Interested in Photography - General help & camera suggestions needed
16 replies, posted
My family friends, my personal interests, and the works I've seen on FP have motivated and greatened my interests in photography. The main point of this thread is to see if I can get any recommendations as to which entry level DSLR I should get,or whether I should even consider getting one in the first place.
My photography experience is very very minimal, I'm a typical point and shoot person, if I feel like it, I sometimes whore up the macro features on my digital camera. My knowledge about camera functions/lenses etc etc is also minimal, if not, it's non-existant.
So my first dilemma is, should I even consider taking a jump up to DSLRs? Should I practice more with what I have at the moment?
I'm willing invest in a DSLR however, and I'd be more than willing to put some time and effort in learning about the camera & photography in general.
So if I were to get a DSLR my price range is about AU$1000, give or take AU$100. I've had a look at some 'Beginner DSLR' stuff and usually people point to something Canon or something Nikon. I don't plan to buy online, and after some search for stores in Sydney, I've narrowed it down to 2.
[B][U]First store:[/U][/B]
[url]http://www.camera-warehouse.com.au/3/673/canon_eos_digital_slr[/url] (Canon stuff)
[url]http://www.camera-warehouse.com.au/3/674/nikon_digital_slr[/url] (Nikon stuff)
[B][U]Second store:[/U][/B]
[url]http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/displayproductcategory/2325508.html[/url] (Nikon stuff)
[url]http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/displayproductcategory/2325507.html[/url] (Canon stuff)
What package seems to be the best deal? There are a fair few body & lens packs.
I guess my main few options are Nikon D60, Canon 1000D (or Rebel XS? in America) or the Canon 450D (Rebel XSi? in America) if I'm willing to push my limits a bit
get the Canon 400d or 450d 2nd hand. It's totally worth the extra (barley anything when 2nd hand in mint condish.)
[editline]02:39PM[/editline]
[url]http://www.youtube.com/user/cameralabs[/url]
watch all his camera tips videos.
[editline]02:41PM[/editline]
[url]http://www.dslrtips.com/workshops/DSLR_workshops_tutorials_tips.shtml[/url]
Olympus E-520 double kit is very good, the lenses are very good compaired to other kit lenses.
The better lenses are very nice too, but they cost a lot $$$ tho.
Olympus E-520 w/ 14-42mm + 70-300mm F4-5.6 Telephoto Zoom Lens AU$1,279.00 Normally 3-4 days
From the first store.
If you don't plan on buying a lot of optics I would get that kit.
Compaired to Canon, the body has a nice image stabilizer.
I've heard bad things about the D60. I have the D90 which is amazing. I wouldn't settle for anything less than a D80 to be honest. but if you go with canon be careful with which camera you buy. I've found that (depending on the lens) canons tend to have noise/color distortion problem on darker backgrounds. Go to [url]http://www.cnet.com/[/url] for good reviews.
Consdiering your price range i would personally recommend Doing what i did. Buy a refurbished D90 body and then get this lens. [url]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/532521-USA/Nikon_2176_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6G_VR_AF_S.html[/url]
It's a very good lens for any photographer whether they're a beginner or an expert. It's 18-55mm with a decent zoom (not telephoto by any means) auto-focus, Vibration Reduction, etc.
Also i would recommend using this website.
[url]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/[/url]
D60 is a great camera, speaking from my own experience.
Oh wow, a family friend just told me that I can get a Canon 500D IS kit for HK$6352, which equates to exactly AU$1010, I'm saving anywhere from AU$400-500, a 500D IS kit here costs about $1400-$1600
I just got a Canon Rebel XS for under 500$ (Canadian) and so far it's been great. If you're just getting into it, I would recommend it. I just took a few courses in photography, so I'm pretty much a newbie too.
[editline]03:31AM[/editline]
The clarity is pretty amazing, and they'res minimal noise even in extremely dark shots.
Firstly, go with Nikon. Better lenses and you won't get a washed out sort of look to your photos. Secondly, good for you for having and interest in photography! To be honest, I would stick with a point and shoot for now. You won't be able to make super stunning photos, but you will be able to get to grips with the raw basics of photography: simple camera settings and composition. This way you won't get overwhelmed when you go out and buy yourself a flashy DSLR!
Have fun!
