Advice please - beginner DSLR
I think I want to buy my first DSLR. I have had some great results with my Fuji bridge camera which I bought on here but would like to now try my hand with a DSLR.
Whilst I have the cash available to 'go big', I don't think I want to at this stage and have been looking at my options for a beginner level DSLR.
I would like to pick up a kit and would ideally like to be able to get the same range as my bridge camera, lens wise, which runs up to 300mm. I realise this will most likely mean two lenses for a DSLR, an 18-55 and one up to 300. I would like some form of image stabilisation nut I'll take advice on this vs price.
I initially thought Canon and can see there are some good deals around on the outgoing 1200D including 2 lenses here and there.
I have also looked at the 1300D and after reading some reviews I am also leaning towards a nikon D3300 with added lenses.
Are there any others that I should consider. Which would be the best for me as a starter kit ? If I enjoy it I will inevitably be moving up to the 5300/750D level of camera so upgrade path and lenses that can come with me when I change body would be an advantage.
Any help/advice appreciated.
many thanks,
malty
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Not an easy question to answer because you wont go far wrong with Canon or Nikon. Canon users will say go for a Canon and Nikon users will say the opposite. Most professionals I have come into contact with choose Canon, possibly because they already have a range of lenses that will fit. I went with an open mind to buy a digital SLR a few years back. I chose a Canon for no other reason that it just felt right and it gave the clearest view through the viewfinder in low light, even though other makes had the same lens aperture selected. I would go for a Canon or a Nikon but I suggest you visit a decent camera shop and have a play with both. I'm sure there will be something that feels right about one more than the other and that will be the one to go for.
You could go with the shop assistance's advice but he may be biased because of what make of DSLR he uses, or possibly because there is greater profit on one than the other. All else being equal you should choose your camera like you choose your woman. Have a feel and pick the one that's right for you. (">
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Thanks, I just need to know that I'm on the right tracks with the 2/3 I'm looking at and from what you say it seems that I am.
I was really posting to see if anyone would pipe up nooooo don't touch that or don't get xxx lens or make sure you get xxxx lens etc etc as I really don't have the first clue (yet). It's easy to go buy a camera and lenses on a cheap deal but if they aren't "right" then I'd rather pay a bit more. Ive seen 70-300 lenses for as little as 80 quid but obviously they have features missing that the £150+ lenses have. I just want the best bang for my buck.
Thanks again
Malty
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
i bought a canon 550d (i think!) many moons ago based on recommendations i got here.
i went to a camera specialist and handled all the cameras in my price bracket and instantly felt at home with the canon, it was out of my price range when i added a few extras - however, they brought out a very lightly used secondhand kit with most of the extras i wanted for less than i budgeted for.
have a look round some specialist shops & have a play with the top brand cameras - maybe consider getting a higher spec used body and leave yourself more cash to spend on glass
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Does it have to be a DSLR?
The reason i ask is because there are some amazing Micro four thirds camera's around, it really depends where you intend going with your photography.
I have a couple of DSLR's which i use if i have a wedding or other function, but for everyday use i wouldn't dream of taking such a big camera out and about, i will always take out my smaller M4/3 camera with me for trips out, or on holidays.
Main benefits for me with m4/3 is loads of lenses available, much more manageable size, which means i'm more likely to take the camera out with me, and unless you pixel peep, equal quality.
Aside from m4/3 there's also Fuji and Sony you could consider, my Fuji X100s goes everywhere with me lol
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
My missus got a Canon 700d and thinks it's not that good. Thinks it doesn't focus properly.
Personally I just don't think she knows how to use it, and there's not way she would listen to me...
DJ OD
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
I bought a DSLR a little over four years ago, a D3100 with 18-55mm lit lens and later on a 35mm prime. Whilst I don't regret buying it at all I really haven't used it enough to justify buying it. I can take a good photo I just don't go out there as much as I did at first.
I can't look up the post right now but someone on here put up an example video from a bridge camera zoomed in on an aeroplane in the distance and the zoom was fantastic, as was the image stabilisation. It wasn't a cheap camera by any means but would have been less than my array of kit - including cases, filters and cleaning things.
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ilscuro
Does it have to be a DSLR?
The reason i ask is because there are some amazing Micro four thirds camera's around, it really depends where you intend going with your photography.
I have a couple of DSLR's which i use if i have a wedding or other function, but for everyday use i wouldn't dream of taking such a big camera out and about, i will always take out my smaller M4/3 camera with me for trips out, or on holidays.
Main benefits for me with m4/3 is loads of lenses available, much more manageable size, which means i'm more likely to take the camera out with me, and unless you pixel peep, equal quality.
Aside from m4/3 there's also Fuji and Sony you could consider, my Fuji X100s goes everywhere with me lol
By those do you mean the compact system cameras that seem to be compact profile but take real lenses ?? I'm up for a bit of that.
