Which DSLR

[gazrobbo]

seem to be a few photgrahers on her, so I thought it would be a good place to ask.

Im just about to buy a DSLR, dont want to spend a fortune.

I cant decied between the Nikon D3200, Nikon D5100 or the Canon 550D.

does anybody have any advice on which one to go for? all can be bought for just under £500 at the moment

 

[marchantsuk]

"Tom", calling Tom.

Tom is your man for all things photo and camera, I'm sure he will be along soon

 

[gadgetJunky72]

"Tom", calling Tom.

Tom is your man for all things photo and camera, I'm sure he will be along soon

probably with something much more expensive to tempt you with. his pictures are amazing. i bet he doesn't use "auto" mode.

one thing i wish i'd done before buying my D90 was tally up the cost of all the lenses i wanted. I've noticed on quite a few occasions the Canon version was cheaper. My collection of lenses makes the price of the camera seem trivial.

the feature i wanted on the more expensive lenses was anti-shake / vibration reduction. I think some cameras (lke the Sony) have the anti-shake in the body so you get it with every lens by default. I'd say that was worth looking into.

 

[WLH]

gazrobbo, here is a place to start for some reviews and features for both Nikon & Canon...
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/reviews.htm

 

[Anonymous]

are you really sure you want a DSLR (and I don't mean to be patronising with that question)

if you know what your exposure is and how the ISO and shutter speed will affect a shot, then either will do you proud (i'd recommend canon - but only because I've got a 5D Mk III).

once you have bought your camera, you will need to buy a decent lens as well (the kit lenses are just about ok, but that is all) and you need to budget around £250-£300 for the lens. you might be able to pick up an extended kit which has the standard kit lens and a decent lens as well. Jessops do a few deals but the old adage '...you get what you pay for...' is very true with this. if it was me, I'd buy the body on it's own and then invest the extra cash in a good single lens

 

[Craigza]

I recently bought myself a 550d and its brilliant.

From what i've gathered you either go Nikon or Canon and I personally went down the Canon route.

After opening the box I can honestly say I was terrified of the thing, so many options/ buttons but after spending an evening with friends who know their stuff I was taking pretty decent pictures.

Take a look at the snaps from my 1st shoot using the 550d:

http://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=41446

 

[gazrobbo]

cheers guys, I saw both the 550d and D5100 are avalible with the std 55lense and the 75-200 for around the £500 mark.

I understand why you would ask if I really need an SLR, but after using my friends Canon and all his lenses, I have decided I really do need one!

thanks for the advice guys

 

[Anonymous]

UNASHAMED PLUG……. MODERATORS, please feel free to remove this if I'm breaking any forum rules

I've just upgraded my Nikon D200 to a D800. Quite a step change in technology (and $$$$). However the D200 is a very capable camera, and I'd be happy to part with it for a reasonable price if your were interested.

I've also got a number of spare batteries and chargers - original and fast aftermarket for it (not interchangeable with the D800 unfortunately) along with remote (wireless) release, and the D200 Digital Field Guide from Wiley Press that can be packaged in as well.

I don't think I have the original packaging, but do have the original manual and probably software CDs. Body is in good condition, but not perfect as it has been used there are a few marks. Everything works perfectly

I'm planning on keeping the current lenses (17-70 non VR and 70-300 VRII) unless a good offer is made

Cheers

Dave#...

 

[aquazi]

to throw a spanner in the works.. i would take a look at the mirrorless canon EOS-M instead

 

[Anonymous]

to throw a spanner in the works.. i would take a look at the mirrorless canon EOS-M instead

It's not available until October at the earliest and to all intents and purposes, it's a 600D in a smaller body.

 

[Beedub]

i just picked up the d3200 with 6 lens, it was alittle expensive wit all the lenses but WOW.... its awesome!!im really enjoying learning with the camera, awesome thing!! guide mode is a tiny bit disappointing however :-(

 

[VvrooomM]

i just picked up the d3200 with 6 lens, it was alittle expensive wit all the lenses but WOW.... its awesome!!im really enjoying learning with the camera, awesome thing!! guide mode is a tiny bit disappointing however :-(

6 lenses??


