entry level DSLR advice
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- vaxorcist0
Try before you buy.....
Try the Nikon D3100 and the Canon T1i
I prefer the Nikon, but don't be too hard on yourself....
And I'd get a 35mm F1.8 or 50mm F1.8 lens in addition to the kit lens.... if you're experimental, an old manual flash with a bounce-head too..you don't need to spend $500 on a flash, but any flash without a bounce head is not worth getting...
The 4/3rds cameras are interesting, but I haven't used one much...
- I hear the D3100 doesn't have a back-button AF, which is a big let down for low light/ sports situationsMiguex
- topic0
composition.
composition.
composition.- what? you sayin' my composition is no good?johnny_wobble
- i'm saying it's the most important part of photographytopic
- no. the most important part of photography is having a camera with you.pango
- canuck0
You could probably go second hand and get like a canon 40 > 50d or something in that range these days. No video though.
- rusty_ace0
if you get the T1i by the body and lens separate, the typical lens that comes with it, if you by the set, is a pretty bad lens...soft images seems to be the main issue. just a little bit more gets you a much better lens.
- gregmwashington0
Subject matter is THE most important thing when talking about good photography.
- Hombre_Lobo0
^nice! its a solid cam.
the nifty fifty i think is the next conventional installment. 50mm f1.8, cheap too.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF…enjoy! post some pics!! :)
- showpony0
as mentioned by others, i also got the Rebel T1i... the body is great (it actually has a larger sensor than some of the more expensive canons)... i upgraded the lens, and was kind of amazed at the quality. great intro dslr.
- akrok0
mmm...candy.
- sweet or salty?Miguex
- i go with the client answer.
YES!akrok - http://photo.stackex…vaxorcist
- Pixter0
If you need any video shooting, go for the t2i
t1i:
Full HD (1080p) at 20 fps
HD (720p) at 30 fps
VGA at 30 fps
Built-in mono microphoneT2i:
Full HD (1080p) at 24, 25, 30 fps
HD (720p) at 50/60 fps
VGA at 50/60 fps
External mic jackT2i's external mic input has some issues (damn AGC) but there are ways to solve it (magic lantern, specific mic brands, etc).
T2i's 24fps is pretty badass, cinema-like experience.
Cool sample of what you can do with the 24fps:
- still a crop sensor thwarting any reasonable lens from getting full viewtopic
- well, he said "entry level"Pixter
- I never heard of any full frame entry levelPixter
- buying small sensor specific lenses is a waste as they are useless on proper full frame sensorstopic
- used 5D or Kodak 14n is closest thing to entry level full-frame...vaxorcist
- Hombre_Lobo0
the pentax k-x will produce the best images for the money. Its image quality and high iso / low light performance is on par (infact some reviews says it better) with the more expensive 550d(t2i).
You can get kits with 2 lenses here in the UK for £400. thats £200 cheaper than the 550d (t2i) with an extra lens!
BUT the video on it is not great. It also takes double AA batteries, which doesnt sound great but they last for ages and the people ive spoken to with k-x's say they thought it would be annoying but its really not a problem in any way.
- do you have one? sample pics? so do they make battery packs for it? lolHijoDMaite
- nah, nearly bought one though. high iso - http://www.dpreview.…
(choose the k-x in the drop down boxes)Hombre_Lobo - ...boxes). Review -
http://www.dpreview.…Hombre_Lobo - also note its lack of AF points in the VF, but give it a try, thats the best thing to do :)Hombre_Lobo
- ok_not_ok0
- is Leica still owned by Hermes?vaxorcist
- not_okmonospaced
- Beverly Hills entry levelPixter
- epic_rim0
didn't the t2i just come out? Now the t3i?
- only diff i see so far is articulating lcd screenHijoDMaite
- yeh me too. t2i is an awesome cam though.Hombre_Lobo
- Hombre_Lobo0
Also if i were you i would take a look at 'micro four thirds' cameras AND compact system cameras in general - these produce DSLR results in a smaller package. In fact the e-pl1 and e-pl2 produce better pics than a lot of the entry level dslr's, the e-pl1 and e-pl2 beats out the nikon d5000 in IQ and at high iso.
Often these compact system cameras sacrifice burst shooting speed, optical view finder and fast auto focus. But the auto focus speed of them is far better than compact cameras, nearly as good as DSLR's, but not quite.
The compact system cameras often have electronic view finders built in (like the G2, Gh1, GH2 etc) or they accept elevtronic view finder attachments (like the gf1, e-pl1, e-pl2)
The GF1 (i have one and love it) -
Olympus e-pl2
Also check out the Sony Nex 5, it has some interface issues that have been updated in the firmware, but its an ace camera, but it lacks attachable electronic view finder.
- I got a GF1 too, after reading your recommendations here, and I love it! Thanks for the info you gave.left_right_out
- By the way, did you get extra batteries for it yet? Can you recommend any?left_right_out
- ah you're welcome dude! third party batteries? not tried any no. i think some firmwares restrict 3rd party...
3rd partyHombre_Lobo - battery use. BUT you can get firmware hacks that are very easy to install. They give higher quality video and...Hombre_Lobo
- ...manual control in video too. which is essential for DOF control. if you want more info lemme know :) Enjoy! :DHombre_Lobo
- johnny_wobble0
Sorry for the shameless plug, but if any of you are camera collectors, I've got a nice Minolta SR-2 on eBay right now to help fund some new toys.
- vaxorcist0
have fun, shoot a ton, and stop worrying about gear..... the lens-lust syndrome has stymied many a great photographer...
that said, a 50mm 1.8 is a gem...
Rent a huge lens if you want to try it.... or borrow... there's always a gear-freak somewhere with more stuff than talent....
- johnny_wobble0
hmm. I think playing with the old lenses will keep me more interested / entertained then stymied.
I used to shoot a lot of film and enjoyed experimenting and have a pretty firm understanding of the basics. I think it'll get me thinking more again instead of just shooting a ton.
- cheap old lenses are great.... expensive L lens lust can be hazardousvaxorcist
- yeah, cheap is the idea here.johnny_wobble