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Hi
My experience was I had a Lumix bridge camera, which I loved, took great photos with (I am told) and found easy to use. My daughter has a degree in photography and advised me to get a Canon DSLR, I hate it , wish I still had my Lumix.
LS
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Quote:
Originally Posted by
maltloaf
By those do you mean the compact system cameras that seem to be compact profile but take real lenses ?? I'm up for a bit of that.
When my Canon EOS 450D started giving me over exposure on some settings I decided as a temporary measure to opt for a Samsung NX300 compact system camera for around £230 which came with a 20-50 zoom lens. So pleased with the camera I paid another £200 for a bigger 50-200 zoom lens to go with it. Really cant fault it for image quality which seems as good as the Canon and is lighter for carrying around. Miss having a viewfinder sometimes but for what I use it its not too much of a problem. Unlike compact cameras which have an abysmal battery life the battery in the Samsung lasts like the one in the Canon which seems to go on forever. I'm guessing that's down to the fact that they both have manual zooming rather than being motor driven like compact cameras.
Do need to do a few proper test shots with the Canon and work out what's gone wrong, but now I have the Samsung camera I tend to forget about it. (">
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
i love both my panasonic G micro four thirds
work fantastic with my vintage 50mm lense
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
I personally know fuck all but can add (because the Mrs is a newborn photographer) that if low light is an issue go Canon.
The Mrs loaned both Canon & Nikon when she was starting out because doing newborn she cannot use a flash. She said despite what specs might say on paper that canon outperformed nikon e.g. far less noise in low light conditions.
Just me 2p.
P.S Her first camera was a 700D so I think your Mrs is doing something wrong DJOverdose :-) ... she took some amazing pictures with the 700d
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
I currently have a Nikon D610 and a Fujifilm XE2. The Nikon being a full frame DSLR, the XE2 is a APSC mirrorless.
Although its cheaper, slower, lower quality and I have just 1 lens for it, the Fuji is my go to 90% of the time, with the Nikon being more and more reserved for 'professional' work.
If i were advise anyone, I'd say go with a mirrorless, although not the fuji, my love for the fuji is a little too based on its retro styling, in terms of tech spec and bang for le buck, the Sony cameras like the A6000 are pretty much untouchable.
As for lenses, theres slightly less options for the mirrorless cameras, but I think the majority of the bases are covered and Sony themsleves are producing some amazing glass these days, although saying that the lens that comes with the A6000 is horrible.
I'm not an expert on the sony lenses, but they do have a 55 to 210 which I think would be the slightly longer than the 300 on your bridge camera. I'd look at the lens options for any of the cameras, and then look for reviews of them.
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Quote:
Originally Posted by
maltloaf
By those do you mean the compact system cameras that seem to be compact profile but take real lenses ?? I'm up for a bit of that.
Yes mate, have a look at the Panasonic G and GX range, i'm about to buy a GX8, Olympus are good too, the Sony A6000 is a great camera too like 909 says.
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
just had a look at the panasonic GX and the sony mentioned above and that's a bit more than I was hoping to pay to be fair. I've been looking at more like 300-400. The 1200D kit I mentioned has been on sale for more like 290 (although out of stock).
Your posts whilst infinitely helpful, have given me more questions than answers !! lol
cheers,
malty
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
GX7 is a decent camera if you don't need the 4K video of the GX8 and a lot cheaper.
A6000 can be had for cheaper if you consider second hand.
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Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
I suggested the A6000 mainly because its the first model in their mirrorless range that has a viewfinder, If you're not bothered about a viewfinder and are happy to just use the LCD on the back, there's quite a few lower models that are basically the same without the EVF.
A friend of mine was researching which mirrorless to buy and he said that in one instance, the latest Sony camera (A6300 I think) actually had no new features over the previous model, so if you were on a budget, it would be good to look out for things like that as i am sure the older models would be discounted when they newer ones are available.
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
shit the bed, I had no idea cameras were so expensive in the UK. Prices here in China seem a little more realistic at around 350 for the older a6000 and the 6300 at 700 since its new (without a lens).
This is the one I have, which seems to be on sale here if you wanna be the middle aged hipster like me.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-X-...words=fuji+xe2
...but, you'd need a lens....
Maybe go for that Cheaper DLSR afterall...
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
Quite like the look of that gx7/8 but there don't seem to be any gx7 about new and the gx8 as I said seems a bit out of what I wanted to pay. Back to plan a sadly. Has anyone got a canon 100d ? Seems a smaller option than the full size dslr
Re: Advice please - beginner DSLR
I seem to remember you're in the Hereford area? If for some reason you're passing Staffordshire you can borrow my DSLR kit for a couple of months to see how you get on with it.