First SLR

Zola.

ballyblack wrote: »

no need for computer. just put an app on a smart phone/tablet and have it in range of the camera. Transfers via WiFi

This is what I use;

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-FlashAir-Wireless-Flash-Memory/dp/B00UV8V00K/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1481574580&sr=8-5&keywords=memory+card+wifi

So the camera powers the Wifi card, and the app on the phone downloads the photos from the card when in range?

ballyblack

So the camera powers the Wifi card, and the app on the phone downloads the photos from the card when in range?

That is CORRECT!

I transfer across to phone then upload to 'Google Photos' no storage limits on high quality

(15GB if you need extreme quality for posters etc)

From Google photos you can download to any computer hard drive/put on SD memory/ Usb memory stick


.

Gloomendoom

Zola. wrote: »

I also like shooting photos through the viewfinder, just feels more accurate.

Not only that, you can actually see what you are trying to photograph in bright sunlight. Also, I have found that trying to photograph fast moving objects against a bright sky using a screen a bit hit and miss. Having said that, you, won't be guaranteed a perfect shot every time with an SLR, but it is more likely.

[Deleted User]

Zola. wrote: »

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?

Yes - the SD card holds a tiny web-server and wifi transmitter.

I've got an older model of one of these - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toshiba-FlashAir-Wireless-Flash-Memory/dp/B00V6XZOPG/

It's ok - but I don't think wifi is the best transfer mechanism for lots of big photos. I've actually ditched this in favour of a wire. I also bought a USB OTG adapter that lets me plug my camera into my Android phone.

Edit - looks like i've been beaten to this link

Johnmcl7

Zola. wrote: »

Thank you all!



Cheers John,

I will need to do more research.

I read this guide, do you agree with it?
http://www.tomsguide.com/us/dslr-vs-mirrorless-cameras,news-17736.html

I like the compactness of the mirrorless camera, a lot. I have had compact digital cameras in the past, but never an SLR. I am leaning towards the SLR if I am being honest, even though they are a lot bulkier, heavier and awkward. I just think I will maybe get more out of it, if I start getting properly into photography and want to buy more / switch out lenses etc. I also like shooting photos through the viewfinder, just feels more accurate.


Things i'd be wanting to photograph

- Holidays - beaches, cities, architecture
- Sky - Sunrises, Sunsets, Stars at night
- Landscapes
- Wildlife (possibly)

You can shoot using a viewfinder on a mirrorless camera as they have an electronic viewfinder (EVF). Older generation EVF's were poor substitutes for the Optical Viewfinders but there's been big advances in display technology giving better resolution and refresh rates mean they're viable alternatives to OVF's. EVF's also offer various advantages, you can shoot video using them (you can't with an OVF), you can get more detailed information overlays, you can switch camera modes/preview images etc. without taking the camera from eye level and also you see the scene as the camera sees it. The human eye does a great job visually which can be misleading when shooting with a camera as it's easy to underestimate how dark the scene is, how harsh the contrast is, whether the WB is out etc. which an EVF will show but an OVF won't. Also the EVF 100% frames the image whereas only top end DSLRs have 100% viewfinders so the mirrorless cameras are significantly more accurate.

If you want to buy more lenses, then there's plenty of choice in the mirrorless market and all the main lenses are now covered. If you do decide long term you want to take photography much more seriously then you're not any worse off starting with a mirrorless camera, if you start with a Canon or Nikon APS-C camera and lenses then you'd need to get rid of the camera and lenses to switch to a high end setup. I realise you can buy FF lenses for APS-C but they're also a compromise.

Also it's worth bearing in mind that one of the very best cameras at the moment for image quality is actually a mirrorless camera with the Sony A7RII but even for FF it's pricey at around £3,000 RRP.

