I Finally Bought a Camera...

[Tom]

Update

I FINALLY got around to buying it - http://clio197.net/forum/showpost.php?p=258794&postcount=30

Original Post \/\/\/\/

I want to buy a good camera and I really like the results this camera has to offer:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80883/show.html

It's the one Russ ZS from Midlands Car Care uses, and his pics are mint!

However, for £400, I have a feeling I could pic up an older DSLR with the same/better spec with more options.

Is this true?

Could people help by answering one or more of these questions please:

1. What camera would you recommend for that budget?
2. Could I get a used DSLR for that? If so, what am I looking for?
3. What should I be looking for that in a camera, that helps me get those uber crisp and well focused shots?

Thanks very much,
Tom.

 

[BenW]

You could quite easily pick up a used canon 450d or something like that and get some great photos.

I don't really understand why you'd buy the camera in the link, it's not small enough to fit in your pocket like a compact so you might as well just get a proper DSLR for the same money, think you can even get an entry level canon/nikon for that money.

 

[Tom]

I don't really understand why you'd buy the camera in the link

That's why I am asking for advice. The one in the link is my bar or standard as it were. I just want to know what will give me similar or better results for that price.

When you say entry level, what do you mean?

 

[Ash]

Hey Tom,

I completely agree with Ben that for the kind of money your talking about you could get a pretty good full DSLR.

This canon 1100D is a really good entry level DSLR and is packed with loads of features. Canon is also fastly becoming the number one favourite DSLR brand as they are really good quality and cheaper than Nikon. Canon 1100D: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80183/show.html

The only other option I've been looking at lately is the Nikon D3100 which packs the same kind of stuff as the Canon but you obviously pay for the Nikon name. Nikon D3100: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78032/show.html

For 400 quid I would definitely go for a full DSLR, you'll get more benefits out of it. Hope this helps

Ash

 

[BenW]

This canon 1100D is a really good entry level DSLR and is packed with loads of features. Canon is also fastly becoming the number one favourite DSLR brand as they are really good quality and cheaper than Nikon. Canon 1100D: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80183/show.html

No brainer compared to the Sony

I can't see any reason for getting the Sony over the DSLR, everything about the DSLR will be better and you also get such a massive choice of lenses should you choose to go further with photography

 

[N0ddie]

Santa brought me a Canon 550D for Christmas last year. Its a truly awesome camera (In my view) it just takes a while to get your head around all the settings you can change (Anyone with any hints feel free to suggest 'em lol).

I'd recommend a DSLR over that Sony for sure as they aint that much more expensive.

 

[Webby]

Tom - I'll have a 5d and 7d with me on the meets if you'd like a look.

 

[Tom]

Cheers guys, that's been really helpful. Based on what Ash has said, I'm going to look at going down the Cannon route as this will be my first DLSR.

Tom - I'll have a 5d and 7d with me on the meets if you'd like a look.

I wouldn't mind mate. Cheers!

I'll keep you posted on my choice.

 

[Robo_#1]

TBH It all depends on what you want to use it for. I bought my Canon 500D DSLR a while back and love it!

BUT, you have to be mindful of what you want to use it for. I love taking it to car meets and motorsport events for example, but I also took it to Vegas with me, and while I got some brilliant pics that I'll always treasure I could have got the same shots from one of these newer pseudo DSLR cameras like Sony's NEX range, without having to lug around a large camera and lens all the time.

In Short:
NEX is great for static car meets and will act more as multi-purpose point 'n' shoot camera - but they aren't as cheap as you would expect

Full 'proper' DSLR camera will give you more options (both features and the option you have on lenses etc.) and generally better quality photos (if your willing to learn) - but are larger and not as portable for more leisure shots/holiday snaps etc.

 

[Tom]

Thanks Robo, very insightful. I'll deffo go down the DSLR route then as it leaves my options open with lenses and addons, etc. I understand what you're saying about Vegas, but I'd rather have too much than too little.

Cheers for the sound advice mate.

 

[N0ddie]

TBH It all depends on what you want to use it for. I bought my Canon 500D DSLR a while back and love it!

BUT, you have to be mindful of what you want to use it for. I love taking it to car meets and motorsport events for example, but I also took it to Vegas with me, and while I got some brilliant pics that I'll always treasure I could have got the same shots from one of these newer pseudo DSLR cameras like Sony's NEX range, without having to lug around a large camera and lens all the time.

