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General => Random Chat => Topic started by: JackG on October 23, 2011, 06:04:24 pm

Title: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: JackG on October 23, 2011, 06:04:24 pm
Guys I'm in need of your help! I know there is lots of keen photographers on here so I'm hoping you guys can help me out!
I'm after a digital DSLR for my detailing buisness I will mainly use it for (you guessed it) taking pictures of cars
But I will take the odd picture of a lake and love winter so frozen trees too  :signLOL:
Was thinking the Nikon d7000 but it's so expensive  :scared: (could be my B12's!)
I honestly have no idea what i need! I know more expensive ones are good for things like long distance pictures wich I don't do, I'm thinking that if I bought the D7000 then I'll be wasting its features as more than likely better than what I'll use it for!
Don't want to spend more that £650 really  :ashamed:
Any help would be great!
Jack 
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Saint Steve on October 23, 2011, 06:08:00 pm
I bought a Nikon 3100 and a decent enough long lense addition to it.

If you budget for a decent body, then it's nowt without extra lenses, which will soon swallow your budget.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: stealthwolf on October 23, 2011, 06:10:40 pm
You have the options of going for a new entry-level, or an older higher end model. dpreview.com is a good place to do research.

You don't need dSLR for detailing pics IMO - just a really good lens and sensor. But if you're definitely going down this road, then Nikon and Canon are the better ones. Have a look at dpreview.com. General advice is you want to spend as much as you did on the camera on a good lens.

Have a look at RussZS - he's bought a Sony NEX-C3, which looks more like a bridge camera rather than interchangeable lens but still very compact.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Wolfman310 on October 23, 2011, 06:12:37 pm
Have a look at the entry level dslr's first if you want one.

The canon eos 1100d is a great piece of kit.

The Nikon d3000 i think is there entry level and is pretty good.

Both similar so go and have a hold as that will play important part.

I am a canon man and think they are awesome.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: hugh jass on October 23, 2011, 06:14:04 pm
 You dont need a DSLR. Apart from the cost you might just spend tooooo much time wondering what every setting/button can do. 
  http://www.which.co.uk/technology/photography/reviews/bridge-cameras/ (http://www.which.co.uk/technology/photography/reviews/bridge-cameras/)
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: stealthwolf on October 23, 2011, 06:16:12 pm
^^^Why are some of the cameras on that which site classes as bridge cameras? A bridge camera basically looks like an SLR without the ability to change lens. Some of them are compact cameras.  :stupid:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: rich83 on October 23, 2011, 06:18:14 pm
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digital-Camera-Body-Only/dp/B004MPQXS2/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319389719&sr=1-3

Get that... body only!

Then get yourself on ebay and buy a 17-85mm IS lens for about 100-130quid  :happy2:

Job done.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: JackG on October 23, 2011, 07:02:06 pm
Do you think it will work out cheaper to buy just te body and pick a good lense?
I see packages but it may be the case of " good camera,useless cheap tacky lense,bag that nothing fits in, memory card that says 8gb but is only 4gb"
Thanks for help so far guys  :drinking:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: rich83 on October 23, 2011, 07:36:11 pm
It won't work out cheaper, but you'll end up with a better setup.

For example... the kit lens on the Canon 600D is the 18-55mm, which is  a piece of poo poo. The 17-85 is much better  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: JackG on October 23, 2011, 07:54:40 pm
Sorry for my ignorance but what do the lense number mean? Angle or light source?
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: rich83 on October 23, 2011, 08:01:29 pm
Focal length in millimetres.

17-85mm indicates a zoom lens between 17mm and 85mm
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: JackG on October 23, 2011, 08:08:32 pm
Focal length in millimetres.

17-85mm indicates a zoom lens between 17mm and 85mm


Thank you very much  :drinking:
Would you say the cannon above is better validate for money than the d7000?
Thanks
Jack
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: rich83 on October 23, 2011, 08:31:53 pm
I prefer Canon.

The best thing to do id go to jessops and have a play with them both.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Degudodger on October 23, 2011, 08:53:49 pm
I prefer Canon.

The best thing to do id go to jessops and have a play with them both.  :happy2:

What Rich said.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: B3n on October 23, 2011, 09:56:28 pm
As above get yourself into a camera shop and hold a couple of different camera's. I went in to Jessop's with the intention of buying a Canon I ended up walking out with a Nikon :innocent:

There was nowt wrong with the Canon but the Nikon just seemed to fit my hands better.

Ben
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: stealthwolf on October 23, 2011, 10:00:20 pm
As above. When I bought my G12, I went to try it out first to try it out. Fitted beautifully in my hands. Hence went for it over its rivals.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Degudodger on October 23, 2011, 10:55:11 pm
And once you have chosen your DSLR Porn set up a FLickr account :smiley: http://www.flickr.com/photos/degudodger/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/degudodger/)
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: simonp on October 23, 2011, 11:24:51 pm
For example... the kit lens on the Canon 600D is the 18-55mm, which is  a piece of poo poo. The 17-85 is much better  :happy2:

What makes it that much better? What's a good price to pay for the latter?
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: stealthwolf on October 23, 2011, 11:38:46 pm
You're basically differentiating between zoom. 18-55 means you have a limited range, where as 17-85 is wider so more image is captured when you zoom out, and has a longer reach so can zoom in more.

At least that's my understanding. The 17-85 is meant to be a very good all round multipurpose lens.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: rich83 on October 23, 2011, 11:47:55 pm
For example... the kit lens on the Canon 600D is the 18-55mm, which is  a piece of poo poo. The 17-85 is much better  :happy2:

What makes it that much better? What's a good price to pay for the latter?

