Beginner's DSLR
Discussion
I fancy buying a DSLR, mainly to get some decent photos of my offspring rather than using a shoddy cam phone. I know basically nothing about photography so this is a toe in the water, so I was thinking second hand would probably do for now.
I know Canon and Nikon are well regarded and was hoping to get a basic body and lens for around £150, or a bit more if you only get crap at that price.
A Google search for "second hand DSLR" turns up mbp photographic who have quite a few, is this a decent website?
They have Canon 400d, 20d and 1000d in my price range, any good? And what lens for the kind of photos I'll be taking?
Cheers for any advice
I know Canon and Nikon are well regarded and was hoping to get a basic body and lens for around £150, or a bit more if you only get crap at that price.
A Google search for "second hand DSLR" turns up mbp photographic who have quite a few, is this a decent website?
They have Canon 400d, 20d and 1000d in my price range, any good? And what lens for the kind of photos I'll be taking?
Cheers for any advice
When I get myself organised, I'll post up a couple of my snapshots of my kids taken with my recently acquired 400d.
Bought from MPB after a bit of research, and the help of a similar thread I started on here.
Haven't really had time to start to really play with it properly, but am so far happy with the point and shoot results I've been getting. The 18-55 lens seems like a good starter lens for family duty.
Compared with the old compact, the responsiveness of the shutter is a revelation.
Bought from MPB after a bit of research, and the help of a similar thread I started on here.
Haven't really had time to start to really play with it properly, but am so far happy with the point and shoot results I've been getting. The 18-55 lens seems like a good starter lens for family duty.
Compared with the old compact, the responsiveness of the shutter is a revelation.
Thanks for the replies. Vlad, I read your thread and ended up ordering a 400D from MBP. The 1000D just didn't seem like a big enough step up to warrant the extra cash, and the 400D still seems well regarded today. Also got the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens which seems to be the one I need.
Couple of questions - I don't think the lens comes with a cap, you can buy them off ebay but they are different sizes. Which size do I need?
Anyone recommend a good "Beginner's Guide" to DSLR?
Couple of questions - I don't think the lens comes with a cap, you can buy them off ebay but they are different sizes. Which size do I need?
Anyone recommend a good "Beginner's Guide" to DSLR?
Do you really need a full on SLR? Some of the modern bridge cameras are getting pretty good. Of course the advantage with an SLR is you can upgrade the body and lenses seperatly
Try London Camera Exchange, they've a fair few shops around the place and have a lot of second hand stock, plus the staff in my local branch (guildford) seem to know thier stuff and are pretty helpfull.
Try London Camera Exchange, they've a fair few shops around the place and have a lot of second hand stock, plus the staff in my local branch (guildford) seem to know thier stuff and are pretty helpfull.
matt666 said:
Thanks for the replies. Vlad, I read your thread and ended up ordering a 400D from MBP. The 1000D just didn't seem like a big enough step up to warrant the extra cash, and the 400D still seems well regarded today. Also got the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens which seems to be the one I need.
Couple of questions - I don't think the lens comes with a cap, you can buy them off ebay but they are different sizes. Which size do I need?
Anyone recommend a good "Beginner's Guide" to DSLR?
My lens from them came with both caps, so I would guess yours would too.Couple of questions - I don't think the lens comes with a cap, you can buy them off ebay but they are different sizes. Which size do I need?
Anyone recommend a good "Beginner's Guide" to DSLR?
RizzoTheRat said:
Do you really need a full on SLR? Some of the modern bridge cameras are getting pretty good. Of course the advantage with an SLR is you can upgrade the body and lenses seperatly
Try London Camera Exchange, they've a fair few shops around the place and have a lot of second hand stock, plus the staff in my local branch (guildford) seem to know thier stuff and are pretty helpfull.
I looked at bridge cameras to begin with, but couldn't shake the feeling that I would be compromising on the sensor.Try London Camera Exchange, they've a fair few shops around the place and have a lot of second hand stock, plus the staff in my local branch (guildford) seem to know thier stuff and are pretty helpfull.
Yes the range of the lens would be nice to have, but I suspect that the higher quality I was looking for has a lot to do with the larger sensor.
18-55 lens that I bought with it, not the IS version.
Settings - not embarrassed to say I turned the dial to macro and let the camera do its work.
Unlucky on the CF front, I found a 128mb card already in mine so could start snapping straight away.
Am looking for something with a bit more zoom now. I keep scaring the subject away getting too close.
Settings - not embarrassed to say I turned the dial to macro and let the camera do its work.
Unlucky on the CF front, I found a 128mb card already in mine so could start snapping straight away.
Am looking for something with a bit more zoom now. I keep scaring the subject away getting too close.
vladcjelli said:
Settings - not embarrassed to say I turned the dial to macro and let the camera do its work.
You might find it interesting/educational to find out exactly what the camera does when you set it to 'macro'. The last time I looked into this, it merely made the colours more saturated because it thought you were going to take photos of flowers. Nothing to do with minimum focus distance or magnification at all.Simpo Two said:
vladcjelli said:
Settings - not embarrassed to say I turned the dial to macro and let the camera do its work.
You might find it interesting/educational to find out exactly what the camera does when you set it to 'macro'. The last time I looked into this, it merely made the colours more saturated because it thought you were going to take photos of flowers. Nothing to do with minimum focus distance or magnification at all.In this case I just grabbed the camera in between doing some jobs round the house.
Got some other nice snaps of colourful wings, but liked the evidence of hair on that one.
Prevert, I know.
matt666 said:
That's good Vlad, what lens and settings did you use?
My 400D turned up as promised next day from MBP so great service from them. Just need my CF card to turn up now and I can start taking pictures! Are there any forums you guys use to trade second hand stuff?
This is the EXIF data for the image.My 400D turned up as promised next day from MBP so great service from them. Just need my CF card to turn up now and I can start taking pictures! Are there any forums you guys use to trade second hand stuff?
Make Canon
Model Canon EOS 400D DIGITAL
Exposure Time 1/500
F Number f / 5.6
Exposure Program Not Defined
ISO Speed Ratings 100
Date Time Original 2013:08:07 11:13:46
Metering Mode Evaluative
Flash Off, Did not fire
Focal Length 55.0 mmmm
White Balance Auto
LensModel EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6
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