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Best entry level DSLR for me?
Wobblydeb
Posts: 1,046 Forumite
in Techie Stuff
Hi techie folk
It's my first time in this bit of the forum, and I'm hoping you can give me a few ideas for an entry level DSLR.
I want to spend less than £500, or £400 ideally....
MAIN criteria is that it must be lightweight and suitable for small hands. I also have very shaky hands, so it needs to have some gadgetry to deal with that.
Any recommendations?
It's my first time in this bit of the forum, and I'm hoping you can give me a few ideas for an entry level DSLR.
I want to spend less than £500, or £400 ideally....
MAIN criteria is that it must be lightweight and suitable for small hands. I also have very shaky hands, so it needs to have some gadgetry to deal with that.
Any recommendations?
I've got a plan so cunning you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel.
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Comments
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This is a huge topic, and most of us will limited experience of the many options available. Try reading the buying guide from this site.
http://www.dpreview.com
When you have made up your mind which system to go for, try this site to compare prices.
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html
Good luck0 -
The latest "entry level" Canon (the 550D) is very highly regarded, though the price (and spec) is IIRC higher than any previous Canon entry DSLR product. But there are also many who like the cheaper Nikons, among others.
Probably the best thing to do is some research, and then go to one of the large retailers and have a feel of each make/model you're interested in. Some things such as hand size can mean that what fits one person like a glove will feel awkward to someone else.
When you've decided which you want, get back on the internet and find the cheapest price (or buy in the shop if they are reasonably competitive).0 -
I'd advise sticking with either Canon or Nikon because both manufacturers have huge ranges of lenses giving more scope for "growing into" your gear.
Sony also make a DSLR but I don't know much about it. I'm sure it's pretty good but without any knowledge of it I'd be guessing if I gave any advice on it.
As far as Canon are concerned you can buy lenses ranging in price from £50 on ebay (typically 50mm f1.8) up to several thousand for a 500mm or 600mm prime lens.
There are litrerally dozens of lenses in between.
Keen photographer with sales in the UK and abroad.
Willing to offer advice on camera equipment and photography if i can!0 -
I agree, it's usually a toss up between Canon and Nikon but please take your time and research. The lenses that come with the kits aren't rated - you can't zoom in very close is one issue and new decent lenses are pricey. When I discovered this, I couldn't afford to buy another lens so I was a bit miffed. Plus carting around a DSLR and lens or two isn't fun at times - weight and security. Personally, if I had my time again, I'd opt for 2nd hand Canon and a couple of lenses and a Panasonic Lumix for when I want to travel light (zoom facility is great) - the lumix is recommended by a professional photographer I know at work. It's his choice for taking on holiday, as like me, he finds lugging the DSLR and lenses around a pain.
The kind of photography you want to do will have an impact - architecture = wide angle lens. Want to take a photo of that horse in the field over there without climbing a fence, leaping a ditch and scaring it off when you get close enough = telephoto lens. You can get lenses that almost combine the two, but it won't be the kit lens.0 -
Georgiexxx wrote: »I agree, it's usually a toss up between Canon and Nikon but please take your time and research. The lenses that come with the kits aren't rated - you can't zoom in very close is one issue and new decent lenses are pricey. When I discovered this, I couldn't afford to buy another lens so I was a bit miffed. Plus carting around a DSLR and lens or two isn't fun at times - weight and security. Personally, if I had my time again, I'd opt for 2nd hand Canon and a couple of lenses and a Panasonic Lumix for when I want to travel light (zoom facility is great) - the lumix is recommended by a professional photographer I know at work. It's his choice for taking on holiday, as like me, he finds lugging the DSLR and lenses around a pain.
The kind of photography you want to do will have an impact - architecture = wide angle lens. Want to take a photo of that horse in the field over there without climbing a fence, leaping a ditch and scaring it off when you get close enough = telephoto lens. You can get lenses that almost combine the two, but it won't be the kit lens.
While the kit lenses aren't great, they're not all that bad. I sold a holiday shot to a calender in Germany taken with the 18-55mm kit lens.
Carrying a DSLR with several lenses can be a chore but I'm pretty keen and would rather do it than take a smaller camera then get a poor quality image. I feel that if you think lugging a DSLR with a few lenses is a pain and would rather take a compact, then a DSLR is not for you. That's not meant as a criticism - each to their own I suppose
I also recommend the Panasonic Lumix. I have a DMC-FZ28 and think it's great, but it can't compare to a DSLR, even a bottom end one.
Keen photographer with sales in the UK and abroad.
Willing to offer advice on camera equipment and photography if i can!0 -
I am biased as I shoot with a D300 so I would recommend the Nikon D300 kit with the extra lens from Jessops, my son bought one and is very happy with it.0
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look here for a review of the top 10 DSLRs. https://www.t3.com/feature/top-10-d-slrs0
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Hi techie folk
MAIN criteria is that it must be lightweight and suitable for small hands. I also have very shaky hands, so it needs to have some gadgetry to deal with that.
Any recommendations?
I had a quick read through the post and can't see if anyone mentioned it, but it's best if you get a tripod aswell. They're cheap and will allow you some perfect non-shaky shots. They're dirty cheap and lightweightOwner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them
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get a tripod aswell. They're dirty cheap and lightweight
In that case they are not much good ! most DSLRs now come with some sort of Vibration Reduction/Optical Stabilisation in the lenses anyway.
I would doubly support some of the other posts - get a Nikon or a Canon.
Especially if you wish to add to your camera equipment. I have a Nikon. and wanted a "long" lens; the Nikon lens was over £4,000 !!!! I had a choice of two non-Nikon lenses for around £700. Both these lenses were also available in Canon fit - but nothing else !0 -
moonrakerz wrote: »In that case they are not much good ! most DSLRs now come with some sort of Vibration Reduction/Optical Stabilisation in the lenses anyway.
I would doubly support some of the other posts - get a Nikon or a Canon.
Especially if you wish to add to your camera equipment. I have a Nikon. and wanted a "long" lens; the Nikon lens was over £4,000 !!!! I had a choice of two non-Nikon lenses for around £700. Both these lenses were also available in Canon fit - but nothing else !
Yeah, they do, but when you have a tripod that was 3kg and can give you perfect image stabilisation when you choose to they're worth buying
Nikon & Canon are professional makes and do have nearly all the features to give perfectly steady shots, but I'd still elect to buy one so there is always one around when neededOwner of andrewhope.co.uk, hate cars and love them
Working towards DFD
HSBC Credit Card - £2700 / £7500
AA Loans - (cleared £9700)0
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