Camera Craniums: The Photography Community for Enthusiasts

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: eysha on May 15, 2012, 02:52:33 PM

Title: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 15, 2012, 02:52:33 PM
I would love a DSLR camera but my problem, or one of them,  is which one? I was thinking of a Canon or Nikon but there appears to be loads of considerations to be taken into account and i am a bit lost - well a lot lost really.
I wouldn't be going into buying a load of lenses, a macro and long lenses is enough.
Why do i want it, for wildlife.
How much do i wanna spend, middle of the road i guess.
Is their any good bargains out there?
Since i understand they all do different things, or have different things Incorporated into them which one would be a good all rounder?
It would have to last forever probably. It needs to be light and easy to use too.
What is your suggestion to a newbie?
Thanks folks
E.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: michaelb104 on May 15, 2012, 03:52:35 PM
Hi Eysha,

What about Pentax or Sony?

If you are looking for a system where you can change the lenses but if you want something light, have thought about something like the Sony NEX system but if you want a DSLR then there is the Sony A57 or A65 which are getting good reviews.

The best way is to go to a shop and get hold of the cameras and see what you feel happy with.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: jinky on May 15, 2012, 03:56:54 PM
Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Sony all do great cameras - the key thing to check out other than affordability is how doe they feel in your hand for size / weight and access to controls. Don`t tell anyone but back in film days I was a dedicated canon user (after having an Olympus OM10 for years) but when I went back to DSLRs after a few years break it was the Nikon D80 that suited my hands and chubby fingers best and been Nikon ever since. Once you commit ad startbuying decent lenses the main investment is made and it is hard to switch so see which feels best from the stat by using Jessops etc to try them in your hand. get them to power it up, take in a card if you can and see the results on your own screen - then buy check reviews and buy somewhere else.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Reinardina on May 15, 2012, 05:06:10 PM
Is your Panasonic FZ38 not a bridge camera?
Have you explored all the possibilities that camera has to offer?
There are people on this site, who get on famously with a bridge, and shoot brilliant pictures.

If it's not a bridge, the same applies: have you got to know all the possibilities and really tried out the camera to its limits? So when you pick up a new camera you know at least some of the things you want/need?
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Hinfrance on May 15, 2012, 05:33:37 PM
DSLRs are nice - I rather like mine (Pentax K5, as you ask ;)), but I often use my compact (little Panasonic) or bridge camera Fuji HS20EXR) instead. They all have their pluses and minuses. On our recent trip across the pond I took 80% of my pictures with the bridge. Bridge cameras are really very versatile. They lack the quality of a DSLR, (especially in poor light) and separate often very expensive lenses, but they are truly jacks of all trade, and often masters of the macro world. I'll post an example here after tea . .

Here you are, nice pink flower thing:

(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10146/normal_Pink-1779.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=11899&fullsize=1)

As to which DSLR to buy, jinky is right - it's the one you like. For nature I'd probably go Nikon, but be prepared to shell out a few bob for the right long lens.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 15, 2012, 06:51:02 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I will follow it next time i am in town and time to spend in the camera shops playing.

I have the Panasonic bridge camera a Fuji finepix s8000 as wall as a little Sony pocket camera but i would like a DSLR which would be faster all round - wouldn't it?
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Reinardina on May 15, 2012, 07:05:50 PM
Quote from: eysha on May 15, 2012, 06:51:02 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I will follow it next time i am in town and time to spend in the camera shops playing.

I have the Panasonic bridge camera a Fuji finepix s8000 as wall as a little Sony pocket camera but i would like a DSLR which would be faster all round - wouldn't it?

Not if you want to shoot something, and discover you've got the wrong lens on.

They're definitely a lot faster in eating a large hole in your pocket.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Hinfrance on May 15, 2012, 07:32:20 PM
Quote from: eysha on May 15, 2012, 06:51:02 PM
Thanks for all the advice. I will follow it next time i am in town and time to spend in the camera shops playing.

I have the Panasonic bridge camera a Fuji finepix s8000 as wall as a little Sony pocket camera but i would like a DSLR which would be faster all round - wouldn't it?

Sounds to me like you have enough to be going on with. Master these tools first and you'll have a better idea about how you want to move forward.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 15, 2012, 08:30:01 PM
I agee R  and Hinfrance but i still want one, lol.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Reinardina on May 15, 2012, 08:55:52 PM
Quote from: eysha on May 15, 2012, 08:30:01 PM
I agee R  and Hinfrance but i still want one, lol.

Eysha, you were asking about DSLRs on PhotoRadar a couple of years ago.
So just go out and buy one. They all have pros and cons, and you may as well learn about these things, while actually handling one.

Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 15, 2012, 10:30:53 PM
Was it that long ago? wow. I would go buy one but i am in a dilemma, which is what to buy as i will never be able to afford another one so i msut make theright choice. It will ave to last forever, lol.
Title: DSLR Advice
Post by: donoreo on May 15, 2012, 11:47:04 PM
It was quite a long time ago you were asking.  You have had some good recommendations.  It really does make a difference to hold them.  If it is not comfortable to hold then you will not like it.

I held a Canon 5D mkIII and it felt good.   Very good.  So good.    I resisted the urge or else I would not be celebrating my wedding anniversary today :)
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Oldboy on May 16, 2012, 08:25:47 AM
Quote from: donoreo on May 15, 2012, 11:47:04 PM

I held a Canon 5D mkIII and it felt good.   Very good.  So good.    I resisted the urge or else I would not be celebrating my wedding anniversary today :)

Yes, but you would have something that you could cuddle anytime and great pictures to boot!  ;D :legit:
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Hinfrance on May 16, 2012, 10:56:06 AM
Happy anniversary  8)
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: donoreo on May 16, 2012, 03:43:35 PM
Quote from: Oldboy on May 16, 2012, 08:25:47 AM
Quote from: donoreo on May 15, 2012, 11:47:04 PM

I held a Canon 5D mkIII and it felt good.   Very good.  So good.    I resisted the urge or else I would not be celebrating my wedding anniversary today :)

Yes, but you would have something that you could cuddle anytime and great pictures to boot!  ;D :legit:
I know.  I will probably never get a FF, I may get whatever the 7D replacement is.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 16, 2012, 03:53:01 PM
You guys have better memories than I. I won't ask for advice again on this. Thanks for the help. E.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Oldboy on May 16, 2012, 06:36:53 PM
Quote from: eysha on May 16, 2012, 03:53:01 PM
You guys have better memories than I. I won't ask for advice again on this. Thanks for the help. E.

Ask as much as you want.  :tup:
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 16, 2012, 06:59:16 PM
Thanks Oldboy, this shows my memory is terrible and that i am very indecisive, lol. Won't embarrass myself again by asking again.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: donoreo on May 16, 2012, 08:16:07 PM
Quote from: eysha on May 16, 2012, 06:59:16 PM
Thanks Oldboy, this shows my memory is terrible and that i am very indecisive, lol. Won't embarrass myself again by asking again.
Keep asking.   As new models come out with new features the recommendations will change!  However, holding them will remain the same. 
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 16, 2012, 10:04:46 PM
Will give it a try Donoreo.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: mondmagu on May 20, 2012, 02:30:36 PM
Browse the shops Eysha,talk to the guys there and give them an idea of what you like to shoot and your budget.Get your hands on a few models,see what suites you best and bite the bullet!!!! You won't regret it.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: ShawWellPete on May 20, 2012, 06:36:05 PM
I'm on my second Nikon DSLR and have been very happy with both of them. Before that I had a Sony A700 and before that a Minolta 7D. The beauty of the Sony system is that the you can use all the old Minolta lenses and they ALL get VR because the anti-shake is built into the body.

If money is no object then there are many arguments for a Nikon D700 or D800 or a Canon 5D MkII or III or 7D with some of the great lenses made by both manufacturers.

But if you are on a budget I would go for

The latest entry (or one up) level Sony DSLR

And then build up the following lens collection

A Minolta 70-210mm F4 (beer can)
a Minolta 50mm 1.7
a Sigma 24-70 2.8 or 28-70 2.8
a Sigma 10-20mm
Tamrom 90mm macro

All of the above lenses are great value second hand, the beer can can be had for £100 and is amazing value when you consider that on a Sony body it has the equivalent of VR.

There is no way that you can get near that kind of value with Nikon or Canon.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: eysha on May 20, 2012, 08:04:16 PM
Many thanks, now that is useful info. Lenses have to be a big consideration and i didn't know that the Sony took Minolta lenses and that Canon and Nikon would be a lot more expensive. That's the kinda info i was looking for so very many thank for that.
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Oldboy on May 20, 2012, 09:29:42 PM
Quote from: eysha on May 20, 2012, 08:04:16 PM
Many thanks, now that is useful info. Lenses have to be a big consideration and i didn't know that the Sony took Minolta lenses and that Canon and Nikon would be a lot more expensive. That's the kinda info i was looking for so very many thank for that.

Sony took over Minolta so, all Sony DSLR's are Minolta's, as Sony only made compact cameras at the time. The Minolta 70-210mm F4 is one of the best lenses ever made.  ;D
Title: Re: DSLR Advice
Post by: Reinardina on May 20, 2012, 11:08:15 PM
I think my advice in the 'Dilemma' thread, would help you to get better shots, more confidence and experience, and while you're getting that experience, you'll find out what it is exactly, that you want from yourself and your camera. You'll know what to ask, and can get tailored advice.

Go for it girl! And good luck.