I want a new camera!

Psymonkee · 19-01-2012, 00:52

Howdy,

Looking for new camera advice and figured since there are a few photographers here it would be a decent place to start.

For ages I've had little compact point and shoots and they've been alright but I really want something in the DSLR line and to learn how to use the manual mode properly. My existing P&S has a full manual mode but changing the settings is very convoluted and basically a PITA. Oh yeah and it eats batteries like a boss. Very irritating.

So yeah basically looking at entry level DSLR stuff - what would you fine folk recommend? Does it still boil down to a choice of Canon vs Nikon? If so which is the way forward and why?

Also I'm not going to buy blind as I'll be off to visit my friend who works in the local Jessops when the time is right (and my day off/his shift at work line up

)

Any advice would be wonderful though

lostkat · 19-01-2012, 06:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psymonkee

Howdy,

Looking for new camera advice and figured since there are a few photographers here it would be a decent place to start.

For ages I've had little compact point and shoots and they've been alright but I really want something in the DSLR line and to learn how to use the manual mode properly. My existing P&S has a full manual mode but changing the settings is very convoluted and basically a PITA. Oh yeah and it eats batteries like a boss. Very irritating.

So yeah basically looking at entry level DSLR stuff - what would you fine folk recommend? Does it still boil down to a choice of Canon vs Nikon? If so which is the way forward and why?

Also I'm not going to buy blind as I'll be off to visit my friend who works in the local Jessops when the time is right (and my day off/his shift at work line up

)

Any advice would be wonderful though

Hmmm the Canon vs Nikon debate. Controversial!

All I can advise is that you go into a shop, have a good play with models of a similar level for both brands and see which you like the feel of best. Then start looking for advice on which specific model

The Canon/Nikon choice should be made first IMHO.

Kitten · 19-01-2012, 13:54

Are you sure you wouldn't like to try a bridge camera? Can be got for quite a bit less than a good DSLR and hold their value well enough to sell on if you decide to trade up.

Toby · 19-01-2012, 21:31

Kate speaks sense - 90% of the Canon vs Nikon thing boils down to which you prefer, both in terms of physically holding it in your hands and how the controls are laid out.

I know little about Nikons but, if you decide to go the Canon route then the entry model 1100D is a very decent bit of kit for the money, or if you want to spend a little more, something like the 500/550/600D, possibly used.

A bridge camera, as Kitten suggest, may be another option but I think a lot of it boils down to how far you want to take it as a hobby/passtime. If you envisage getting multiple lenses and accessories as time goes on, then I'd go the DSLR route rather than a bridge camera and also stick to either Canon or Nikon as their systems are broader than the alternatives like Sony and there are more used lenses and such like around. If you're just after a camera with a single lens for the foreseeable future then a bridge camera may well be all you need

Matblack · 19-01-2012, 21:41

You can pick up a Fuji bridge for around £100, it was my route in to dSLR and I can't recommend it enough, to do everything a bridge will do will cost you £750+ in body and lenses. If you move it on quick you'll lose £50 so it makes commercial sense

Kitten · 20-01-2012, 11:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matblack

You can pick up a Fuji bridge for around £100, it was my route in to dSLR and I can't recommend it enough, ....

Mine too. I got a lot of use out of my bridge and knew what I liked when I went for the more expensive DSLR option.

Psymonkee · 20-01-2012, 13:08

Some good shouts on the bridge camera idea, I shall check it out when I go and see my friend

Cheers for the advice so far

Matblack · 20-01-2012, 13:39

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5621271.htm

Thats a good deal to be honest.

Advantages of a bridge are that you get 90% of the control that you get with an SLR but the lens is sealed and fixed on which means you can get a much wider to longer zoom than you can get with any SLR lens, this makes you kit compact and avoids dust on the sensor which can occur with an SLR.

No they aren't as flexible at the more extreme ends of photography; low light, very fast speed but they can cope in 90% of cases, they only thing is disliked was the lack of mirrror which means you are looking at an LCD even when you look directly through the new finder but LCD have improved a lot and even this difference has the advantage of being able to superimpose image information on the viewfinder.

I've used 90% a lot and I'd stand by a good bridge being 90% of a dSLR for most users, if you price up good lenses and a good body to do the same I think you are probably looking at 10% of the price.

MB

Psymonkee · 22-01-2012, 01:20

Looks like these plans are on hold since the car decided to fail it's MOT

Fayshun · 22-01-2012, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psymonkee

Looks like these plans are on hold since the car decided to fail it's MOT

Mine did me for £643, the WEEK BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Fracking French pile of merde!

19-01-2012, 00:52	#1
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	I want a new camera! Howdy, Looking for new camera advice and figured since there are a few photographers here it would be a decent place to start. For ages I've had little compact point and shoots and they've been alright but I really want something in the DSLR line and to learn how to use the manual mode properly. My existing P&S has a full manual mode but changing the settings is very convoluted and basically a PITA. Oh yeah and it eats batteries like a boss. Very irritating. So yeah basically looking at entry level DSLR stuff - what would you fine folk recommend? Does it still boil down to a choice of Canon vs Nikon? If so which is the way forward and why? Also I'm not going to buy blind as I'll be off to visit my friend who works in the local Jessops when the time is right (and my day off/his shift at work line up ) Any advice would be wonderful though __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

19-01-2012, 13:54	#3
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	Are you sure you wouldn't like to try a bridge camera? Can be got for quite a bit less than a good DSLR and hold their value well enough to sell on if you decide to trade up. __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

19-01-2012, 21:31	#4
Toby Absinthe Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,023	Kate speaks sense - 90% of the Canon vs Nikon thing boils down to which you prefer, both in terms of physically holding it in your hands and how the controls are laid out. I know little about Nikons but, if you decide to go the Canon route then the entry model 1100D is a very decent bit of kit for the money, or if you want to spend a little more, something like the 500/550/600D, possibly used. A bridge camera, as Kitten suggest, may be another option but I think a lot of it boils down to how far you want to take it as a hobby/passtime. If you envisage getting multiple lenses and accessories as time goes on, then I'd go the DSLR route rather than a bridge camera and also stick to either Canon or Nikon as their systems are broader than the alternatives like Sony and there are more used lenses and such like around. If you're just after a camera with a single lens for the foreseeable future then a bridge camera may well be all you need __________________

19-01-2012, 21:41	#5
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	You can pick up a Fuji bridge for around £100, it was my route in to dSLR and I can't recommend it enough, to do everything a bridge will do will cost you £750+ in body and lenses. If you move it on quick you'll lose £50 so it makes commercial sense __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

20-01-2012, 13:08	#7
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	Some good shouts on the bridge camera idea, I shall check it out when I go and see my friend Cheers for the advice so far __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

20-01-2012, 13:39	#8
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5621271.htm Thats a good deal to be honest. Advantages of a bridge are that you get 90% of the control that you get with an SLR but the lens is sealed and fixed on which means you can get a much wider to longer zoom than you can get with any SLR lens, this makes you kit compact and avoids dust on the sensor which can occur with an SLR. No they aren't as flexible at the more extreme ends of photography; low light, very fast speed but they can cope in 90% of cases, they only thing is disliked was the lack of mirrror which means you are looking at an LCD even when you look directly through the new finder but LCD have improved a lot and even this difference has the advantage of being able to superimpose image information on the viewfinder. I've used 90% a lot and I'd stand by a good bridge being 90% of a dSLR for most users, if you price up good lenses and a good body to do the same I think you are probably looking at 10% of the price. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

22-01-2012, 01:20	#9
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	Looks like these plans are on hold since the car decided to fail it's MOT __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178