SLR - New York

Curran

Going to New York in Sept - have my dollars already - at a good rate
I might buy myself an SLR, if she doesnt spend too much shopping, as the digital camera I have just doesnt cut it for me, Canon Ixus IS80, although its better than the Sony Cybershot I broke (the missus loves it cos its small :rolleyes:) Been to two weddings this year and it fustrates me the amount of rubbish pics it takes! Had some great photo ops only to be ruined by the camera being too slow or whatever!!

Now im almost a total beginner - so questions are....
What would you experienced people recommend for a beginner (want to learn the basics before spending the hard earned on something better / want to make sure I enjoy spending time taking pics)??
Is it worth buying in the US (im guessing warranty / guarantees are worldwide)?? Also heard someone mention something about "open box deals"??
Anyone recomment sites that explain basically, what, ISO, Macro etc etc are - kinda have an idea using the basic camera I have but I dont think its making a huge difference when i use the manual settings!

Thanks in advance for the help - im sure its probably asked every week!

nilhg

Curran wrote: »

Thanks in advance for the help - im sure its probably asked every week!

Yep, that's why we have the FAQ, but feel free to come back here if you need anything clarified when you read it.

scuby

new york = B&H photo

LeoB

Apart from B&H take a look at adorama. Prices are very good. I have been saving for a decent lens for sport but when I saw the price's in N.Y and Boston I can also afford a 2x coverrter or a decent flash and still have saved €200. My Mrs going to U.S in Sept and Im happy to save hard and do the childminding for the 4 days.
Price's for an S.L.R start from about $500 for basic kit and for less than $1,000 you will get a decent kit and some filters. When you consider what is charged here for some kit its hard not to make a decent purchase at these prices.
I would like anyone else prefer to buy in an Irish shop and perhaps Canon, Nikon and the rest would see an increase in sales if they done something with the prices they charge.
http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=Contactus

Curran

nilhg wrote: »

Yep, that's why we have the FAQ, but feel free to come back here if you need anything clarified when you read it.

Sorry - probably didnt make myself clear - I was hoping someone could recommend a SLR camera for a beginner (ie: a make and model)
There is no thread recommending a certain camera - just one discussing what kind of camera would suit certain situations, ie. the compact, EDSLR, SLR etc etc.

AlanMooneyPhoto

Hi Curran,
It would be very difficult for someone to recommend a camera that is going to suit you perfectly.
Obviously you want a DSLR if you're keen to learn about manual and macro, etc..
Nikon (love nikon) and Canon are obviously the main players in this market, but the debate between the 2 is set to run on for years. Sony are making up the pace behind and look set to catch up on the main 2 in the years to come. Neither have a huge advantage over the other, 1 releases the 1dMk3, the other releases the D3, the power swings regularly between both and you wont limit yourself by picking one over the other.
Canon 40D and Nikon D80 are probably the main beginners DSLR's at the moment and you really cant go wrong buying either of them.
I would say go into a high street shop that sells both brands and doesnt seem to bias towards one or the other and have a play with both camera's, see which one you prefer in your hand. Inevitably you may have to learn full control of this camera and be able to change controls of it without thinking, fiddling with them, or even without looking for them so its important it fits well in your hand.
Whatever you do, make sure you're taking your time with the decision and not getting pushed into it by an overbearing salesman.
Alan

Curran

Cheers Alan,

I wont be rushed - dont worry about that - not going until Sept and starting my research now!
I was actually looking at the Canon's, but will have to look at the Nikon's also - because as you say it has to feel right! Will also have to look at how the software / interface on the cameras looks too (if ya know what i mean - like using a Nokia and Seimens phones - the Nokia is more "user-friendly")

AlanMooneyPhoto

Might be worth going along to a gathering from here, the people are pretty helpful and you could get to try out both Nikon and Canon, see which grabs you.

LeoB

A bit vague in my earlier response. I use Canon and like them:cool:. Trust!! My friend uses Nikon. He likes Nikon!!;):)
Just had a quick peek and some decent kits are available from $ 600 and for less than $1,000 you will have camera body 18 -35 kit lens and a decent enough zoom 55 - 200mm. When you look at the strength of € v $ these deals are quite good. Either way enjoy.:)

Ricky91t

AlanMooneyPhoto wrote: »

Canon 40D and Nikon D80 are probably the main beginners DSLR's at the moment

What?!?
these are alot more expensize than the Canon entry level cameras
Also with them comes larger size heavier weight etc


I think if you're looking for a total beginers DSLR you're best to stick with the canon 350D,400D,450D an the nikon D40,D40X and D60
also cannon have released a 1000D which appeals more to beginners

When you go for an "entry level " dlsr thye come with functions unique to them for example the 400D(i think has "child photographing mode")which will help for that situation.With the 40D you are paying for the magneisium alloy body the 6.5 fps(which i can't see you using at a wedding) and all that comes with a bigger price tag and bigger camera.

