DSLR - Amateur advise.

[Edition30]

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.

[stealthwolf]

Have a look at dpreview.com.

If beginning, either go for entry-level or used higher-end.

[simonp]

An SLR and a DSLR are the same thing. Former is film and the latter is the digital version.

[rich83]

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

[jedi-knight83]

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.

[rich83]

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

[nc35]

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.

[Edition30]

Canon G12 any good?

A mate keeps banging on about them.

[rich83]

Yea they are good. But it isn't a DSLR and for action photography there is no substitute for a DSLR.

[stealthwolf]

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.

[Edition30]

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

[stealthwolf]

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.

[simonp]

What about these newfangled Micro Four Thirds things? The new Panasonic jobby is tiny in comparison to an SLR.

[Hedge]

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.

[Edition30]

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.