 preferably on a second hand one.

So I would just like some suggestions/opinions on what camera to get. Be it Canon or Nikon

Thanks

Steve
 
Last edited:
Thanks, and I will do. But what I mean is could you guys give me your opinion on which model of either brand would suit the type of photography I plan to do with it.
 
Well the Canon 40/50d offer 6.3fps and well within your budget
 
nikon d90 is a good shout, could get a second hand one or not a lot
the nikon d90 kinda has a amateur feel but has some nifty features of a pro body ;)
p.s. don't get a canon :P
 
KryptoNeo said:
Thanks, and I will do. But what I mean is could you guys give me your opinion on which model of either brand would suit the type of photography I plan to do with it.
Click to expand...

Hi

yes, either make will will be suitable for what you are after it doing...

Flash In The Pan said:
Go into a camera shop, handle a Canon, then handle a Nikon, then buy whichever feels "right".
Click to expand...

As Graham says, if you try them out and see which you prefer, once you decide which make you prefer, it's easier for us to start to narrow choices of bodies and lenses for you...
 
Had a try of a friends D90 yesterday and i liked it. Seen a few good deals on these as well.
However I've noticed some good deals also on the 1d MKii. I know it's an older model but i believe it still holds its own against some of the new models out today. Would this be too much of a camera for someone like me?
 
KryptoNeo said:
Had a try of a friends D90 yesterday and i liked it. Seen a few good deals on these as well.
However I've noticed some good deals also on the 1d MKii. I know it's an older model but i believe it still holds its own against some of the new models out today. Would this be too much of a camera for someone like me?
Click to expand...

They all work the same, either fully manual, aperture priority or shutter priority, once you have this nailed it matters not what you use.

The advantage with the Nikons is they have a full auto ISO feature, and have done for some time, this alone would be the biggest benefit to someone still getting to grips with the basics.

Canon had a form of auto ISO, but it was not as fluid and easy to implement as the Nikon set up, although I believe that their latest models now implement auto ISO in a similar manner to Nikons.

The main thing is how the camera feels in the hand, how easy to access buttons and the like whilst in use, that you will only find out by actually handling them.

Personally I prefer the ergonomics of the Nikons, and could use them blindfolded .... looking at some of my results I often think I was :D

Otherwise there is little between either make, both are capable of producing excellent results in the right hands.
 
callumduff said:
nikon d90 is a good shout, could get a second hand one or not a lot
the nikon d90 kinda has a amateur feel but has some nifty features of a pro body ;)
p.s. don't get a canon :P
Click to expand...

Not quite sure about the amateur feel bit.;)

Love my D90,felt "right" as soon as I tried it.

One of the main deciding factors was that it is so easy to change settings as it has 2 wheels rather than having to go into the menu.

Well within your budget but depends if a Canon feels better to you.

I have shot wildlife, motorsport and landscapes (and virtually everything else!) and been more than happy with the results.

Heather
 
Tigger.ufo said:
Not quite sure about the amateur feel bit.;)

Love my D90,felt "right" as soon as I tried it.
Click to expand...

If you go from something like a D3 or even a D300 to a D90 it feels like a toy :lol:
 
To be honest for wildlife and sports, any modern camera body (be it Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony) etc, will more than likely be up to the job. All have fairly decent burst speeds (4fps onwards), decent enough AF and plenty resolution and high ISO capabilities for a "beginner" who wants to grow into the hobby.

The problem is always glass. the 2 disciplines you mention (wildlife and sports) usually demand medium to longer focal length zooms and primes. The faster the lens is (i.e. the more light it lets in - the smaller the "F" number i.e. F2.8) the more expensive they become, but the faster shutter speeds they subsequently allow means you can freeze the action (especially useful when light levels drop).

Both Canon and Nikon both have pretty good consumer zooms in the 70-300 range with stabilisation (IS for Canon and VR for Nikon), and these would be a good start. Sigma also have pretty good medium to super telephoto zooms in most camera fittings as well.

However if you look a number of the images in the critique section of the forum, a lot are made with 70-200 F2.8, 50-500, 150-500, 300 F2.8, 400 F2.8, 300 F4 etc. lenses. This is where the cost starts to add up. Photography is really less about the camera body and more about the lens and the lump of carbon holding it (i.e. you).

A cheap hobby, it isn't. :lol::lol:
 
Last edited:
KryptoNeo said:
First off, my favourite subjects for photographing are wildlife, and sports (mainly rugby), so would need a half decent Shutter speed. I also like scenery/landscape and portrait pictures but the 1st two are what I will be doing most.

I know for the sports and Wildlife photography I'm going to need some expensive glass and I've already priced up a couple that have taken my fancy.

Budget wise with the camera I am looking to spend between £500-£650 preferably on a second hand one.
Click to expand...

Is you budget just for the camera or lens(es) as well?
What lens(es) take your fancy?
Rugby, would this be day or floodlight? (floodlight = serious glass and/or camera ISO performance)

The 1D MKII a great camera, love mine, but its weakness is low light, being a few generation older in technology, but it can still hold its own and autofocus performance for me still much better than 7D, its control and ergonomics take some getting use to, but 8mp and ISO performance are its main Achilles heels, but you're getting alot of camera for the money.
 
pete.rush said:
Is you budget just for the camera or lens(es) as well?
What lens(es) take your fancy?
Rugby, would this be day or floodlight? (floodlight = serious glass and/or camera ISO performance)

The 1D MKII a great camera, love mine, but its weakness is low light, being a few generation older in technology, but it can still hold its own and autofocus performance for me still much better than 7D, its control and ergonomics take some getting use to, but 8mp and ISO performance are its main Achilles heels, but you're getting alot of camera for the money.
Click to expand...

Yes the £500-£650 budget is for the camera only. I have a bit of money put aside for one or two lenses.
Even though I am still a beginer I want to get the best performing camera I can get in my price range. I know the glass is more important than the camera itself but I would still like a semi-pro - pro spec camera if I can get one.
 
All used equipment prices, but best for your $$$ would be

canon 50/60D or Nikon D80/90 (unfortunately canon's 7D and nikon's D7000 out of price range)

Alternatives
canon's 1D MKII or Nikon D2X or D300 (unfortunately nikon's D300s outside price range)
 
I had no idea the D2X was so cheap to buy now. I would love to get one of those. I will have to find a shop near me that has one to try before I buy.

Thanks for suggesting that one as I wouldn't have even looked at one of those
 
Last edited:
There's a decent D2x in the sales section at the moment. Once you try a Pro body you won't want anything smaller;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top