Discussion
As i mentioned in a previous thread i will be recieving a D5000 this week as a gift from the misses! i am new to photography and have very little understanding of the terminology etc involved and i know i will struggle with all the options on a DSLR but am willing to learn in the hope of producing some half decent photos. Anyway i was after any advice or opinions on the best way to get started, the kit she is buying is this one:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0025KV8Y0/ref=...
What else would you recommend getting e.g memory card etc, is this lens any good considering i am a beginner! opinions and advice more than welcome..
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0025KV8Y0/ref=...
What else would you recommend getting e.g memory card etc, is this lens any good considering i am a beginner! opinions and advice more than welcome..
I'd go here
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-d5000-pl...
Lens is fine to get going with, you'll probably want something that has more reach at some point
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-d5000-pl...
Lens is fine to get going with, you'll probably want something that has more reach at some point
The best thing you can do once you get your camera is get out and take photographs. This will give you some useful information.
If you make mistakes, and we all do, you can learn from them. If you keep making the same mistakes, you can post examples on here and ask for advice on how to combat them. You will also get a feel for what sort of photography interests you most, which can be useful when seeking advice with regards to what kit you should expand with.
For basics I like to have a decent bag to keep my gear in, so that it doesn't get knocked when I'm not using it. I also bought a couple of extra memory cards, as the one that came with mine wasn't particularly large. And that was it.
Anything else should be driven by the type of photography you envisage taking up most of your interest.
If you make mistakes, and we all do, you can learn from them. If you keep making the same mistakes, you can post examples on here and ask for advice on how to combat them. You will also get a feel for what sort of photography interests you most, which can be useful when seeking advice with regards to what kit you should expand with.
For basics I like to have a decent bag to keep my gear in, so that it doesn't get knocked when I'm not using it. I also bought a couple of extra memory cards, as the one that came with mine wasn't particularly large. And that was it.
Anything else should be driven by the type of photography you envisage taking up most of your interest.
I have been using a bridge cam for the last couple of years but I'm looking to make the upgrade to DSLR this year (possibly next month). I am serious about photography but I feel that my camera is now my handicap. I want to be able to progress and with a DSLR, and interchangeable lenses I hope that I can take the next step. Im still unsure whether to go for the 450D, 40d D90 or the D60. I have an idea of the lenses which I'm after and i'm looking to get into it for Landscape photography, portraits and possibly weddings at a later date (This is my long term plan). I have a grasp of the terminology, and try to apply it when shooting with the camera I have at the moment. I think I need to develop my PS abilities as they are limited but I dont really know where to go next.
What would those who are much more competent and further "along the line" suggest? Should I enroll on a course, buy a PS book, magazines or just post my photos on here for critique? I dont want to be spending north of £1k on a camera & kit to not be able to make the most of its potential.
What would those who are much more competent and further "along the line" suggest? Should I enroll on a course, buy a PS book, magazines or just post my photos on here for critique? I dont want to be spending north of £1k on a camera & kit to not be able to make the most of its potential.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Understanding-Exposure-Pho...
I would definitely recommend this book, hands down the most useful photography book i have bought.
I would definitely recommend this book, hands down the most useful photography book i have bought.
So what about this for starting:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000QUUFR...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007X2GI...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000VY80A...
and then obviously the D5000 itself, anything else i need to get going?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000QUUFR...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007X2GI...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000VY80A...
and then obviously the D5000 itself, anything else i need to get going?
DIW35 said:
The best thing you can do once you get your camera is get out and take photographs. This will give you some useful information.
Learn by doing is essential, but I'd also suggest to anyone that reading the manual is good homework too (and mental discipline!). Many features of DSLRs are tucked away, complex or subtle, and you'd never find/understand them just by poking away. Having said that, whilst manuals are great for telling you what every button and function IS, it doesn't tell you WHEN to use them or WHY. Much of the manual - maybe 3/4 - may be of no consequence to your needs, but I still think it's a good idea to read a chunk and then discard it from a position of knowledge, rather than never read it and thus miss something useful.Good memory card, good camera bag, good card reader.
Don't get too hung up on the gear stuff, just go out and learn to shoot. Try to learn the three basics of apeture, shutter speed and ISO and forget about the scene modes of the camera. A good book about leaning photography may be a good idea, something like maybe Understanding Exposure. Go for a classic as the basics of photography haven't changed in over 100 years, anything with "digital" in the title will probably spend way too much time tech talking about various camera modes and doing silly stuff in photoshop with your pictures to be of much use. At least that's my experiance.
