Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I've been keeping an eye on Davey's "Recommend me a camera" thread and I seem to be settled on the idea of a Cannon 1100D. I've always liked the idea of owning a DSLR camera but have been scared off by all the technical jargon and settings on them. But I reckon with a bit of Youtube and Google-flu I should be alright.

As I'm new to this I'm not quite sure what I'm going to need to get me going? I've got a budget of about £300, could push to £350 if I really had to. I like the idea of a brand new camera but I've seen used ones going cheap. Is it a good or bad idea to go used?

Comments please as it's all new to me. Thanks. :)

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Nikon end of :)

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I have always used canon DSLR's. I had a 350D when they came out and now have a 5D MK2 (which is phenomenal). One of my favourite things with canon is that no matter how flash a body it is. There is always a NOOB function to allow you to just point and shoot, so you wont miss a picture. As you get more confident you can play about with the other functions of the camera until you feel the need to spend a months pay on one lens!

I always buy camera bodies new but lenses i'm not quite as bothered about. The only reason i buy new is that technically a shutter has a limited number of actuations (in theory) and you never know how much its been used.

Before you buy anything though. Go to a shop and play with both Canon and Nikon. One will feel better, buy that one. You will either be canon or nikon. I love Canon and me dad swears by Nikon so go check them out before you part with cash. The 1100D is a good camera and you can probably get it with a twin lens kit too, this will give you more options.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

+1

Start with an okay body with kit lenses and go from there if you get into it properly. I went for a Canon 450d with 2 kit lenses with a cash back thing at the time. If you look out for those cash backs on a 1100d kit you wont go wrong.

Either Canon or Nikon are a good shout....might be worth giving the Sony stuff a look in too...

You could go second hand, there are plenty newish models available that wont have had much use, as the camera makers bring new models out most years you should be able to gauge how old a S/H camera can be.

http://www.dpreview.com and http://www.cameralabs.com/ provide decent reviews and details on all the cameras you will be interested in.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

This! Just picked up a D3200 twin pack from Jessops for £449. Camera with a 18-55mm lens is available for £355 from Amazon. Has a great guide mode for beginners. Have a Fuji HS10 and it's night and day different with the Nikon!

+2. Tried a Canon and it didn't feel right

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3200-...keywords=d3200

This is what I got:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...9152/show.html

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I'll put this link up for used parts. I've had several used bodies and lenses from them and never had a problem.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...l-slr-cameras/

Plenty of EOS 1100's there. Put this lens on it. http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...--canon-fit-2/. And you'll be a happy bunny.

Pete ;)

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

But other than the camera what else would I need? I'm guessing it won't come with a memory card so what sort of card would I need? Also what size if I wanted to take a mixture of photo's and video's? I'm also guessing a bag of types would be a good idea? What about battery's, is it a double A jobby or do they come with battery packs and chargers?

Thanks for the links Pete. :)

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Most dslrs will have a battery pack rather than AA batteries. You will need a carry case, high capacity memory cards, spare battery. I also fit my lenses with a UV filter as it is cheaper than replacing a lens if it gets scratched.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

All those used bodies have the battery and charger. As for memory, you only need the really fast cards for really fast cameras. Amazon etc will sort you out for very little. As for a case, the price is only dependent on what you want to spend. I use a Crumpler holster type when I can be bothered.

Pete ;)

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digita...keywords=nikon

My wife uses this camera and has good results with it plus you could buy a case and card and not be much over you £300

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

While I agree about speed of cards and cameras the Sandisk Extreme Pro are more durable. I've dropped them, splashed them, left them in a pocket of my bag all out of the case and they survive. I've had and known cheaper cards corrupt. I'd also advise buying 2 x 8gb rather than 1 x 16gb. That way if you put one in the camera while the other one is in your card reader you never accidentally go out with a camera and no card, which is easily done.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

If you get into it and want a bag I can recommend the Lowepro stuff. Go on ebay and find the bag you want. It's usually half the price from hong kong, which is where I got mine from.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Q. Should I buy Nikon or Canon?

A. Yes.


If you're dipping your toe in the water and aren't sure what you want to shoot, I'd look for a used body from either of the big manufacturers, and add a mid-range zoom.

I'm a Nikon user, so I'd suggest something like a used D90 with an 18-70mm zoom. The D90 has an auto everything mode to get you started, and the important P,A,S & M modes for when you want to take more control. It will also work well with the vast majority of Nikon lenses.

