Advise needed please

[Latel]

Hi, I am a keen photographer but never ventured away from a digital compact camera.
I have just started an online photography course, as I have been inspired by a lot of the photos on here.
My question is, what is a good DSLR camera for me to get? I have had two suggested by the tutors on the course, a Canon EOS 1100D and a Nikon D3100, but I would like some more opinions or opinions on these two.
I would ideally like to be able to shoot photos at night, producing vibrant colour, like I have seen some taken at Universal on here. I dont want to spend TOO much as it is my first 'proper' camera, so I am thinking up to about £350.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Latel

 

[havoc315]

All the major brands -- Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax make excellent entry level dslrs. Or you can even step up by buying used, to a 2-3 year old mid level dSLR.

The reality is, the images from each brand will be largely indistinguishable. It's not as if 1 brand produces blurry images while another produces the most vibrant colors.

In fact -- the vibrant night pictures you are describing. They are about photographic technique -- many are long exposure shots on a tripod. And they are often about post processing -- HDR, adding vibrancy, etc.

Now, while all the brands can produce images that are indistinguishable, each camera is a bit different and gives a slightly different user experience.

As a Sony user, I'll give the quick run down on Sony dslts. Sony stopped making true dslrs, but they make nearly identical dslts. They have a translucent mirror instead of a flipping mirror. Their new entry level is the a58, but I actually recommend people try to find a used a57 or a55 instead. (Hard to explain, but the a58 is mostly a downgrade of the a57).

As a dslt, Sony uses an electronic viewfinder instead of optical, but it's very high quality. It also allows for the best live view (LCD use) of any dSLR. With traditional dslrs, you have to flip a button to switch to using the LCD screen for shots, and you then lose the primary auto focus mechanism, switching to a slower AF. On the Sony, you can switch back and forth seamlessly by just moving your eye on and off the viewfinder, always keeping the primary AF.
Sony (and Pentax) also use in body image stabilization, meaning all lenses (including some cheap 25 year old Minolta lenses) become stabilized. With Canon and Nikon, some lenses are stabilized, some are not. Prime lenses are not usually stabilized, but the ability to stabilize a prime lens can really help in low light.
Not so much with the A58, but the A57 and A55 allow for VERY fast shooting. Most entry level dslrs allow for about 4 frames per second. The a55/57 shoots 10 fps. Great for capturing action, kids, etc.
The a55/57 have a nicely articulating LCD. Nicely executed in camera panorama and HDR shooting.

I'll let others give summaries of their brands. You won't go wrong with any dSLR made in the last 3 years.

 

[photo_chick]

Hi, I am a keen photographer but never ventured away from a digital compact camera.
I have just started an online photography course, as I have been inspired by a lot of the photos on here.
My question is, what is a good DSLR camera for me to get? I have had two suggested by the tutors on the course, a Canon EOS 1100D and a Nikon D3100, but I would like some more opinions or opinions on these two.
I would ideally like to be able to shoot photos at night, producing vibrant colour, like I have seen some taken at Universal on here. I dont want to spend TOO much as it is my first 'proper' camera, so I am thinking up to about £350.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Latel

Any DSLR can work well for you. What is going to make the biggest difference when shooting at night are the lenses and your knowledge. The vibrant color comes from properly exposing the picture and understanding post processing. The lens will impact that a little but the camera really doesn't a whole lot.... it's digital and we can easily change the colors to be whatever we want.

Make a list of features you want in a camera. Find the cameras in your price range that have those features. Then go to the store and play with those models and see which ones fit you the best.

Since you're trying to stretch your money I'd consider buying used or a refurb.

 

[dansamy]

When I was looking, I specifically wanted in-body image stabilization. I was looking at Pentax, Sony & Olympus. I chose Pentax for the ability to use AA batteries. Overall, I've been very happy with my choice.

 

[wiigirl]

When I was looking, I specifically wanted in-body image stabilization. I was looking at Pentax, Sony & Olympus. I chose Pentax for the ability to use AA batteries. Overall, I've been very happy with my choice.

