Which Camera? **Please read OP first**

OldGoat

What helped me when I started was getting a second hand DSLR and a 50mm lens. I used that 50mm exclusively for a year to shoot everything from macro to portraits to landscapes. I shoot star trails, I shot smoke sculptures, I photographed airplanes in flight, cars racing, kids playing football, time lapses of trees growing...anything and everything.

That year taught me the limits of my camera, the limits of using a prime lens*. Overcoming those limits was the process of becoming a photographer. The first year is a steep learning curve but it is also the most exciting. You will take more photographs in your first year then you will in the rest of your life.

The year also changed me and my view of what I wanted from photography. I started out wanting to shoot product - 'still life' if you want to put an artistic bent on it. Landscapes never interested me much. Now, 4 new lenses in and 3 of them are purchased with landscaping in mind. The journey can take you anywhere.

There are lots of truism in photography that you will learn as you...em..learn.
1: It's all about the light.
2: Good glass trumps a good camera-body EVERYTIME.
3: Improvise before spending thousands on a professional solution.
4: Composition is the cheapest and fundamentally important photography improvement you can make.

So, my advice is to go second hand. Brand is not really important as at a basic entry level most brand offer the same ****e. Sticking with the market leaders simply means that you will have a larger pool of secondhand lenses to choose from. Pick up a few camera body brands and feel the fit in your hand. In all honesty that is more important than what shoots more frames per second or the ever entertaining PixelCountSalesPitch.

*The 50mm prime is still my favorite lens.

jacobwrestling

Right so I'm probably really pushing it here, but I'm looking to get a decent compact camera for in and around €150. I started off looking at superzooms but I doubt I actually need the zoom, my key concern is portability. I'm an amateur, eager to learn more, but I'm finding my phone fiddly when it comes to manual controls and would rather more tactile control, but would rather not mess around with interchangeable lenses just yet.

I've done a good bit of research since and landed on some possibilities. Sticking with the superzooms, I've found a Panasonic TZ70 at a decent price, but I've also found that the Fuji x10 really appeals to me looking at reviews and videos, despite being an older camera.

Any input or suggestions for me? I'm getting absolutely bogged down in information and would love any bit of advice!

Horse84

I know this must be asked a million times here by now but I’m on the lookout for a decent Dslr camera. My partner and I know little enough about cameras and photography but we want to get into it a bit. With young kids we are finding our own cameras aren’t great. Can anyone recommend any good cameras for beginners and where to get them? Budget would be around 350ish. Thanks

Sheeps

Horse84 wrote: »

I know this must be asked a million times here by now but I’m on the lookout for a decent Dslr camera. My partner and I know little enough about cameras and photography but we want to get into it a bit. With young kids we are finding our own cameras aren’t great. Can anyone recommend any good cameras for beginners and where to get them? Budget would be around 350ish. Thanks

The honest truth is that it doesn't really matter. You can pick up an entry level DSLR brand new at that price. (canon 1000D or 2000D). If you find a second hand camera on adverts or done deal, you can probably also buy yourself a lens for the same price too, which will give you some versatility and allow you to get different types of shots (I'd recommend a non zoom "prime" lens) which may help you learn.

When you get into photography, you essentially are buying into a system, and you will upgrade parts of that system over time.

Canon, Sony, Nikon, they're all good. The other manufacturers will teach you just as much and are as good, in different ways too.

Bluefoam

I'd go mirrorless rather than DSLR....

Horse84

Bluefoam wrote: »

I'd go mirrorless rather than DSLR....

Can I ask why?

Sheeps

Mirrorless cameras are being hailed as the future of photography but its not really important for a beginner. It will honsetly double your budget.

cnocbui

Horse84 wrote: »

I know this must be asked a million times here by now but I’m on the lookout for a decent Dslr camera. My partner and I know little enough about cameras and photography but we want to get into it a bit. With young kids we are finding our own cameras aren’t great. Can anyone recommend any good cameras for beginners and where to get them? Budget would be around 350ish. Thanks

Get a secondhand Olympus E-M5 with 12-50mm kit lens it originally sold with off ebay for less than £250. Cheapest would be the original, but you could still manage the II version for that and it is even better. Main points being small size, and portability for travel and in body stabilisation to compensate for camera movement. It's a mirrorless camera. A very large range of lenses are available should you get into it.

