SLR Questions

Jim

I'm currently looking to buy my first SLR and was just wondering...

I've seen a couple online for around the €250 mark. Are these worth getting or would I be wasting my time with them? I have very limited knowledge about what to look for in an SLR so could someone give me a quick run down on what to look for? Personally I'm just looking for something with manual focus and a half decent zoom lens.

Zombrex

Jimeatsmenu wrote:

I'm currently looking to buy my first SLR and was just wondering...

I've seen a couple online for around the €250 mark. Are these worth getting or would I be wasting my time with them? I have very limited knowledge about what to look for in an SLR so could someone give me a quick run down on what to look for? Personally I'm just looking for something with manual focus and a half decent zoom lens.

€250 would be fine for a SLR to get you started ... you would probably be able to find a decent second hand one for less ... i bought a second hand Canon EOS 300 for €175 last year.

The camera body isn't nearly as important as the lens. You will probably get a half decent zoom lens with the camera, but if you have more money left over you are better splashing out on an expensive lens than spending the money on a camera body.

DotOrg

you can buy brand new canon 3000 for about €180 with a basic lens if you look around

if you want a film slr, i'd buy a second hand pro body slr and a couple of quality second hand lenses. you'll get an awful lot more for your money

but advise of:

SPEND MONEY ON LENSES,NOT ON THE BODY

is the best advise you'll ever get

whyulittle

Anywhere in particular good for picking up second hand lenses?

DotOrg

beringhams on the quays (just off o'connell bridge)
conns cameras
gunns on wexford street

try and bring a dSLR along and try some test shots out

whyulittle

I'll do that, cheers.

kasintahan

I wouldn't spend serious money on a film SLR anymore.
No more than 300 euro on a film body anyway.
Digital outsells film 15:1 and rising.

The lens is what makes the photo so feel fee to spend as you like there, they can always be reused when you move on to a DSLR (of which prices are falling rapidly, sub 500 euro later this year).

For lens advice see www.dpreview.com fora.

For film body advice see the photo mags in Easons.

Jim

Quick question.
Can SLR lenses be used with DSLR's? Also does each brand have its own type of lens connection, or can any brand lens be used on any brand camera?

tonyj

Jimeatsmenu wrote:

Quick question.
Can SLR lenses be used with DSLR's?

Yes - But be careful of a couple of things;

- The focal length of the lens is multiplied up moving from SLR to DSLR, since the sensor in a digital camera is smaller than a 35mm film. For example, a 50mm lens on a Nikon FM2 (film SLR) would turn into a 75mm lens on a Nikon D50 (digital) - multiplication of 1.5x ... This multiplication factor varies across cameras.

- Some older SLR lenses, while they fit the DLSR okay, might not be able to use all the features (metering, autofocus etc.)

Jimeatsmenu wrote:

Also does each brand have its own type of lens connection, or can any brand lens be used on any brand camera?

Generally every brand has it's own mount. Although there are some exceptions to this. So, you can only use Nikkor lenses on Nikon cameras, and Canon lenses on Canon cameras. In some cases you can get adapters to let you fit the lens - But it's better to get the lens specifically to fit the brand of camera.

kasintahan

As above. Yes, in general if you can use a lens on a Pentax MZ50 (or whatever) film SLR then you can use the same lens on a Pentax *istD digital SLR.

Exceptions are rare. Some include older mounts (eg Canon FD), odd lenses (eg ones that require manual aperture actuators).

One possible issue is the use of "digital only" lenses on film cameras. Some Canon and Sigma lenses project too far back into the camera body to be used with film. But this is unlikly to affect you as most people migrate from film to digital and not the other way around.

There is also the Field of View (FOV) crop with con/prosumer grade (typically) DSLR bodies. A 50mm lens on a film body is considerably wider (in terms of image progected onto the film) than the same lens on a digital body. This is because the film is much bigger than the sensor in DSLR's. Depending on what you're shooting this may be a good or a bad thing (good for wildlife, bad for parties).

Chose your marque (brand) carefully. Once your invested in one it's expensive to switch.

Alun

One possible issue is the use of "digital only" lenses on film cameras. Some Canon and Sigma lenses project too far back into the camera body to be used with film. But this is unlikly to affect you as most people migrate from film to digital and not the other way around.

True, but there is also the possibility of bigger sensor sizes being introduced at some later date, and if you upgraded your body to one with a bigger sensor you would also have to replace all your 'digital-only' lenses. I'm staying well clear of them myself, despite the weight and size advantages.

JMcL

tonyj wrote:

Yes - But be careful of a couple of things;

- The focal length of the lens is multiplied up moving from SLR to DSLR, since the sensor in a digital camera is smaller than a 35mm film. For example, a 50mm lens on a Nikon FM2 (film SLR) would turn into a 75mm lens on a Nikon D50 (digital) - multiplication of 1.5x ... This multiplication factor varies across cameras.

- Some older SLR lenses, while they fit the DLSR okay, might not be able to use all the features (metering, autofocus etc.)

Especially 3rd party lenses. Some older Sigma revisions don't work at all on Canon DSLRs, or work poorly. Sometimes they can be rechipped by Sigma to make them work, sometimes not, but more hassle than you want to deal with. All current models should work fine, but I decided I'd better point this out as I saw one of the older revisions of the 70-300APO which reportedly doesn't work on sale as "new" in Cork at the weekend (sitting beside the "good" newer model), so there's still stock out there.

For second hand stuff, check out the used section here: http://www.parkcameras.com/ I haven't bought personally from them yet, but I've heard good reports, and their prices are not bad

John

FinoBlad

I'm recently after buying 2 of these Nikon F55 SLR cameras for presents.

Got them in TecknikDirekt for €155 and €22 shipping.

Both people were very pleased, good shots too.

Samson

whyulittle wrote:

Anywhere in particular good for picking up second hand lenses?

www.ffordes.com

Jim

Cheers for the feedback guys.
Much appreciated.

Anyone want to buy one for me? I lack monies.