Best entry level DSLR for me?

[Deleted User]

Wobblydeb wrote: »

So..... if the lenses are so important, and i like the sound of the f1.8 50mm lens.....

..... why not do it the MSE way and just buy an older second hand body?

My mate's just bought a 60 pound Nikon SLR (not digital) body and just uses the lenses he use to use on his digital SLR (it got broke).. pictures are very nice from it.

nb. My Panny is 4/3rds, so there's a crop factor applied - 50mm isn't 50mm on it.. works out more like 80mm

darich

ringo_24601 wrote: »

My mate's just bought a 60 pound Nikon SLR (not digital) body and just uses the lenses he use to use on his digital SLR (it got broke).. pictures are very nice from it.

This would not be possible on the Canon system. The lenses shipped with the digital bodies are EF-S fitment designed for APS-C sized sensors. That means that EF-S lenses will not fit a film, or full frame DSLR.
EF lenses for analogue and full frame DSLR will however work on a DSLR with APS-C sized sensor.

jimbms

I do believe the OP said they wanted a DSLR not an old film camera so that is of no real significance. Now on the Nikon/Cannon issue I do believe there are adaptors for both lenses that enable them to be crossed over with full auto functions, myself I like the Sigma stuff, I use a 150-500mm on a Nikon D3000 when doing action shots at the TT and it works fantastic.

SusieT

You really need to hold a few cameras and see which ones feel best for you.
Lenses are going to be important for what you want to do, generally for portraiture you would be looking at around 85mm and if you are going to be doing indoor photography you will need either a fast (lets in a lot of light) lens, or a flash, or a reflector, preferably all of them but a decent flash is going to be a fair price, so to start out the reflector is cheapest then you can add to the kit as you go along. Its worth looking at Tamron and Sigma lenses as well to start with as they can be cheaper than the Canon or Nikon equivilent.

Have a look on some photography forums and ask around, some have a for sale section where users can sell equipment that they no longer use so you know its been looked after.
If you are starting out don't rush out to buy everything brand new as you are very likely to change your mind once you get home and start taking the pictures! Wait to see what you really need rather than see all the nice shiny toys and rush in to get something that you may never use!

Don't forget to add things like memory cards, lens cloth and a camera bag into the budget. Never get memory cards from ebay (to many rip offs) 7dayshop or play.com do them fairly cheaply and again remember that the faster cards will let the camera write to them more quickly than the slower ones which is why there is a difference in price when you look at them.

Have fun, but remember it can be addictive!!

jimbms

SusieT wrote: »

Have fun, but remember it can be addictive!!

Tell me about it, she who must be obeyed got the bug 2 years ago 2 cameras and 7 lenses (not to mention filters, bags, monopods etc etc) later she still says she needs more, would you believe on a day out she can in raw mode fill 4 2gig cards on nature stuff compared to my 2 on a decent event, I am just glad we are in a digital age and film is out.

darich

jimbms wrote: »

Now on the Nikon/Cannon issue I do believe there are adaptors for both lenses that enable them to be crossed over with full auto functions, myself I like the Sigma stuff, I use a 150-500mm on a Nikon D3000 when doing action shots at the TT and it works fantastic.

The adaptors do not allow full auto functions. They work and they allow metering but auto focus does not work.
Several adaptors actually have no electrical connections so the camera and lens effectively work in manual mode and nothing else.

darich

SusieT wrote: »

You really need to hold a few cameras and see which ones feel best for you.
Lenses are going to be important for what you want to do, generally for portraiture you would be looking at around 85mm and if you are going to be doing indoor photography you will need either a fast (lets in a lot of light) lens, or a flash, or a reflector, preferably all of them but a decent flash is going to be a fair price, so to start out the reflector is cheapest then you can add to the kit as you go along. Its worth looking at Tamron and Sigma lenses as well to start with as they can be cheaper than the Canon or Nikon equivilent.

Have a look on some photography forums and ask around, some have a for sale section where users can sell equipment that they no longer use so you know its been looked after.
If you are starting out don't rush out to buy everything brand new as you are very likely to change your mind once you get home and start taking the pictures! Wait to see what you really need rather than see all the nice shiny toys and rush in to get something that you may never use!

Don't forget to add things like memory cards, lens cloth and a camera bag into the budget. Never get memory cards from ebay (to many rip offs) 7dayshop or play.com do them fairly cheaply and again remember that the faster cards will let the camera write to them more quickly than the slower ones which is why there is a difference in price when you look at them.

Have fun, but remember it can be addictive!!

Pretty much agree with everything here.

Only a couple of points I'd add - I wouldn't go buying flashes, reflectors etc until you've had the camera while for two reasons. Firstly to see if you really enjoy it enough to start buying lots of accessories.
Secondly, even if you do become really keen you might find you really prefer taking photos of flowers/landscapes/nightshots/portraits/macros etc.....THEN decide what accessories you want. The reason for waiting is that you don't need a reflector for nightshots but you do for portraits.
You don't need a flash for landscapes but a tripod would be helpful.
A ring flash would be great for macros but useless for landscapes.

Decide what you prefer shooting then aim your accessories towards that to start with.

As far as memory cards go - also agree - try 7dayshop.com or even amazon. But there's no need for the fastest speed available - the camera won't use the full speed.
I've had a Canon Digital Rebel (300D), then a 20D and now a 5D. In all cameras, I've used Sandisk Ultra II with no issues even though the Extreme III is faster and more expensive.
I'd advise sticking with a known brand - eg Sandisk, Lexar, Kingston etc. Cheaper non branded cards are more liable to corrupt and you don't want to risk losing priceless images.

Good luck with your purchase - it's a great hobby!!

Wobblydeb

Thanks everyone for such helpful comments and suggestions, this really is a great board.

I am actually coming around to the Sony A230, after spotting it at a great price, and then reading online reviews etc. However, I am off this lunch time to handle one in the flesh and decide if it "feels" right.