First DSLR advice wanted

[iBabySlapper]

Hi guys

 

I'm a complete camera noob, but I want to get into the hobby casually, learn as I shoot and what not. I used to have a Pentax Q10, but it was stolen by the ex, so I need to get something new. I don't really want to spend that much money since I'm not too serious about it, maybe around $250-$350 USD (£200-£300 in my money), I'm 100% okay with a used camera (I would prefer a used camera if that means I get a better camera).

 

I did some looking myself, and I found this bundle on eBay for a Pentax K30 with two lenses. The K30 is also attractive to me because it's weather resistant. It seems to be a good deal, but is it a good bundle for a beginner?

 

Can you guys suggest some models/listings I should consider, or general advice for buying used cameras maybe?

 

Thanks

[ThePointblank]

Would not recommend Pentax because of the total lack of support for the system, along with a total lack of accessories, and that particular Pentax is 8 years old.

 

Stick with the bigger names; Canon, Nikon or Sony. Lots of options there, and a good upgrade path without having to totally reinvest in gear if you choose any of those brands.

[CPT_BEEMO]

10 minutes ago, ibabyslapper said:

Hi guys

 

I'm a complete camera noob, but I want to get into the hobby casually, learn as I shoot and what not. I used to have a Pentax Q10, but it was stolen by the ex, so I need to get something new. I don't really want to spend that much money since I'm not too serious about it, maybe around $250-$350 USD (£200-£300 in my money), I'm 100% okay with a used camera (I would prefer a used camera if that means I get a better camera).

 

I did some looking myself, and I found this bundle on eBay for a Pentax K30 with two lenses. The K30 is also attractive to me because it's weather resistant. It seems to be a good deal, but is it a good bundle for a beginner?

 

Can you guys suggest some models/listings I should consider, or general advice for buying used cameras maybe?

 

Thanks

I found a Canon Rebel T5i with less than 1000 shutter actuations on my local classifieds used for a really good price, and it is a fantastic camera. The one you listed also looks good, however I am not familiar with Pentax products. 

 

If you are looking for a used camera, be sure to ask the seller for the shutter count. Try to avoid used cameras with high shutter counts, as you may end up with a product that will not last as long as you expect. 

[iBabySlapper]

Just now, CPT_BEEMO said:

I found a Canon Rebel T5i with less than 1000 shutter actuations on my local classifieds used for a really good price, and it is a fantastic camera. The one you listed also looks good, however I am not familiar with Pentax products. 

 

If you are looking for a used camera, be sure to ask the seller for the shutter count. Try to avoid used cameras with high shutter counts, as you may end up with a product that will not last as long as you expect. 

What would you consider as a high shutter count?

[Radium_Angel]

16 minutes ago, ibabyslapper said:

Thanks

The best camera for you (and I know I'm gonna piss some people off here saying this, but I speak from experience, also, I'm a professional photographer, so I can *really* speak from experience) is the one that feels best in your hands.

 

If the ergonomics suck, you'll be less likely to use it.

Here's what I would do, given that Canon, Pentax, Nikon, etc very rarely make major changes to their camera line, ergonomically speaking, go visit a camera shop, and try some bodies out, see where your fingers/palm/hands, feel best, see if the button placements are natural to your hand, then, having decided on a camera line, come back here, and we can nail down details about which body to get you.

[Radium_Angel]

3 minutes ago, ibabyslapper said:

What would you consider as a high shutter count?

Anything over 75k, but also depends on the model line, the D3X for example, by Nikon, are designed for a half million shutter clicks, so 75k is peanuts.

 

[CPT_BEEMO]

1 minute ago, ibabyslapper said:

What would you consider as a high shutter count?

I have seen professional photographers have camera exceeding 75,000 shutter actuations and the camera still works really well. In a lot of cases, High shutter count when buying a used camera at least in my perspective is 25,000. I do scrutinize my used purchases, so that is an expectation for myself. Its all really based on price too. If someone is selling a Rebel T5i with 30,000+ shutter count and its asking price is high, then I would avoid it. If that same camera and same shutter count is less than $150, then I might lean towards it because I know what to expect.

[Radium_Angel]

25 minutes ago, ibabyslapper said:

but is it a good bundle for a beginner?

Sorry for adding to my post count, but let me give you a bit of advice here:

 

I have made money with my work, from a Canon 10D. That camera is nearly *twenty* years old at this point (I work in the fetish industry) and yet with the proper lighting and skill, it's still a fully functional piece.

 

Any camera you look into today, will do far more than you are capable of doing with. What you are looking for, is a system you can grow with.

