Investing in my first proper camera in a few months
Discussion
Hello all,
been getting more and more into this section of the PH web-land over the last few months, and really enjoying the photies on here.
Now here is the thing, I am really getting into photography now and am looking to invest some cash on a shiny new photo device.
At the moment i've been using a 4yr old 2.6 megapixel fuji camera with all the zoom of a broken-down Mazda. To be honest i've been enjoying what i've been taking pics of (cycle races, car races, landscapes, the missus (clothed and maybe otherwise)etc) and i'm after something a lot better. Its something I really want to get into.
Been scoping out some Digi SLRs and the Canon Eos400d seems very nice. Also took a look at some compacts, but I like the diversity the lens options give you with SLRs. My budget would stretch to an entry level SLR, however, the chap in my local shop said they are only for technically minded people. Learning the tech side of photography shouldn't be a prob for me as I am a technical young chap, but am I diving in too deep with an SLR to start with?
My dad has used the old style SLRs for years now and to me they seem perfect. I like the looks of them, the feel and the weight. But I am yet to actually play with one.
So should I stick to compacts etc, or should I dive in and purchase a nice Digi SLR that I will use to learn all about photography with? And if so, which ones are good? I've been told Canon and Nikon with Sigma lenses are good, Sonys are good but expensive.
I will get a copy of photoshop and start playing with that too as everyone I know who is a photographer raves on about it.
Many thanks for the advice in advance people!
been getting more and more into this section of the PH web-land over the last few months, and really enjoying the photies on here.
Now here is the thing, I am really getting into photography now and am looking to invest some cash on a shiny new photo device.
At the moment i've been using a 4yr old 2.6 megapixel fuji camera with all the zoom of a broken-down Mazda. To be honest i've been enjoying what i've been taking pics of (cycle races, car races, landscapes, the missus (clothed and maybe otherwise)etc) and i'm after something a lot better. Its something I really want to get into.
Been scoping out some Digi SLRs and the Canon Eos400d seems very nice. Also took a look at some compacts, but I like the diversity the lens options give you with SLRs. My budget would stretch to an entry level SLR, however, the chap in my local shop said they are only for technically minded people. Learning the tech side of photography shouldn't be a prob for me as I am a technical young chap, but am I diving in too deep with an SLR to start with?
My dad has used the old style SLRs for years now and to me they seem perfect. I like the looks of them, the feel and the weight. But I am yet to actually play with one.
So should I stick to compacts etc, or should I dive in and purchase a nice Digi SLR that I will use to learn all about photography with? And if so, which ones are good? I've been told Canon and Nikon with Sigma lenses are good, Sonys are good but expensive.
I will get a copy of photoshop and start playing with that too as everyone I know who is a photographer raves on about it.
Many thanks for the advice in advance people!
Hi,
The 400D is the one to go for in my opinion. I currently have the 350D and to say I am delighted with it is an understatement. I got mine in February this year and knew nothing about digital slr's (coming from a sony dsc p100 point and shoot). It's fairly easy to get to grips with the technical side of things, you just push buttons, turn knobs, and see what happens.
There's some great resources on this internet thing, for one POTN is an amazing forum, there's some great technical info there, and I learned almost everything I know about the camera from there.
The only downside to slr's is the lenses, well it's not a downside really, just a bloody expensive part of it. What type of photography do you plan on doing? motorsport? macro? My 350D cost me £350+extras and my Canon 100-400mm lens cost me £1150 (just to give you an idea). The standard lens you get with the 400D is ok, but within a month you will be bored with it. Also the flash that comes build it is not ideal, a mounted flash will cost you £150+ for a decent one.
This may sound scary, but you can build up these things over time.
It's worth shopping around for the camera though, warehouseexpress is very cheap compared to Jesspos, for instance, I got a macro lens from warehouseexpress last week for £340, Jessops price £460.
Hope this helps!
p.s. all the photos I have taken since I got my 350D can be seen on my flickr account, feel free to take a look around.
The 400D is the one to go for in my opinion. I currently have the 350D and to say I am delighted with it is an understatement. I got mine in February this year and knew nothing about digital slr's (coming from a sony dsc p100 point and shoot). It's fairly easy to get to grips with the technical side of things, you just push buttons, turn knobs, and see what happens.
There's some great resources on this internet thing, for one POTN is an amazing forum, there's some great technical info there, and I learned almost everything I know about the camera from there.
