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 #1 Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 19:24 |
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My son is doing Photography at his tech college, and upon speaking to his tutor, he mentioned that if i could get him a Digital SLR (with manual exposure) it would really help him in the future?
now i am probably a thicko on this subject as my last (and current) camera is an Olympus OM10 (wiht sequence shot winder i might add lol)
and although back in the day i shot and developed my own images (thanks to the availability of the Dark room at mount pleasant post office where i worked back then)
i dont have much of a clue nowadays??
can anyone give me some tips on what make? price range etc.... i should be looking at? (remember its a christmas gift so not too dear please  )
oh and im booking him to do his snowbaord fast track too at HH, so somehting wiht goods white balance is needed eh??? lol 
Cheers
Andy  |
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I do NOT fear Death - I fear not living..........er.........and small people with very large hands!
www.bushidokaikarate.webs.com |
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| #2 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 20:07 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Hey mate,
Big decision, and never an easy one. There's so much choice out there so for me, I'd bare the following in mind.
If he plans to go any where near serious; stick with Canon or Nikon. While Olympus, Pentax and partially even Sony make great cameras; the support for the top 2 brands is second to none.
Maybe avoid the base level entry models, Canon 1000d and Nikons d40/50 range. Again, they're okay, but may lack features and support for more advanced things such as firing off camera flashes and even more advanced lenses for the future.
After this, you can only really go with your budget; the Canon 50d or Nikon d90 are semi pro models and would do EVERYTHING he could want during his learning phase. Remember a 2nd battery and if it's an option, have him feel out the potential models (of cameras!) so that you/he knows they are comfortable in his hands.
(WB is always tricky in snow domes... and he'd probably set it manually anyways 
Good luck,
Luke |
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| #3 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 20:41 |
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| In reply to post #2
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Not sure I'd bother with a second battery if you're buying a modern camera; the new ones (last year or so) have killer batteries which will run for a thousand frames between charges.
WB? Shoot raw ;-) |
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| #4 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 20:44 |
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Hes probably right, I went down the Sony route because you get so much more for your money and the picture quality is ace. However for atachements its easier to stick with the well known brands as there is much more available and you need an adaptor for Sony gear. |
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| #5 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 20:46 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 30/11/2009 @ 20:47) |
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I agree with Exige, that it would be best to avoid the very bottom entry level models. Depending what he eventually wants to do, the top end of the entry level (if that makes sence) would likely be fine. Obviously, the semi-pro models are better and pack more features, but have price tags to match (the pro models being one up again and somewhat £eyewatering)
I also most definately agree with sticking to canon or nikon - both the support and range of lenses are far better than the other brands (despite them all making good cameras). While on the lenses theme - the glass you put infront of a camera can make or break the quality of the shots- there is no point having a top of the range camera and sticking a £100 lens in front of it.
The best advice, again already said, is to get him to go and hold cameras, and even better - play around changing setting and takings shots. The menu systems and button layout are all different and suit different people, er, differently- being able to change settings quickly is a huge benefit. Also remember that once you plump for either canon or nikon you are somewhat stuck, unless you have the money to buy a whole new set of lenses, so it is worth picking up higher spec models to see how they feel too, just in case!!
If you are looking to get a semi-pro model, but the price is prohibitive, look at older versions (new if you can find them, or 2nd hand) of the same model - it will pack many of the same features and still be better than the latest entry level model, but will be cheaper. Eg a second hand canon D30 or D40 will still be better than a brand new 500D. Most photographers take good care of their kit, I know I do, so 2nd hand gear isnt normally in bad nick. I have bought both my favourite lenses second hand and have absolutely no regrets.
Wow, that ended up being a bit long! Hope it helps! |
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| #6 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 20:54 |
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| In reply to post #5
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why is everyones saying its best to avoid entry level models? Surely that all depends on what the guys wants to do with his cameras and how experienced he is. To be honest that smacks of a bit of snobbery, its fine if you are serious about using it for proffesional use but to someone who just wants to start out in SLR photography base levels are fine, anything else, semi pro/pro models are just overkill |
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| #7 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 21:07 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 30/11/2009 @ 21:08) |
| In reply to post #6
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Sorry, maybe that didnt come out right - I didnt mean to definately avoid entry level models, because yes it depends on the planned use.