Don't get too hung up on the gear stuff, just go out and learn to shoot. Try to learn the three basics of apeture, shutter speed and ISO and forget about the scene modes of the camera. A good book about leaning photography may be a good idea, something like maybe Understanding Exposure. Go for a classic as the basics of photography haven't changed in over 100 years, anything with "digital" in the title will probably spend way too much time tech talking about various camera modes and doing silly stuff in photoshop with your pictures to be of much use. At least that's my experiance.
Edited by Ravell on Wednesday 5th August 19:22
Ravell said:
Good memory card, good camera bag, good card reader.
Don't get too hung up on the gear stuff, just go out and learn to shoot. Try to learn the three basics of apeture, shutter speed and ISO and forget about the scene modes of the camera. A good book about leaning photography may be a good idea, something like maybe Understanding Exposure. Go for a classic as the basics of photography haven't changed in over 100 years, anything with "digital" in the title will probably spend way too much time tech talking about various camera modes and doing silly stuff in photoshop with your pictures to be of much use. At least that's my experiance.
Sounds like good advice, its no good trying to run with photoshop if you havent got the walking bit right...Don't get too hung up on the gear stuff, just go out and learn to shoot. Try to learn the three basics of apeture, shutter speed and ISO and forget about the scene modes of the camera. A good book about leaning photography may be a good idea, something like maybe Understanding Exposure. Go for a classic as the basics of photography haven't changed in over 100 years, anything with "digital" in the title will probably spend way too much time tech talking about various camera modes and doing silly stuff in photoshop with your pictures to be of much use. At least that's my experiance.
Edited by Ravell on Wednesday 5th August 19:22
I would caution on some of the 'Kit'
The bag probably wont be big enough if you get into this, a 70 - 300 zoom for instance is a great starting lens for wildlife and motorsport but it is quite a big lens, but go to the pro 70-200 f2.8 and that is very large. Get a bigger bag than you think you need. I started with 160 AW exchaged it , bought a Slingshot AW200 sold it and then bought a Billingham 335. I now have two bodies,4 lenses and a SB900 speedlight so have just bought a Billingham 555. (The 335 is for sale!) I am an expert in compromising then changing my mind and always pay for the experience
Memory card - A lot of Sandisk cards out there are fake, DO NOT buy off of ebay but also be cautious of Amazon, as Amazon have expanded they are not always the seller, a lot of the sellers on there are very similar to ebay, it isnt hard to register as a merchant. I would look at 7dayshop.com, I have met the owner and would reccomend them.
Books
Buy the boxed set of Scott Kelby - The Digital Photography Book Vol 1 and 2. He has a pants sense of humour but the way the books are written will help with technique and the inevitable 'How do I?' They cover a good range of different subjects. He also shoots Nikon so talks our language rather than Canonese
I would also reccomend Joe McNally 'The moment it Clicks' for inspiration (also big into Nikon)
The bag probably wont be big enough if you get into this, a 70 - 300 zoom for instance is a great starting lens for wildlife and motorsport but it is quite a big lens, but go to the pro 70-200 f2.8 and that is very large. Get a bigger bag than you think you need. I started with 160 AW exchaged it , bought a Slingshot AW200 sold it and then bought a Billingham 335. I now have two bodies,4 lenses and a SB900 speedlight so have just bought a Billingham 555. (The 335 is for sale!) I am an expert in compromising then changing my mind and always pay for the experience
Memory card - A lot of Sandisk cards out there are fake, DO NOT buy off of ebay but also be cautious of Amazon, as Amazon have expanded they are not always the seller, a lot of the sellers on there are very similar to ebay, it isnt hard to register as a merchant. I would look at 7dayshop.com, I have met the owner and would reccomend them.
Books
Buy the boxed set of Scott Kelby - The Digital Photography Book Vol 1 and 2. He has a pants sense of humour but the way the books are written will help with technique and the inevitable 'How do I?' They cover a good range of different subjects. He also shoots Nikon so talks our language rather than Canonese
I would also reccomend Joe McNally 'The moment it Clicks' for inspiration (also big into Nikon)
Edited by grumpy bear on Wednesday 5th August 21:54
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Slingshot-Sling-Di...
I got one of these for going on holiday and it's great. Nice easy access and you look less of a div.
70-300 fits in fine.
I got one of these for going on holiday and it's great. Nice easy access and you look less of a div.
70-300 fits in fine.
mwellsgarage said:
So what about this for starting:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000QUUFR...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007X2GI...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000VY80A...
and then obviously the D5000 itself, anything else i need to get going?
I've never really got the point of a card reader, i just plug the supplied cables plugged directly into the camera.http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000QUUFR...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0007X2GI...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000VY80A...
and then obviously the D5000 itself, anything else i need to get going?
Also as has already been said, get a bigger bag than you think you need, i've only just started out in DSLR photography, bought a 200 slingshot, now i'm going back Friday to exchange for the 300 as it can't take the camera with 70-200 attached.
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