The benchmark entry into that advanced step of snapping

cormie

Hi,
I'm a bit of a lurker of this forum and think I've only made one or two posts here before. I've read the stickies, but just thought I'd ask, is there a standard or benchmark entry level shooter that would be seen as a great place to start for anyone interested in trying out taking photos at an "I'm a professional photographer" level that I know you all love to hear?

Just tongue in cheek there and no way the intention of what the camera will be used for, more so looking for a device that can capture quality photos at an entry level price that has a great reputation as being up there in its class and price range.

From my lurking, I see the Canon EOS seems to be a very popular range and even searching DSLR in Google Images brings up this model numerous times. The 1100D seemingly a great entry level with excellent reviews from amazon.

Would this satisfy the needs of a curious, experimental and interested visionary who would like to delve into the world of photography?

For somebody with no professional or structured training but just with a desire to capture whatever they may come across in a quality format they can later reflect on, what would be a benchmark tool that would give satisfaction and meet their simple yet potential appreciation?

I'm not going to mention a price as I haven't a clue. I'm just curious if there is such a benchmark tool out there, where the best place to get it would be and what essential accessories should be got with it?

Is there even such a tool that's agreeable by the masses and the users of different brands I wonder?

Any feedback appreciated!

pete4130

Any modern entry level DSLR will do a good job. The more money you spend, the better/tougher the build quality will be, more physical buttons to adjust settings rather than doing it through a menu screen, more frames per second, more megapixels usually, better at shooting in low light (although all new cameras now are pretty decent at this).

You could get a cheaper, slightly older discontinued model, like a 1000D that came before the 1100D. There will be little difference between the two in the real world.

You get more benefit from good lenses. Thats why some lenses can cost €1000-€2000 upwards. For now, you don't need to worry about buying top quality pro standard lenses. There are cheaper alternatives out there that will fit your needs.

cormie

Thanks a lot for the input. Glad to hear the 1100D is also recommended here. Always, makes it easier to choose when there's a good few votes for the one product for a total novice. Would there be risks of compatibility issues going with a discontinued model? Both in computer connectivity and say lenses even, and are lenses generally interchangeable between brands or would a canon lens only work on a canon unit?

In terms of where to purchase, is there a reputable, well respected and good value supplier in Ireland or Europe (no import duties) or would it be best to buy from the US/Japan even with the risk of import duties?

Canon lenses will only work on Canon bodies, and Nikon lenses will only work on Nikon bodies. There are third-party lens makers like Sigma, Tamron, etc. but when you go to buy one of these lenses, it's usually specified what body type it will fit (ie, "Canon Mount", "Nikon Mount", "Sony Mount", etc.).


My first Canon was a second hand Canon 20D that I picked up off adverts.ie for €230 with a lens included. It was a good deal I thought, and the camera, despite being about 6-7 years old, and me owning it for over a year and half, is still going as strong as the day it was made.


You really shouldn't have any compatibility issues with an older camera. In fact, I recommend taking the second-hand route when buying your first camera. If you then decide that you really enjoy photography and want to upgrade, you can buy new and get a camera you like (or buy second hand again). Vast majority of photographers, in my experience, really do take good care of their gear (though I do understand that when you don't really know what you're looking for or doing, that a warranty and such can give great piece of mind).


Just make sure you alwo pick up a lens for your camera body (or buy a camera body that comes with a lens). I wouldn't worry about upgrading lens until you realise the shortcomings of the one you have

cormie

Thanks for that

The 1100D is a little cheaper off Amazon.de than it is on the .co.uk site

http://www.amazon.de/Canon-SLR-Digitalkamera-Megapixel-HD-Ready-Live-View/dp/B004MKNBKU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311630956&sr=8-1

I've bought a few things off .de before with no problem at all, also because it's still in Europe, there's no import duties

That's grand about the lenses, I guess the link I provided with the lense kit would be a good starting point.

Just out of curiosity, I saw that link in the photography forum on a time lapse of the tall ships in Waterford, is such a feature possible with the 1100d? I know a fisheye lens would also be needed to get the same visual effect, but just wondering if the time lapse itself is possible or is such a feature only possible on much more expensive cameras?

Will have a look at the 2nd hand route too, thanks

Have no experience of that particular camera myself, but I imagine it'd be fine for you. I doubt you'll have any problems, anyway.


Time-lapse requires a special tool that you attach to the camera called an intervalometer.

I've not done time-lapse before, but I believe you just need to get your exposure right (you'll learn this as you learn more about photography) set the intervalometer to take pictures every so often (I think you can adjust the time, so it'd take one photo per minute, or one per hour or whatever you like, depending on what you're doing) and then you just put the camera somewhere sturdy or on a tripod and let it belt away.