Limpy

Hi has anyone used the Kaiser bass x250 or x300? Will be using it mainly for hiking or some MTB. €79 and €99 are they worth it?

Bluefoam

Sheeps wrote: »

Mirrorless cameras are being hailed as the future of photography but its not really important for a beginner. It will honsetly double your budget.

But the lens system you chose 100% does affect beginners... Canon have already announced that they have stopped developing DSLR lenses. The lens system a beginner choses could effect every camera related purchase they make in the future... I wouldn't be buying into DSLR as a beginer camera... The benefit a beginer has is that they aren't tied into old legacy glass.

100% beginners should buy a mirrorless camera.

bren2002

For a beginner, lenses that exist today will still be more than functional for many years. Lenses have a very long life, a 10 year lifetime for a lens is the expectation for a kit lens not even the extreme end of how long the'll last if well cared for. Premium lenses will live for decades.

I see the advantage of mirrorless and would likely make that recommendation too, or as pointed out earlier even a micro four thirds option (admitidly it's probably in a bit more trouble than DX lenses). But I wouldn't consider a possible lack of DX lenses in the distant future an agruement against DX now. Canon are only one manufacturer and there are quite literally millions of lenses around the world.

Irishphotodesk

Limpy wrote: »

Hi has anyone used the Kaiser bass x250 or x300? Will be using it mainly for hiking or some MTB. €79 and €99 are they worth it?

Had to google it, had never heard of it.

From what I read the x250 is 5megapixels which is woeful if you are planning on doing anything other than view pics on a small computer screen or even a phone screen.

20years ago I was working with cameras that were 4/5megapixels and that was top of the line at that stage.

It might suit your needs, but a properly mounted modern mobile phone will probably do a better job.

Boredstiff666

Irishphotodesk wrote: »

Had to google it, had never heard of it.

From what I read the x250 is 5megapixels which is woeful if you are planning on doing anything other than view pics on a small computer screen or even a phone screen.

20years ago I was working with cameras that were 4/5megapixels and that was top of the line at that stage.

It might suit your needs, but a properly mounted modern mobile phone will probably do a better job.

I dont recall there being 4 and 5 mp cameras in 2000.

CelticRambler

Boredstiff666 wrote: »

I dont recall there being 4 and 5 mp cameras in 2000.

Kodak had 6MP cameras on the market in 1995. As I'd just recently bought a wife, a child and a house, I didn't have the funds left to buy anything so extravagant ... so settled for a more modest 1.2MP instead! :pac:

By 2005, though, they were giving away 2MP Nikon CoolPix cameras in my local supermarket (one of which I took, which I still have, and which still works [but eats batteries]) so 4-5MP must have been within consumer reach around 2000.

Boredstiff666

CelticRambler wrote: »

As I'd just recently bought a wife,

If ever there was a shop which sold such there would be a hell of a lot of returns.

Of course there may be a large skip outside.;)

Boredstiff666

CelticRambler wrote: »

By 2005, though, they were giving away 2MP Nikon CoolPix cameras in my local supermarket (one of which I took, which I still have, and which still works [but eats batteries]) so 4-5MP must have been within consumer reach around 2000.

I purchased a 20D in 2005 and still have it. Use it weekly.

8mp with a 24-70mm 2.8L usm still produces excellent pics.

Irishphotodesk

Boredstiff666 wrote: »

I dont recall there being 4 and 5 mp cameras in 2000.

Apologies it was in 2001 not 2000.
I remember saving back in 2000 for it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_EOS-1D

Necronomicon

I took a bit of a break from photography six years ago. I sold my trusty 40D, but I kept my speedlight and 100mm 2.8 (USM) because I suspected that one day I’d catch the bug again. I still wanted something decent to take holiday photos, and with a handier form factor, so I bought a Fuji X100T.

Recently I have indeed caught the photo bug again, and I think it’s time to jump back in. My Fuji has been a wonderful workhorse, but I need something more versatile. I also have a daughter who will be walking before I know it, so I need something that can capture movement well - something I’ve always struggled with on the X100T.