I'm sure the Canon users can recommend something equivalent from their range.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Agree with the d90, i love it, it just fits, a 6-8 gig card will be fine, and i find on the d90 the battery lasts for ages, ie 500 pics guaranteed, I used mine on holls a couple of weks ago, charged battery once in two weeks and took close to a thousand pics including some video, so no need for an extra battery straight away, if ever.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I've got the D90 as well, I bought an extra battery when I first got it and I've never taken it out the packaging, the original lasts ages and you can leave it in the camera dormant for weeks and it's still got charge.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I've had an 1100D and now a 600D, so I obviously prefer canon. Much easier to learn with I felt but all you can do is play with different brands and make you own opinion.

One thing is for sure, unless you plan on buying different lenses and learning to shoot in manual and RAW then I wouldn't bother getting a DSLR. You would be much better investing your £300 in a very very good point and shoot. A £300 SLR with a kit lens that never leaves auto is worse than a good point and shoot camera.

The number of people I see walking around with a £600+ camera, with a kit lens and always leaving it in auto is depressing.

It's very quick and easy to pick up how to shoot in manual, and once you start shooting in RAW and processing the photos yourself you'll be blown away.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Thanks for all the comments so far everyone. :D

That's what I'm hoping to achieve. If I had any thought that I'd be leaving it in auto I know a DSLR is the wrong camera to buy. But I've had a point 'n shoot for ages and it's so frustrating when you cannot get the pictures to come out how you want them to.

There doesn't seem to be much saving to be had by buying used unless I'm missing a trick? For example...

This used body: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...n-eos-1100d-2/
This random used lens: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...5mm-f/3.5-5.6/

Comes to ~£250. Yet if buy brand new http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...0181/show.html it's only £30 more. I take it camera equipment holds it's value well?

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

May be better buying 600d+ S/H when comparing to new prices...not sure on the prices of those S/H though, you may find them within budget too though

I would go to a store and compare the quality/options/feel of the 1100d with something next up on the range such as a 650d etc...then look at what's available S/H

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

LCE seems to have good used stock

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/

For Canon: http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand...n=&Results=100

For Nikon: http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand...n=&Results=100

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Right I've just been out and played with the Cannon 1100D and the Nikon D3100 (both at similar prices) and I much prefer the look and feel of the Cannon. Now on to the shopping list...

Cannon 1100D £280: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/camera...19591-pdt.html (PC World are doing 2 year warranty on it)

2x 8GB 30 MB/s Memory Cards £17.50: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SANDISK-8G...item43bdcb4b0e

Camera Bag £10: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/camera...46101-pdt.html

Tripod £12: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/camera...77353-pdt.html

Spare Battery £6: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-...item4d0d7e2517

Total: ~£325

Anything I should change, add or remove from that little lot?

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Can you stretch to the same camera with an additional 75-300mm lens all in at £379: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/camera...99693-pdt.html - they're a cheap and cheerful lens with the best deal I could find on Amazon at ~£125 but with this deal you get one added to the job lot for under £100...

You may find the upper 55mm limit on the single kit lens limiting...

Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I spent a little bit of time on eBay for my first dslr, got hold of a 350D in silver and mint condition for £120.

Fantastic camera and still have it along with a new 60D.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Lots of very good points made already in here so I won't bother echoing them but I will add a web address I find rather useful: http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/
I usually use it to gauge the price of anything new, pretty handy for accessories too.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

OK here's some other advice - use 7 Day Shop for some of the extra bits and pieces. They are similar price to Ebay but everything is genuine, quick delivery, good quality on their own brand products too. And you may save on delivery costs if you buy from one place. Check them out for tripods, filters, bags, batteries and general add ons.

Memory card:

http://www.7dayshop.com/sandisk-extr...NhbmRpc2sjcD0y

Good selection of bags

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalogsearc...er=qty_ordered

Batteries

http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-com...Nhbm9uKzExMDBk

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Thanks for the links and info everyone. I'm going to see what money is like at the end of the month and go from there. One thing I've learned, it can be a very expensive hobby if you get seriously sucked into it.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

The Cameras the same price on Jessops... and you can pay it over 6 months 0% interest with only a 20% deposit.

Makes perfect sense.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

This is what I did. Makes it more bearable without paying extra!

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

When your busy paying off an ex's debt (long story and one where I win the worlds most stupid man) that last thing I kind of want is a bit more debt. :p But if I save enough this month hopefully I'll be able to buy the camera and pay off some more debt.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I'd say you've got a good kit list there to get you started. And enough to take some really nice pictures. As you use the camera you'll find out what you do and don't like.