Better glass and longer zoom. I think i sold mine for about 130 quid, soon around about that.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: simonp on October 23, 2011, 11:56:50 pm
I have a Canon telephoto that I think was pretty cheap when new anyway, but want to sell as I don't use it. Think it's a 75-300 (non IS). How much you reckon I'd get for it and where's the best place to sell?
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: rich83 on October 24, 2011, 07:50:49 am
Search eBay for similar items. I'd sell on eBay mate?
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: simonp on October 24, 2011, 12:33:20 pm
Looked at that 17-85 on the Jessops website, nearly 400 quid on there! :surprised:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Hedge on October 24, 2011, 12:49:44 pm
I think that says more about Jessops than anything else.

No substitute for good glass and good glass isn't cheap. My short lens is a 16-50mm f2.8 and is around £600 new.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: JackG on October 24, 2011, 07:18:07 pm
I'll arrange a trip to Jessops or similar and have a play! Anything else I'll need?
Camera body
Memory card
Carry case
Lense

Cheers
Jack
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: B3n on October 24, 2011, 07:35:39 pm
A lens filter for each lens :happy2:

Stick with a plain UV one. These basically screw over the end of your lens so give an extra bit of protection against scratching the actual lens glass itself. Mine have saved my lens quite a few times  :ashamed:

Ben
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: stealthwolf on October 24, 2011, 08:58:32 pm
Some would disagree with the need for a UV filter but they do add additional protection.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Edition30 on October 24, 2011, 10:48:25 pm
Im going for the Sony NEX-C3 on payday.

Selling on Jessops for £399.99 with £29.99 cashback from Sony. Also available on a 0% 6 month finance deal.
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: RussZS on October 24, 2011, 10:50:04 pm
Im going for the Sony NEX-C3 on payday.

Selling on Jessops for £399.99 with £29.99 cashback from Sony. Also available on a 0% 6 month finance deal.

Great choice, it's what I got!  Superb camera for the cash, and VERY easy to use!  Maybe not quite SLR quality, but good enough for me!
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Edition30 on October 24, 2011, 11:37:16 pm
Im no pro so im sure it will more than good enough for what I want it for.


Did you find a good deal by any chance?
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: JackG on November 13, 2011, 06:14:16 pm
Im no pro so im sure it will more than good enough for what I want it for.


Did you find a good deal by any chance?

Sorry for the late reply  :signLOL:

I've gone for the canon eos 600d, can't remember wich lense it has tho....wich ever one is on Jessops site now that comes with the deal, it's a pretty good lense from what they told me but I'm not expert so I'm in no position to disagree with someone who does it for a job.

I wanted a Sony one at 1st, felt really nice, easy to use compared to the canon

Canon has a flip out rotating screen and the camera can see colour so the image and colour is very sharp, for me this is what made me choose it because my detailing work will look great with this camera
It also has a guide on the camera wich tells you what does what  :signLOL:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: rich83 on November 13, 2011, 06:16:11 pm
Good choice. Keep your eyes on Ebay for a Canon 17-85mm, they are fairly cheap and much better than the 18-55mm (I'm guessing) that you go with the 600D

Happy snapping.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: JackG on November 13, 2011, 06:22:45 pm
Good choice. Keep your eyes on Ebay for a Canon 17-85mm, they are fairly cheap and much better than the 18-55mm (I'm guessing) that you go with the 600D

Happy snapping.  :happy2:

Cheers  :smiley:
I'm honestly not sure what lense I got, pretty sure it was a 18-55 but don't know wether it was a vr or is lense   :ashamed:
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: GTiBEER on November 14, 2011, 09:20:56 am
I got the D3100 a year ago as a starter camera and it is brilliant IMO. Great sensors and a decent lens to start you off!
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: liver on November 22, 2011, 10:50:14 am
im wanting to get an SLR and have been offered one from a friend who is upgrading

 the camera and is said to be in immaculate condition, very belivable and trust worthy friend

its a EOS 1000D with 18-55 lens

 is the camera a decent begginers camera??

im pretty clueless on SLR's so any help is appreciated
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: galaxie500 on November 22, 2011, 11:30:04 am
Hi
The 1000D is a great first DSLR ( if it your first).  All Canons have a pretty intuitive interface and for starters you'll be happy to shoot in the AUTO setting and get great results. The 1000D is not a particularly recent model but should suit you just fine if its your first foray into DSLR photography. As you become more familiar with the capabilities of the camera and more importantly, your own abilities, you'll use the manual settings more and really enjoy the creative potential offered by a DSLR over a compact camera.  Don't worry about the lens to begin with; the 18-55 is a fine starter lens and you'll not miss what you don't know!  Main thing is to shoot loads, look at what you've shot on your computer, rather than just the teeny screen on the camera and learn from your 'mistakes' 'cos these 'mistakes' can often be your best shots! The mistake a lot of people make is deleting their images too readily before really examining them. At the end of the day, its not really about the camera, its about the person operating it! The best most expensive kit in the hands of an idiot will not guarantee a good shot but a creative person with a £100 camera will always shoot something interesting.
Whatever you eventually buy, be sure to look at the various online photography forums and you'll soon be shooting like a pro!
Good luck

galaxie500
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: galaxie500 on November 22, 2011, 11:38:46 am
Just found this review:

<http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1000d/>

galaxie500
Title: Re: Help me pick a DSLR
Post by: Degudodger on November 22, 2011, 01:05:41 pm
To compare prices use http://www.camerapricebuster.com/ (http://www.camerapricebuster.com/)