That said, I am leaning towards a mirrorless option rather than DSLR. I’ve grown to like the EVF, and don’t use the OVF anymore (I love that you can switch on it). And while I’ve loved my time with my Fuji, I’m attracted by Canon’s offerings (it helps that I have some Canon gear).

So I’m torn between the EOS R and EOS RP. Having never owned a full frame, I wonder if I’d be better off spending less on the body and putting that money into glass, since the body will be a step up no matter which I go with.

• EOS R + 24-105 f4.0
• EOS RP + 24-70 f2.8

The second option is roughly €500 more, but that lens is incredible by all accounts. Alternatively, I could go for the first option and try to pick up a second hand EF version of the 2.8 with the adapter.

Nikon is in the mix too, because my sister is a Nikon shooter and we could help each other out with gear swaps. I know nothing about their range, only that the Z6 is a good option?

Grateful for any pointers.

pigeonhouse

I shoot Canon but I would have moved to the Sony A7Riii if I could. I couldn't sell my lenses for a decent price at the time, get one of them in your hands before looking at the Canon mirrorless.

Bluefoam

Necronomicon wrote: »

I took a bit of a break from photography six years ago. I sold my trusty 40D, but I kept my speedlight and 100mm 2.8 (USM) because I suspected that one day I’d catch the bug again. I still wanted something decent to take holiday photos, and with a handier form factor, so I bought a Fuji X100T.

Recently I have indeed caught the photo bug again, and I think it’s time to jump back in. My Fuji has been a wonderful workhorse, but I need something more versatile. I also have a daughter who will be walking before I know it, so I need something that can capture movement well - something I’ve always struggled with on the X100T.

That said, I am leaning towards a mirrorless option rather than DSLR. I’ve grown to like the EVF, and don’t use the OVF anymore (I love that you can switch on it). And while I’ve loved my time with my Fuji, I’m attracted by Canon’s offerings (it helps that I have some Canon gear).

So I’m torn between the EOS R and EOS RP. Having never owned a full frame, I wonder if I’d be better off spending less on the body and putting that money into glass, since the body will be a step up no matter which I go with.

• EOS R + 24-105 f4.0
• EOS RP + 24-70 f2.8

The second option is roughly €500 more, but that lens is incredible by all accounts. Alternatively, I could go for the first option and try to pick up a second hand EF version of the 2.8 with the adapter.

Nikon is in the mix too, because my sister is a Nikon shooter and we could help each other out with gear swaps. I know nothing about their range, only that the Z6 is a good option?

Grateful for any pointers.

Price of the canon body's might go down soon, the new r6 and r5 have been released. Canon seem to have a great reputation for both video and photography, with the new bodies getting particularly good reviews. The Sony getting great reviews on video ..

Cabaal

So I previously posted about looking for a new DSLR that shoots good video, I already own a DSLR but its fairly old and does no video but I wanted to be able to use my old len's with the newer camera.

I had decided on the Canon EOS M50 with a Canon EF-M 18-150 mm and the plan of getting a convertor for the older lens's. But with a new arrival due to November its fair price heavy at just over the 1k mark.

So I'm looking to downsize the price a little, in hindsight maybe I shouldn't worry about the len's after all I can't see my shelling out for new one's in the coming years as last time I even bought a lense was 2008.

So instead I'm looking for a really good all rounder Canon camera, shoots 4k video, really good features. If it can mount a flash or connect a tascam dr-05 audio recorder (especially the tascam dr-05) these would be big pluses.

My aim would be really to shoot more videos and I want to be able to have good audio, as I already own a tascam dr-05 I'd like to get the benefits out of it when shooting video.

Any suggestions at all?

Bluefoam

The M50 and lense can come in around €800...

https://www.google.com/search?q=canon+m+18-150&oq=canon+m+18&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l4.9761j0j9&client=ms-android-hmd-rev2&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#lbl=OVERVIEW&pie=plaji-i

https://www.photospecialist.ie/canon-eos-m50-body-zwart?gclid=Cj0KCQjwsuP5BRCoARIsAPtX_wE7i-m1pCuSGZi0r33xdozcGtOhLGLY-BvhQnbOPs6Y6y4D5FAiJRMaAij3EALw_wcB

I just picked the first two links off Google.

