Help buying first D-SLR

[mopman94]

Hello everyone

I need a new hobby as motorbiking is somewhat... seasonal... I want to get into photography as there is nothing better than an amazing picture. So I am looking at getting a digital SLR camera. My budget is £300 - £400 although the closer to that £300 it is the happier I am as I might be shit at it for all I know, money can be spent later on lenses and what not.

I don't know where to start when it comes to cameras which is why I am making this topic. I want it to be robust, so I can put it into my rucksack and ride somewhere on my bike, and should I be unfortunate enough to have an accident which (touch wood) I hope I don't, it would be nice if the camera stays somewhat in one piece (even though I may not). So alternatively a good compact shock absorbent case might also be good (even if I don't crash I tend to get a bit *ahem* erratic when the weather is nice so it's going to be thrown about a good deal).

I am in the UK hence the currency. If you suggest a particular camera could you please state why it would suit me? and if you want to know anything more about my requirements just ask.

[dizmo]

This would be an awesome starter camera.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3200-Digital-Camera-18-55mm/dp/B007VBGTX8

Since the lenses are detachable, they're not really...robust. Not many cameras are, to be honest. There are a few exceptions but they're generally pretty expensive.

[mopman94]

This would be an awesome starter camera.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3200-Digital-Camera-18-55mm/dp/B007VBGTX8

Since the lenses are detachable, they're not really...robust. Not many cameras are, to be honest. There are a few exceptions but they're generally pretty expensive.

Is there a small case that can hold the camera and lens as separate entities, it only needs to be robust during transport not while being used.

[AMD Lover]

Nikon 3200 or Canon T3

[dizmo]

Is there a small case that can hold the camera and lens as separate entities, it only needs to be robust during transport not while being used.

Oh, for sure. You'd have to search to see what ones you like but there's loads and loads of them available.

They'd probably be around 15 or 20 pound.

[StormtrooperStu]

I own the Canon 700D but the best for your budget would be the Nikon D3200 and a great bag would be a Lowepro.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lowepro-Nova-140-AW-Shoulder/dp/B0016JA2YS/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1392069361&sr=1-1&keywords=lowepro+140

 

The camera would be fine if you took a spill but it was in one of these bags.

 

If you pushed the budget then the Pentax range are weatherproofed but you are looking at £500+ for that.

 

The 3200 is an amazing camera with a learning mode also. I very nearly bought the 5200 and part of me wishes I had.

[Flyguygamer]

Canon t3i. It is the camera I have and it is an amazing entry dslr. If you need to save money then a canon t3 or nikon d3100

[konradt]

The above mentioned 700D or 600D (what I own) or the 1100D or 100D would be the best shot for you, I have played with Nikons but I dont like the menu. The best thing you can do is go ot a shop and actually use them. you can even take your memory card and try them out, go home and compare if you want. The only thing I can say against the nikon is that as good as the 24Mp sensor sounds, the pixel density isnt great, and in reality, unless you print over A2 size,10Mp is more than enough. My old Sony DSLR with a 10Mp sensor was much much better and provided better quality pictures than many 16Mp+ point and shoots.

 

Also I dont quite understand why it was said that because they have interchangeable lenses they are not robust. Maybe they had a bad experience but my Sony and Canon have been amazing quality and feel great and whilst im very careful (who wouldnt be, its expensive stuff) but im not worried atall about it getting a little knock etc. My dad has a 40D, old but still semi-pro and its the same feel as my 600D.

 

I wouldnt go for a pentax or olympus because of their micro 3/4 system, which is a bigger than compact, but smaller than APS-c (Canon and Nikon) sensor and to me i havent found their cameras perform as well in some conditions. Also nikon and canon accesories are very very popular, and can be found cheap and often work with older generation cameras, like canons EF lenses etc.

Also if you go for somehting like the 1100D then maybe you could put some of your budget to insurance? always worth having just in case. And yes, lowepro bags are pretty much the best there is out there.

 

Its a very personal matter whoever you ask. Best of luck!

 

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-eos-1100d-digital-slr-camera-with-18-55mm-is-ii-lens/p1523930

[incakola100]

Hi, 

 

The first question i'm asking you is, Are you thinking of filming with it too? If you do then you definitely have to go for a canon. I have 4 different Nikon models. the D800 and D7100. Several lenses and stuff. Last summer I made a video with it and i don't like the focusing of it.

 

Furthermore I would do the thing konradt said, go to a store and chek out some models. What I like about the nikons is that they have two wheels to control speed and aperture which canon doesn't have. Hope I helped with this. 

 

http://paradisethroughalens.blogspot.be

[mopman94]

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice, I might have to hold off a couple of months depending on what money does.

But I will keep looking and reading any advice that is put in here!

This appeared on Engadget today: http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/11/canon-eos-rebel-t5/

Would it be better or worse or the same as the Canon 600D??

[incakola100]

I read an article on flipboard that said that the T5 wouldn't be new if it was released 5 years ago but I will compare the two when I got the time for you. 

[kirashi]

Hi guys, thanks for all the advice, I might have to hold off a couple of months depending on what money does.

But I will keep looking and reading any advice that is put in here!

This appeared on Engadget today: http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/11/canon-eos-rebel-t5/

Would it be better or worse or the same as the Canon 600D??

 

The T5/1200D is essentially the update to Canon's most entry level DSLR, the T3/1100D. To be honest, for video recording, the T2i/550D would even be better than the T5/1200D. I'm going to also recommend the T3i/600D if you can swing it, as it seems to be the go-to choice DSLR for consumer video recording, and with MagicLantern firmware on it, you really can make the thing do unspeakable things.

