DSLR noobie advice sought!
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking at getting into the wonderful world of DSLR. I've been using a Fuji S7000 for a few years now, and always got some nice results despite the "amateur-ness" of the camera, but now want to progress.
I've been doing some research and to start off, I want to focus on something similar to the Canon EOS 400/450/500d.
These 3 seem to have most of what I'm after (S long as I go for the IS lens,correct?) with the 450 & 500 offering "better" options on the LCD live view aspect. The 500 then offers HD video (albeit in mono sound).
So, you can see my budget, and there seem to be some great deals on eBay right now.
What about Nikon? I don't know anything about these at all.
Can anybody offer me some advice as to the best value (quality vs facilities etc) in the ranges inc Nikon?
Fwiw, my photography is going to be a wide range of subjects from Jewelery to music bands, (my!) kids and cars etc.....
Thanks in advance,
Dan
Looking at getting into the wonderful world of DSLR. I've been using a Fuji S7000 for a few years now, and always got some nice results despite the "amateur-ness" of the camera, but now want to progress.
I've been doing some research and to start off, I want to focus on something similar to the Canon EOS 400/450/500d.
These 3 seem to have most of what I'm after (S long as I go for the IS lens,correct?) with the 450 & 500 offering "better" options on the LCD live view aspect. The 500 then offers HD video (albeit in mono sound).
So, you can see my budget, and there seem to be some great deals on eBay right now.
What about Nikon? I don't know anything about these at all.
Can anybody offer me some advice as to the best value (quality vs facilities etc) in the ranges inc Nikon?
Fwiw, my photography is going to be a wide range of subjects from Jewelery to music bands, (my!) kids and cars etc.....
Thanks in advance,
Dan
400/450/500 models quite old now, 400 was replaced by 450, which was replaced by 500, since then there have been 600/650/700 models too.
But yes get the IS kit lens its much better. Don't discount a 40/50/60D either (this is the next range up, current is 70D that just came out).
For Nikon I think you are looking at D40/D90/D3000/D3100.
Note that all Canon lenses have the focus motor in them, so from the cameras you are looking at any lens from the last 20 or so years will fit. For the Nikons its a bit more complicated, the lower range bodies need a lens with a motor in, but the higher spec bodies have a motor in them and a small spline drive that connects to the lens when fitted. These lenses will work on the lower spec bodies but you have to focus manually. Not absolutely sure but I don't think you can use lenses with motors in them on the higher spec bodies - maybe someone can confirm.
What this means is later on should you choose to upgrade you may need to change lenses as well.
Other than that its about which one feels more comfortable to use, all the DLSRs you are looking at will do a perfectly adequate job.
But yes get the IS kit lens its much better. Don't discount a 40/50/60D either (this is the next range up, current is 70D that just came out).
For Nikon I think you are looking at D40/D90/D3000/D3100.
Note that all Canon lenses have the focus motor in them, so from the cameras you are looking at any lens from the last 20 or so years will fit. For the Nikons its a bit more complicated, the lower range bodies need a lens with a motor in, but the higher spec bodies have a motor in them and a small spline drive that connects to the lens when fitted. These lenses will work on the lower spec bodies but you have to focus manually. Not absolutely sure but I don't think you can use lenses with motors in them on the higher spec bodies - maybe someone can confirm.
What this means is later on should you choose to upgrade you may need to change lenses as well.
Other than that its about which one feels more comfortable to use, all the DLSRs you are looking at will do a perfectly adequate job.
I had a quick look at completed ebay listings for 400Ds and the "working" ones were more expensive than the one MPB has currently.
Looking at MPB, second hand 500D bodies are around £30 cheaper than a new 1100d from Amazon (including the 18-55 IS kit lens).
There isn't all that much in it (at least on paper) between a 500D and a 1100D, with the 1100D being current rather than 3 models old.
Looking at your mix of uses, the area you are going to need to spend money is lenses, jewellery wanting a macro, whereas bands are likely to need telephoto with a low f stop to get the max light in. You'll want to look at high iso performance too.
I can't comment on Canon vs Nikon, but I will trot out the normal advice, go to a camera shop and try a couple of each. See which one you prefer handling.
The other thing to consider is do your friends have canon or nikon, and will they lend you lenses?
Looking at MPB, second hand 500D bodies are around £30 cheaper than a new 1100d from Amazon (including the 18-55 IS kit lens).
There isn't all that much in it (at least on paper) between a 500D and a 1100D, with the 1100D being current rather than 3 models old.
Looking at your mix of uses, the area you are going to need to spend money is lenses, jewellery wanting a macro, whereas bands are likely to need telephoto with a low f stop to get the max light in. You'll want to look at high iso performance too.
I can't comment on Canon vs Nikon, but I will trot out the normal advice, go to a camera shop and try a couple of each. See which one you prefer handling.
The other thing to consider is do your friends have canon or nikon, and will they lend you lenses?