Boredstiff666

Cabaal wrote: »

So I previously posted about looking for a new DSLR that shoots good video, I already own a DSLR but its fairly old and does no video but I wanted to be able to use my old len's with the newer camera.

I had decided on the Canon EOS M50 with a Canon EF-M 18-150 mm and the plan of getting a convertor for the older lens's. But with a new arrival due to November its fair price heavy at just over the 1k mark.

So I'm looking to downsize the price a little, in hindsight maybe I shouldn't worry about the len's after all I can't see my shelling out for new one's in the coming years as last time I even bought a lense was 2008.

So instead I'm looking for a really good all rounder Canon camera, shoots 4k video, really good features. If it can mount a flash or connect a tascam dr-05 audio recorder (especially the tascam dr-05) these would be big pluses.

My aim would be really to shoot more videos and I want to be able to have good audio, as I already own a tascam dr-05 I'd like to get the benefits out of it when shooting video.

Any suggestions at all?

The audio on cameras is not very good. The only way to get good audio is a decent mic for the application it is being used and a recorder like a Zoom H?

So basically you need a Rode shotgun mic with a dead wombat and a Zoom H4/5/6. Or a good lapel/lavier mic and a Zoom H3/4/5.

The Canon M6 mk11 is a 4k uncropped video camera.

Nobody will ever listen to bad audio.

http://www.rosie.ie/zoom-h5-review/

CelticRambler

Boredstiff666 wrote: »

The audio on cameras is not very good. The only way to get good audio is a decent mic for the application it is being used and a recorder like a Zoom H?

So basically you need a Rode shotgun mic with a dead wombat and a Zoom H4/5/6. Or a good lapel/lavier mic and a Zoom H3/4/5.

Agreed. Although (according to some) the DR-05 isn't as good as the Zoom, it's a big step in the right direction - but not if you downgrade the decent quality audio you've just recorded by feeding it into the camera. The sound guys will insist that "sound is half the picture" so the only reason for using camera-recorded audio with a 4K image would be for synching purposes.

I use a Canon 70D with a lavalier mic fed into a Tascam DR-05 and a Røde shotgun mic fed into a Tascam 70DR (and sometimes an additional mic recording ambiant sound onto a separate track on the 70DR. On-camera audio is kept only for synch purposes.

Boredstiff666

CelticRambler wrote: »

Agreed. Although (according to some) the DR-05 isn't as good as the Zoom, it's a big step in the right direction - but not if you downgrade the decent quality audio you've just recorded by feeding it into the camera. The sound guys will insist that "sound is half the picture" so the only reason for using camera-recorded audio with a 4K image would be for synching purposes.

I use a Canon 70D with a lavalier mic fed into a Tascam DR-05 and a Røde shotgun mic fed into a Tascam 70DR (and sometimes an additional mic recording ambiant sound onto a separate track on the 70DR. On-camera audio is kept only for synch purposes.

Tascam, Zoom whatever. As long as it has good pre-amps and does the business you are halfway there.

Clap your hands on camera. But dont forget to press the record button. (must remember that myself one day):rolleyes::)

Conchurl

I'm a beginner I'm looking at getting a dslr camera 2 lenses, memory card, bag and tripod. I'm clueless about this stuff is like something goodish I like how the canon cameras look but I'm not overly fussy about the brand. My budget is about €750 for the whole lot I'd like. Any advice?

Smiles35

I can only point you to my own camera. It's a Panisonic Lumix G7. I bought it about 2 years ago second hand for 400, body only. I got it for video, however I was happy with the photo's I took it with it aswell. Another model from Panasonic that comes soon after this is the G85. That has in-body image stabilisation if that's your thing.

Ryath

Posted in the bargain threaf but thought I should ask here as this thread gets more traffic. Can get the Canon M100 with kit and 22mm prime lens for €344.

Trying to decide if it's worth switching too. I have a Nikon 5300 but don't use half as much as I should mostly because of the size to carry it around. Can get €226 for the Nikon in CEX or looks like €300 to €350 if I stuck it on adverts.

DARK-KNIGHT

what options are there mirrorless wise? as a main shooter to replace a dslr?

cnocbui

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

what options are there mirrorless wise? as a main shooter to replace a dslr?