For instance the longest lens I own is 85mm, and it's very rare I go longer than 50mm. This makes me something of an oddity as everyone else would have you buy a telephoto lens as a key bit of kit. What I tend to photograph is family & friends, landscapes, set pieces on a table-top. What I do need is high shutter speeds so I use a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 and a proper flash which can be gelled, zoomed and bounced off walls and ceilings to stop people looking like deer in headlights.

Other people exist almost solely in Macro, telephoto, wide angle, whatever works for them.

This is why buying a basic kit is a good idea, there's no point buying an expensive telephoto lens if that's just not the way you see the scenes.

Just a note, like motorcycling it's easy to decide you now need lots of extra kit. You only need what you deem necessary. Much like you don't need a ZX10R, Arai, BKS leathers, Daytona Boots etc before you start riding, and frankly most of us don't ever invest that kind of money even when we get a bit better :)

Jambo

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

We are still your mates even though you can't ride :)

Re: Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Thank you, that just goes to show how generous and lovely you all are.

Perhaps.

Jambo

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I think I'm only going to know what I want to shoot when I get into it. But right now I love the idea of long exposure night time shots. Then hopefully buy a nice Macro lens and get into that side of things. But mainly it's to get me out and about while I save up to get the bike sorted.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

Good advice from Jambo. I own an F2.8 70-200 IS L series and 2 x converter. Cost me a fortune. Weighs a ton. But for photographing cricket for work it's the minimum I can get away with. Other than a bit of wildlife and a couple of trackdays I hardly use it for personal stuff. I also have the 10 -22mm wide angle. Love this on holidays for fantastic landscapes. And very occasionally I pop it on for the prettiest cricket grounds. But I rely most on my 24 -70mm F2.8 L series which is an amazing lens. A flash is also as Jambo says a good investment.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

LPH you have some amazing lenses there!!! What is the 24 - 70 mm L series like? It's next on my want list for my 5D Mk2. I'm actually shooting using a 50mm 1.8 standard lens at the moment as my old zoom I used with my 350D isn't doing the camera justice. Is yours the one with IS or without?

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

It's without. The Mark I version. Cost about £900 new but I picked mine up 4 months old for £600 from a student. Absolute bargain. There's one for sale on the GSer forum at the moment. He wants £850 plus postage so this may be the IS version.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I would love one (budget has been restrained by forthcoming bairn). It's on my wish list though. The 50mm 1,8 is very nice for the pennies I paid. But i'm missing the wide angle of my old zoom (24-200).

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

The EOS 1100D is certainly a good price new at the moment. Having said that, I saw one in my local second hand store the other week for just £130! (Not there when I looked today!) The first DSLR I bought was a Canon EOS 350D. I bought the body only for about £100 and grabbed my father-in-law's old film SLR for the lens. I later bought a telephoto lens second hand on the market for £35 so managed to kit myself out for less than £150. If cash is tight, an older model and a bit of patience may reward you!
I now have a Nikon D5100 but if I'm brutally honest, I still prefer Canon. The deal I got was too good to pass up though.

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I'd buy all your kit second hand, you will get more for money.

Try here;

http://www.apertureuk.com/ or London Camera Exchange you know or something similar.

My mate is a DOP told me about this shop, its a good one otherwise he wouldn't buy kit from there.

Buy the best lens you can afford too, they hold the value more than camera bodies. I'm not a fan of kit lens they are too slow, dislike the feel of them but you can still get good results of them. It won't matter that much for you just work on the basic, you need to get those right before worrying about what camera you have.
I'd also buy descent memory cards, I have had £800 cards fail on me before I'd hate to think what the cheap stuff is like.

Enjoy:D

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

As your all quite clued up on this thread ,Id like to ask a question.
Its about bridge cameras.( easy shoot,Less complex types).

Re: Looking to buy a DSLR camera.
 

I had a previous generation bridge camera (Fuji S5000) and to be honest I thought it was the worse of both worlds. None of the quality or speed of a real SLR and bulkier than a point and shoot. I got some decent shots but I never use it now.

One thing it does do though is test whether or not you are prepared to lug something bigger around with you all the time. I suspect there will be quite a few bridge cameras available second hand as people either give up with bulky cameras or quickly upgrade to SLR.

If on the other-hand you are still looking for a bridge camera we may be able to do a deal on a Fuji S5000.