Digital SLR Camera

[RickRob]

I am looking for a new hobby/interest and photography is current favourite. I have never owned anything that is not point and click, so I think I am looking for a camera that will do point and click, but has the capability for something more "technical".

It so clear that there are many experienced photographers here, so I'd very much appreciate suggestions as to my "starter kit".

Thanks in advance.

 

[Wildfire]

I've just got hold of a Nikon D7100 (after some bas***d stole my D300S at a wedding). I am an awful photographer and have very little time for techy messing about (despite having a father who was professional and is a professional cinematographer). But I can play around with the settings when I need to.

It's a good balance between auto point and click when you want, and being able to do a load of more intricate things, without overwhelming you with menus and settings. Plus the video and other fuctions are very goodI went for a 18-200 lens and I find that is pretty good for most situations.

 

[anastasios87]

Although I personally use Canon gear lately I have been very tempted with the FujiFilm cameras. You get great quality in a small package and you have all the manual controls and interchangeable lenses. Unless you are planning on shooting with long range telephoto lenses then they offer anything you would ever want.

 

[budfox]

OK, this is fairly straightforward. I'm a Nikon bloke so I'll talk about Nikon's D3100.

This, at £320 with a really good 'kit' lens may be all the camera you'll ever need:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-14-2MP/dp/B00403MA4M

From completely automated pictures through to completely manual control, you will learn pretty much everything you'll ever need to about photography with this. You'll learn the relationship between shutter speed, aperture and ISO. You'll learn composition, depth of field, how light affects the subject and loads and loads more.

Professional photographers weren't using cameras this good a few years ago.

After a while you'll learn why cameras can cost so much more, but even paying 10x this price will barely make a difference to the quality of your images. Even if you do want to upgrade to a slightly better featured camera body (such as the D7100 mentioned above), the lens will still work and your D3100 will still fetch a reasonable sum.

Finally, the D3100 is a DSLR. In short, you look through the lens when taking pictures. There is not a separate viewfinder. This feature makes DSLR a bit bigger than compact cameras, but it is also very useful. You *could* buy a compact camera and learn a lot of things too, but I'd strongly recommend not going down that route unless you really desire a small camera.

 

[Gogo]

I agree regarding the Nikon D3100 (or the D5100 if you want to go one step up for £440- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-18-55...&ie=UTF8&qid=1408186506&sr=1-1&keywords=D5100. Both excellent cameras. The D7100 is truly excellent and can be regarded as entry level professional.

I would say go for the D3100 or D5100 and, subsequently, if you want better results go for a better lens - whilst the kit lenses are good they do have their limitations.

I have a D5100 and my son has a D3100 and a D7100. You can get great results from them all. As a "starter kit" the D3100 is hard to beat (and is much lighter than the D5100 and the D7100).

 

[NeilP]

I'm in the Canon camp though as stated above, mirrorless cameras do offer a great overall package in a much smaller size.

The main highlight for Canon is their 'nifty fifty' which is a (albeit plasticy) 50mm prime lens (no zoom). Many are in agreement here that it's a great way to get into it.

I personally got into photography with a prime lens and whilst learning, it does force you to take a different approach to get the shots you want.

 

[Nelly Welly]

I have been thru the Fuji s7000 to the canon D450 and have landed on a Canon D70.

What a fantastic camera, can be fully auto or fully manual.

Best camera I have ever used.

 

[aquazi]

I was tempted by a mirror-less as i use my camera for holidays where compactness is important... However coming from a canon d60 i am looking at replacing it with a new d70 now...

 

[David-H]

You can't go wrong with a Nikon or a Canon DSLR.

 

[RickRob]

Thanks guys - I really appreciate your advice.

The Nikon D3100 is emerging as favourite. :wub:

Thanks again.

Rick

 

[Anonymous]

Try and hold some in your hands to see how they feel in real life, just to make sure it's comfortable for you. What ever brand you go for.

 

[jan_tekin]

I have been thru the Fuji s7000 to the canon D450 and have landed on a Canon D70.

What a fantastic camera, can be fully auto or fully manual.

Best camera I have ever used.

I'm saving for a cannon 70D

 

[Nelly Welly]

It was £100 cash back until the 13th. Canon summer offer.

 

[markeg]

Are you restricted to DSLR or can bridge/mirror less be considered? Personally I have been using a sony alpha 5000 for a year or so now, and am looking to switch up to an NEX. For point-and-click plus a bit more, they are pretty good cameras.

 

[DumfriesDik]

If you are just starting, get a book on photography and learn what all the numbers do.

The biggest downside to a dSLR is the ongoing cost. Once you start, you will soon find the short comings of your lens and want bigger, better, faster, smaller lenses!

I use a Fuji X-e1 mirrorless these days, for 'serious' photography and a Canon Powershot D30 waterproof point and shoot that I keep with me.

 

[Mafoo]

I am in the Canon camp but to be perfectly honest both Canon and Nikon (and maybe Pentax if you want something a bit different) perform with pretty similar results.

Best advice I can give is get to a shop and get to grips to decide which feels more comfortable in your hand.

 

[Wildfire]

If you are just starting, get a book on photography and learn what all the numbers do.

The biggest downside to a dSLR is the ongoing cost. Once you start, you will soon find the short comings of your lens and want bigger, better, faster, smaller lenses!

I use a Fuji X-e1 mirrorless these days, for 'serious' photography and a Canon Powershot D30 waterproof point and shoot that I keep with me.

My strategy is to just have a do anything lens. I have the Nikor 18-200 - 5.6. more than enough for me. But I do have a Macro 60mm and the 18-50 that it came with.


Although I would like a 300+ telephoto................

 

[RickRob]

My only restriction is cash, or to be more accurate Mrs R's cash as this is my Christmas present - maybe a little early!

I didn't mention bridge/mirror less because I was unaware that such things exist. Isn't life complicated?

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I am a lot more confident that I'll make an informed decision now.

I am not surprised that photography is going to be another easy way to spend cash. Current hobbies are Z4M and golf. (I am carefully excluding Mrs R from the list!)

 

[DumfriesDik]

If you are just starting, get a book on photography and learn what all the numbers do.

The biggest downside to a dSLR is the ongoing cost. Once you start, you will soon find the short comings of your lens and want bigger, better, faster, smaller lenses!

I use a Fuji X-e1 mirrorless these days, for 'serious' photography and a Canon Powershot D30 waterproof point and shoot that I keep with me.

My strategy is to just have a do anything lens. I have the Nikor 18-200 - 5.6. more than enough for me. But I do have a Macro 60mm and the 18-50 that it came with.


Although I would like a 300+ telephoto................

Yes, and then you will want a nice fast d1.4 lens, a manfrotto tripod, a flash gun. . . and so it goes on, its great!

 

[Lance]

If you are just starting, get a book on photography and learn what all the numbers do.

The biggest downside to a dSLR is the ongoing cost. Once you start, you will soon find the short comings of your lens and want bigger, better, faster, smaller lenses!

I use a Fuji X-e1 mirrorless these days, for 'serious' photography and a Canon Powershot D30 waterproof point and shoot that I keep with me.

I use a Fuji X-e1 - Top of my list for my next camera, how are you finding it?

TIA