The biggest and most mature mirrorless system is the oldest, which is the micro four thirds sytem from Olympus and Panasonic, with the lenses and camera bodies from the two manufacturers being interchangeable and almost entirely compatible.

You can also use a vast range of legacy lenses from most manufacturers as manual lenses via adapters.

Then I think there's the Canon EOS R system, which I am not familiar with and the Sony FF mirrorless bodies of various sizes and features.

DARK-KNIGHT

cnocbui wrote: »

The biggest and most mature mirrorless system is the oldest, which is the micro four thirds sytem from Olympus and Panasonic, with the lenses and camera bodies from the two manufacturers being interchangeable and almost entirely compatible.

You can also use a vast range of legacy lenses from most manufacturers as manual lenses via adapters.

Then I think there's the Canon EOS R system, which I am not familiar with and the Sony FF mirrorless bodies of various sizes and features.

What would you suggest value for money wise?

cnocbui

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

What would you suggest value for money wise?

A used Olympus E-M1 II and 12-40mm f2.8 off ebay for DSLR like handling and incredible water resistance or a used Olympus Pen-F for Leica like style.

For cheaper, very small, but still highly capable, a used Olympus OM-10 II or III.

If pro level video is a must, a Panasonic GH5 or G9 would be worth a look.

glic83

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

what options are there mirrorless wise? as a main shooter to replace a dslr?

What are you replacing and what is your budget?

DARK-KNIGHT

i had a 750 d a few years ago so im looking at either buying another dslr or mirrorless? also looking for advice on what cameras would be best value used

glic83

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

i had a 750 d a few years ago so im looking at either buying another dslr or mirrorless? also looking for advice on what cameras would be best value used

Well it depends on what you're looking for in the system really and what style of photography you're looking to do, do you want FF or crop ? have you much canon glass still? Are you looking at sports , wildlife or landscape, portrait? What kind of budget had you in mind? You might find some FF DSLRs at good prices as people move over to mirrorless.

There is loads out there to suit

DARK-KNIGHT

glic83 wrote: »

Well it depends on what you're looking for in the system really and what style of photography you're looking to do, do you want FF or crop ? have you much canon glass still? Are you looking at sports , wildlife or landscape, portrait? What kind of budget had you in mind? You might find some FF DSLRs at good prices as people move over to mirrorless.

There is loads out there to suit

no canon glass at all now, so can start on a fresh system no issues. I want to have a kinda all rounder if possible that will touch most styles

glic83

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

no canon glass at all now, so can start on a fresh system no issues. I want to have a kinda all rounder if possible that will touch most styles

Budget?
Sony A7 iii would cover a lot,FF 24 mp, dual card, auto eye detect so handy for portraits/ people photography, obviously not essential but would make it easier, good in low light, has great lens options from a few manufacturers, about 1,500 on a grey import site like efinity and maybe something like a tamron 28-70 2.8 around 700 from efinity.

That's a very decent set up but not sure how that fits with your budget?

DARK-KNIGHT

thats way above my budget if im honest 4 or 500 as a start and i may upgrade again in the future

glic83

Maybe something like
canon 250d with kit lens (18-55) about 499
Canon 800d with kit lens about 550
Mirrorless
Fujifilm X-A7 with 15-45 about 480
The ones above are from efinity

You'd have to price up Argos and may get something like the m200 mentioned above.

Check the likes of hukd you may see offers there

DARK-KNIGHT

https://www.adverts.ie/digital-cameras/sony-a-6000/22397530?notification=7b9e2b0b140722cc2c8d346bd05f2560-1607620049#comment_136482498

260 seems excellant value for this

picking it up tonight

thoughts on the a6000?

dory

The A6000 is a great camera. I've seen some places still selling the A5100 for more than that.

barryribs

Has anyone here used Prima photo in Monaghan or any knowledge of them? Prices seem to be very competitive

Gregor Samsa

barryribs wrote: »

Has anyone here used Prima photo in Monaghan or any knowledge of them? Prices seem to be very competitive

Their Delivery Information page says they ship from a UK warehouse to Europe (and from a Hong Kong warehouse for the US and Australia).

https://primaphotovideo.com/pages/delivery-information

Are they drop shippers? Is it grey imports they sell?