Saying that, and because the guy is going to do a photography course, I personally feel that a very bottom of the range (eg canon 1000D) isnt worth it compared to the next step up (450D or 500D for example) since he obviously has aspirations to progress his photography as far as possible. Im not saying there is anything wrong with the 1000D (or any other entry level model), just that it may lack features.
On an unrelated note, the white balance features are only partially relevant. If you shoot raw then you can sort the white balance out on a computer - white balance settings in camera are only really so it knows what to do when it processes the files to .jpg itself. (Raw files contain all the raw data the camera sensor sees, all further processing is done manually later on, eg. white balance, and processing/editing retains all this information indefinately) |
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| #8 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 21:09 |
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| In reply to post #7
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so youre basically saying 'the more money you spend the better the camera will be"? No sh*t sherlock |
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| #9 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 21:11 |
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cheers guys, lots of good advice to be going on wiht...........however?? whart sort of prices are we talking about??
just saw the canon D30 for £599?????????? and thats an old one??????????
please give me some ball park prices so i can go and die  he is only at school and taking photography as a GCSE??? he's not david Baily... 
Andy |
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I do NOT fear Death - I fear not living..........er.........and small people with very large hands!
www.bushidokaikarate.webs.com |
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| #10 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 21:17 |
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Revision #2 (Last edited: 30/11/2009 @ 21:19) |
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Ahh, right, in that case something entry/mid level will be sufficient (i had it in my head it was a college/higher education course  )
Something like a canon 350/450/500D or equivalent nikon (im not up on my nikons) would but a good should. Im not so up on prices either, but a new 450D would probably set you back £400 ish, a 350D less, a 500D (the newest canon entry level) over £500.
If you are on a budget, I would look at second hand - it will do the job and if he does go on to do photography at college or as a career he will likely upgrade from an entry model anyway. |
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| #11 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 21:39 |
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| In reply to post #10
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Well one thing to remember is that they basically use the same sensor all through the range (ok, with exceptions of which I'm fully aware and which aren't really relevant here). I've had a cover shot with a low end body a couple of years ago - maybe a canon 350 or 450 or something. It's the same sensor as the fancy stuff (which I also happen to own). Way too many pixels for the lenses and the magazines.
The low end bodies and kit lenses are a god place to start. Canon or Nikon, sure, but the most important thing is SLR. Don't buy any accessories: it's like buying a car, they try to stiff you with junk you don't need (cases, filters, tripods, more memory, batteries, flashguns). You don't need it.
I'd not worry too much about what you start with. Most people have been through both Canon and Nikon, and if you start with partial-frame then you may want to change, but by then the few hundred on your first body will be a distant memory. |
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| #12 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 21:48 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 30/11/2009 @ 22:04) |
cheers again,
now as im only DAD, can i ask a silly question? what is SLR.......is this the self - loading thing?
(sorry just wikapedia'd it.......single lens reflex........i get it all now)
and how differnt is this from my old olympus OM10? wiht my multi shot sequence winder??
probably really silly question to thise in the know? but hey ho...........
Andy |
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I do NOT fear Death - I fear not living..........er.........and small people with very large hands!
www.bushidokaikarate.webs.com |
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| #13 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 22:03 |
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| In reply to post #12
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SLR = Single Lens Reflex.
I.e. you see through the viewfinder what the sensor/film sees. (there's a mirror in the camera pointing what the lens sees to the viewfinder) |
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--- Adam - Cinquepunto Photograpy --- FACEBOOK ME! ---
TK Maxx Snowboard Freestyle Team : representin' UK |
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| #14 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 22:06 |
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| In reply to post #13
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cheers Adam,
i just read it before you posted 
you got any ideas for me for my boy's first DSLR???
Andy |
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I do NOT fear Death - I fear not living..........er.........and small people with very large hands!
www.bushidokaikarate.webs.com |
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| #15 Re: Digital SLR?? Posted 30/11/2009 @ 22:09 |
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I use a Konica Minolta Dynax 5D - it does a pretty good job for a camera which is nearly 5 years old. I paid £100 for it off a guy at work (with 18-70mm kit lens and a 70-300mm telephoto), he was selling it as he's got a new setup.
It's 6.1 megapixel, but underneath the name it's an early Sony Alpha DSLR.
I took it out this weekend and got a few shots of some friends cars...
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--- Adam - Cinquepunto Photograpy --- FACEBOOK ME! ---
TK Maxx Snowboard Freestyle Team : representin' UK |
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