The Moose said:
I imagine you'll get good results with either.
But go Nikon
There we go - didn't take long to help correct your typo!!! But go Nikon
OP - unless there's something like a specific lens you're needing or are a pro investing £00,000s you'll get equally good kit per buck.
Early decisions you should make include:
- what are you going to shoot
- Full Frame or DX/APS sized sensor
- Low light noise an issue?
- what ideal focal length
Crafty_ said:
Note that all Canon lenses have the focus motor in them, so from the cameras you are looking at any lens from the last 20 or so years will fit. For the Nikons its a bit more complicated, the lower range bodies need a lens with a motor in, but the higher spec bodies have a motor in them and a small spline drive that connects to the lens when fitted. These lenses will work on the lower spec bodies but you have to focus manually. Not absolutely sure but I don't think you can use lenses with motors in them on the higher spec bodies - maybe someone can confirm.
What this means is later on should you choose to upgrade you may need to change lenses as well.
Crikey, not this old chestnut again?What this means is later on should you choose to upgrade you may need to change lenses as well.
If you have a lower-spec Nikon body just choose lenses which have 'AF-S' on them. Plenty to choose from.
Crafty_ said:
Not absolutely sure but I don't think you can use lenses with motors in them on the higher spec bodies - maybe someone can confirm.
Of course you can; some of Nikon's finest lenses are AF-S and pros wouldn't buy an entry level body to use them.On future compatibility, if you were to go from a crop sensor body to full frame, then any lenses you bought that were designed only for a crop sensor would have to be replaced to avoid vignetting - whether Nikon or Canon.
Not knowing the exact budget or how firm it is, but assuming it's circa £400, I'd be looking at pushing up to £450 in the form of Nikon d5200 or Pentax k-30 or k-5.
If you head over to DPReview.com and check out one of the reviews for the above mentioned, and compare the JPEG and RAW noise levels with the Canons you've mentioned, you'll see the Nikon and moreso the Pentax, making them look poor options.
Similarly if you compare with DXOMark.com, you'll the same pattern repeated.
If you head over to DPReview.com and check out one of the reviews for the above mentioned, and compare the JPEG and RAW noise levels with the Canons you've mentioned, you'll see the Nikon and moreso the Pentax, making them look poor options.
Similarly if you compare with DXOMark.com, you'll the same pattern repeated.
Simpo Two said:
Crafty_ said:
Note that all Canon lenses have the focus motor in them, so from the cameras you are looking at any lens from the last 20 or so years will fit. For the Nikons its a bit more complicated, the lower range bodies need a lens with a motor in, but the higher spec bodies have a motor in them and a small spline drive that connects to the lens when fitted. These lenses will work on the lower spec bodies but you have to focus manually. Not absolutely sure but I don't think you can use lenses with motors in them on the higher spec bodies - maybe someone can confirm.
What this means is later on should you choose to upgrade you may need to change lenses as well.
Crikey, not this old chestnut again?What this means is later on should you choose to upgrade you may need to change lenses as well.
If you have a lower-spec Nikon body just choose lenses which have 'AF-S' on them. Plenty to choose from.
Crafty_ said:
Not absolutely sure but I don't think you can use lenses with motors in them on the higher spec bodies - maybe someone can confirm.
Of course you can; some of Nikon's finest lenses are AF-S and pros wouldn't buy an entry level body to use them.On future compatibility, if you were to go from a crop sensor body to full frame, then any lenses you bought that were designed only for a crop sensor would have to be replaced to avoid vignetting - whether Nikon or Canon.
Wouldn't bother me these days, tbh I'd go with whichever system I 'clicked' with, they're both good choices
Nikon d3100 and a 50mm f1.8. Then buy a memory card, decent bag and a book. Learn about the holy trinity of ISO, Aperture and shutter speed.
Once you've done that you'll know more than 98% of anyone whoever took a photo knows.
Then get the hang of composition, and take interesting and original shots. Progress to better kit if you find what you have is limiting you. It might not.
The camera is just a tool. When did you ever see a great pic and wonder which brand of camera was used?
Once you've done that you'll know more than 98% of anyone whoever took a photo knows.
Then get the hang of composition, and take interesting and original shots. Progress to better kit if you find what you have is limiting you. It might not.
The camera is just a tool. When did you ever see a great pic and wonder which brand of camera was used?
DanoS4 said:
Not even looked at them yet - but I'm looking to shoot jewellery in an attempt to help Wifey's online business.
Once the "work" has been taken care of, I've got a rather needy Porsche that needs photographing. Beading shots etc etc
The entry point is the 50mm prime - that would do the job fine and it's not expensive Once the "work" has been taken care of, I've got a rather needy Porsche that needs photographing. Beading shots etc etc
If you later decide you want to count the hairs on a midge's scrotum then you'll be needing an MPE-65 of course 
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