Like a lot of photo accessories, the price range varies wildly depending on what brand you go with and such. Personally, I'm a budget-conscious person, so i tend to read a lot of reviews before buying anything, and a lot of my gear is Hong Kong knock-off stuff that works as good as the genuine Canon gear. So don't be afraid to try the cheapo route with electronic accessories if you decide to buy an intervalometer (though I'm sure you'll cross these bridges when you come to them).

cormie

Ah thanks for that info, I never knew the feature was done by an accessory, would have thought it was a built in function with the camera and only available on some models. That's good to know I guess, that it can be bought if ever needed.

So it looks like the 1100D is probably the model to go with anyway!

Thanks again for the help!

cormie

Think I'll be ordering the 1100D soon enough off Amazon.de. I can't tell, but do these cameras generally come with a memory card too? No mention of it on the page as far as I can see..

AnCatDubh

cormie wrote: »

Think I'll be ordering the 1100D soon enough off Amazon.de. I can't tell, but do these cameras generally come with a memory card too? No mention of it on the page as far as I can see..

Generally no unless the seller provides a bundle of some sort.

This thread from yesterday has lots of current offers on SD memory. It has become really cheap. Only real advice is to buy from a reputable source.

Gumbo

Cormie, the 1100D is on offer here - http://www.pcworld.ie/Product/CANON-EOS-1100D-Digital-SLR-Camera-with-1855mm-f3556-and-75300-mm-F456-III-lenses/307477/12.4

although a good bit higher than Amazon.de but you get the 70-300 lens along with the kit lens too.

Digital Rev on You Tube is a very good reviewer of cameras, and Kai is fun to watch so it takes some of the boredom out of comparing specs etc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujAwXVF_X-E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXCdRY2DG-o

magicbastarder

have you actually manhandled the various cameras in that price range to see what you like? don't just choose based on online reviews.

cormie

Thanks for the feedback folks, the PC world offer is out of budget I'm afraid. Thanks for the SD card link and nope, haven't handled them yet but it's not necessarily for my hands

magicbastarder

don't buy without handling. if it's not for you, let the person you're buying it for handle it before buying.

cormie

hmmm, that would kind of spoil the surprise though :P

magicbastarder

which is better - a surprise, or getting the camera the person likes best?

Gumbo

cormie wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback folks, the PC world offer is out of budget I'm afraid. Thanks for the SD card link and nope, haven't handled them yet but it's not necessarily for my hands

magicbastarder wrote: »

don't buy without handling. if it's not for you, let the person you're buying it for handle it before buying.

+1

This is the first bit of advice that i say to anybody too, although im a newbie too.
I went into the camera shops and held the Nikon V Canon and found that the Nikon didnt suit my grip as my thumb kept hitting the jog wheel etc where the canon was perfect.

Kenny Logins

kceire wrote: »

+1

This is the first bit of advice that i say to anybody too, although im a newbie too.
I went into the camera shops and held the Nikon V Canon and found that the Nikon didnt suit my grip as my thumb kept hitting the jog wheel etc where the canon was perfect.

Yep, have to agree. I chose the Nikon for the same reason - I like the thumbwheel.

Borderfox

Out of the two main brands I like the feel of the Nikon cameras, very tactile. In the entry level models its much of a much on the features and IQ, they are all very good. Miles away from my old Canon 350d.

cormie

Thanks for the input, now how would I go about getting the recipient to handle the 1100d without getting any suspicions I wonder

OldGoat

Borderfox wrote: »

Miles away from my old Canon 350d.

I love my 350D. I fully expect it to pick up the honorary of 'Retro Chic' any day now.

cormie

Ok, think I'll be going with the 1100D, it passed the feel test and everything so now it's just a case of getting the best price and hopefully getting delivery soon.

I did a little research and have read that I'd be much better getting the IS lens as opposed to the III lens. I don't know much about this, but the IS seems to be the better one and unfortunately more expensive too.

Amazon pricing seems to fluctuate but looks to be over £400 for the IS pack,

there's a site that has very mixed reviews on boards, simplyelectronics.net some saying scam site, others say totally genuine, just takes long to delivery, http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=13647&sd=cont

Then... there's ebay, seems like this is exactly what I'm after and the price is brilliant too, they seem to have great feedback etc... worth the punt I wonder? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-1100D-Digital-Rebel-T3-12-2-MP-EF-S-18-55-II-Lens-/310360831291?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item4842f2753b

M450

Where did you end up buying it?

I'm making the move and buying my first DSLR and I think the 1100D looks right for me. I just need to get into a shop and try it out.

