Topic 'Getting my first DSLR camera' in forum 'Digital Imaging Technology' - dslreports.com

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 06:10:46 EDT

Forhad posted : You can check out Nikon D5100 DSLR.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 14:19:06 EDT

krazyboi posted :

Okay. I had the luxury to be able to try both the Canons and the Nikon.

For *me* the Nikon D3200 worked better.
It is a great beginners camera. Perhaps also a great camera for someone who never touched a digital SLR before because of the "Guide mode". But I did not try this given that I don't use any of the auto modes in these cameras.

It's a nice camera just to learn the very basics and to grow from there. :)

For me coming from the Minolta X300 SLR it was a nice upgrade.
Shot in manual or aperture priority from day one. The pictures this thing takes are great, even with the kit lens which does a great job for a cheap piece of glass IMHO.
The grain you get with the higher ISO settings is not that bad IMHO.

(note 24 MP doesn't mean anything regarding "better" image quality of course :))

Downside is that with 24 MP shooting RAW the files are huge. Even the jpg's are huge. Therefore I bought a 32 GB class 10 card.

So all in all I'm happy with my choice. Note that I will not be using this camera for professional or even semi professional stuff.

For shooting family events and learning it's doing a great job!

TA :)

Congrats on your choice ;)

Be sure to post some pics!

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 22:18:14 EDT

en103 posted : Pentax K-30 isn't a bad camera - and its weatherized to boot.
The only downside - Pentax lenses are a bit more rare - but from the '70's will still work on it.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:52:21 EDT

TheAnalyzer posted : Okay. I had the luxury to be able to try both the Canons and the Nikon.

For *me* the Nikon D3200 worked better.
It is a great beginners camera. Perhaps also a great camera for someone who never touched a digital SLR before because of the "Guide mode". But I did not try this given that I don't use any of the auto modes in these cameras.

It's a nice camera just to learn the very basics and to grow from there. :)

For me coming from the Minolta X300 SLR it was a nice upgrade.
Shot in manual or aperture priority from day one. The pictures this thing takes are great, even with the kit lens which does a great job for a cheap piece of glass IMHO.
The grain you get with the higher ISO settings is not that bad IMHO.

(note 24 MP doesn't mean anything regarding "better" image quality of course :))

Downside is that with 24 MP shooting RAW the files are huge. Even the jpg's are huge. Therefore I bought a 32 GB class 10 card.

So all in all I'm happy with my choice. Note that I will not be using this camera for professional or even semi professional stuff.

For shooting family events and learning it's doing a great job!

TA :)
--
quod erat demonstrandum

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 01:20:31 EDT

JTM1051 posted :

said by ARGONAUT:

EOS M EF-M 22mm STM Kit
»www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/···_stm_kit

That will cover all the bases and not bust the bank. ;)

Not if the OP wants a DSLR; i.e., viewfinder.

IHMO the T3i with the 18-135mm IS for the additional $50 provides overall better deal than the M with a fixed 22mm lens. Unless someone real wants compact mirror-less type digicam.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:34:40 EDT

ARGONAUT posted : EOS M EF-M 22mm STM Kit
»www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/···_stm_kit

That will cover all the bases and not bust the bank. ;)

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Sun, 16 Sep 2012 16:56:21 EDT

JTM1051 posted : At B&H Photo you can get the Canon T3i with the 18-135mm IS lens for $849.00 through 09/29/12.
»www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8···tal.html
If you're in the US free shipping, and depending which state could also be no sales tax.

The T3i with the 18-135mm (29-216mm EFL) be a good beginner/intermediate user DSLR:
»www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos600d/

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 11:12:43 EDT

TheAnalyzer posted : Okay your talking about the AF-S thing.

Oh if that is all.. :p . I know that they are more expensive.
So you would want to buy AF-S lenses only for that body.
That's okay.

The important thing though IMO is if I upgrade the body with one that has an internal focus motor will the AF-S lenses work with that body?

TA
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quod erat demonstrandum

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 10:50:30 EDT

Jodokast96 posted : Mostly the lack of an internal focus motor. Not all lenses Nikon makes has their own motors, so some will be manual focus only when used on lower end Nikon bodies.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 09:01:54 EDT

jmacd27 posted :

said by TheAnalyzer:

I researched both cameras you suggested very nice cameras indeed, but I also came across the Nikon D3200.

The Nikon looked very nice too so why do you think is it crippled and can not be recommended?

Thanks!

TA

The D3200 does seem pretty nice for a beginners model.

I too am curious what makes it crippled as a beginners camera.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 08:26:49 EDT

TheAnalyzer posted : I researched both cameras you suggested very nice cameras indeed, but I also came across the Nikon D3200.

The Nikon looked very nice too so why do you think is it crippled and can not be recommended?

Thanks!

TA
--
quod erat demonstrandum

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:49:55 EDT

TheAnalyzer posted : Thanks guys for all the suggestions.
$1200 - $1500 would be overkill.. I'm not a professional photographer ;)

I think around $400-$800 would be more appropriate for me I guess.

Thing is I actually still have the Minolta X300 with a couple of lenses. Back in the old days I did everything by hand even had a 'dark room' :).

Now I'm all new to the digital Imaging stuff.. I have no clue what good body - lens combos are nowadays and what the 'must have' features are.

I just want to have a good start. :)

TA :)
--
quod erat demonstrandum

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Wed, 01 Aug 2012 05:39:29 EDT

Jodokast96 posted :

said by ARGONAUT:

Cheap body on a good lens? :o

Both Camera body and lens are an investment.

Not true at all. None of the sensors out there are total garbage anymore, so the only real difference in bodies is all the bells and whistles, which do not make a picture any better. Bodies are updated by the companies every year or so, and most active users won't have a body older than 4-5 years.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 23:11:29 EDT

mromero posted : need a dollar figure budget.

more along the lines of $400-$800 or $1200 - $1500 ?

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:01:57 EDT

ARGONAUT posted : Cheap body on a good lens? :o

Both Camera body and lens are an investment.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 18:28:39 EDT

mromero posted : ^^^^^
agree 100%!

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 07:30:02 EDT

bfreas posted :

said by ARGONAUT:

DSLR cameras are an investment. Point and shoot cameras are throwaway.

I'd say SLR lenses are an investment and SLR bodies are somewhat throwaway. Put your money in the glass!
--
"The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." � John Muir

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 02:14:23 EDT

ARGONAUT posted : DSLR cameras are an investment. Point and shoot cameras are throwaway.

Re: Getting my first DSLR camera

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:31:19 EDT

Jodokast96 posted : Pentax K-30
Canon Ti-4

Nikon D3200 is too crippled for me to suggest.

Getting my first DSLR camera

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 01:15:49 EDT

TheAnalyzer posted : Hello all,

I need some recommendations on a good low - mid end DSLR camera.
I do not need a super high end camera.

ATM I've got a FujiFilm point-and-shoot camera that doesn't work correctly anymore.

In the past I've had lots of SLR cameras. The last SLR was a Minolta X300. I loved that camera back in the day.. :)

Long story short :p , can you guys recommend a good DSLR camera either Canon or Nikon or whatever, that is robust, that also can be set to all manual, and is very quick (for nature/animal photography)?

I've looked around the net for info but would also really like to have some feedback from you guys here.

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

TA :)
--
quod erat demonstrandum