The only downside to slr's is the lenses, well it's not a downside really, just a bloody expensive part of it. What type of photography do you plan on doing? motorsport? macro? My 350D cost me £350+extras and my Canon 100-400mm lens cost me £1150 (just to give you an idea). The standard lens you get with the 400D is ok, but within a month you will be bored with it. Also the flash that comes build it is not ideal, a mounted flash will cost you £150+ for a decent one.
This may sound scary, but you can build up these things over time.
It's worth shopping around for the camera though, warehouseexpress is very cheap compared to Jesspos, for instance, I got a macro lens from warehouseexpress last week for £340, Jessops price £460.
Hope this helps!
p.s. all the photos I have taken since I got my 350D can be seen on my flickr account, feel free to take a look around.
Edited by hawkaye on Tuesday 29th May 23:33
I'm in a similar situation, but I've done a reasonable amount of film SLR work before. The first bit of advice is go and hold some, I picked up the 400D, and D40x knew immediately there was no point going any further with them, the former I couldn't get to grips with the vertical scroll wheel, and the latter is just too small.
The D80 felt fantastic, and the D200 even better. I was ready to get a D80 but my only concern was weatherproofing as I do a fairy amount of mountaineering, a typically moist environment! A D200, although a lot of money, is still cheaper than having to replace a D80 in a years time that's died of corrosion! I've ordered a D200, so it boils down to what you need, I decided weatherproofing was a priority (and I didn't like the Pentax K10D).
Entry level SLR's (up to, but not including the D200) all have preset modes so can be used as a glorified point and shoot while you're getting to grips with them.
The D80 felt fantastic, and the D200 even better. I was ready to get a D80 but my only concern was weatherproofing as I do a fairy amount of mountaineering, a typically moist environment! A D200, although a lot of money, is still cheaper than having to replace a D80 in a years time that's died of corrosion! I've ordered a D200, so it boils down to what you need, I decided weatherproofing was a priority (and I didn't like the Pentax K10D).
Entry level SLR's (up to, but not including the D200) all have preset modes so can be used as a glorified point and shoot while you're getting to grips with them.
Edited by hugh_ on Wednesday 30th May 00:33
I'll second (or third...) all the above, plus to say the sort of photography you've been doing (in particular the action) - really suits a DSLR - you have a much better choice of decent lens lengths (I think bridge cameras with the large range zoom lenses, e.g. 12X compromise on optical quality) and the instant response of a DSLR combine to make action photography a breeze.
Plus extra lenses needn't cost the earth - I got an old 100-400mm for £85 (granted it is, er, not an 'L' series!!)
Plus extra lenses needn't cost the earth - I got an old 100-400mm for £85 (granted it is, er, not an 'L' series!!)
RobDickinson said:
To get the best results you'll have to understand the mechanics of photography and the limits of your equipment & techique
And I would recommend "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson (£12 @ Amazon). Lots of pictures showing what happens when you change aperture, ISO, shutter speed to go with the explanations.hugh_ said:
The first bit of advice is go and hold some, I picked up the 400D, and D40x knew immediately there was no point going any further with them, the former I couldn't get to grips with the vertical scroll wheel, and the latter is just too small.
Good advice. I know some people that like the 400D or D40 because of the small size, and others that just couldn't get on with them.If you prefer the slightly larger cameras, then the Nikon D50 can be a bargain if you can find one (it's been "replaced" by the D40, but a lot of people prefer it because the D40 can't autofocus non-AFS lenses).
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. Am busy now working solidly through to next Tues, so on Weds (my next day off) am gonna hit the shops and get a feel for some of the cameras available.
In a rush at the mo but will read over the replies to this thread over the weekend and begin digesting the info then.
Thanks again all.
In a rush at the mo but will read over the replies to this thread over the weekend and begin digesting the info then.
Thanks again all.
I bought the 20D I have 2nd hand (from gf350) as my first DSLR and found it PERFECT. Not too much (which I was scared of) as a first camera, and to be honest I only canged because a good deal came up for a 30D. I'm still in two minds whether to keep the 20 though it was that good...I just haven't had enough chance to play with the 30 yet!
Anyway...it's ace (the 20
)
Anyway...it's ace (the 20
)I started with a secondhand D30 about 5 years ago and paid over £800 for that then (body only), bought the 10D s/h two years ago for £650 and its still going strong, the build quality of these early Canons is amazing. I'm in two minds also when I get my 1D whether to keep the 10 as a back up.
Carl
Carl
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