[QUOTE=The Salmon;16172308]Firstly, go with Nikon. Better lenses and you won't get a washed out sort of look to your photos. Secondly, good for you for having and interest in photography! To be honest, I would stick with a point and shoot for now. You won't be able to make super stunning photos, but you will be able to get to grips with the raw basics of photography: simple camera settings and composition. This way you won't get overwhelmed when you go out and buy yourself a flashy DSLR!
Have fun![/QUOTE]
I disagree completely. Watch some videos, learn from the classes you said you're going to take etc. Fuck point and shoot.
[editline]04:20PM[/editline]
and if he doesn't want to get 'overwelmed' then he could just put it onto fucking auto settings and save $100 on a fucking useless point and shoot. Gaah
[editline]04:21PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=BoosLee;16166938]Oh wow, a family friend just told me that I can get a Canon 500D IS kit for HK$6352, which equates to exactly AU$1010, I'm saving anywhere from AU$400-500, a 500D IS kit here costs about $1400-$1600[/QUOTE]
go for it, imho. Brilliant deal, Brilliant camera.
[QUOTE=The Salmon;16172308]Firstly, go with Nikon. [/QUOTE]
Get out
If you want to get a DSLR then do; they're fun!
If you want to work out which one to go for, go to a camera shop and try them out; specs wise there isn't that much between most of them, just get touchy feeley with them and see what you prefer; people are as dead set on their camera company as they are their religion, they've put thousands in to buying accessories for that system and won't budge when anyone asks them if the other side is better
Nikon and Canon are the top brands for camera's and optics, It's not really a matter of getting a good camera. It's getting the features you want/need for the price. The lower end cameras, D40, D60, D80, XS, XSi, XTi are incredibly easy to learn, but have enough depth to continue to experiment for the following months.
I'd go for that 500D kit.
[QUOTE=idioten;16180101]Get out[/QUOTE]
agree agree agree!
[editline]09:18PM[/editline]
[quote=the salmon;16172308]firstly, go with nikon. Better lenses and you won't get a washed out sort of look to your photos. Secondly, [i]good for you[/i] for having and interest in photography! To be honest, i would stick with a point and shoot for now. [i]you won't be able to make super stunning photos[/i], but you will be able to get to grips with the raw basics of photography: Simple camera settings and composition. [i]this way you won't get overwhelmed[/i] when you go out and buy yourself [i]a flashy dslr![/i]
[i]
have fun![/i][/quote]
so..
Much...
Patronising!
[editline]09:18PM[/editline]
[img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/protestwarriors/ScannersExplodingHead.gif[/img]
gah!
[QUOTE=The Salmon;16172308]Firstly, go with Nikon. Better lenses and you won't get a washed out sort of look to your photos. Secondly, good for you for having and interest in photography! To be honest, I would stick with a point and shoot for now. You won't be able to make super stunning photos, but you will be able to get to grips with the raw basics of photography: simple camera settings and composition. This way you won't get overwhelmed when you go out and buy yourself a flashy DSLR!
Have fun![/QUOTE]
No. Nikon lenses are generally more compatible, but nikon and canon are pretty much identical in image quality and value and it comes down more to personal preference.
Thanks for all the responses! :D
My minds pretty set on getting that 500D kit I mentioned earlier, it's just seeing if the exchange rates hold up for a couple more months while I'm saving as well as seeing if any relatives here in Sydney are going to Hong Kong any time soon, then they can go get me one.
Reason why I'm going for Canon at the moment is because I've a friend here whose using a 50D and is familiar with Canon cameras, so he can teach me stuff, as well as a bit of personal preference i guess.
Weird stuff comming by this thread, I recently got into newb photography been practicing using my step dads EoS 350d.
[QUOTE=BoosLee;16182967]Thanks for all the responses! :D
My minds pretty set on getting that 500D kit I mentioned earlier, it's just seeing if the exchange rates hold up for a couple more months while I'm saving as well as seeing if any relatives here in Sydney are going to Hong Kong any time soon, then they can go get me one.
Reason why I'm going for Canon at the moment is because I've a friend here whose using a 50D and is familiar with Canon cameras, so he can teach me stuff, as well as a bit of personal preference i guess.[/QUOTE]
They're both great brands. Also point and shoot does not equal crap, however I would opt for a higher end one so you can have more control over how your camera operates.
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