Want to get first camera... What to get? - Saxperience

Robin91 · 10th November 2009, 20:50

Basically turn 18 on 2nd December,and quite fancy a camera for my birthday as I always like taking pictures but havn't got a proper camera for my own! Always find it fascinating too looking at peoples photos on here etc..

Now I personally want DSLR, because it seems they're just superior in terms of what they can do compared to your point and shoot crap, and I don't fancy a point and shoot because I want something I can really do some decent stuff with and really get into.. The only problem is looking around they all seem to be really expensive etc + I know little to nothing about DSLR's... So if I were to say I had around £200-300 to get everything I needed to get started with a half decent DSLR, what would you guys advise?

Also, is there anywhere which explains how they work and all the business about lenses etc, as I've said I really no pretty much nothing about them so getting an idea of whats involved with them etc would be a good starting point also I guess! We've got a Canon I think it's a 450D or 500D at work in the display cabinet at £500 or something, may try and have a play with that if I get a chance!

Thanks for any advice!

AXracing · 10th November 2009, 22:11

For around £500 I would be tempted with the Nikon D5000. Though personally for a starter camera I would be tempted with a D3000 or a clearance D60 like I have now. I just got my self a used really cheap D40 off ebay too (yes I am addicted) as I can take it to some really daft places and it does not matter to much if I smash it.

bald24 · 10th November 2009, 22:18

D50 off ebay or D60 new - Both brilliant cameras

Robin91 · 10th November 2009, 22:22

Are Nikons better than Canons then? I was under the impression Canon were better for some reason?

Also, what does everyone think of the Pansonic G1? Been looking at that, not a true DSLR as it doesnt have the prism but looks really cool and has some cool features.. Or do people not rate it for the money?

Thanks!

bald24 · 10th November 2009, 22:22

Nikon and Canon to some extent are like Microsoft and Apple, you tend to stick with one and hate the other

Robin91 · 10th November 2009, 22:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by bald24

Nikon and Canon to some extent are like Microsoft and Apple, you tend to stick with one and hate the other

Oh lmao, is there any particular differences between the two manafactures? Advantages/Disadvantages?

Also, are there any DSLRS capable of producing half decent video footage without faulting on image quality etc in that sort of price range? Or is that asking a bit much?

AXracing · 10th November 2009, 22:38

From what im told Nikon is consider to be of outstanding quality especially the lenses. But its like cars where its all much of a muchness these days. BMWs are using Citroen engines and many Peugeot are made by Toyota and so on. Same is true in the Camera world.

Robin91 · 10th November 2009, 22:49

Oh okay that's fair enough.

I see the d5000 is also capable of 720p video recording, have watched some samples on youtube and it looks pretty impressive! That's the sort of thing I'd like.. however I think the d5000 may be a bit expensive. If there a similar car capable of the same video quality at a more affordable price?

grantlowery · 11th November 2009, 14:23

I would look at getting some thing older but with a better spec, it will be better to learn from and you can spend the money you have left over on glass.

Ryan^p · 11th November 2009, 14:34

Regarding canon vs nikon.

Canon are cheaper and more affordable for the amateur market, which is why you see more amateurs with them.

They used to also own the pro market with the 1 series, however nikons new 'pro' systems kick ass.

Go canon imo.

Only recently have cameras been doing the HD video aswell, and if you want this then it is widely accepted that canon is miles better than nikon on this front (they produce very good video cameras and have done for years).

You wont get a decent SLR with HD video for £200-300 though, thats 20/30D terratory.

Ryan^p · 11th November 2009, 15:46

also whilst i remeber, realise the initial price is nothing, when you want to add on lenses (which inevatibly you will) then you will be spending mega ££££

I know a few people who have spent several thousand this year alone on lenses.

Barry123 · 11th November 2009, 22:24

It's the Nikkor (Nikon's own brand) lenses at are arse-bleedingly expensive that's the killer.

Canon's best and Nikkor's best are much of a muchness really, just the price can way different and usually not in Nikkor's favour.

Depends what you want to shoot really. Nikon's entry cameras are a tad suited to wider angle stuff... for instance they'll give a slightly wider image compared to a canon if the same lens was magically interchangable.

Ryan^p · 11th November 2009, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by adsayer

r.

Depends what you want to shoot really. Nikon's entry cameras are a tad suited to wider angle stuff... for instance they'll give a slightly wider image compared to a canon if the same lens was magically interchangable.

The joys of 1.5 crop as opposed to 1.6 lol!

Barry123 · 11th November 2009, 22:32

did you get your lights today, I never actually asked, and you never actually told me?

Ryan^p · 11th November 2009, 22:40

Got a phone call this morning saying should be here 2mo. (we shall see)

Do you wish you had gone noink originally? Shooting clubs and having better flash control + the fact the D3 has really proved nikon were capable of producing cameras with useable AF and Iso.

At least my clio wheels arrived today lol

Barry123 · 12th November 2009, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

Got a phone call this morning saying should be here 2mo. (we shall see)

Do you wish you had gone noink originally? Shooting clubs and having better flash control + the fact the D3 has really proved nikon were capable of producing cameras with useable AF and Iso.

At least my clio wheels arrived today lol

Nope, I really don't. I'm in total envy of the Pro Nikon range, but I could never afford to purchase one just after release at new, so it'd be another year or two (more like 3) before I could buy one at an affordable second hand price, so I'm yet to wish that'd I'd gone for nikon. The flash control really doesn't worry me, I've never used the Nikon equiv. and I'm totally confident in using manual flash for nightclub stuff now anyway.

Buttt... I just did a check... Nikkor lenses are about the same now (and cheaper slightly) than Canon. Not cool.

Ryan^p · 12th November 2009, 13:52

After seeing the release price of the mkIV I really think Noink are going to hammer the pro market more and more over the next 3-4years....

(may mean big ass primes second hand value drop though

)......

I really cant be arsed with going manual in the clubs lol

Barry123 · 12th November 2009, 14:02

It's good practice if anything, and makes you more rounded and more in-tune with the flash expose rubbish anyway.. particularly handy for a certain light setup a certain someone's just bought

Good point on the glass. anyway... no more spending from me for at least 9 months on camera shite.

want to buy a grip for your 30D? I know you (stupidly) said you don't like them but it's a bargain and I just want rid, and I'd rather sell to a mate at a decent price then try to sell the forking thing on ebay and get shanked by listing fees and all the gunge.

Ryan^p · 12th November 2009, 14:27

I just cant be bothered in the clubs because the least effort I have to do with stupid strobes and smoke machines the better. Manual flash does interest me (henc the investment) just not @ ministry lol.

Prob not tbh, im a bit skint now (new wheels and the lights) + just dont like grips lol. Why you selling anyway getting rid of the 10D? as iirc the 40D grip is where they changed.

Barry123 · 12th November 2009, 14:31

Nope, I thought I'd trashed my one on the 40D, so stupidly went and ordered another at £100. Then the next day I thought I'd try and fix the duffer... which I fucking did. So I just want rid of the replacement one which arrived today, and offset even half the cost of the replacement one.