 

[SkaGoat]

Honestly the best course of action is to go to a local camera store, and hold and try out a bunch of different cameras.

With entry level cameras you really can't go wrong with any brand. Go to a store, feel them in your hands, and choose the one that is most comfortable for you to use.

Remember to think about the future, you are buying into a system, rather than just one camera. You may want to use lenses you buy for this first camera with any camera you buy in the future.

The lenses are usually a much larger investment than the camera body itself by the time it's all said and done.

 

[havoc315]

Honestly the best course of action is to go to a local camera store, and hold and try out a bunch of different cameras.

With entry level cameras you really can't go wrong with any brand. Go to a store, feel them in your hands, and choose the one that is most comfortable for you to use.

The problem with that advice......
Unfortunately, most stores don't carry a lot of dSLR choices. If you live in NYC, you can go to B&H and examine just about every model.

But for example, I was in Best Buy the other day -- They no longer carry any Pentax or Sony dSLRs, and just have select Canon and Nikon models.

And as to the models they do have.. yes, you can pick them up, get a general sense of how they feel in your hand and the button layout. But you can't get any sense of real world use.

I would suggest starting in a store... just seeing how cameras feel in your hand, get a sense of the SIZE that you want. Get a general sense of available features (look at an articulating screen, is it something you want?)

Then research online. You may find that the best camera for you, is one not carried in your local store. Possibly because you choose to save money by picking up an older used model. Or perhaps your research brings you to Sony or Pentax, which are available in fewer stores.

 

[SkaGoat]

One piece of advice I forgot to add, ask what you're friends are shooting with, if they all shoot Nikon, you might want to get a Nikon just so you have a built in support group, and maybe even more lens to borrow or try. Just a thought.

The problem with that advice......
Unfortunately, most stores don't carry a lot of dSLR choices. If you live in NYC, you can go to B&H and examine just about every model.

But for example, I was in Best Buy the other day -- They no longer carry any Pentax or Sony dSLRs, and just have select Canon and Nikon models.

My local Best Buy didn't even have a Canon Rebel T5i out for me to look at... That's why I suggested a camera shop, they are more likely to have more brands.

Here in Southwestern Ontario, we have a chain called Henry's. They carry Nikon, Canon, Oympus, Sony, Pentax. Pretty much all the majors.

I was looking at a Blackrapid strap, they asked me which camera I have (Canon 7D), they had a demo copy of the strap, attached a 7D to it, even asked me which lens I walk around with most often and put that on for me, it was great. I could see how it'd feel with my camera, and lens, before I even bought it.

 

[havoc315]

One piece of advice I forgot to add, ask what you're friends are shooting with, if they all shoot Nikon, you might want to get a Nikon just so you have a built in support group, and maybe even more lens to borrow or try. Just a thought.



My local Best Buy didn't even have a Canon Rebel T5i out for me to look at... That's why I suggested a camera shop, they are more likely to have more brands.

Here in Southwestern Ontario, we have a chain called Henry's. They carry Nikon, Canon, Oympus, Sony, Pentax. Pretty much all the majors.

I was looking at a Blackrapid strap, they asked me which camera I have (Canon 7D), they had a demo copy of the strap, attached a 7D to it, even asked me which lens I walk around with most often and put that on for me, it was great. I could see how it'd feel with my camera, and lens, before I even bought it.

That's fantastic. I also see great used sales from Henry's on EBay. Unfortunately, many consumers don't have access to a store like that.

 

[MAJPLO]

The problem with that advice......
Unfortunately, most stores don't carry a lot of dSLR choices. If you live in NYC, you can go to B&H and examine just about every model.

But for example, I was in Best Buy the other day -- They no longer carry any Pentax or Sony dSLRs, and just have select Canon and Nikon models.

And as to the models they do have.. yes, you can pick them up, get a general sense of how they feel in your hand and the button layout. But you can't get any sense of real world use.

