Advise for a beginner please

[SlowInternet]

I'm strongly considering to start photography just as a hobby. I will really appreciate some advise from forum members. I've read so many reviews on different cameras on the web that I'm totally confused now One gets 10 different reviews on 10 different sites.

I just need a decent dslr camera to start with - nothing expensive. I want to try it first and if I really like it I will go bigger / better.

Now my questions:-

1. What is a good beginners dslr camera ?
2. Shop with best prices ?
3. Is it worth buying a second hand camera in a good condition and if so what do I have to look out for when buying second hand ?
4. Apart from Canon and Nikon are there any other brands that can be recommended ?
5. Best websites for beginner photography and reviews.

Thank you in advance.

 

[graviti]

I'm running a Nikon D40. I purchased 2nd hand, and not looked back. It was in prestine condition. I can recommend the Nikon range. Easy, and awesome quality images. Canon are just as good, from my experiences. I'm in your boat, a basic hobbyist, who's messing around with photography for the sake of staying sane. Prices between Nikon and Canon are 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. Nikon D90 is rated a brilliant camera. I can't really comment on the D3000 or D5000, but I've heard they are pretty decent. An idea would be to pop into Makro or somewhere that has a photographic counter. Fiddle, and see which you like. It's the best way forward.

Basic supply list I would recommend to start off aiming for. (In order really)

1. Chassis/Body (Duh)
2. Normally comes with a 18mm-55mm lens. (Also duh)
3. Tripod (+-R300)
4. Flash (To improve those night time shots. Love mine since I got it)
5. Get a lens that shoots up to 200mm, for those zoom shots.

All the above can be got for less than 10k.

 

[DylanS]

I use a canon Eos 500D and 550D, I bought my first camera second hand (Canon 350D). Both Canon and Nikon are both equally as good as each other but as I use, and always will use, Canon I think they are a better camera.

1. In the canon range any of the XXXD (450, 500, 550) are good beginner bodies.
2. I use www.cameratek.co.za , www.sacamera.co.za and www.orms.co.za

Cameratek is selling a EOS 450D + 18-55mm Lens + 75mm-300mm Lens for R7200
http://www.cameratek.co.za/specials.php

You can get a tripod for R350
and a sigma flash for around R2000

The best way to decide on a body is to go around to a camera shop and just ask if you can hold and feel the body.

Hope that helps...

 

[SlowInternet]

Thanks for the info graviti & DylanS

 

[noxibox]

You can't really go wrong with Canon or Nikon. Go to a shop and handle the cameras.

 

[Albereth]

I'm running a Nikon D40. I purchased 2nd hand, and not looked back. It was in prestine condition. I can recommend the Nikon range. Easy, and awesome quality images. Canon are just as good, from my experiences. I'm in your boat, a basic hobbyist, who's messing around with photography for the sake of staying sane. Prices between Nikon and Canon are 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. Nikon D90 is rated a brilliant camera. I can't really comment on the D3000 or D5000, but I've heard they are pretty decent. An idea would be to pop into Makro or somewhere that has a photographic counter. Fiddle, and see which you like. It's the best way forward.

Basic supply list I would recommend to start off aiming for. (In order really)

1. Chassis/Body (Duh)
2. Normally comes with a 18mm-55mm lens. (Also duh)
3. Tripod (+-R300)
4. Flash (To improve those night time shots. Love mine since I got it)
5. Get a lens that shoots up to 200mm, for those zoom shots.

All the above can be got for less than 10k.

I had to comment on this - if you are spending R300 on a tripod you are wasting your money - it will be too flimsy.

As you are just starting out I would recommend that you consider something in the 1000D for a body and maybe spend a bit more on the lense. If all you want to do it take pictures then the point and shoots are plenty good enough - it's only when you want to get into some more advanced sort of shots that the DSLR comes into play.

That more advanced stuff involves some sort of technique where the lense makes a difference, or where you are shooting in low light. Anything else may be 'commercial' in which case you're into studio lighting (or similar).