Edit: They are grey imports:

"Please note all products we sell are imports and are international versions.

They will be covered by our own 12 month warranty, instead of the manufacturer's warranty. The warranty starts on the day that you take receipt of your product."

https://primaphotovideo.com/pages/warranty-return-policy

barryribs

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Their Delivery Information page says they ship from a UK warehouse to Europe (and from a Hong Kong warehouse for the US and Australia).

https://primaphotovideo.com/pages/delivery-information

Are they drop shippers? Is it grey imports they sell?

Edit: They are grey imports:

"Please note all products we sell are imports and are international versions.

They will be covered by our own 12 month warranty, instead of the manufacturer's warranty. The warranty starts on the day that you take receipt of your product."

https://primaphotovideo.com/pages/warranty-return-policy

Thanks for the info. What is the general consensus on grey imports? I'm really not crazy by the warranty being offered by them.

Bluefoam

barryribs wrote: »

Thanks for the info. What is the general consensus on grey imports? I'm really not crazy by the warranty being offered by them.

I've had a nightmare with EGlobal Central over warranty... They make it very difficult to make a claim

Gregor Samsa

barryribs wrote: »

Thanks for the info. What is the general consensus on grey imports? I'm really not crazy by the warranty being offered by them.

You take a bit of a risk in regards to the warranty, but you usually get a cheaper product up front. I bought a grey market Sony video camera years ago form a seller on ebay - saved a packet and it worked out very well for me (camera is still going strong). Recently, I was buying a mirrorless Sony A7iii, and I decided against taking the grey market risk for that. Might do it for lenses, though.

After that, it depends on the seller. See the e-global central thread for people's experience of great prices but very unreliable delivery and customer service. Personally, I'd steer very clear of them.

Just checked a few products in Prima Photo against E-Infinity (a well established grey import seller). E-Infinity seem to be significantly cheaper for the handful of random products I checked, and I don't see the same type of complaints about them as we see about E-Global Central. Haven't bought from any of them, though, so I can't give any more insight than that.

Conchurl

I'm a beginner looking to get into this, this is the stuff I'm looking for can ye point me to a good place to get all this and maybe anything else ye think might be useful

a canon 250d
4-5.6 stm lens 18-55 lens
A bag
A Sd card
A 75-300 lens
a tripod

barryribs

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

You take a bit of a risk in regards to the warranty, but you usually get a cheaper product up front. I bought a grey market Sony video camera years ago form a seller on ebay - saved a packet and it worked out very well for me (camera is still going strong). Recently, I was buying a mirrorless Sony A7iii, and I decided against taking the grey market risk for that. Might do it for lenses, though.

Thanks for the info. Its actually the A7III I'm looking at too, so will likely follow your advice and go to one of the specialists and try them out for lenses.

Gregor Samsa

barryribs wrote: »

Thanks for the info. Its actually the A7III I'm looking at too, so will likely follow your advice and go to one of the specialists and try them out for lenses.

Sony are doing €200 cashback on the A7iii until January 31st (if you buy from one of these retailers), so factor that in if you're planning on buying soon.

Also, if you happen to have an older A mount camera, they're doing a trade in offer for the old body against an adapter to use A-Mount lenses on your new E-Mount body (motorised lenses work fine, but not all E-Mount bodies, including the A7iii, support autofocus with older screw mount lenses, though. MF works fine).

barryribs

Gregor Samsa wrote: »

Sony are doing €200 cashback on the A7iii until January 31st (if you buy from one of these retailers), so factor that in if you're planning on buying soon.

Also, if you happen to have an older A mount camera, they're doing a trade in offer for the old body against an adapter to use A-Mount lenses on your new E-Mount body (motorised lenses work fine, but not all E-Mount bodies, including the A7iii, support autofocus with older screw mount lenses, though. MF works fine).

Yea I've been shopping around for some time have seen that offer, fantastic, ends up knocking 10% off the price of the body alone. Will definitely pull the trigger in the next week I think.



I've nothing to trade in, I haven't done anything resembling photography in almost ten years, I sold my NEX-5 so very much out of the loop on things.