Entry level DSLR advice!

[Thomas brookes]

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone could guide me in the right direction to choosing my first DSLR, I have been saving for quite some time now, originally falling in love with the olyimpus pen's retro good looks and hot reviews. altho the price was high I was slightly dubious in my purchase after realising I would need to buy additional extras like a flash, so I held steady for something new or for prices to magically plumet. I now have close to 900 and counting in my camera kitty. Now for me functionality is important but also looks I love the retro look. after an exchange of texts with hamish he told me to check out the fuji x 100.... Wow drool!!!!! Just what I have been waiting for....... Or is it?

The price is high and I'm sure it will be as rare as hens teeth when it hits the Market. That aside is it to much to soon for a beginer?? Or to put it bluntly would I be stupid having a punt on such an expensive camera based on it's handsome looks and reviews?

Can it essentially give me what I need to start out and stay technical when my skills develop over time?

What cameras would you guys recommend ?

 

[Darren Turner]

Not always the case but generally all DSLRS take amazing pictures. People are sometimes disappointed when they use their hard earned cash to buy on a new DSLR for the first time and the images are not as good as they expect. Its all about learning how to use it and what all the setting do & how they affect the final image. Now i have used DSLR for around 4 years now and i am by no means an expert. You have to use it regularly, experiment & read up to get the best out of your camera. Image editing is also a big part of owning a DSLR these days

As for choice well there are far to many to choose from, go to a shop and look at bodies that are within your budget see how the feel in you hands for size & comfort, generally speaking the more you pay for the camera body the more extra features you get for your money, however this doesn’t always mean you chosen camera will take a better photo.

Within your budget remember you will need far more than just a camera body, Kit lens for everyday use, a Telephoto lens for extra reach, maybe a wide angle lens for landscapes or a Macro lens for up close & personal, Flash gun? Camera Bag, Extra Batteries, Memory cards.

All these thing need to be accounted for & though about prior to your purchase. But like most you can develop your collection of kit over time. Generally the better quality lens you buy will give you better quality images; however standard lens can achieves awesome results with a little practice.

Maybe if you could give us an idea or what type of photos you think you will be taking & an approx budget you have at the moment, this may make it easier for us to help you out.

Darren

 

[Hamish Gill]

MATE... I GOT A GF1 WITH YOUR NAME ALLLL OVER IT!

seriously, a fuji x100 is likely a great choice for a lot of people, but i would say, because of the fixed lens (no zoom, and no ability to change it) you might find it a little limiting.

personally i love the idea of having a fixed focal length ... but i have my d3 with many zoom lenses to rely on when they are more convenient ... its a tough one to call ... especially when your coming from the fixed lens of an iphone ....

i would also doubt that the fuji would let you down in image quality ... fujis track record with high end kit is exemplary ... the fuji s5, the last "pro" camera they brought out was slow, but bloody hell did it take good photos!! right up there with the highest end contemporary slrs .. i have no idea why i sold mine!!

so yeah i wouldnt rule out the fuji ... just be concious of its limitations ...

as for an slr ... well ... where to start ...

id recommend a nikon ... mostly because i have tonnes of lenses, i also have 5 flash guns with remote capability and know the cameras inside out so i could help you out and lend you stuff readily ...

wich basically give you one sensible option ... the nikon d90 + 18-105vr ... that comes in at around £750, giving you £150 to buy a memory card and bag and have a few penny left over ...

another slightly left field option, if you never intend to take a lot of images in quick succession would be a second hand fuji s5 ... that would give you a load of left over cash for a decent standard zoom lens and a couple of prime lenses (fixed focal length) .... whcih prior to buying you could try mine out and decide which give you a field of view you like ... (the fuji s5 takes nikon lenses too) ... (this is what i would probably do ... especially if i didnt require speed)

also tom, you are welcome to borrow both or either my gf1 or nikon d50 to help you decide on what route to go down ... my gf1 has a fixed length lens very similar to that of the fuji x100...
i also have film cameras you can borrow that with teach you, just through use, the relationship between aperture, film speed and shutter speed ... something i think is vital to getting good results with an slr ...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Tom - the Fuji looks like it's going to be a winner, however it's not a DSLR.