Tapatalking on my iPhone.......

 

[mrlozzer]

Tom is your man for all things photo and camera

Yes. Give him a shout if he doesn't turn up on here... knows his stuff!

his pictures are amazing. i bet he doesn't use "auto" mode.

I reckon not

 

[cj_eds]

I bought a Canon 500D a few years ago and am very pleased with it still. Get a chance to play with both though if you can before you buy, as people definitely seem to gravitate towards the Canon or Nikon camp and then defend it to the hilt!

Whichever way you go, check out cash back offers that are often on over the summer and may still be on. Sony and Canon were both doing them recently I'm sure.

 

[bigdog]

The biggest hindrance to taking good pictures is the person holding the camera. With an APS-C 16MP sensor like in my D-5100 a person can print a pretty large photo. I have a few 14" x 22" on my walls from that camera. And there was enough resolution to go bigger. There is a lot to learn though and the best/most expensive camera won't help. Knowledge is king in photography. Heck. I had my ego deflated with the photo contest this month. Drove two hours to France and waited 2 more for sunset. Thought I did a reasonable job. To bad not one other person thought so. I had to take a long hard look to figure out what I did wrong. Take lots of pictures and do a lot of reading about taking pictures. This is my first digital DSLR. So I have a huge amount to learn. I've heard it said that a person is better off buying a slightly used body and spending the cash saved on lenses. Good lenses hold their value. Camera bodies loose money like a new car once off the lot. One would not go wrong in buying either a Canon or Nikon.

 

[r1andy]

for me its nikon

 

[Stuart Truman]

Both the cameras you are looking at are good. Nikon is better in low light than Canon (it pains me to say that as I shoot Canon) but as someone else already said you are buying into a lens system where you can (if you feel the need) spend thousands more than the cost of the camera body on a single lens.

My advice, go into a good store and have a play with both and then buy the one you are comfortable with. Canon and Nikon have quite different ergonomics and these can create a love/hate relationship. Canon/Nikon, Audi/BMW, you get the picture

 

[Beedub]

i just picked up the d3200 with 6 lens, it was alittle expensive wit all the lenses but WOW.... its awesome!!im really enjoying learning with the camera, awesome thing!! guide mode is a tiny bit disappointing however :-(

6 lenses??


Tapatalking on my iPhone.......

yes, like a bundle.. so long range, wide angle ect ect buying it bundled was signifcantly cheaper than buying the different pieces afterwards, seemed like man logic to buy them all at once in one "bundle" jessops had some great deals on, came with bag and large memory card also!

 

[Anonymous]

……..

My advice, go into a good store and have a play with both and then buy the one you are comfortable with. Canon and Nikon have quite different ergonomics and these can create a love/hate relationship. Canon/Nikon, Audi/BMW, you get the picture

I have to agree with this. When I bought my D200 I was determined to buy a Canon, but in the shop everything just felt wrong, so I tried olympus, pentax and many others too. In the end I came away with a Nikon as it just felt right in my hand, even though all the pro's and the write-ups gave Canon the edge…….. If it doesn't feel right, then you won't use it - no matter how good the camera is, and so you'll never progress.

Oh and as for improving, you won't go far wrong if you take a look at the Scott Kelby Digital Photography books - a great simple introduction to improving through short magazine style / length subject coverage (assuming you can put up with his humour).

 

[inkey$]

Most people on here seem to favour Canon's. I just sold my D90 with tele and wide lenses as I wasnt using them enough to feel as though I could justify the bulk when I did. Always felt a little too self concious with a DSLR pointed at somebodys face too. Sold up and bought a Fujifilm X100. Full pro controls but a fraction of the size and to date I can say takes as good pictures as my old DSLR. Remember, its all about the lens and the sensor.