- This topic is empty.
Best beginner equipment
-
Found myself in the market for a new camera and possibly a lens if the budget will stretch, have about €1000 to spend.
Any advice??
Well you need to give more details on what you think you want…
Presuming you are talking about an SLR camera.
Digital or Film?
I presume Digital.
You’re price budget is pretty good.
Some common camera makes to look into would be Canon Nikon Olympus or Pentax.
Anytime someone asks me this question – i have always recommended the Canon 400D or the Nikon D40/ D40X
You can buy these cameras with the body only or as a kit with a lens. I think the 400D comes with the 18-55 USM lens. Which is a pretty good lens, for most types of photography.
I might say if you have a camera already or an SLR – you have to consider the future, if you buy into Nikon or Canon etc. you tend to stay with that brand. you cant obviousley use Nikon lenses on Canon so in the future if you want to upgrade to something like the Nikon D300 or whatever will be out in the next couple years from a Canon, all you’re canon equipment will be basically useless for a Nikon.
And in terms of whats better then what – with technology, the more expensive, the better it is. You should find yourself coming out with a nice camera for the money you are willing to spend.
(also remember to include in you’re price that you might have to buy a memory card which can cost 100quid and maybe even a bag to protect it or some UV Filters to protect the lens although they come cheap enough.)
Since you are just starting off, and I am assuming that you still hve an open mind on the types of shots you want to take,
my advice would be to get a Pentax K200d body with a Sigma 17-70mm macro lens, for about €650.This lens gives you landscape, street, documentary and architecture capabilities, plus general purpose and macro as well if you wish –
in other words a good all rounder.I know that this is well below your budget, but it would be a good place to start – you can always use up some more cash with
filters, a bag etc.http://www.warehouse.co.uk is one of the best sources.
To be honest there’s no such thing as the best starter camera kit. There are some very good kits available in your price range, very good indeed.
We have two levels in the price range, the true entry level cameras and more advanced.
Also bear in mind you are buying into a system. Lenses/flash from Canon won’t work on a Sony camera, Nikon won’t work on Canon etc etc etc…That Pentax K200D and Sigma lens Ken mentioned above seems like a good deal. We have a couple of users of that particular camera on this site too and they produce some truely stunning photo’s.
You need to ask yourself what you’re going to use the camera for: (Portraits, Sports or Landscape)
Portraits: all the cameras will produce outstanding results. You may need to consider firing a flash remotely for creative purposes. If so the Sony’s can remotely fire a flash. I believe with the others you need to get an adapter to fire a flash remotely.
Sports: Look into the high ISO capabilities for each and the FPS (frames per second). Another thing to consider for sports (and portrait work) is image stabilization (that’s where any camera shake from your hands is overcome by the camera, or lens. Sony has the image stabalisation built into the camera so EVERY lens becomes IS enabled even 20 year old lenses, while Canon and Nikon have it in the lenses. You may need to consider this as you’ll have to pay for the IS each time you buy a lens.
Landscapes and sunsets: All the below cameras will produce competition winning and quality results. You may need to use the cameras self-timer to over-come any camera shake. I take ALL my landscape shots on self-timer, where the camera actually fires itself, I don’t even touch the camera.
Entry level (in no particular order)
Sony A200 and A300
Canon 450D (small camera to hold in your hands)
Nikon D60More Advanced
Sony A350
Sony A700 (this maybe a little above your price range)
Canon 40D
Nikon D90There’s no right answer as they will all produce outstanding results.
The best thing to do is go down to a camera shop and have a play with a couple and see how they feel in your hands.
BTW: I use Sony A100 and A700. All the shots on my site were taken with the Sony’s. :D
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