It's going to come with a fixed lens, so you will not have the option to put on different lenses - this is going to impact the sort of photography you'll be able to do with the camera.

This may of course be something you're ok with?

You'll get more options, and a lower start cost with an intro DSLR from someone like Canon.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digital-Camera-incl-18-55/dp/B0020MLKF0/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1296570887&sr=8-5

Canon EOS 500D Digital SLR Camera (incl. EF-S 18-55 mm IS Lens Kit) £489.70

With the change you could add lenses etc as your hobby grows.

Just another approach - but not the retro look you were after

 

[Thomas brookes]

Darren, thanks for the reply great info to get my teeth into, I'm reading alot to get myself clued up, but feel I'm in a slight catch 22 in regards to reading and knowing about things I have never physically done or tryed myself as i have no camera to physically play around with, and see the result.
in terms of style of photography I would hazard a guess that I would be doing what I'm doing already landscapes,portraits in an almost opportunistic style with filtering and editing dark and moody.

As for budget at the end of this month will be £1000, I know I have a long road ahead of me in terms of technical ability and the endless possibilities in every aspect is very daunting, so I think a camera with adaptability and longevity would suit me best?

Like you said there are so many on the Market I don't know where to start!! I do like the sound of a macro lens. bags and batteries memory cards ect i have acounted for in a seperate budget. The £1000 is for the camera and maybe lenses, I have been saving for about 15 months now so if you guys feel it's not enough I'm sure I can hang fire a little more for something special.

Really appreciate your time and advice Darren

Thanks
Tom

 

[Thomas brookes]

Sorry guys you posted as I was writing my last reply and in no was I discrediting you advice by ignoring it!!! Haha I'm a bit slow.great advice all round!! Hamish when are you at the shop next? Could I pop by and get touchy feely?? ( with the cameras of course)

 

[Hamish Gill]

im in on friday ... text me and remind me Thursday night and ill take in my gf1 for you to stroke n stuff

 

[Glen Roberts]

ill take in my gf1 for you to stroke n stuff

I hope the gf1 is a camera and not girlfriend number one ... lol

 

[Hamish Gill]

GF1 i like it ...

that makes hannah gf2... which is quite apt as the gf2 is actually prettier than the gf1 ...
im such a geek... i really hope hannah doesnt read this!

 

[Davis Hilary]

If yor looking for entry level DSLR camera than my recommendation would a Sony SLT-A55VL.The new camera Sony α55 SLT-A55VL camera. Lighter and more compact than conventional SLR cameras. This camera take continuous shooting 10 frames per second and accurate autofocus and ultra-fast, even on moving subjects. For the first time the HD video with fast autofocus,this camera has 16.2 effective megapixels – HD CMOS sensor.

 

[Joseph Brown]

In your budget limit you should go with this Nikon D3000.Nikon D3000 is Nikon beginner / entry level camera. It replaces Nikon D60.First time DSLR users will enjoy the Guide Mode by using this camera. It literally walked us through different shoot scenarios via the fixed 3" LCD screen. A basic fix is the Vibration Reduction feature located on the lens. This should be activated, especially indoors. Nikon D3000 has a thumb dial, which you will use most of the time to change shutter speed and aperture. There are mode dial on the top of the camera.
Nikon D3000 comes with Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens. This lens has a plastic mount, but the image quality and the light is recommendable. It never get super sharp like pro grade lens, but pro grade lens might costs more than ten times, so 18-55mm VR is one of the best value lens out in the market.

 

[Thomas brookes]

Hey joseph, great advice...... I have now purchased my shooter. a recommendation (hard sell) by the one and only hamish gill!! Walked out the shop with a d7000 and love it so much!!! I'm sure people posing the same question as me will find your post very hepfull!!!

Thanks

 

[Darren Bradley]

The Nikon D7000 is an excellent choice for a first DSLR. In fact, it would also be a great choice for a second or third DSLR. Look forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[Hamish Gill]

hes too bloody shy to post his pics that tom ... im gonna kick his *** next time i see him ... great camera ... and keeping all his work under wraps ... its just not good enough Tom

 

[Thomas brookes]

Oh no hamish I have been planning something!! All will be revelled next week !! I'm also working on the motion theme !!!