Discussion
What's a good digital SLR to start with?
Looking to do landscapes, and oval racing of cars and bikes.
Assume I need a few different lenses for the different uses.
Can I get something usable for under £300?
Less money would be better.
Links to eBay, or Amazon would be helpful.
Please treat me like I know nothing, as I pretty much don't, all I know is it's something I've wanted to do for years, and now it's time.
Cheers.
Looking to do landscapes, and oval racing of cars and bikes.
Assume I need a few different lenses for the different uses.
Can I get something usable for under £300?
Less money would be better.
Links to eBay, or Amazon would be helpful.
Please treat me like I know nothing, as I pretty much don't, all I know is it's something I've wanted to do for years, and now it's time.
Cheers.
Basically anything in the last ~5 years that is a true dSLR will do.
Usually there are tier of cameras, as you go up the ergonomics, build and overall performance increase
So for canon (eg() the xxxxD line is the cheapest (1100D etc) the xxxD is the next ( 750D) xxD ( 80D) then xD ( 5d, 1d etc) are the top spec.
No idea what your budge will get you but you will need 2 lenses also, a wide angle (10-18mm or so) for landscapes and a 'long' lens for motorosports (55-200, 70-200, 100-400 or something).
even the low end cameras are pretty decent these days though.
Usually there are tier of cameras, as you go up the ergonomics, build and overall performance increase
So for canon (eg() the xxxxD line is the cheapest (1100D etc) the xxxD is the next ( 750D) xxD ( 80D) then xD ( 5d, 1d etc) are the top spec.
No idea what your budge will get you but you will need 2 lenses also, a wide angle (10-18mm or so) for landscapes and a 'long' lens for motorosports (55-200, 70-200, 100-400 or something).
even the low end cameras are pretty decent these days though.
Please don’t get hung up on gear, especially lenses, at this point. You’ve little to no idea how to take a photo, and wisely you’re looking at the cheaper end of the market.
I’d advise just buying a Canon or Nikon that comes with a ‘kit lens’ of 18-55mm. This will cover many scenarios while you try to learn. If you get bitten by the bug, you’ll have an idea of where to spend more money. If it sits in the bottom of the wardrobe for six months, unused, flog it for little loss.
And by the way, I use my long lens for more landscape shots than my wide lens! No rules, just art.
I’d advise just buying a Canon or Nikon that comes with a ‘kit lens’ of 18-55mm. This will cover many scenarios while you try to learn. If you get bitten by the bug, you’ll have an idea of where to spend more money. If it sits in the bottom of the wardrobe for six months, unused, flog it for little loss.
And by the way, I use my long lens for more landscape shots than my wide lens! No rules, just art.
I helped someone I know buy a Canon DSLR at the end of last year so I've copied out the advice that I gave them. I know little about Nikon's or other brands.
The three cheapest current model Canons are the 4000d the 2000d and the 800d. In the UK they are about £265/£400/£700 with a basic "kit" lens. The basic lens you want will have 18-55 in the title. There are a few different versions but the only real difference is that some have "IS" in the name which means they have image stabilization IS lenses are worth paying for.
The 2000d has more megapixels than the 4000d so will let you crop more. The build quality of the 2000d is a bit better (more metal less plastic). The 2000d also has a nicer and larger screen on the back.
Apart from that they are largely the same. The quality of the photos they produce will be essentially identical
The 800d is quite a bit better but obviously a decent step up in price so I won't go into that one further.
The 1300d is an older version of the 2000d and is also worth considering if you can pick one up for a bit below the price of the 2000d. It's not a "current" model as the 2000d replaced it but should still be easy enough to track down in the usual places
I bought a 1100d 5 years ago which was the bottom model Canon at the time. Aside from the poor quality LCD screen and "plasticky" construction it's a fine camera that takes good pictures.
Newer cameras will work better with higher ISO settings and will have more features such as HDR/WiFi/NFC
If you get any Canon DSLR and a 50mm lens you can take great photos that won't be limited by the quality of the camera
The three cheapest current model Canons are the 4000d the 2000d and the 800d. In the UK they are about £265/£400/£700 with a basic "kit" lens. The basic lens you want will have 18-55 in the title. There are a few different versions but the only real difference is that some have "IS" in the name which means they have image stabilization IS lenses are worth paying for.
The 2000d has more megapixels than the 4000d so will let you crop more. The build quality of the 2000d is a bit better (more metal less plastic). The 2000d also has a nicer and larger screen on the back.