I'm not saying you must buy a mirrorless camera, just that you should seriously consider one as it fits your use well and nothing you've said is any worse on a mirrorless camera. I've seen a lot of people who buy an entry level DSLR because they might want to change to a higher level Nikon/Canon later then never do and end up not using the camera due to the bulk. I think you're better buying the best setup that suits you right now and then in a while if your needs change, you can switch to whatever system suits your needs best then. When I changed from a cropped DSLR to full frame, my budget was around 5K and that was only enough to get a camera and a pair of lenses (around £2000 for a Nikon D700, £1100 for the 24-70mm and £1900 for the 70-200mm) so it's not a cheap change and a massive amount more than what you're budgeting at the moment.

John

Zola.

Thanks John!

Do you reckon mirrorless cameras are the future? Would other lenses from the same brand fit onto newer mirrorless cameras if they came from a DSLR?

You are beginning to persuade me....What do you guys think of these cameras?

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4265748

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/sony/a6000-compact-system-camera-in-black-16-50mm-power-zoom-lens-90345/show.html

The prices vary greatly, and the top end ones seem to start in the thousands (yikes!). I am very open to suggestions if you know of a particularly good camera at a nice price I'd be very keen to know. I'll probably not be buying until the January sales anyway, so plenty of time to research.

[Deleted User]

Are SLRs with mirrors still really noisy? My old Panasonic L10 SLR was a real nuisance with its loud shutter/mirror noise.

Gloomendoom

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Are SLRs with mirrors still really noisy? My old Panasonic L10 SLR was a real nuisance with its loud shutter/mirror noise.

I wouldn't say mine was. There is some noise, but I certainly wouldn't call it noisy. If it needs to be totally silent, you can always lock the mirror up and use the screen on the back.

Zola.

Random thought, the moon tonight looks incredible. Whats sort of camera setup / lens would be needed to get cool pics of that for example?

Where I live often has some great star displays, another thing I would like to photograph well.

Johnmcl7

Zola. wrote: »

Thanks John!

Do you reckon mirrorless cameras are the future? Would other lenses from the same brand fit onto newer mirrorless cameras if they came from a DSLR?

Sort of...the answer is complicated, the issue is the autofocus on the DSLR lenses can be slow on the mirrorless cameras due to the lenses being designed for a different autofocus type. Also SLR lenses with the adapter make for quite a bulky solution, I think it's fine as a stopgap if you have existing lenses but if you're going with a new system I'd recommend sticking with native lenses.

It's definitely a good idea to be thinking about lenses though and it's worth looking at possible lens options and pricing them up.

You are beginning to persuade me....What do you guys think of these cameras?

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4265748

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/products/sony/a6000-compact-system-camera-in-black-16-50mm-power-zoom-lens-90345/show.html

The prices vary greatly, and the top end ones seem to start in the thousands (yikes!). I am very open to suggestions if you know of a particularly good camera at a nice price I'd be very keen to know. I'll probably not be buying until the January sales anyway, so plenty of time to research.

Just to be clear, I'm not 100% pushing you to a mirrorless camera just that I think it's worth considering. I'd definitely try and look at some of the cameras in the flesh to see what you think - it may be you find a mirrorless camera too small and fiddly or you might find an DSLR overly bulky.

With regards to your choices, Canon's mirrorless systems haven't been received well and Canon are in the awkward spot of still supporting their entry level DSLR range whereas Panasonic, Olympus and Sony abandoned their DSLRs and put all their focus into mirrorless cameras (Sony mostly, I know they're still producing the odd DSLT).

The Sony is definitely worth considering, I have the model that came before it and I think it's a good balance. The EVF works well, the body is compact and while reviewers are very harsh on the 16-50mm lens I don't think it's as bad as made out and it's handy to have such a small lens.

DPR have a roundup of cameras in the price range you're looking at:

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2016-roundup-interchangeable-lens-cameras-500-900

I think they're a bit clinical with cameras and focus too much on IQ without considering the camera as a whole but I think it's a good starting point.

John