MK5 Golf GTI

General => Photography Section => Topic started by: Edition30 on October 09, 2011, 11:04:21 pm

Title: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: Edition30 on October 09, 2011, 11:04:21 pm
Looking to buy a decent camera and as a beginner I dont think I will do an SLR justice so looking at a DSLR.


Currently know very little about them so could someone recommend me one? Need to get it over the next few months to practise ready for summer when im hitting the trails on the MB.


Cheers.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: stealthwolf on October 09, 2011, 11:08:55 pm
Have a look at dpreview.com.

If beginning, either go for entry-level or used higher-end.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: simonp on October 09, 2011, 11:13:00 pm
An SLR and a DSLR are the same thing. Former is film and the latter is the digital version.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: rich83 on October 09, 2011, 11:15:48 pm
You don't want a SLR film camera I can tell you that for nothing. You'll go through film at a rate of knots and the learning curve is much much slower than digital.

If your after a Digital SLR and intend to use it for action photography, look for ones that can shoot about 6 FPS (canon 40d or 50d, or nikon D300.

Rich
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: jedi-knight83 on October 09, 2011, 11:46:57 pm
Id go for the D90 over the D300.. same internals in a slightly smaler body. Then spend the savings on some better glass... Never use the lens that comes with the kit. A good lens is where you want to spend more money.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: rich83 on October 09, 2011, 11:57:08 pm
Smaller isnt always better. Especially if you have man hands.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: nc35 on October 10, 2011, 08:59:54 am
Id go for the D90 over the D300.. same internals in a slightly smaler body. Then spend the savings on some better glass... Never use the lens that comes with the kit. A good lens is where you want to spend more money.

Second that. For a beginner the D90 is a good choice. The 18-55 lens isnt too bad either.
Invest on new lens when you get the bug. First things I would be buying are ND, Skyligh or polarising filters and a kit bag...
The UV filter will help protect the lens the others add a little creativity for minimal cost.

Sounds dumb, but there is an idiots guide to the D90 which is excellent. It is about the D90 not the general mumbo-jumbo.

PS Made an expensive move from canon to nikon. Can't explain why just seem to get better results.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: Edition30 on October 11, 2011, 11:17:52 pm
Canon G12 any good?

A mate keeps banging on about them.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: rich83 on October 11, 2011, 11:23:41 pm
Yea they are good. But it isn't a DSLR and for action photography there is no substitute for a DSLR.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: stealthwolf on October 11, 2011, 11:29:50 pm
I have the G12 and Richwig does too.

It's up to you to decide what you're after. For me, a full on dSLR would just get left at home except for special occasions, whereas the G12 has similar functionality but is more pocketable. Also has a folding out screen so you can take pics from various angles. Love the chunky feel of it. Downsides IMO are zoom (only 5x), viewfinder is pretty useless, and it's not so great as video. Having said that, a lot of pros seem to use it as their second camera.

Go to a camera shop to try it out. At the time I bought it, I could have bought an entry level SLR for similar cost.

EDIT: Rich beat me in posting.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: Edition30 on October 12, 2011, 12:40:42 am
Cheers for the replys.

I think your comment 'more pocketable' is a winner for me. Wanting to take it with me when I do trails and walks etc.


Would anyone recommend ordering from Hong Kong...seller on eBay banging them out at £310 as apose to Amazon at £375
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: stealthwolf on October 12, 2011, 01:09:22 am
I'd avoid anything from abroad. What would you do if anything went wrong?

Go try the camera out in store. The Nikon p7000 has similar features without the fancy screen.

I couldn't keep the g12 in a trouser pocket but definitely a jacket pocket.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: simonp on October 12, 2011, 07:44:52 am
What about these newfangled Micro Four Thirds things? The new Panasonic jobby is tiny in comparison to an SLR.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: Hedge on October 12, 2011, 10:50:40 am
What about these newfangled Micro Four Thirds things? The new Panasonic jobby is tiny in comparison to an SLR.

Smaller isnt always better. Especially if you have man hands.

As I have quite large hands I find the smaller cameras a pain to hold and use. If I didn't have a grip for my K-5 it would be pretty awkward to hold and use.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: Edition30 on December 05, 2011, 08:22:38 pm
Can anyone tell me the difference between the NEX 5 and 3?

I would have thought one would be a higher model but they're similar in price.
Title: Re: DSLR - Amateur advise.
Post by: damoegan on December 05, 2011, 08:56:12 pm
I run a Nikon D90 and think its a realy great camera  :happy2:

If you go for a D90 make sure you get it with the 18-105mm glass  :smiley: