[Azzin]

Hi all,

Be gentle with me here.....

I am thinking about making the switch to a digital SLR, however-I know less then nothing about them!

I have a Samsung V70, & I'd basically like to make the jump to a DSLR (I don't really know why, I just think I would like to!)

Any/all advice & recommendations will be most welcome!

Thanks all.

[stevegreen]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Any/all advice & recommendations will be most welcome!

Just do it, you won't regret it at all.........until you start looking at new lenses and the £'s start piling up!

Welcome by the way

[Azzin]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

Just do it, you won't regret it at all.........until you start looking at new lenses and the £'s start piling up!

Welcome by the way

Oh ok, you've twisted my arm!

I'm just after some camera recommendations-someone has already recommended a Pentax (some model or another ) at about £350, but is this too much to spend for a n00b like me?

Thanks for the welcome, I think I may be frequienting this forum a lot more!

[Edit]-I'm really looking for something that is fairly small & light, & that will hold my hand initially.

Also-these pictures just blew my mind: electrolyte's photos & if I can take something that is half as good I'll be a happy man!

[Jazz Monkey Jr]

Those pics were taken with a Canon 350D, excellent DSLR.

The 2 most common starter DSLR's are the Canon 350D (400D is the new model) and the Nikon D50 which have all the features you need to start learning about taking proper pictures.
After getting a DSLR I find that you take better pictures and spend more time thinking about the picture that when you are using a point-and-shoot type.

[T0MAT01]

Originally Posted by Azzin

I'm just after some camera recommendations-someone has already recommended a Pentax (some model or another ) at about £350, but is this too much to spend for a n00b like me?

I don't think £350 is too much to spend if you're serious about getting into photography. I spent over £600 on the 350D when it first came out and I was a total noob to the DSLR world!

As Jazz Monkey says, the Canon EOS 400D has just been launched so you could look for a second hand EOS 350D for about that price, or it's about £435 new with the kit lens from Jessops online using this site's discount code.

Those cameras are both small and light weight when compared to other DSLRs. Just go to your nearest camera shop and try some out if you're not sure.

[ilweran]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Oh ok, you've twisted my arm!

I'm just after some camera recommendations-someone has already recommended a Pentax (some model or another ) at about £350, but is this too much to spend for a n00b like me?

Hi there, I'm new to the whole DSLR side of things as well- I've had a Nikon D50 for a couple of weeks. I can't really offer a great deal of advice as to which camera to go for, but would suggest you go to a camera shop and try a few out. You can always say you need to think about it then go find a better price online afterwards

Make sure you budget for memory cards, and possibly extra lenses. Depending on what you want to photograph you might need more than the kit lens fairly quickly.

Everyone here is really friendly, so ask for advice if you get confused- it's quite easy to get confused when you're just starting out!

[Radiohead]

First comment is don't think it's the camera that makes the photograph - it's the person using it. Be prepared to be initially frustrated as you get to grips and then permanently skint if you get into it.

But you want a nice 5D you do

[stevegreen]

Originally Posted by Radiohead

First comment is don't think it's the camera that makes the photograph - it's the person using it. Be prepared to be initially frustrated as you get to grips and then permanently skint if you get into it.

But you want a nice 5D you do

Don't we all

Great picture!

Seriously though, if you are just starting out then either the D50 or the 350D will be a great introduction.

I was in the same position as you not too long back, I knew nothing other than a point and shoot camera and decided to go for a DSLR when i became more involved with these forums. £350 will get you decent start, maybe a 2nd hand D50 or 350D, but you need to decide which lens system you are buying into. You will end up wanting more lenses!

Don't get tied up on how many megapixels it has unless you are going to specifically want to print your images BIG.

It's worth going to a local retailer and trying them out for size too. It's ok looking at images on the internet but you can't beat actually holding one and getting a feel for it's weight etc.

Feel free to ask away on specifics, there is always someone around to answer

[Ray]

Ignore Radiohead. Those 5D owners are getting everywhere these days

How about a 300D ? The forerunner to the 350/400 ? I have a well looked after example which I may let go for a reasonble price to a fellow AV forums member.

http://www.canon.co.uk/for_home/prod...300d/index.asp

Ray

[Azzin]

OMG-My head is exploding!

Rayfin-can you give me an idea of what sort of money you would be looking for please?

Thanks all-I knew I came to the right place!

[stevegreen]

Rayfin,

I think to keep within forum rules you would need to post that in a seperate classified advert. Trading on regular forums isn't allowed.

Just a heads up

[Azzin]

Sorry-I didn't mean to get anyone in trouble.

[stevegreen]

no worries

[electrolyte]

Originally Posted by Azzin

Also-these pictures just blew my mind: electrolyte's photos & if I can take something that is half as good I'll be a happy man!

Thanks for the great compliment Azzin about my photos. But I was just like you 6 months ago; I had an IXUS p&s and wanted to buy a DSLR but didn't understand anything about f-stops, lenses, shutter speeds etc. But thanks to the great people on here I learnt. I bought a 350D with the 18-55 USM kit lens in February. The only upgrade I've bought was the 50mm f1.8 lens in March which only costs about £60-70.

But a D50 would do the job just as well.

I would agree with the others that £350 should really be the minimum that you spend on a DSLR.

Good luck with your choice.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by stevegreen

Rayfin,

I think to keep within forum rules you would need to post that in a seperate classified advert. Trading on regular forums isn't allowed.

Just a heads up

Yeah realise that Steve. Wasn't trying to sell it in this forum just saying that I might put it up for sale (would be nice to have 2 bodies though). Will put it in proper forum if I do sell it

Ray

[stevegreen]

Cheers

[Azzin]

Thanks all, but I'm afraid there's another n00b question coming....

I was just having a nose at Jessops and found the Nikon D50 that has been mentioned, but it appears to my n00b brain that the actual camera lens doesn't come with the camera?

http://www.jessops.com/Products/Prod...px?SkuId=29721

Now that may be the norm, but it seems a bit strange to me that I could by a camera that won't actually be able to take photos!

Thanks again for all the input in this thread.

[grantsteve]

Some people chose just to buy a camera body and add their own lenses, or use lenses they may already have (e.g. if you are upgrading the body of your camera).

For first time buyers you can buy a 'kit' which includes the D50 and a 18-55mm lens.

See HERE

Or you could just buy the body and get a different lens. Most people find the kit lens a good starting point though.

[PaulBoy]

Azzin - Welcome & don't worry about what you perceive to be stoopid questions (I still ask them & I've been here for donkeys years!)
Scrimp together another few quid & you can have a new D50 & kit lens HERE for £369! - Keep a sharp eye on the Non AV FS Forum & you'll pick up a bargain 2nd hand one (or Canon equivalent) for under £300 (lots of saddos like me are always upgrading cameras lenses bags blah blah blah)
HTH - Paul

[grantsteve]

Print the cheapest price you find (must be UK based and in stock) and take it to your local Jessops.

They advertise 'internet beating prices on DSLRs' so ask them to match whatever you can find... that way you could be out playing with it this afternoon!

Don't beg though, give them one chance to match it. If they don't you'll just have to wait a few days for it to be delivered!

[Artie Fufkin]

If it's of any interest, I have just seen at Costco a D50 kit which included both a 18-55mm lens and a 55-200mm lens for £500 incl vat.