In Short:
NEX is great for static car meets and will act more as multi-purpose point 'n' shoot camera - but they aren't as cheap as you would expect

Full 'proper' DSLR camera will give you more options (both features and the option you have on lenses etc.) and generally better quality photos (if your willing to learn) - but are larger and not as portable for more leisure shots/holiday snaps etc.

What settings do you use on your canon for shooting car pics? Our 550D is essentially the same as your 500D so would be handy to have some better settings.

 

[Robo_#1]

Thanks Robo, very insightful. I'll deffo go down the DSLR route then as it leaves my options open with lenses and addons, etc. I understand what you're saying about Vegas, but I'd rather have too much than too little.

Cheers for the sound advice mate.

No probs, obviously its all personal preference, but its a good chunk of money so you wanna get it right for you, and the weight/portability/features I find is a factor if you consider the use.

 

[Robo_#1]

What settings do you use on your canon for shooting car pics? Our 550D is essentially the same as your 500D so would be handy to have some better settings.

In all honestly N0ddie I'm not all that knowledgeable myself . The best thing I can suggest is to pick up some photo mags from the newsagents and go with that.

I found the most useful thing is to just jump in, and try and avoid the automatic settings whenever possible, you can ease yourself into it using the 'Creative Auto' mode thats on the Cannons and play around in there which explains things more in plain English (e.g one of the settings in creative auto is Background: Blurred < ----- > Sharp, rather than you having to set your Aperture (f.) yourself)

Also picking up a Polarized filter really helps bring out the colour and details when shooting cars as it'll get rid of a lot of the washed out reflections you get on bodywork and especially windows etc.

Some of my pictures are up in my Flickr account. I'm hoping to get to some more BTCC rounds this year and get some practice in.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_owen/

 

[N0ddie]

In all honestly N0ddie I'm not all that knowledgeable myself . The best thing I can suggest is to pick up some photo mags from the newsagents and go with that.

I found the most useful thing is to just jump in, and try and avoid the automatic settings whenever possible, you can ease yourself into it using the 'Creative Auto' mode thats on the Cannons and play around in there which explains things more in plain English (e.g one of the settings in creative auto is Background: Blurred < ----- > Sharp, rather than you having to set your Aperture (f.) yourself)

Also picking up a Polarized filter really helps bring out the colour and details when shooting cars as it'll get rid of a lot of the washed out reflections you get on bodywork and especially windows etc.

Some of my pictures are up in my Flickr account. I'm hoping to get to some more BTCC rounds this year and get some practice in.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rob_owen/

Which pic the creative auto on the wheel?

 

[Tom]

Those are some sweet piccies Robo - not that I need a push, but that certainly makes an argument for a DSLR.

 

[GrumpyTwig]

I'd suggest like I think has been mentioned to pickup a camera from somewhere like ebay, a 40D is probably the best one to get as it's well made and has a good sensor. You might find some of the new ilk of base level consumer DSLRs are actually quite small and feel quite cheap. At least that's my experience with them.

I use a 50D which despite a new model had disadvantages over the 40D especially in low light.


The problem with a DSLR is the camera body is almost the least important bit, the lens makes all the difference so. I'd suggest before you even think of buying a DSLR that you think about what your aim is to do with it and make sure a kit lens (the ones that are usually included with the camera) would suit what you want to do.

 

[Robo_#1]

Which pic the creative auto on the wheel?

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/the-canon-eos-rebel-t1i500ds-creative-auto-mode.html


The website name wasn't meant with any sarcasm, it just happened to be the first google result lol

 

[Tom]

Update

The time is getting close guys... I've done lots of research on Nikon Vs Cannon and decided that for less than £500 I would get the Nikon D90, but for £500+ I would get a Cannon EOS 550D.

And it's looking like a £550 spend for me...

Anyone have any advice before I buy in the next week or so?:

1. What sort of SD card should I get?
2. Do I need a specialist SD for HD pictures?
3. Will 8GB be enough for a weekend of trigger-happy-snapping?
4. Any particular batteries recommended? I'm an avid user of quality batteries - will I need specialist batteries from this Camera?
5. I will get a strap, bag, SD card and spare batteries - Can anyone recommend any other things I may need?

Cheers!

 

[Chris197F1]

Ive got myself a Sony HX-1 and have no idea what im doing with it lol but it was a bargain at £150 and I love the tilting LCD screen

 

[N0ddie]

What sort of SD card should I get?- Sandisk Extreme 30MB/s 8Gb

Do I need a specialist SD for HD pictures?- Nope but the above one is good for HD video also.

Will 8GB be enough for a weekend of trigger-happy-snapping?- Most definitely

Its a Canon 550D we have FYI. Its awesome.