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First Camera (Ahhhhhh!)
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Can anyone recommend a suitable digital camera to start off with?
I’ve been using a Fuji S5000, but I’d like to get something a bit more serious!
Around ?15-1600?
paperdoll wrote:
Can anyone recommend a suitable digital camera to start off with?
I’ve been using a Fuji S5000, but I’d like to get something a bit more serious!
Around ?15-1600?
If you have ?1600 to spend your in a great position – you can pickup (as an example) a canon eos 20d for ?950 2nd hand
then put the rest toward a really good prime or general (17-40 24-70)lens. That is probably what I would do in your shoes.
PS welcome to the forum !
Hi there,
if you have that much cash, the route to take would definitely to invets in a decent SLR.
The big question is to go with either Nikon or Canon as both have great cameras
and lenses available either new, or second hand, that would fit into your budget.I have never used Canon so I cannot comment on merits / problems, but, realistically I’d say there
is very little difference between the two in terms of quality & prices etc.I have been using Nikon for some time and find their cameras very user friendly, but I’m sure that
Canon users will say the same. You could also get a decent kit in the form of the Olympus E300 to include
flash & lenses.Welcome to the forum and the Nikon vs Canon debate!!!
Rgds
Kevin
thanks for the replies.
gerardk – I will check the buy and sell tonight for the canon eos20d (although I’m nervous of buying a second camera)
kpm – which Nikon camera would you recommend?
I’ve been saving for quite a while for this! It’s my 30th birthday present to me! (a few months late)
paperdoll wrote:
thanks for the replies.
gerardk – I will check the buy and sell tonight for the canon eos20d (although I’m nervous of buying a second camera)
kpm – which Nikon camera would you recommend?
I’ve been saving for quite a while for this! It’s my 30th birthday present to me! (a few months late)
If your going to buy second hand it would be an idea to take a few pictures in the different modes, check the autofocus, flash etc – then insert the card into a laptop to view the images just to make sure that everythings as it should be. Theres always a element of risk buying anything second hand but at least with buyandsell your not transferring money overseas – you can see it and check it out before handing over anything. I would echo the comments about nikon and canon being level quality wise.
My first camera was a nikon D70 … In my oppinion its a brilliant camera, I absolutely LOVED it… You can pick one up with the standar 18-70mm kit lens in conns camers for 1150 euros, here’s a link to all the techie information
http://www2.europe-nikon.com/details.aspx?countryid=20&languageid=22&catId=91&prodId=1057
If you have that budget you are going to be spoiled for choice.. One other thing to bear in mind before you buy is if you have any buddies into photography what do they use – sharing kit can be VERY handy ;)
Lorraine
Paperdoll,
if going for a Nikon I would check out the D70 kit, which would probably set you back about 1,200. (Conns Cameras)
The lense would cover all the basic needs, and you would still have 3-4 hundred to get a few necessary
accessories (CF cards, tripod, filters, gadget bag etc.)The great thing about the D70 is that as you progress
through to the higher end of the Nikon range the basic controls stay more or less the same – just a few new bells & whistles.Hope this helps
Rgds
Kevin
I would not buy secondhand digital camera at all. It is risky to buy 2ndhand film camera but the risk is much higher for digital because the sensor. The sensor has its lifetime and you will not know how many pictures were taken by the camera also you have to be careful with the dirt on the sensor.
I went the D70 with the 18-70mm kit lens route myself originally, great camera.
Couldn’t recommend it morepaperdoll wrote:
Can anyone recommend a suitable digital camera to start off with?
I’ve been using a Fuji S5000, but I’d like to get something a bit more serious!
Around ?15-1600?
I opted for the nikon d70s kit with a 1gb card which I bought in Jessops Manchester, I reckon I saved around ?150 euro over Irish prices. There are several dedicated camera equipment sites on the net inc. pixmania and microglobe. Check them out before you decide. I also went for the tamron 70/300 telephoto lens which is quite cheap at ?150 euro and a very good lens for the price.
When buying a camera, always check out http://www.dpreview.com for reviews of different models.
I use a Nikon D70 (kit) and I am pretty happy with it.
Nikon are introducing a new 10.2 megapixel digital SLR on August 9th, which might be the successor to the D70/D70s!Remember, you will need good memory cards – I use 2 x 1gb Lexar Professional CF cards.
You’ll also need a UV Filter to protect your lens, I’d also suggest a Polarising Filter in your bag.
Buy an extra battery – you don’t want to be left without power at a crucial moment.
As KPM says, you’ll aso need other stuff like a decent tripod, bag, etc.
And you’ll need some printing option. Either get a printer for yourself or have images printed for you.So, don’t spend ALL your cash on the camera alone. There are plenty of other items also needed.
Cheers for all the replies – I’ve read various reviews of the cameras suggested, and am leaning toward Nikon, still confused about which model though.
I will let you know when I’ve made the big purchase(s) :)
paperdoll wrote:
Cheers for all the replies – I’ve read various reviews of the cameras suggested, and am leaning toward Nikon, still confused about which model though.
I will let you know when I’ve made the big purchase(s) :)
Although relatively new to dslr I would’nt get too caught up in megapixels if I were you, before plumping for a d200 I would strongly advise you to go for the d70s kit. There is a lot of learning to be done and a lot of accesories to be purchased. Get to know your camera and how it works, what it can and cannot do. You will have to beef up on storage and dedicated printers. A laptop while not essential is very usefull. The choice of len’s is enormous and a minefield. Unless you get good advice you can end up buying a lens which is overpriced and overhyped. Like me you gotta crawl before you walk. Best of luck when you get going, will keep an eye open for your posts.
Just to even up the Nikon bias (no disrespect) you could buy the Canon EOS 30D from Germany here for ?1149…!
http://www.ac-foto.com/ac/shop/shop.php?new_sprache=eng
Its a very good camera with lots of features… should keep ye happy for a few years…!
To be honest you cant go wrong with whatever body you but these days. They are all great cameras regardless of make…!
Richie
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