Now the 450D might suit you best coming from a compact, i assume you are used to shooting through the lcd screen?The 450D is one of the first entry level dslr's to have that which (called live view is dslr language) makes the change over easy.At present i dont think any nikon dslrs have that

I hope i have'nt confused you
but in my opinion you sound like a person who has a camera more to take photo's when needed and not really a serious hobby yet?
If thats the case a entry level will suit you down to the ground

challengemaster

ricky91t wrote: »

Now the 450D might suit you best coming from a compact, i assume you are used to shooting through the lcd screen?The 450D is one of the first entry level dslr's to have that which (called live view is dslr language) makes the change over easy.At present i dont think any nikon dslrs have that

TBH I'd say this is one habit you should drop when moving onto DSLR from compacts. However The 40D is not an entry level DSLR, not compared to the choices just posted by ricky.

Curran

ricky91t wrote: »

...i assume you are used to shooting through the lcd screen?The 450D is one of the first entry level dslr's to have that which (called live view is dslr language) makes the change over easy.....I hope i have'nt confused you
but in my opinion you sound like a person who has a camera more to take photo's when needed and not really a serious hobby yet?
If thats the case a entry level will suit you down to the ground

Yes i have been shooting using the LCD screen as the view finder is tiny (plus you'd look like a spanner with a compact stuck to your eye!! )

No you havent confused me at all - but yes at the moment its just to take photo's when needed as thats all the poxy camera will do - im getting alot of enjoyment playing with the manual settings on the camera, there's actually a nice function on the current compact i have which allows you to make one colour stand out - i know that sounds stupid but i am enjoying trying to take "different" shots with it - but it just doesnt cut it - with shutter delay, blurry images etc etc.

The missus is always giving out to me for taking so called stupid shots of non interesting things and ive been thinking about buying the SLR for some time and would i use it enough to justify buying one - cant think of a reason not too and if i get a decent camera i would spent more time taking shoots that would deserve my time - just wasting it taking them with the compact.....if ya know what i mean - sorry, that was a bit of a rant!!

Curran

LeoB wrote: »

... camera body 18 -35 kit lens and a decent enough zoom 55 - 200mm

Is this the best set up for starting out - to learn the basics with! (to take decent pictures of everying). I understand that you can get other lens that would suit sport, landscape etc etc better, but just for getting an all purpose set up - if ya know what i mean!

Thanks for everyones help on this!!

Ricky91t

Yeah well if i were you i definetly stick to the entry level slrs.
As for the lens the 18-55 and the 55-200 would be a good starting kit they would give you nice wide angle and a good zoom to.

Then when you decided what you like to shoot and would like to spend more time shooting you can start saving for the canon L lens which are great but pricy but well worth it.

Curran

Cheers ricky,

So is there much difference between the entry level SLR and the ones like the Canon 40D - apart from them being lighter and taking a slightly better picture - would there be any extra functions on the slightly more expensive camera that would be worth the money or will the enty level SLRs do the exact same as the more expensive ones? (apart from the child photographing mode, which is actually on the entry level camera - wont be needing that for a few years hopefully )

Biro

Curran wrote: »

Yes i have been shooting using the LCD screen as the view finder is tiny (plus you'd look like a spanner with a compact stuck to your eye!! )

No you havent confused me at all - but yes at the moment its just to take photo's when needed as thats all the poxy camera will do - im getting alot of enjoyment playing with the manual settings on the camera, there's actually a nice function on the current compact i have which allows you to make one colour stand out - i know that sounds stupid but i am enjoying trying to take "different" shots with it - but it just doesnt cut it - with shutter delay, blurry images etc etc.

The missus is always giving out to me for taking so called stupid shots of non interesting things and ive been thinking about buying the SLR for some time and would i use it enough to justify buying one - cant think of a reason not too and if i get a decent camera i would spent more time taking shoots that would deserve my time - just wasting it taking them with the compact.....if ya know what i mean - sorry, that was a bit of a rant!!

A DSLR won't instantly improve your shots on nights out etc. You still need light! Try increasing the ISO on your compact to 800 and take a few. I've taken some satisfactory shots with my Ixus 500, and that's a good bit older than your Ixus 80!
Also, you can get the 350D very cheap now - around $300, and the 400D quite cheap. The 450D is the newest. They have different model names over there though. 350D is the Rebel XT and the 400D is the Rebel XTi.

Curran

Biro wrote: »

A DSLR won't instantly improve your shots on nights out etc. Try increasing the ISO on your compact to 800 and take a few...

....different model names over there though. 350D is the Rebel XT and the 400D is the Rebel XTi.

Cheers Biro for letting me know that they are different models across the water - would have been confused if i turned up over there and the camera not existing!
I've tried turning up the ISO on the camera also and get some good shots - but only getting 50% success with them - its not just for nights out im buying the camera - i want a good camera for all occasions - for instance i couldnt get a decent shot of the alter from 3 rows back at the weddings - everything turn up dull - tried various settings in manual mode with no great joy!!

challengemaster

you'll find that there's only really 2-3 modes you'll need. (Canon wise, TV/AV/Manual) The others are generally useless, and you can do everything you want with the mentioned 3.

The 450D has pretty much all the features as the 40D, except for the extra fps, afaik. And it would be the one that I'd be picking if I were you.