Beginner at Photgraphy

[cameracdb]

Hi,

I would like to purchase a SLR camera. My budget is between R8k - R10k including a good lense. I am a beginner and will be starting photography as a hobby and if the bug bites, then i would like to proceed doing photography professionally.

My main interest will be photographing pets, nature and portrates - possibly events such as weddings too!!

I have been told to stay away from Nikon as the spares are very expensive and hard to find. I have also been told that Canon is the way to go but which SLR camera will be best for me to start off with where i can purchase extra's easily and cost effectively if needed in the future???

Your advise would be greatly appreciated.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!! xxx

 

[dD3]

Pfft... Nikon is AWESOME

 

[Mercury]

One of the great religious debates, Canon v Nikon. Bear in mind that both systems use in lens stabilisation, rather than in body stabilisation. Stabilisation is useful for low light, hand held photography, so if you want it you need to pay for it with each lens you purchase with these systems.

Olympus, Pentax and Sony (Minolta) use in body stabilisation. Olympus uses the smallest sensor size, so it is more difficult to get depth of field blurring when you want to guide the viewer's eye to the subject by blurring the background. On the flip side, the bodies and lenses are smaller.

I suggest you do some basic specification comparison to narrow the field. Find out what your friends and family use, so you know what the possibility of borrowing lenses is. Then go and pick up the cameras and see how they feel in your hand. At the end of the day, that last is how I ended up with my Canon.

 

[brettwlewis]

I sell photographic accessories.

All of the brands can be frustrating to deal with from time to time, but Canon and Nikon are definitely your safest bests.

I personally have a Canon camera (and am happy with it) but at the moment I think Nikon is running a smarter business in SA.

 

[Quantum Theory]

Nikons eat Canons for breakfast...

Think about D90 with 18-105mm kit.

 

[cameracdb]

Okay the Canon vs Nikon WAR aside please hehehee

Which SLR camera's are a good buy for beginners?
From your suggestions i will compare specs and decide.

Thanks!!!

 

[dD3]

Nikons eat Canons for breakfast...

Think about D90 with 18-105mm kit.

+1 good for beginner photography

 

[bwana]

Okay the Canon vs Nikon WAR aside please hehehee

Agreed. Both are up to the task and anyone who says otherwise should be ignored.

Go to your camera shop, ignore what they try to sell you, pick up a bunch of cameras and choose the one that feels best in your hand.

 

[Quantum Theory]

The Nikon comment should be taken for what it was, tongue in cheek... But do look at the Nikon kit I suggested above. Don't ignore me like bwana is suggesting

 

[cameracdb]

Oki dokes - will do.

Which Camera do you have?

 

[Quantum Theory]

D90...

 

[marine1]

Sony Alpha has in body stabilization, dont knock it.
Oh and they make the sensors for Nikon

 

[Quantum Theory]

Sony Alpha has in body stabilization, dont knock it.
Oh and they make the sensors for Nikon

But Nikon's images are far less noisy than Sony Alpha... go figure.

 

[cameracdb]

I will definately have a look at both brands and i'm sure they are both good quality!!

There are SO many camera's out there ... too compare which two would you suggest?

 

[bwana]

I will definately have a look at both brands and i'm sure they are both good quality!!

There are SO many camera's out there ... too compare which two would you suggest?

What's your budget?

 

[marine1]

But Nikon's images are far less noisy than Sony Alpha... go figure.

Completely agree, go figure

 

[dD3]

Go look at the Nikon D90 kit.. go experience it before you buy it.
Mine came with a Nikon 15 - 55mm lens. Haven't had any problems with it.
I'm still a beginner.. and it does everything i want it to do..
and it delivers breathtaking shots !

 

[marine1]

Go look at the Nikon D90 kit.. go experience it before you buy it.
Mine came with a Nikon 15 - 55mm lens. Haven't had any problems with it.
I'm still a beginner.. and it does everything i want it to do..
and it delivers breathtaking shots !

Great camera IMO

 

[Quantum Theory]

We all know the Japanese are the world's most eager photographers.

Have a look here...

Just saying.

 

[bwana]

If I lost my sanity overnight and awoke a beginner nikon shooter it would be the D7000 all the way - I wouldnt give the D90 a second glance.