Apart from that they are largely the same. The quality of the photos they produce will be essentially identical
The 800d is quite a bit better but obviously a decent step up in price so I won't go into that one further.
The 1300d is an older version of the 2000d and is also worth considering if you can pick one up for a bit below the price of the 2000d. It's not a "current" model as the 2000d replaced it but should still be easy enough to track down in the usual places
I bought a 1100d 5 years ago which was the bottom model Canon at the time. Aside from the poor quality LCD screen and "plasticky" construction it's a fine camera that takes good pictures.
Newer cameras will work better with higher ISO settings and will have more features such as HDR/WiFi/NFC
If you get any Canon DSLR and a 50mm lens you can take great photos that won't be limited by the quality of the camera
As above, It's odd that they've made the 4000 a cheaper version of the 2000...
I'm looking at either a 1300, 2000 or ideally an 800D
Have a look here -
https://www.eglobalcentraluk.com/product/Canon%20e...
I'm looking at either a 1300, 2000 or ideally an 800D
Have a look here -
https://www.eglobalcentraluk.com/product/Canon%20e...
....and don't forget that you'll need a bit of software to sort and edit your images.
All of the major camera companies provide free software with the camera. Photos on Mac in its recent incarnation is very good. (Not used the Windows version) Lightroom is top of the tree.
I'd recommend going to a proper camera shop rather than buy on Amazon, Ebay etc. Get to hold, touch and feel them and see what you think. Plus, these sorts of shops are run by camera geeks all too willing to help you in the right direction (as apposed to Curry's, etc...who are all too willing to help you to their greatest commission!).
All of the major camera companies provide free software with the camera. Photos on Mac in its recent incarnation is very good. (Not used the Windows version) Lightroom is top of the tree.
I'd recommend going to a proper camera shop rather than buy on Amazon, Ebay etc. Get to hold, touch and feel them and see what you think. Plus, these sorts of shops are run by camera geeks all too willing to help you in the right direction (as apposed to Curry's, etc...who are all too willing to help you to their greatest commission!).
My advice would be to go for a a more semi-pro/enthusiast dslr, which would put you in the 40d/50d/60d...
My reasoning in this type of body is merely on the merits of them being alot more ergonomic and better to handle, I couldn't stand the smaller entry level bodies, far to cramped - I went from a EOS 350d to a 10d - a camera 6 years older, but it was much better.
Image quality is much of the sameness these days from 2008 unless your going to be printing big photographs out.
I would suggest a 60d and a good telephoto as your kit for sports, 60d is still pretty modern and fast to deal with this - bodies can be had for under <£300 and feels much better.
I still run my 60d for paid work, in conjunction to my newly acquired 5dmk1 (which is 13 years old!!) - nothing wrong with with the 'older' bodies imo.
My reasoning in this type of body is merely on the merits of them being alot more ergonomic and better to handle, I couldn't stand the smaller entry level bodies, far to cramped - I went from a EOS 350d to a 10d - a camera 6 years older, but it was much better.
Image quality is much of the sameness these days from 2008 unless your going to be printing big photographs out.
I would suggest a 60d and a good telephoto as your kit for sports, 60d is still pretty modern and fast to deal with this - bodies can be had for under <£300 and feels much better.
I still run my 60d for paid work, in conjunction to my newly acquired 5dmk1 (which is 13 years old!!) - nothing wrong with with the 'older' bodies imo.
Edited by DailyHack on Friday 18th January 09:15
60d was not a great upgrade, I waited and went from my 10d to a 40d and then 70d and never wanted for more from that.
70d is a great bit of kit, must be cheap now on eBay and should stand you in good shape going forward, not a lot happens since the 70d imo.
But cheap buy twice, and if you buy a 70d 2nd hand you can sell it the same price if you think slr are faff. I never use mind as an example, I run a compact m60 or some thing now days and I can fit my lens to it for a laugh.
Then a canon 10-20mm and a 300mm prime for the two lens again 2nd hand.
Forget the kit lens it’s poor and will do nothing you want so money down the toilet.
But those 3 items are way over you £300 but sadly spending less will not net you much quality :-(
70d is a great bit of kit, must be cheap now on eBay and should stand you in good shape going forward, not a lot happens since the 70d imo.
But cheap buy twice, and if you buy a 70d 2nd hand you can sell it the same price if you think slr are faff. I never use mind as an example, I run a compact m60 or some thing now days and I can fit my lens to it for a laugh.