I started with the Pentax line in the film days, but you will be limited in lens selection. If you are perfectly happy staying as an amateur just fooling around with a camera, then the Pentax K30 is just fine, but switching bodies/manufacturers down the line (going from Pentax to Nikon, for example) can be mighty expensive. 

[CPT_BEEMO]

1 minute ago, Radium_Angel said:

Sorry for adding to my post count, but let me give you a bit of advice here:

 

I have made money with my work, from a Canon 10D. That camera is nearly *twenty* years old at this point (I work in the fetish industry) and yet with the proper lighting and skill, it's still a fully functional piece.

 

Any camera you look into today, will do far more than you are capable of doing with. What you are looking for, is a system you can grow with.

I started with the Pentax line in the film days, but you will be limited in lens selection. If you are perfectly happy staying as an amateur just fooling around with a camera, then the Pentax K30 is just fine, but switching bodies/manufacturers down the line (going from Pentax to Nikon, for example) can be mighty expensive. 

Retro photography with that kind of film grain seems to be really popular these days, and I am not suprised that you still use a camera like that. Please feel free to share some of your work! I am a sucker for good nature/landscape or abstract photography

 

[Radium_Angel]

2 minutes ago, CPT_BEEMO said:

Please feel free to share some of your work!

My work is NSFW, sorry.

There are a few SFW shots in the "rate the photo above you" post in this forum, however

[CPT_BEEMO]

Just now, Radium_Angel said:

My work is NSFW, sorry.

There are a few SFW shots in the "rate the photo above you" post in this forum, however

Ah I didnt see the fetish industry portion of your previous post. 

 

I will take a look!

[Radium_Angel]

Just now, CPT_BEEMO said:

Ah I didnt see the fetish industry portion of your previous post. 

 

I will take a look!

Here is some from a shoot with expired film on a Nikon F3HP

No post work here, what you see is what I shot

 

[Radium_Angel]

[CPT_BEEMO]

2 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

That last image of the dish is beautiful. I love it.

 

Your zombie ones are really cool too! I volunteered as the guinea pig for a movie makeup class that was taught by an artist who worked in the Saw movies. super cool stuff. 

[Radium_Angel]

1 minute ago, CPT_BEEMO said:

That last image of the dish is beautiful. I love it.

 

Your zombie ones are really cool too! I volunteered as the guinea pig for a movie makeup class that was taught by an artist who worked in the Saw movies. super cool stuff. 

Thank you. Green Bank radio Telescope in Green Bank WV. You have to only use all manual cameras there, anything electronic isn't allowed, and getting permission to shoot there was....involved.

Had great fun tho. All expired film, just because.

Those two zombie shots were my fav. I normally shoot digital for the zombie walks, but again, expired film fun, but it really is hit or miss, as some of the film was beyond salvaging and the shots were ruined.

[CPT_BEEMO]

27 minutes ago, ibabyslapper said:

What would you consider as a high shutter count?

If you find some more used or new listings, feel free to put them on this thread and we can help you pick out the best solution for you!

[CPT_BEEMO]

5 minutes ago, Radium_Angel said:

Thank you. Green Bank radio Telescope in Green Bank WV. You have to only use all manual cameras there, anything electronic isn't allowed, and getting permission to shoot there was....involved.

Had great fun tho. All expired film, just because.

Those two zombie shots were my fav. I normally shoot digital for the zombie walks, but again, expired film fun, but it really is hit or miss, as some of the film was beyond salvaging and the shots were ruined.

Yeah its quite a gamble working with expired film but sometimes it works so well in your favor, as it did in the images you shared. Well done! 

 

I am quite new to the photography scene, and you can really only do so much with the entry level 18-55 lens. I bought a fixed 50mm and a power adapter to use the camera for streaming when I get around to that, as my logitech webcam is nothing but a problem. Other than that, I use my camera out at the airsoft fields taking photos of players or the landscape. When you live so close to mountains, you have to take advantage of the scenery

[GDRRiley]

I'd say look at older cameras like 60D, t5.

I'd avoid canon's EF-m mount. There just isn't a lot of glass unless you adapt it to EF.

[iBabySlapper]

On 4/29/2020 at 5:06 PM, CPT_BEEMO said:

If you find some more used or new listings, feel free to put them on this thread and we can help you pick out the best solution for you!

On 4/29/2020 at 9:37 PM, GDRRiley said:

I'd say look at older cameras like 60D, t5.

I'd avoid canon's EF-m mount. There just isn't a lot of glass unless you adapt it to EF.

I managed to snag an eBay auction for a Pentax K-S2 (Orange/Gray/Black for those LTT colours) with 2500 shutter actuations, a Sigma Contemporary 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS HSM, a SMC Pentax-DA F1.8 50mm, and a bunch of accesories for £400. I think I got a pretty good deal. Thank you all for your input.