First SLR

Zola.

I want to get in to photography, and have a few trips planned for next year. I would like to get a good quality SLR that will get me going.

Am I right in thinking that the Canon EOS cameras are the standard leaders? They always seem to feature in photography awards (National Geographic etc).

Would ideally be after something that can allow me to experiment with different lens, yet be compact and allow an easy data transfer via WiFi or something else.

London50

Either Canon or Nikon IMO are the best on the market but I would suggest going to a good camera shop and handling them before you choose the right one for you.
Remember carrying it around with a collection of lenses plus tripod, batteries ect can start to feel a burden after a few hours so you need to find the one that YOU feel comfortable with, one that feels "right" in your hands and a good camera shop will be prepared to let you handle a selection without and pressure to buy from them.
Once you choose it then check around for the best deals be it in a shop or online {a good camera shop will not be upset spending time to help for you to say you want time to think about it}. Good luck and enjoy many happy years with your "new hobby":0)

tberry6686

Canon and Nikon are the biggest names but that doesn't mean they are the best. It means they are better at marketing than the others.

Having said that, both make some pretty good cameras although so do the other manufacturers.

Have a look at all the manufacturers if you can.

For a compact interchangeable lens camera Sony are way ahead of anyone else at the minute.

[Deleted User]

If wifi data transfer is an issue, you can always buy wifi-SD cards quite cheaply now.

Also - remember you are buying into a 'lens system' and not just a camera.

Zola.

ringo_24601 wrote: »

If wifi data transfer is an issue, you can always buy wifi-SD cards quite cheaply now.

Also - remember you are buying into a 'lens system' and not just a camera.

Wow thats crazy! who knew! Would that run from the camera, even if the camera didnt have that file transfer option?

Otherwise, how would you get the data without sticking it in a computer?

d0nkeyk0ng

As others have said, look at what feels right in your hands. Are the controls easy and comfortable to get to? How easy is it to navigate the menus? Is it the right weight and size for you?

Nikon and Canon are forerunners and they have a lot of equipment and third-party stuff. Once you choose a camera eg Canon, you are then locked into buy either Canon or Canon-fit equipment.

I've seen pros move away from "traditional" dSLR into smaller format cameras because the cameras and lenses are smaller and lighter but the pros can get similar performance.

Buy a camera, one that comes with a kit lens and then see how you fare in photography. Once you learn about your camera and about the craft, you'll come up against limitations about what you can and can't photograph. Sometimes it will be equipment holding you back and often people upgrade their lenses, then later the camera body itself.

Zola.

Thanks

When reading specs - what do things like this mean?

"18-55mm IS STM Lens"

Whats the size about?

neilmcl

It's the focal length. An 18-55mm lens is pretty much the standard zoom lens.

I'm no expert myself but it sounds like you probably need to do some basic reading into digital photography. Hopefully someone will be around to point you in the direction of some decent reference guides.

This may help - http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/basics/19/01.htm

Zola.

neilmcl wrote: »

It's the focal length. An 18-55mm lens is pretty much the standard zoom lens.

I'm no expert myself but it sounds like you probably need to do some basic reading into digital photography. Hopefully someone will be around to point you in the direction of some decent reference guides.

This may help - http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/basics/19/01.htm

Thanks for that link, very helpful!

I plan to get a good camera and then take an in introductory course at a college.

d0nkeyk0ng

Define "good" camera. A smartphone in the hands of a pro will result in a better photo than a pro camera in the hands of a novice.

Is it worth looking at courses first and seeing what they recommend for beginners?

neilmcl

What's your budget?