Then a canon 10-20mm and a 300mm prime for the two lens again 2nd hand.
Forget the kit lens it’s poor and will do nothing you want so money down the toilet.
But those 3 items are way over you £300 but sadly spending less will not net you much quality :-(
Porsche911R said:
60d was not a great upgrade, I waited and went from my 10d to a 40d and then 70d and never wanted for more from that.
70d is a great bit of kit, must be cheap now on eBay and should stand you in good shape going forward, not a lot happens since the 70d imo.
But cheap buy twice, and if you buy a 70d 2nd hand you can sell it the same price if you think slr are faff. I never use mind as an example, I run a compact m60 or some thing now days and I can fit my lens to it for a laugh.
Then a canon 10-20mm and a 300mm prime for the two lens again 2nd hand.
Forget the kit lens it’s poor and will do nothing you want so money down the toilet.
But those 3 items are way over you £300 but sadly spending less will not net you much quality :-(
I don't think the 18-55mm or the 18-135mm STM lenses are poor if that is what you are thinking of when you talk about a poor kit lens.70d is a great bit of kit, must be cheap now on eBay and should stand you in good shape going forward, not a lot happens since the 70d imo.
But cheap buy twice, and if you buy a 70d 2nd hand you can sell it the same price if you think slr are faff. I never use mind as an example, I run a compact m60 or some thing now days and I can fit my lens to it for a laugh.
Then a canon 10-20mm and a 300mm prime for the two lens again 2nd hand.
Forget the kit lens it’s poor and will do nothing you want so money down the toilet.
But those 3 items are way over you £300 but sadly spending less will not net you much quality :-(
Both are well rated by Ken Rockwell (appreciate his reviews aren't always taken too seriously by experts) but for someone starting out with a DSLR I think they would be impressed by pictures from either of those lenses.
55mm
135mm
A 300mm prime is a very specialised lens and most people wouldn't get much benefit from it when starting out.
Agree the 70d is more of an upgrade to the 60d, but only for gimmicky feature wise, good lenses are great on both them bodies...
But...I think the kit lenses are good for entry level, learning the zoom etc, if you get the bug you will know what you like photographing...
Personally I shoot on primes, 40mm EF pancake is a prime and is great! And not alot of money second hand.
But kit lens is good like I said for finding out what you want to shoot, then you can explore different lenses as it can be a mine field tbh.
I still have my kit lens I had with my 350d back in the early days...
I mainly use my 5d with the above lens on, it's dam sharp I tell you, but my photography is all mainly studio stuff these days, with abit of documentary / editorial work.
Check out the bokeh on this mini 40mm prime, it's astounding on a full frame.
But...I think the kit lenses are good for entry level, learning the zoom etc, if you get the bug you will know what you like photographing...
Personally I shoot on primes, 40mm EF pancake is a prime and is great! And not alot of money second hand.
But kit lens is good like I said for finding out what you want to shoot, then you can explore different lenses as it can be a mine field tbh.
I still have my kit lens I had with my 350d back in the early days...
I mainly use my 5d with the above lens on, it's dam sharp I tell you, but my photography is all mainly studio stuff these days, with abit of documentary / editorial work.
Check out the bokeh on this mini 40mm prime, it's astounding on a full frame.
Edited by DailyHack on Sunday 20th January 18:34
Swerve ball maybe....but, another favourite camera's I used up until this year, it just stayed in my bag as a back up, back up body was my 2003 Canon 10d, you can pick these bodies up for £50!! (Just had quick look)
These take EF lenses only, but for starting out, you will have a pro feel metal body and you ain't wasting your money if you don't like it, plus you can buy a decent lens with £££ you saved
Very dependable camera's these, cons they are a little slow and heavy, but, take your time and learn, the controls on this body are very user friendly.
I used mine for editorial work for years, with a 17-40mm L on, can really push the 6MP sensor alot!
These take EF lenses only, but for starting out, you will have a pro feel metal body and you ain't wasting your money if you don't like it, plus you can buy a decent lens with £££ you saved
Very dependable camera's these, cons they are a little slow and heavy, but, take your time and learn, the controls on this body are very user friendly.
I used mine for editorial work for years, with a 17-40mm L on, can really push the 6MP sensor alot!
You haven't said if you are looking at new or used. Obviously you will get a lot more for your money with used kit. The advice about getting a Canon X0D is good.
