Best digital SLR for beginners?

[tom00_uk]

if there is such a thing, got it down to canon or nikon, with sony in third as they seem very cheap

so what would you get for your first dslr?

[Mike Jackson]

Firstly you need to get your hands on them and try them. MY first DSLR was a canon 300D. The reason I choose the canon was because it felt better in my hands than any of the rival makes and the controls seemed more intuitive to me. You will also hear the same from Nikon, Sony users etc.

Having decided what make of camera you want you then need to decide what features you need. Do you want/need video capability? Do you want live view capability?

Do you know what sort of photography you are interested in. With DSLRs there is no one catch all lens like with a bridge or a compact. For landscapes you may want a wide angle, for birds a long zoom, for insects a macro etc. If you're not sure your best to choose a kit with a decent lens included and you can then decide which direction you want your photography to take (or like me you end up with lenses for everything although if I had to choose just one lens it would be my 100mm macro).

It's also worth getting hold of some reading matter to learn how to use it properly. All the time I had my 300D I bought various books but really couldn't get my head round the various settings and ended up putting the camera back into the auto modes. I might as well have had a point and shoot for all the use I got out of it. When I got my 50D earlier this year I decided it was time to learn how to use it properly. Looking at the various books I had bought they were all too advanced for me. I had never had any form of SLR before so didn't understand the basic settings. I went out and bought a book called "teach yourself photography" by Lee Frost. It starts right from basics and doesn't contain any fancy pictures, just black and white line drawings. This was the turning point in my camera usage, once I understood the basics the rest just fell into place.

Mike

[DrNickBurton]

I think if I were starting out today, I'd get a Nikon D5000, which has the same fantastic sensor as the semi-pro D300s, for a fraction of the price.

Once you decide which make and model to go for, be sure to check around for the best deal before you buy - the prices of camera equipment vary wildly between retailers. This is applies all the more when you start buying lenses!

Ah yes, lenses. Be aware these will likely set you back more than the body, especially those that a suited to wildlife photgraphy!

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

if there is such a thing, got it down to canon or nikon, with sony in third as they seem very cheap

so what would you get for your first dslr?

[Jim Ford]

Go with the crowd and get a Nikon or Canon. Neither are my choice, but if you go with either you'll get lots of support here.

Jim

[david156]

I started this DSLR game about 2 months ago. I bought the Canon 1000d with the twin lens kit but since then have upgraded to the 100 - 400 L series lens and now no longer use the 70 - 300 lens that came in the kit. Could have saved myself about £180 if I had just bought the body and the better lens! Never mind we live and learn! I find it easy to use and for a beginner i'm reasonably pleased with my pictures. (some are on this site in images).
Go to a good shop and have a try with differant bodies and lens combinations.
Good luck and get them pictures on here when you've started.

Cheers David.

[tom00_uk]

not that worried about being able to film, is that not what camcorders are for?

what site or shop do you recommend for the best deals?

i know canon and nokon have started their Xmas money back deals but thats after sale so nice to get it as cheap as possible

[ron1863]

I looked at and handled the cameras at Jessops but bought from Warehouse Express as they were way cheaper and delivered the next day but you should shop around for a good deal.

[dunlin]

Try mpb photographic they specialise in canon and nikon second hand gear, thats if you dont mind buying second hand
regards mark............

[DrNickBurton]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

what site or shop do you recommend for the best deals?

Camera Price Buster - UKs cheapest camera gear

...has saved me £££. Its a price comparison site for all that is DSLR.

[david156]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

not that worried about being able to film, is that not what camcorders are for?

what site or shop do you recommend for the best deals?

i know canon and nokon have started their Xmas money back deals but thats after sale so nice to get it as cheap as possible

I'm only 10 miles from the warehouse express showroom so went there to look at what was available but ended up buying at another shop who matched there prices and had it in stock. (Warehouse express didn't and didn't know when they were back in)
Once you know what you want have a good shop about on the internet for prices but pesonally i would go to a good specialist shop who are prepared to help you and give you the advice you need even if it costs a little more. At the end of the day that advice may be worth more than the money your saving buying on line.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by tom00_uk

not that worried about being able to film, is that not what camcorders are for?

Yes, but the more bells and whistles a camera has, the better it sells to 'Joe Public'. I predict the next 'must have' feature on a DSLR is the ability to play MP3s - maybe even a mobile 'phone!

Jim

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Yes, but the more bells and whistles a camera has, the better it sells to 'Joe Public'. I predict the next 'must have' feature on a DSLR is the ability to play MP3s - maybe even a mobile 'phone!

Jim

I think GPS will be the next big thing on cameras, and by that I mean the ability to 'stamp' the image with the co-ordinates of where the image was taken exactly. I think this will be mainstream fairly soon

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I think GPS will be the next big thing on cameras, and by that I mean the ability to 'stamp' the image with the co-ordinates of where the image was taken exactly. I think this will be mainstream fairly soon

So when we go somewhere a long way from where we last used the camera, we have to switch it on at least 5 mins before we use it, and walk around so it can get a fix on 3 or more satellites!

Jim

[Boddie]

Sounds like you have the same model as I do

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Boddie

Sounds like you have the same model as I do

My current one is a Garmin Geko 301. My previous one was a Garmin Legend, which I lost!

Jim

[andrewinpompey]

To second what several other people have said already, think about the lenses you want to use (i.e. what sort of photos you will be taking) and spend money on those as much as the camera. If you look through 'Wildlife photographer of the year' books from say five years ago, many of those photos were taken on cameras that would now be seen as completely out of date, e.g. Canon 300D or Nikon D70. But they still got good photos! Lenses (and technique) are so important.

I'd recommend getting a second-hand camera body, and second-hand lenses as well. You can save a lot of money (enough to get an extra lens!). I'd suggest looking into prices for a Nikon D80 or Canon 400D, which are a few years old but will give you everything you need to take great photos. If you get them from a decent camera shop you should get a three or six month warrantee. This site lists places you can buy 2nd hand: Used Cameras from 89 specialist Camera Shops in the UK

Also think about what selection of lenses you will hopefully (realistically!) end up with in a year or two's time. Some brands of DSLR have a more limited selection of lenses, although there are also 3rd party lens brands e.g. Sigma that are good - i.e. you don't just have to buy Canon lenses for Canon cameras, etc.

[thunder]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

My current one is a Garmin Geko 301. My previous one was a Garmin Legend, which I lost!

Jim

This demonstrates the advantages of a camera with mobile 'phone and GPS. If you lost it, you could just ring it up and ask "Where are you?" and it would know!

henrya