Camera Advice Please

[Downton Mini]

Hi I am currently looking at changing my camera a Konica Minolta Dimage Z5 (stop sniggering at the back) I have had it year brought it on my last visit to Gurnsey but I feel now is the time to change. I mainly use it at car shows, motorsoprt events and holidays.

I started looking at the Nikon P510 but have also started looking on ebay at used DSLR in particular the Nikon D3100 and D5100 it appers you can get more of a carmera and kit by buying used as is usually the way with most things.

I'm looking at spending around £300 - £350 ish

What would people recomend has anyone got any experiance with any of the above cameras

thanks

Downton Mini

[Craikeybaby]

A used DLSR would be the best bet, especially for motorsport. I can't really advise on the Nikon system, but if you were to go down the Canon route, I'd suggest picking up a 55-250mm lens as that is a good starter lens for motorsport.

[Simpo Two]

You're certainly on the right lines but as CB says you'll need a telephoto lens in addition to the kit lens (eg 55-300mm, 70-300mm). With lenses the more they cost the better they are, so try not to skimp if you can help it. (In other words, don't spend all your budget on the body)

[RJB_666]

I was in a similar position about a year ago. I got myself a used Canon 1000D for just under £300. Then searched around a bit and purchased a used 100-300 USM lens for motorsport after this lens being recommended on here by Gemm and a few others. Managed to pick that up for around £80. Since then i have upgraded my camera body and find myself on websites every few days trying to stop myself buying new lenses. I've looked around recently for a friend though and you can get much more for your money now. Might be worth looking for something like the Canon 550D. With the 600D and even the 650D taking over this there are quite a few deals I've spotted with this body.

[Downton Mini]

Thanks for your replies so far guys just been looking on ebay (not sure where else to look) and found a canon 450D with the following kit

450d Camera body
Canon 18 - 55 EF-S IS 18-55mm image stableised lense
Tamron 70 - 300 AF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 ld Macro 1:2 zoom lense
Macro adapter tubes
Charger with lead
Spare battery
All original documentation - instruction book has never been opened.
All original leads
All lense caps
UV Filters for each of the lenses
58mm ND-4 filter
58mm 4 point star filter
4 gig SD card
Lopro sling shot 200 bag -- http://products.lowepro.com/product/SlingShot-200%...
Full height fully adjustable Tripod with level bubbles (this has got a few very light surface scratches from storage)
Canon Infer red remote control
Cleaning kit

which at the moment is well with in my budget it seems a good package to me but then I know very little about cameras

[Downton Mini]

Another question on canons some are listed as canon/rebel what does this mean?

[Simpo Two]

Rebel is a name used in the US; same camera underneath.

What happened to the Nikon then eh?

[Downton Mini]

Thanks I wasn't sure if it was a rebuilt one or not

I haven't decided what to do yet just opening up my options. Going to go and have a look in the camera shop in town tomorrow may well go to worcester as there is an independant shop there too.

Anyone know what the 450D is like?

[ChipsAndCheese]

Don't really know much about the 450D - it is a few years old now but probably still a decent camera.

I have a Nikon D5100 which I opted for over the Canon 600D after trying both. I love it, bloody good camera.

The D3200 is out now, so there may be some deals to be had on left over stock of D3100s - probably best to head in to a shop to have a play with a D3100 and D5100 to see if either would suit you. Check prices online though, as Jessops' 'deals' are often not particularly competetive. You may also be able to pick up a used Nikon D90 in your budget, but I haven't looked to check - a bit older, but still a good camera.

[LocoBlade]

You can pick up a brand new D3100 with kit lens for under £300 now! Being a newer design it should be better than the 450D at high ISO/low light performance, and it does stuff like full HD video which I don't think the Canon does.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00403MA4M/ref=asc_df_B...

If you're intending to shoot motorsport the Nikon D90 as mentioned above would be a good second hand choice, it's again a bit older design than the 3100 but one big advantage is that it will shoot at 4.5 FPS rather than most low end DSLRs in the 3 FPS range.

Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 12th October 22:13

[gangzoom]

The 450D is fab camera (has same sensor at 500D), I started with one and it served me well for a few years untill I sold it on recently. At ISO of above 800 there is a bit of "noise" in the picture. Having said that even at ISO of 1600 you can print on to A1 sized canvas without noticing any real drop in quality.

The Canon 550D/600D/650D all have a better sensor than the 450/500D and produce better pictures than the 450D at higher ISO (meaning you can take better pictures in the dark).

All the other addtional "features" such as flip out screens etc don't really improve picture quality, certainly my limited experience of shotting with multi-shot modes have all just produced lots of nearly identical looking pictures..your much more likely to get a better shot using 1 shot mode.

Forget about how many MP the camera has, the MP count these days have little to do with picture quality!

A few shots from my old 450D


Close up with 70-300mm lens, nothing wrong with the AF on the 450D!

Slivestone GP a few years ago, no problems catching the action.

Taken with kit lens, no tripod, IS 1600...

So you can see the 450D is still a very competent bit of kit!!

[LocoBlade]

You do love your in-thread photo montages don't you gangzoom

[Downton Mini]

Thank you for all your resopnses I went and had a look in jessops this weekend and I like the look and feel of the D3100 looking at going for the single lens kit and then look at getting a lens suitable for motorsport later on (as I don't think I'll be going to any races yet for a while).

Are there any good guides for novices of dslr photogarphy?

[flat-planedCrank]

Downton Mini said:

Thank you for all your resopnses I went and had a look in jessops this weekend and I like the look and feel of the D3100 looking at going for the single lens kit and then look at getting a lens suitable for motorsport later on (as I don't think I'll be going to any races yet for a while).

Are there any good guides for novices of dslr photogarphy?

Sounds like a good idea on the camera body - Nikon / Canon make great cameras so getting the one you just prefer is a good route to go



The book that everyone seems to mention for intro-to-photography:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-3rd...

(just £10 at the mo)


Loads of tutorials:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/


Don't forget to check YouTube for video introductions / tutorials as well

[Simpo Two]

Downton Mini said:

Are there any good guides for novices of dslr photogarphy?

I would say - try to keep the photography separate from the digital imaging. To my mind:

Photography = composition, aperture, shutter speed, focus/depth-of-field.
Digital imaging = JPG/RAW, processing, noise, software, compression etc.

I suppose you could say that the first is everything from the subject up to the sensor, and the second is from sensor to finshed image.

[Downton Mini]

I've ordered the book in the link thank you for that.

Just trying to decided which option to go for now

The single lens kit or the twin lens kit which comes for with a 55-200mm non VR lens

What shots would the 55-200 lens be useful for? the twin lens kit appartnely has over £200 off at the moment

[LongQ]

If you like bite sized of tutorial available free on line with intereactive illustrations of results try www.cambridgeincolour.com.

That allows you to browse and discover or look up information for specific subjects as they crop up for you. All free.

Edited by LongQ on Wednesday 17th October 12:43

[Downton Mini]

LongQ said:

If you like bite sized of tutorial available free on line with intereactive illustrations of results try www.cambridgeincolour.com.

That allows you to browse and discover or look up information for specific subjects as they crop up for you. All free.

Thanks for that I will spend some time the weekend look on there

[Downton Mini]

I brought a camera the weekend a Nikon D3100 ended up buying more bits and peices then I first intended to but I got a good deal and I think I think I'm pretty much set up with the basics now Only taken a couple of quick shots with it so far....

A couple of my Mini





The neighbours cat who appears to like having her photo taken!



Only used it on the auto setting for these. Also started reading the Understnading Exposure book last night so hopfully the quality of my picutres will improve