Bought my first DSLR (1100d) - Couple questions

[russy01]

Afternoon,

Wanted an SLR for a long time, but with many other things to pay for its been put off. Anyway I have been reading and keeping my eye out, so when the right deal comes up I can jump on it. Anyway I managed to pick up an A1 condition Canon 1100d with the Canon 18-135mm lens and a load of accessories for £190 - I couldnt resist.

Anyway, part of me wants to upgrade the camera before I have even used it (I do like having the best gadgets, and very rarely purchase a "beginner" product). I was considering selling the 1100d body on and getting something a bit higher spec for the lens (which sounds as though its a decent bit of kit).

I can probs sell the body for about £150 and would happily bung £200-300 with it to get a half decent spec body.

Now am I being silly? Considering I am an a complete photography novice, should I:

- Stick with the 1100d for a while and get to grips, before I add in even more settings/features.
- Sell the 1100d whilst its still worth something and get the newer 1200d (Will cost me about £150 to do this)
- Sell the 1100d whilst its still worth something and spunk an extra £300 on something even better?

The camera is going to be used for recreation, planning to go to NZ soon so wanted a decent camera to take some snaps.

Thanks in advance.

[russy01]

DavidY said:

The 1100d is a surprisingly decent camera, the 1200d doesn't really offer a great deal more. I bought an 1100d for my partners daughter to do her A level photography and its produced some excellent images.

If you are desperate to spend money I would spend as follows:-

Sigma 10-20mm or new Canon 10-18mm lens for wide angle landscapes
Canon 50mm f1.8 MkII, great for portraits and works very well in low light

But you don't have to buy either, great gear doesn't make a great photographer, and a great photographer doesn't need great gear!!!

And if you don't go mad using the LCD screen all the time you will get 650 shots from a single charge, but a second battery might be a consideration, along with some additional memory cards (do not put all your once in a lifetime holiday pictures on a single card!!!)

Edited by DavidY on Tuesday 26th August 16:38

Thanks for your advice. As for the Cards, I have already purchased a Wifi Card and a Sandisk Extreme Card. I have also purchased a spare battery, case, polarising filters, flower hood etc (I went a bit crazy on eBay last night).

So ultimately I have all the gear, just no idea.

I think Ill probably try the 1100d for a while and see how I get on, Its far more capable than I am.

[russy01]

Mr Will said:

The 1200D is a fractional improvement from the 1100D, not worth the step up IMHO.

Next level up would be the XXXD series (600D/650D/700D). Consumer level. One of these would be worth it if you can do it cheaply but you still won't see a massive difference.

Above that are the XXD series (50D/60D/70D). Semi-Pro. These would be a noticeable step up, particularly in usability. Better viewfinders, more physical controls, etc. Well worth the jump but won't be cheap to do.

Finally the is the XD series (7D/6D/5D/1D). These are the pro- cameras. Great cameras but all except the 7D will not work with your lens. Don't go there just now.

Personally, I'd stick with your 1100D for the moment and spend the money on lenses. That's where you'll see the biggest differences and they can be carried over if/when you upgrade your body further down the line.

Thanks, I kinda gathered the above - but that confirms it. Again I agree and will probs hang on to the 1100D for a while and see how I get on

As for lenses, as I have said it comes with the Canon 18-135. I assume this is going to be ideal for general use? I see most come as standard with a 18-55, mine will be similar but will just have the benefit of being able to zoom more?

[russy01]

Sounds like a good deal. Was it a bundle or did you have a promo code - as you had a hefty discount.

Cheers Simpo, I plan to learn all these bits and pieces. Although I am a bit resilient to PS! I want to try and learn to use the camera before I start playing about on the PC.
I think I'll just get out there and go snappy happy, any good sites/mags/books to help read up on the odd bit?

[russy01]

Mr Will said:

russy01 said:

As for lenses, as I have said it comes with the Canon 18-135. I assume this is going to be ideal for general use? I see most come as standard with a 18-55, mine will be similar but will just have the benefit of being able to zoom more?

Yep, yours will zoom in more but other than that there is not a great difference. It will be a very good general purpose lens without excelling at any one thing.

As for possible additions, my choice would be a prime (i.e. doesn't zoom) lens for low light shots and blurred backgrounds but that's biased by what I shoot. You may prefer a telephoto (e.g. 55-250) for sports or wildlife, a macro for close-ups or a wide-angle (e.g. 10-22mm) for landscapes and architecture. Work out what you want to do that your current kit won't let you do first though. There is no point going on a gear buying spree before you know what you need.

Ok thanks a lot for your suggestions.

Any advice on where to buy/look? I like to do business away from the big boys if possible.

[russy01]

Camera arrived today, am having good fun trying to get to grips with it this evening. Already starting to learn a couple things, there really is a lot to learn! Coming from a generation brought up with Camera phones, I really have no idea about all this camera tech.

So I have been playing about and have:

- Slightly understood what ISO settings are.
- Played with the Light settings to adjust the exposure. Took the same picture from -2 up to +2 to really see how it affects.
- Trying not to use Auto mode, however switch back to it every so often, to see what settings it recommends in certain lights.

One thing I have always liked is images of a subject close up, with a blurred background. So I set up a simple picture (with text in the background so I could easily see the "blur" and went through the modes. Settled on Av, and then started playing around with the (F stop is it?) and the little focus bits (so chose where I wanted to focus etc.)

Anyway I ended up with blur in the background, so I was absolutely chuffed. Whilst its a very basic photo with a real basic effect, I felt like a professional photographer!!!




I also purchased a Toshiba Flashair SD card which I have to say is very good. I have the app on my iPad, so once I have taken a couple shots I just look over and review the shots on the iPad with my Camera still in position.

One thing I need to purchase is a decent little case. I have a case with the camera but its only really suited to a 18-55mm lens and is a bit tight with the 18-135. Any recommendations? I want a compact case which will hold the camera, spare battery, spare SD card and that's about it. Not one of these big back pack jobs.

Looking at these cheap jobs, what do you think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-SLR-Camera-Shoul...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAMERA-CASE-BAG-CANON-EO...

[russy01]

Turn7 said:

Try to get your head around the ISO/Aperture/Shutter speed triangle -will be a huge help.

Will try my best. Ordered a book for some bedtime reading, but will try and use it as much as I can. Plus when my dad is back from his travels he can push me in the right direction as hes pretty fly on his Nikon.

Thanks.