I've considered hanging on until after xmas, anybody think it would make enough difference to the price?

cormie

Got it from an Ebay Seller, seems has been posted already so hopefully I'll get it soon.

shellyboo

M450 wrote: »

Where did you end up buying it?

I'm making the move and buying my first DSLR and I think the 1100D looks right for me. I just need to get into a shop and try it out.

I've considered hanging on until after xmas, anybody think it would make enough difference to the price?

If anything, you're better off having a look now... retailers are more likely to be doing bundle offers, with an SD card or whatever. That's what I ended up getting last year & though I don't know how much less expensive it was (I didn't actually buy it myself), I know it was definitely on special offer.

Snowie

OldGoat wrote: »

I love my 350D. I fully expect it to pick up the honorary of 'Retro Chic' any day now.

Only if people don't know how to use it


op i think you should get a 450 D body you can pic them up for feck all and there a god camera that will suit you for the next 2 years. I don't see th point of bying new new cameras were there are places like

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/used-digital-slr-cameras/used-canon-digital-slr-cameras/?page=2 which are very reputable I bought my 400D of them and sold it on for what I got it for, personally I think there an easy camera to work around and good value for money. brand new cameras are just brand and MPB tend to make sure all the gear is good we've bought a few lense's from them

cormie

Just for reference, this was the deal I ended up getting: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310360831291&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

From this seller: http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/systembits/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

Was posted on Friday, got it on Monday, this was with standard international signed for RoyalMail so I was expecting it at the end of the week or the Monday after, not the very next Monday so very pleased! All seems good with the camera too and I believe the price I got (£355 including shipping) was very good, note that I got the IS II lens which is £414 on amazon at the moment.

Seems like a great little camera

Zillah

Snow-Monkey wrote: »

op i think you should get a 450 D body you can pic them up for feck all and there a god camera that will suit you for the next 2 years. I don't see th point of bying new new cameras were there are places like

I actually had to use a 450D at a gig last night and I really really didn't like the controls on it. Only one roller, and to change the aperture you had to hold down a button and then roll. LCD also leaves a lot to be desired.

Kenny Logins

Zillah wrote: »

I actually had to use a 450D at a gig last night and I really really didn't like the controls on it. Only one roller, and to change the aperture you had to hold down a button and then roll. LCD also leaves a lot to be desired.

In shutter priority? ...and button for shutter adjustment when in aperture priority, no?

Zillah

I had it in manual due to the unpredictable lighting.

Granted, I'm a Nikon user normally so I'd have been a little uncomfortable regardless, but I really did not enjoy using that camera.

cormie

Glad you're not dissing the 1100d here or I'd be feeling bad after the buy. Lock the thread before anyone starts :P

shellyboo

Cormie, don't worry! If the giftee is a beginner they won't be worrying about what the camera doesn't do for a good while yet! They'll be too overwhelmed with what it *does* do. I got a 1000D for my birthday last year, have had it about a year now, and I'm still not at the limit of what it can do. Of course, it depends how quickly they learn, but honestly, you have nothing to worry about!

Zillah

Oh yeah, any DSLR is going to be amazing for a beginner. Being able to notice a cameras flaws and being able to say what you would like changed is a good sign that someone is starting to outgrow their first camera.

Beware that day, cos it means you need to upgrade

Cianos

Quick question ; pixmania have the eos 1100d with the dc3 lens for €399, down from €549. Is this a better option than the camera with the IS2 lens for €439?

kelly1

Cormie, thanks for the amazon.de tip! I have my eye on the Canon 5D Mk II + 24-105. They have it for €2400!

M450

Cianos wrote: »

Quick question ; pixmania have the eos 1100d with the dc3 lens for €399, down from €549. Is this a better option than the camera with the IS2 lens for €439?

I went with the IS lens myself and it appears to be worth the bit extra. I don't think the dc3 lens has any image stabilization feature...

cormie

No prob Kelly, IS lens is the way to go as far as I'm aware.

Cianos

M450 wrote: »

I went with the IS lens myself and it appears to be worth the bit extra. I don't think the dc3 lens has any image stabilization feature...

Thanks - anyone else care to share their thoughts on this? It'll make the difference for me to purchase from Gunn's or Pixmania

cormie

Cianos, Just saw this on adverts: http://www.adverts.ie/digital-cameras/canon-eos-1100d-18-55mm-lens/1214436


As the deal I got came without a case or SD card, any recommendations on a good one to go for? I see there's a little bundle here for £27.82: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterproof-Olympus-Finepix-Panasonic-FZ50-FZ45/dp/B001OTLTZ6

all seem to have decent reviews..