Perhaps you should join a camera club or photographic society. This is where the best non-commercial photographers go to brag and you'll find that they either have Canon or Nikon (in the main) but it's the glass that sets them apart. At a club level you are either into prints or slides. Slides pretty much imply a film camera whereas print could be film or digital. If you go that route know that you'll be into photoshop and an A3+ printer.

 

[bwana]

As you are just starting out I would recommend that you consider something in the 1000D for a body and maybe spend a bit more on the lense. If all you want to do it take pictures then the point and shoots are plenty good enough - it's only when you want to get into some more advanced sort of shots that the DSLR comes into play.

For taking snapshots maybe but taking "pictures" is sort of the reason why people buy any camera.

 

[Albereth]

For taking snapshots maybe but taking "pictures" is sort of the reason why people buy any camera.

Sure - I was trying to create that distinction between the pics people take as a record of the fun and interesting things they do versus the pics that some folk take because it's an art form.

 

[d7e7r7]

I'm strongly considering to start photography just as a hobby. I will really appreciate some advise from forum members. I've read so many reviews on different cameras on the web that I'm totally confused now One gets 10 different reviews on 10 different sites.

I just need a decent dslr camera to start with - nothing expensive. I want to try it first and if I really like it I will go bigger / better.

Now my questions:-

1. What is a good beginners dslr camera ?
2. Shop with best prices ? - try http://www.jump.co.za/ and http://www.pricecheck.co.za/ for price comparisons
3. Is it worth buying a second hand camera in a good condition and if so what do I have to look out for when buying second hand ? - if you know how to, check the shutter actuations to see how much the camera has actually been used
4. Apart from Canon and Nikon are there any other brands that can be recommended ? - if you find you enjoy it and want to take it further you dont want to sell what you bought so you may as well start out with the best two brands on the market - Canon and Nikon
5. Best websites for beginner photography and reviews. - sorry not sure of any, sure google well help though

Thank you in advance.

See edits in bold ^^

 

[graviti]

I had to comment on this - if you are spending R300 on a tripod you are wasting your money - it will be too flimsy.

Actually, I disagree. I paid R299, and it is more than stable enough. It is not a heavy duty tripod, but it gets my camera 6 feet off the floor, and can be set to hold the camera with remote control for family snapshots where I'm actually IN the picture. I've used it at many sports events to help keep the camera steady for long zoom shots. And for me, it's main purpose is keeping the camera on a good rotating point, so I can build panoramas. So for most beginners, a R299 tripod can do the job. Just don't take the first one you find. Check it out first. Not to totally disagree with you, I have seen many shocking tripods for this price, but I am more than happy with mine. In fact a friend of mine who is a pro has asked to borrow it a few times when he goes into the mountains, because it is nice and lightweight, compared to his 7kg contraption that would hold the Eiffel tower still. Maybe I was lucky, but I reckon they do exist, and for a beginner, more than good enough. Especially with a 1000D body as per what you recommended.

just my 2c. Don't view it as contrasting your opinion.

 

[d7e7r7]

Actually, I disagree. I paid R299, and it is more than stable enough. It is not a heavy duty tripod, but it gets my camera 6 feet off the floor, and can be set to hold the camera with remote control for family snapshots where I'm actually IN the picture. I've used it at many sports events to help keep the camera steady for long zoom shots. And for me, it's main purpose is keeping the camera on a good rotating point, so I can build panoramas. So for most beginners, a R299 tripod can do the job. Just don't take the first one you find. Check it out first. Not to totally disagree with you, I have seen many shocking tripods for this price, but I am more than happy with mine. In fact a friend of mine who is a pro has asked to borrow it a few times when he goes into the mountains, because it is nice and lightweight, compared to his 7kg contraption that would hold the Eiffel tower still. Maybe I was lucky, but I reckon they do exist, and for a beginner, more than good enough. Especially with a 1000D body as per what you recommended.

just my 2c. Don't view it as contrasting your opinion.

What make and model tripod and camera are you using?