Little-Miss Posted October 20, 2008 Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) I'm really interested in getting into photography as a hobby. Have got a pretty decent Canon Ixus, but would really like a DSLR. Does anybody have any advice or can recommend a good camera for a beginner. I might ask Santa to get me one Edited October 20, 2008 by Little-Miss
powdarrmonkey Posted October 20, 2008 Posted October 20, 2008 I learned my craft on a Canon EOS 350D, but I'm not sure if it's still available. Its bigger brothers are the 400D and 450D.
beeswax Posted October 20, 2008 Posted October 20, 2008 http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/17903-useful-digital-camera-info.html
JJonas Posted October 20, 2008 Posted October 20, 2008 I went for a Canon 400D and I am quite happy with it. A photographer friend advised me that if I was starting out from scratch go for a Canon as the lenses were cheaper than their Nikon equivalents.
webman Posted October 20, 2008 Posted October 20, 2008 Let use know what you go for in the end please
tech_guy Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 As someone who started their working life as a photographer in a commercial studio, it's got to be Nikon everytime for a DSLR. If you can stretch to the lower middle range price wise you'll never look back. The lenses are superb too and VR (vibration reduction) is a must. I'd go for something like the D80.
tom_newton Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Another vote for Canon xxxD series - I have an ancient 300D which has served me well on 2 trips to africa. Probably the 350D is still available cheaply now it has been superceded by the 400 and 450, but it is still a great camera. See if you can make room in the budget for another lens tho - something like the canon 55-250IS would be a good place to start. Also: Camera Price Buster - UKs cheapest camera gear
tech_guy Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Canon cameras suck I'm afraid. A triumph of hype over substance. It's gotta be NIKON!
Joedetic Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 I'm no photographer but I do have a Sony Alpha 200. Nice little DSLR imho. I couldn't afford a NIKON so I call it a "poor man's nikon"
localzuk Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Canon cameras suck I'm afraid. A triumph of hype over substance. It's gotta be NIKON! Completely 100% disagree. I've gone from a Canon FTb to a Canon F1 to a Canon 350D and all are superb. The build quality is brilliant, and featureset for the price is excellent. Lenses are cheaper than other brands, and for the average DSLR user you don't need anything more. Plus Canons are heavier - which I prefer.
tech_guy Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON NIKON
tom_newton Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 I have used both. There are advantages to both. You will not notice these (one vs. t'other) unless you are really serious about one aspect of photography, in which case, you'll be able to make up your own mind (eg. the canon is supposed to be the superior system for landscape, nikon for sport). The *big* difference for me tho was the lenses available and the price. That's where to make your decision. One of the factors for me was Canon's "thrifty fifty" - the 50mm f1.8 for £60. You won't get near f1.8 for twice that price on nikon. OTOH, canon are only just catching up to Nikon's 18-250VR in terms of bang for buck. I also find that the canon 2nd-hand and 3rd-party lens market is better.
tech_guy Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 I have used both. There are advantages to both. You will not notice these (one vs. t'other) unless you are really serious about one aspect of photography, in which case, you'll be able to make up your own mind (eg. the canon is supposed to be the superior system for landscape, nikon for sport). The *big* difference for me tho was the lenses available and the price. That's where to make your decision. One of the factors for me was Canon's "thrifty fifty" - the 50mm f1.8 for £60. You won't get near f1.8 for twice that price on nikon. OTOH, canon are only just catching up to Nikon's 18-250VR in terms of bang for buck. I also find that the canon 2nd-hand and 3rd-party lens market is better. I agree.
DSapseid Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 I have a Canon EOS400D with a big 55-250 lense and i love it. My dad used to be a proffesional photographer and still does the odd job to go along side his graphic design work that he now does and he swears by Canon, he has had about 4 Canon DSLR's he currently has th 40D i think. Canon vs Nikon is like Apple vs Mac. Apple vs Mac arnt they the same thing?
katem Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Another vote for Canon here, proud owner of an EOS 450D with kit 18-55mm IS lens & tamron 70-300mm and its served me very very well so far
DSapseid Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Actually i have th 450d not the 400d here is where i bought it from linky. for camera reviews Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ is the webiste to look at.
alan-d Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Another vote for Canon here, proud owner of an EOS 450D with kit 18-55mm IS lens & tamron 70-300mm and its served me very very well so far Same setup here too
Domino Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 just a couple of weekends ao me and the girlfriend did a job photographing a wedding. One Canon EOS 350D and one EOS450D - and they both perfomed brilliantly I have to say, although the LCD on the 450) is much nicer, and it has more toys - these days most of the difference in actual photo quality is with the lens.
Little-Miss Posted October 21, 2008 Author Posted October 21, 2008 Thank you so much you guys. Have given me a lot to think about so far.
webman Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Don't forget to check out Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ
tom_newton Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Oh yeah.. and buy it in a "real world" camera shop if you can stand the extra cost - they'll price match OK anyway, and to get a real feel for the thing before laying out the $ is invaluable. If you're in a tight situation, or if you just have nae morals go in, test, and order online! In credit-crunch days though, you may be better offline, I have yet to be able to successfully bargain with a computer...
teejay Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 Canon 450d here, which I'm really happry with now. As a newbie to DSLR I actually found it a bit of a learning curve to get the best from it. The main thing is to learn how the thing works properly. When I first got it I dived straight in without properly reading the manual and learning how the thing works. The results were to be honest a bit dissapointing. Now I've spent some time reading and learning how to use the thing properly and I'm getting much better results.
dhicks Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 buy it in a "real world" camera shop if you can stand the extra cost If you're in/near London, then the big camera shops along Tottenham Court Road are worth a visit. Depending on what you'll be taking pictures of, you might find a tripod handy - just a cheap (£20) one will probably do fine. I also find a remote shutter release button (around £5 off eBay) very handy - means you can mount the camera on a tripod and not even have to touch it to take a picture, stops camera wobble completely. Extra batteries are always good, too. -- David Hicks
webman Posted October 21, 2008 Posted October 21, 2008 I also find a remote shutter release button (around £5 off eBay) very handy - means you can mount the camera on a tripod and not even have to touch it to take a picture, stops camera wobble completely. Top Tip #78: If you can't find/afford/don't want a shutter release button, use the the self-timer and set it to a small amount like 1 or 2 seconds to stop camera wobble. Definitely agree about extra batteries too - sod's law says you will always run out at the most inconvenient times.
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