digital slr's - some help please
Discussion
As there seems to be quite a few of you on here that know your camera's and have some pretty trick equipment, I thought it the best place to ask.
Looking to get a digital slr so I can take some better pictures and some more arty ones etc, unfortunately dont have loads to splash as still working on finishing my car.....
so have been looking at this camera and would appreciate your opinions;
(Canon E350D)
www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3MHY&CategorySelectedId=11193&NavigationKey=11193,4294959512
Will this do the job for an amature like me or would it be better off getting a cheaper camera and spending more on the lens?
Would appreciate anyones help.
Thanks;
James
Looking to get a digital slr so I can take some better pictures and some more arty ones etc, unfortunately dont have loads to splash as still working on finishing my car.....
so have been looking at this camera and would appreciate your opinions;
(Canon E350D)
www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3MHY&CategorySelectedId=11193&NavigationKey=11193,4294959512
Will this do the job for an amature like me or would it be better off getting a cheaper camera and spending more on the lens?
Would appreciate anyones help.
Thanks;
James
I'm a bit of a n00b. But I've done photography at college and its something I enjoy. I've got myself an EOS 350D and it does everything I need it to with very good quality, the only thing limiting me at the moment is that the standard lense is a bit pants. Head over to the photography section, plenty of great advice on there 
Your probably better off asking on the Photography and Video forum....
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=109&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=109&h=0
mikey_p said:
Your probably better off asking on the Photography and Video forum....
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=109&h=0
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?f=109&h=0
Must admit didnt think to look if there was such a thing - thanks for the tips though guys, now on there digging for info
20vt_mk2dub said:
As there seems to be quite a few of you on here that know your camera's and have some pretty trick equipment, I thought it the best place to ask.
Looking to get a digital slr so I can take some better pictures and some more arty ones etc, unfortunately dont have loads to splash as still working on finishing my car.....
so have been looking at this camera and would appreciate your opinions;
(Canon E350D)
www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3MHY&CategorySelectedId=11193&NavigationKey=11193,4294959512
Will this do the job for an amature like me or would it be better off getting a cheaper camera and spending more on the lens?
Would appreciate anyones help.
The Nikon D80 is great and this www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/124189 is a bloody great price!!!!
Thanks;
James
Looking to get a digital slr so I can take some better pictures and some more arty ones etc, unfortunately dont have loads to splash as still working on finishing my car.....
so have been looking at this camera and would appreciate your opinions;
(Canon E350D)
www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quicklinx=3MHY&CategorySelectedId=11193&NavigationKey=11193,4294959512
Will this do the job for an amature like me or would it be better off getting a cheaper camera and spending more on the lens?
Would appreciate anyones help.
The Nikon D80 is great and this www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/124189 is a bloody great price!!!!
Thanks;
James
IMO unless you despratly need some of the toys on the 400d (slighlty better AF, slightly faster constant shooting, 10mp) get the 350d unless there close in price.
I think you should be able to get the 350d a fair bit cheaper than the 400d though and its(almost) as good a camera. To me the differences arnt enouggh for the disparity in price.
I think you should be able to get the 350d a fair bit cheaper than the 400d though and its(almost) as good a camera. To me the differences arnt enouggh for the disparity in price.
As a professional photogrspher I'd advise you to look not only at the Canon 350D but the cheaper Nikon DSLR cameras too. I'm not getting into an argument about which make is best, just pointing out that some people feel more comfortable with one make than the other and the more relaxed you are the better photos you'll take.
What I think you are confusing a bit is the great photos you see of cars at a distance and it isn't just the camera, it is the lens, and you'll need at least a 300mm zoom to be able to get decent pictures since what with safety measures the cars are further and further away. At random I picked a shot out from lat years Classic and you have to remember that with press passes I'm not too far away from the cars here.
This photo was taken with expensive equipment but the principle is the same - you need a good zoom. As a standard lens for you I would pick the 18/200 in the Nikon range (Sigma make an equivalent cheaper version) and the 35/350 in the Canon range since both are do-everything lenses really. You can take shots of friends up close and of cars on the track with the same lens.
All of this can cost a bundle, especially if you really get into photography, but if your intention is to try and get better pictures without going to enormous expense then you could do considerably worse than buying the new Panasonic DMC-FZ750 which is a highly sophisticated point and press camera with a 420mm zoom lens built in. Also, the main problem up to now with the point and press cameras is that the shutter clicked after the car had passed but not with this one - it is instantaneous.
To finish, if you are thinking of seriously getting into photography, then go the DSLR route, but if you need a camera that can do everything in one, go for the new Panasonic. Hope this helps
What I think you are confusing a bit is the great photos you see of cars at a distance and it isn't just the camera, it is the lens, and you'll need at least a 300mm zoom to be able to get decent pictures since what with safety measures the cars are further and further away. At random I picked a shot out from lat years Classic and you have to remember that with press passes I'm not too far away from the cars here.
This photo was taken with expensive equipment but the principle is the same - you need a good zoom. As a standard lens for you I would pick the 18/200 in the Nikon range (Sigma make an equivalent cheaper version) and the 35/350 in the Canon range since both are do-everything lenses really. You can take shots of friends up close and of cars on the track with the same lens.
All of this can cost a bundle, especially if you really get into photography, but if your intention is to try and get better pictures without going to enormous expense then you could do considerably worse than buying the new Panasonic DMC-FZ750 which is a highly sophisticated point and press camera with a 420mm zoom lens built in. Also, the main problem up to now with the point and press cameras is that the shutter clicked after the car had passed but not with this one - it is instantaneous.
To finish, if you are thinking of seriously getting into photography, then go the DSLR route, but if you need a camera that can do everything in one, go for the new Panasonic. Hope this helps
Definitely go and handle the cameras in your price range. I found the 350D far too small even with my little hands. I opted for Nikon D50 in the end and I just love the feel of it!
Be warned.....if you go the DSLR route.....it will turn out to be an expensive hobby! It's addictive! There's always some other bit of kit which you just MUST buy!
Be warned.....if you go the DSLR route.....it will turn out to be an expensive hobby! It's addictive! There's always some other bit of kit which you just MUST buy!
if going the canon route the 400d really isnt, in my opinion, worth the premium over the 350d (that I also happen to have as a spare). With the saved money you could get an extra zoom lens, if going 300mm you cant go far wrong with the cheap yet good canon USM version.
As said there are other makes, Pentax and Nikon etc but whatever you get, go for the one you feel comfy with. It isnt the camera that takes the better picture its the user. The camera just improves the quality output of that picture. If going for the zooms do try and get a USM (or othe brand equiv for their lens) as the zoom focus speed is much much more user friendly if taking action shots.
Also dont forget to take into account that 99% of all dslrs use a 1.6 cropped sensor so unless a lens s designed for digital slr you have to magnify the focal length by 1.6.
As said there are other makes, Pentax and Nikon etc but whatever you get, go for the one you feel comfy with. It isnt the camera that takes the better picture its the user. The camera just improves the quality output of that picture. If going for the zooms do try and get a USM (or othe brand equiv for their lens) as the zoom focus speed is much much more user friendly if taking action shots.
Also dont forget to take into account that 99% of all dslrs use a 1.6 cropped sensor so unless a lens s designed for digital slr you have to magnify the focal length by 1.6.
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