A which camera thread
Discussion
Hi all
Its approaching Christmas and ive decided I want to buy her a proper camera so to speak.
I'm just after some recommendations as to which digital SLR to get her? In terms of budget, I would like something that will last, is not bottom of the range and just capable really! So however much that costs..
Thanks all and I hope I haven't missed anything!
Its approaching Christmas and ive decided I want to buy her a proper camera so to speak.
I'm just after some recommendations as to which digital SLR to get her? In terms of budget, I would like something that will last, is not bottom of the range and just capable really! So however much that costs..
Thanks all and I hope I haven't missed anything!
I've just bought a Canon 700D which is a new model replacing the 650D.
It's kind of top of the range for beginners DSLR's
Came with 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses as part of the deal, I paid around the £600 mark.
But it really is worth going on a basic course to learn what all of the many controls do.
No point in spending all that money on a decent camera, and just snapping away in auto mode all the time.
It's kind of top of the range for beginners DSLR's
Came with 18-55mm and 55-250mm lenses as part of the deal, I paid around the £600 mark.
But it really is worth going on a basic course to learn what all of the many controls do.
No point in spending all that money on a decent camera, and just snapping away in auto mode all the time.
I'd go with any Canon / Nikon DSLR - they're all good. Plus if you want more lenses or to upgrade the body in a few years it's generally modular.
(well until you start looking at expensive 'full frame' cameras)
The 'big two' of Nikon and Canon have loads of used gear available & lots of accessories from themselves and 3rd party manufacturers mean choices at different price points.
In terms of learning, I'd also get the often-recommended 'Understanding Exposure', currently £13.39 on amazon if she's relatively new to photography.
The camera will have an auto mode though, so take shots, check what settings it uses and don't be afraid to use manual mode to see what effect changing shutter speed, aperture, etc has.
There are also lots of free resources online (not least a knowledgeable photography section of a leading motoring site
)
(well until you start looking at expensive 'full frame' cameras)
The 'big two' of Nikon and Canon have loads of used gear available & lots of accessories from themselves and 3rd party manufacturers mean choices at different price points.
In terms of learning, I'd also get the often-recommended 'Understanding Exposure', currently £13.39 on amazon if she's relatively new to photography.
The camera will have an auto mode though, so take shots, check what settings it uses and don't be afraid to use manual mode to see what effect changing shutter speed, aperture, etc has.
There are also lots of free resources online (not least a knowledgeable photography section of a leading motoring site
)Simpo Two said:
Ironically a DSLR can be very simple, and a compact very complex...
'tis a good point 
Hiding settings behind 'sport' or 'landscape' modes can actually be frustrating when it doesn't give the results you're looking for. Even when you find a manual mode it can be buried in menus so not very convenient to change quickly.
flat-planedCrank said:
Simpo Two said:
Ironically a DSLR can be very simple, and a compact very complex...
'tis a good point Hiding settings behind 'sport' or 'landscape' modes can actually be frustrating when it doesn't give the results you're looking for. Even when you find a manual mode it can be buried in menus so not very convenient to change quickly.
And agreed, forget bridge cameras. Either get a good compact (Sony RX100 or Fuji X20 if she wants a rangefinder) or a Nikon or Canon DSLR.
Ineedonenow said:
What about a Nikon 1?
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikonv1j1/19"Ultimately, the 1 J1 and V1 have split personalities, and which one you end up confronting depends on what sort of photographer you are. If you're a member of the cameras' target audience and you want a point and shoot camera in its purest sense, you'll encounter the warm, welcoming and considerate faces of the J1 and V1 that quietly usher you away from the noisy, confusing and intricate world of exposure control and towards a clean, bright future where you only have one button to worry about - the shutter release.
If, however, you like being in charge of exposure settings and you enjoy exploring the breadth of a camera's feature set in day-to-day shooting, you'll probably dislike the J1 and V1's caginess when it comes to providing you with access to their key settings. You'll resent how protectively they squirrel away key settings like ISO and white balance inside their menu systems, and you'll balk at their insistence that the 'F' button cannot be customized."
Something like this is what i would recommend.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-40D-10-1-MP-Di...
fantastic camera, much better than the XXXD range.... but doesnt do video.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-40D-10-1-MP-Di...
fantastic camera, much better than the XXXD range.... but doesnt do video.
richwig83 said:
Something like this is what i would recommend.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-40D-10-1-MP-Di...
fantastic camera, much better than the XXXD range.... but doesnt do video.
If I'd be just starting up, I'd much rather have latest xxxD than ancient xxD. Technology moved on quite a bit since 40D...http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-40D-10-1-MP-Di...
fantastic camera, much better than the XXXD range.... but doesnt do video.
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