For landscape virtually any lens will do, an 18-55 "kit" lens is a good option. For motorsport you will probably want something with a 200mm + focal length. The Canon 55-250mm seems to be well regarded as a budget option.
For landscape virtually any lens will do, an 18-55 "kit" lens is a good option. For motorsport you will probably want something with a 200mm + focal length. The Canon 55-250mm seems to be well regarded as a budget option.
I have a Canon 300d I'm selling at the moment if its of any use to you?
I was using it to shoot for the local newspaper a few years back (motorsport) and has the Kit 18-55 lens and i'm sure a 200mm lens as well.
It has a genuine Canon Battery Grip, few batteries, bag, I'm sure I have a monopod, a flashgun and a remote shutter for it somewhere too I think.
Give me a text/ring if I can help - I would rather I sold it a little cheaper to help someone start out as I've done
07966081319 - I'm North Wales and would be happy to run you through the basics if you collected it! (Or could post obviously!)
Dion
I was using it to shoot for the local newspaper a few years back (motorsport) and has the Kit 18-55 lens and i'm sure a 200mm lens as well.
It has a genuine Canon Battery Grip, few batteries, bag, I'm sure I have a monopod, a flashgun and a remote shutter for it somewhere too I think.
Give me a text/ring if I can help - I would rather I sold it a little cheaper to help someone start out as I've done
07966081319 - I'm North Wales and would be happy to run you through the basics if you collected it! (Or could post obviously!)
Dion
DailyHack said:
My advice would be to go for a a more semi-pro/enthusiast dslr, which would put you in the 40d/50d/60d...
My reasoning in this type of body is merely on the merits of them being alot more ergonomic and better to handle, I couldn't stand the smaller entry level bodies, far to cramped - I went from a EOS 350d to a 10d - a camera 6 years older, but it was much better.
Image quality is much of the sameness these days from 2008 unless your going to be printing big photographs out.
I would suggest a 60d and a good telephoto as your kit for sports, 60d is still pretty modern and fast to deal with this - bodies can be had for under <£300 and feels much better.
I still run my 60d for paid work, in conjunction to my newly acquired 5dmk1 (which is 13 years old!!) - nothing wrong with with the 'older' bodies imo.
Thread resurrection, I know, but...My reasoning in this type of body is merely on the merits of them being alot more ergonomic and better to handle, I couldn't stand the smaller entry level bodies, far to cramped - I went from a EOS 350d to a 10d - a camera 6 years older, but it was much better.
Image quality is much of the sameness these days from 2008 unless your going to be printing big photographs out.
I would suggest a 60d and a good telephoto as your kit for sports, 60d is still pretty modern and fast to deal with this - bodies can be had for under <£300 and feels much better.
I still run my 60d for paid work, in conjunction to my newly acquired 5dmk1 (which is 13 years old!!) - nothing wrong with with the 'older' bodies imo.
Edited by DailyHack on Friday 18th January 09:15
I've been "out of the game" of taking photography anywhere near seriously for at least a decade. Since I hung up my Yashica FX-3 Super 35mm SLR, in fact. A few years ago, after my father-in-law died, my wife was happy for me to rescue his photography bags from the house clearers. In there was an old Canon EOS 35mm SLR body and some EF lenses. But that kit sat unused as I found my Yashica fully-manual kit more intuative to use.
Fast forward to the first Saturday of 2023 and I walked past a local camera shop, had a look in the window to see what used prices were like, and spied a Canon EOS 450D (albeit branded as a 'Rebel' something or other). So I went in, and an hour or so later I came out with a Canon EOS 40D body, battery, charger, CF card and a cable to connect it to my laptop. Body only was £80, the CF card and cable knocked the total up to £108.
So here I am. A digital photography novice who has managed to download Canon's DPP and EOS Utility software and has managed to take a few frames, mostly on full auto mode. I've got a Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 (with 58mm circular polariser filter), and a Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 (with 58mm skylight 1B filter), both from my father-in-law's old kit. And I'm massively confused by the lack of a ring on either lens to adjust the aperture. Today I also received in the post a copy of the EOS 40D "field guide", published in 2008 and bought from World Of Books for £3.79. I also have my old tripod and a monopod/pole from my F-I-L, along with a couple of bags to stow the kit away.