I would suggest starting in a store... just seeing how cameras feel in your hand, get a sense of the SIZE that you want. Get a general sense of available features (look at an articulating screen, is it something you want?)

Then research online. You may find that the best camera for you, is one not carried in your local store. Possibly because you choose to save money by picking up an older used model. Or perhaps your research brings you to Sony or Pentax, which are available in fewer stores.

This!!! I had to buy my Pentax without ever seeing it first.

 

[dansamy]

This!!! I had to buy my Pentax without ever seeing it first.

Me too!

 

[Latel]

Thanks for the advise everyone. I will go and have a look in a few shops.

 

[Latel]

Honestly the best course of action is to go to a local camera store, and hold and try out a bunch of different cameras.

With entry level cameras you really can't go wrong with any brand. Go to a store, feel them in your hands, and choose the one that is most comfortable for you to use.

Remember to think about the future, you are buying into a system, rather than just one camera. You may want to use lenses you buy for this first camera with any camera you buy in the future.

The lenses are usually a much larger investment than the camera body itself by the time it's all said and done.

Do all lenses fit all cameras. For example, if I was to buy a Canon camera, will all Canon lenses fit it? Same as for a Nikon?

 

[havoc315]

Do all lenses fit all cameras. For example, if I was to buy a Canon camera, will all Canon lenses fit it? Same as for a Nikon?

The answer is "kind of."
For example, Nikon has made many different lens types over the years. Generally, the recent lenses will fit modern cameras. But their entry level cameras no longer have a screw drive, so they can only use lenses with internal focus. And they can't use the smaller lenses designed for the "1" series.

With Sony, you can use any A-mount lens since 1986. But Sony also has e-mount. Can't use e-mount lenses on A-mount cameras.

Etc etc.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Pentax has used the k-mount for its 35mm cameras since 1975, before that they eused the M42 mount ( a lot of manufacturers used it) and with the purchase of a $20 adaptor all those lenses can be used as well.

But, there are different types of lenses within the mounts, some have auto focus, some have aperture rings, really do your research on whatever manufacturer you choose.

 

[photo_chick]

Do all lenses fit all cameras. For example, if I was to buy a Canon camera, will all Canon lenses fit it? Same as for a Nikon?

Not really.

As far as Canon... Canon has an EF mount. All EF lenses fit all Canon EOS DSLR and EOS film SLR cameras. But they also have the EF-S mount which only fits on the crop DSLR's. That is the Rebel line and cameras like the 60D, 70D, 7D. The EF-S lenses do not fit full frame Canon's like the 6D, 5D and 1D lines. Then there is the EF-M mount that is only for the EOS-M mirrorless camera. And then there are older Canon FD lenses, from the mid 80's and earlier, that will not mount on any Canon DSLR without an adapter and even then they don't work well.

Nikon has a complex compatibility chart that can be found at nikonians.org. Just google Nikon Lens Compatibility. Most of the issues pop up with the lower end Nikon DSLR's.

Pentax has the best across the board lens compatibility by far.

 

[Latel]

Thanks for the advise everyone. I have been out to look at some cameras today as you suggested and I think I have found one I like. The Canon EOS 600D. Does anyone have any opinions on this one?

 

[Skywise]

Thanks for the advise everyone. I have been out to look at some cameras today as you suggested and I think I have found one I like. The Canon EOS 600D. Does anyone have any opinions on this one?

Any of the Canon Rebel series are great starter DSLs. (Note I am a Canon owner so there's some bias there!) They have features that range from full auto mode, where the camera does everything to full manual mode.

They also have a set of "automatic mode" settings that you can use to give the camera a hint of what you're trying to do and it will adjust accordingly the rest of the way.

The camera has a video mode to take videos but it can't handle automatic focusing (You can set the focus while recording but you have to tell the camera to focus - otherwise you can always manual focus - The T4i (650D) and higher do support auto focus while videoing. Also the T3i only has a mono microphone built-in (but it has a jack to connect a stereo microphone).

Good Luck!