 

On a completely different topic, if you're wanting something a little smaller that still packs a punch in terms of quality and features, I'd look at the Sony DSC-RX100 or DSC-RX100 MKII. The older model is within your budget via Amazon, sitting around £372.65 at the moment, whilst the newer model sits around £527.89 a bit out of your range. Both maintain an extremely small footprint, but are a go-to ultra-compact consumer camera with very good quality video, and comparable settings to fiddle with similar to DSLRs.

 

Let us know if there's anything else you're needing to know about photography, or tell us more about your thoughts after all this banter.

[incakola100]

The first big difference is that the T5 doesn't have a mirror. I never used a camera with changeable lenses without a mirror so I don't really know how they perform in quality of the image. 

 

The sensor has the same amount of pixels (18), that doesn't really matter because after 12 we humans can't see any difference on a poster size picture. 

The ISO is the same but i rarely go above 3200 because then the image quality gets really shitty. (You know what ISO means?).

The filming capabilities are also the same. 

Both have a 9 point focusing system. 

The continuous shoot is like a bit better on the 600D, it has 3,7/Sec while the T5 only has 3. The memory card is very important on this too. Bad memory card means less picture/sec you can take.

 

Also there isn't a lot of information on the T5 yet. So I definitely would wait a bit more for more information on it.

Another factor you have to keep in mind is with what lenses it comes. If you could find this packet, i would definitely go for this.

 

http://www.fotokonijnenberg.be/canon-eos-600d-18-55mm-is-ii-55-250mm-is-ii

 

I don't know the conversion of pond to euro at this moment but that is a great starter packet. You got your body, a lens for close up pictures and a lens for picture from far away.

 

cheers.

[Blade of Grass]

The above mentioned 700D or 600D (what I own) or the 1100D or 100D would be the best shot for you, I have played with Nikons but I dont like the menu. The best thing you can do is go ot a shop and actually use them. you can even take your memory card and try them out, go home and compare if you want. The only thing I can say against the nikon is that as good as the 24Mp sensor sounds, the pixel density isnt great, and in reality, unless you print over A2 size,10Mp is more than enough. My old Sony DSLR with a 10Mp sensor was much much better and provided better quality pictures than many 16Mp+ point and shoots.

How is the pixel density "not great"? A 24MP APS-C sensor will have a higher density then a 10MP APS-C sensor.

MP count isn't that important, I've shot some quite beautiful photos (if I do say so myself) with a 10MP camera (Nikon D80) as I have with my 24MP camera (Nikon D7100). The photographer is much more important.

[Blade of Grass]

The first big difference is that the T5 doesn't have a mirror. I never used a camera with changeable lenses without a mirror so I don't really know how they perform in quality of the image.

The sensor has the same amount of pixels (18), that doesn't really matter because after 12 we humans can't see any difference on a poster size picture.

The ISO is the same but i rarely go above 3200 because then the image quality gets really shitty. (You know what ISO means?).

The filming capabilities are also the same.

Both have a 9 point focusing system.

The continuous shoot is like a bit better on the 600D, it has 3,7/Sec while the T5 only has 3. The memory card is very important on this too. Bad memory card means less picture/sec you can take.

Also there isn't a lot of information on the T5 yet. So I definitely would wait a bit more for more information on it.

Another factor you have to keep in mind is with what lenses it comes. If you could find this packet, i would definitely go for this.

http://www.fotokonijnenberg.be/canon-eos-600d-18-55mm-is-ii-55-250mm-is-ii

I don't know the conversion of pond to euro at this moment but that is a great starter packet. You got your body, a lens for close up pictures and a lens for picture from far away.

cheers.

The T5 is a mirror less camera?

[incakola100]

The T5 is a mirror less camera?

 

Oops read that article a bit wrong, sorry for the inconvenience.It is a camera with a mirror.

[mopman94]

Engadget wrote another article on the new Canon T5 http://www.engadget.com/2014/02/14/canons-new-rebel-t5-dslr-camera-is-unapologetically-for-beginne/ Still not really sure that it would be better than the 600D from what I have read.

[mopman94]

Hey, so I went to my local camera shop today and he showed me the Sony NEX-5t. He is selling it for £399 so it is in budget. What are your thoughts on it?

[zer0]

Nikon D90 or Canon 60D

[mopman94]

Nikon D90 or Canon 60D

did you even read what I posted?

[incakola100]

Don't go for D90 he's outdated 

[zer0]

it's a little bit outdated but it gets the job done with flying colors.

[mopman94]

it's a little bit outdated but it gets the job done with flying colors.

Its also over budget.

[konradt]

How is the pixel density "not great"? A 24MP APS-C sensor will have a higher density then a 10MP APS-C sensor.

MP count isn't that important, I've shot some quite beautiful photos (if I do say so myself) with a 10MP camera (Nikon D80) as I have with my 24MP camera (Nikon D7100). The photographer is much more important.

Blade I think my way of explaining things probably isnt great. I agree with you totally and what I mean by not great is that the density of a 24Mp APS-c sensor is very very big, so the pixels are very small meaning less light will fall onto each one. And of course, pictures from a D7100 (or something like it) will not be 'bad'... I was purely trying to explain like what you said, the MP count means very little.

[mopman94]

Bought my camera today, its not a D-SLR its a bridge camera with a full sized sensor in it (the Sony NEX-5t). Will put some pictures in the rate the picture above thread once its charged (gonna be many more hours). Thanks for the advice