What else should I look to buy, and are there any idiot-proof guides to getting the best out of this old camera? It takes pictures OK but so far I've only taken a dozen or so and mostly on the fully automatic mode. I'd like to get away from that, though, and get back to taking photos with me more in control of shutter speeds and aperture settings. I've got enough hardware to get started, I think, even if the lenses go back to the late 1990s/early 2000s. I guess it's a good idea to start taking photos in the RAW format rather than JPEG now? That, also, would be a completely new experience for me.
Any advice appreciated really, especially any good "hints and tips" web pages or youtube videos. I hope I haven't gone and made a big mistake buying this camera, but I suppose at £80 it isn't going to be a complete disaster even if I am on a strict budget. From what research I've done so far it seems to be a well-regarded D-SLR body, even now that it's getting a bit long in the tooth...
I don’t know how many user guides are still around for the 40D but maybe start here:
https://kenrockwell.com/canon/40d.htm
https://kenrockwell.com/canon/40d.htm
yellowjack said:
I've been "out of the game" of taking photography anywhere near seriously for at least a decade. Since I hung up my Yashica FX-3 Super 35mm SLR, in fact... In there was an old Canon EOS 35mm SLR body and some EF lenses. But that kit sat unused as I found my Yashica fully-manual kit more intuative to use.
So I went in, and an hour or so later I came out with a Canon EOS 40D body...
So here I am. A digital photography novice who has managed to download Canon's DPP and EOS Utility software and has managed to take a few frames, mostly on full auto mode. I've got a Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 (with 58mm circular polariser filter), and a Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 (with 58mm skylight 1B filter)
And I'm massively confused by the lack of a ring on either lens to adjust the aperture. Today I also received in the post a copy of the EOS 40D "field guide"
What else should I look to buy, and are there any idiot-proof guides to getting the best out of this old camera? It takes pictures OK but so far I've only taken a dozen or so and mostly on the fully automatic mode. I'd like to get away from that, though, and get back to taking photos with me more in control of shutter speeds and aperture settings.
I guess it's a good idea to start taking photos in the RAW format rather than JPEG now? That, also, would be a completely new experience for me.
Any advice appreciated really, especially any good "hints and tips" web pages or youtube videos.
I've chopped out the relevant bits. Possibly the main error, if you found the Canon SLR unintuitive, was to buy another Canon. Having shot Nikon for 25 years I can't work Canons at all!So I went in, and an hour or so later I came out with a Canon EOS 40D body...
So here I am. A digital photography novice who has managed to download Canon's DPP and EOS Utility software and has managed to take a few frames, mostly on full auto mode. I've got a Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-80mm 1:3.5-5.6 (with 58mm circular polariser filter), and a Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 (with 58mm skylight 1B filter)
And I'm massively confused by the lack of a ring on either lens to adjust the aperture. Today I also received in the post a copy of the EOS 40D "field guide"
What else should I look to buy, and are there any idiot-proof guides to getting the best out of this old camera? It takes pictures OK but so far I've only taken a dozen or so and mostly on the fully automatic mode. I'd like to get away from that, though, and get back to taking photos with me more in control of shutter speeds and aperture settings.
I guess it's a good idea to start taking photos in the RAW format rather than JPEG now? That, also, would be a completely new experience for me.
Any advice appreciated really, especially any good "hints and tips" web pages or youtube videos.
So, you could swap the Canon 40D for something you find more intuitive, or plough on.
You used the Yashica SLR quite happily so presumably you understand aperture, shutter speed and focal length and how they inter-relate. The issue I think is that (1) everything will be in a different place on the Canon (2) it is covered by layers of complex clutter you haven't met before.
I think you have enough ability to find what you want with this new camera, and then you'll be able to use it your way without watching videos. You can find all you need in the manual; the hard part is probably sifting out what you want to know from what you don't. You have, if you want it, auto-everything - aperture, shutter, ISO, focus and much more. When you use a camera you need to know which bits of the job IT is doing, and which bits of the job YOU are doing. With a manual SLR you're used to doing it all; now, the camera will wade in and do stuff you don't understand that may conflict with what you want. So turn off the bits you don't want it to do and get back to basics.
If you want to shoot aperture-priority exposure, you will I'm afraid have to get used to adjusting aperture in the camera body.
I believe that camera control comes first, and image processing second. So keep your workload manageable for now by staying with JPG. It's one thing less to worry about, and you can embrace RAW as and when you're ready to, or as your photography demands.
Not sure if that answered the question but it may help!
Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 11th January 14:14
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