Beginner Dslr?

[Proffitt]

Hello every one,

As the title says, Im after a DSLR camera. This will be my first DSLR so I dont have a clue on what to look for etc etc...

Ive been searching through the web for days looking at reviews and prices and I think I have narrowed it down to either the Nikon D3100 or the Canon EOS 1100d.

At the moment the Nikon stands out more to me as it has better features like the pixles, this is an advantage as I am going to New York in January and want a decent camera for that and possibly to blow some pics up and frame

They are both within £20 of each other, Nikon being the most expensive coming in at £362.50 @ Jessops.

See here: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/78032/show.html

That is really my budget as I need spending money for NY and I am only a beginnner.

so basically, are they good enough to start with?

Anyone have either of them?

Which one is better?

Thanks, Tom

[PeterH]

I have the D3100 and love it! Others will say go for the Canon but i've been told that they are a bit harder to use...

Nikon FanBoy here!

[DJ Syxx]

Canon 550d

[X-Man]

As I said in the other thread, I have the D3000 which, even in the hands of a complete noob took a couple of good-uns

[Proffitt]

I have the D3100 and love it! Others will say go for the Canon but i've been told that they are a bit harder to use...

Nikon FanBoy here!

Thanks mate

Easy to use?

Canon 550d

Thanks for the link but the 550d is out of my price range

[Proffitt]

As I said in the other thread, I have the D3000 which, even in the hands of a complete noob took a couple of good-uns

Thanks again mate, the d3000 was my first choice but the d3100 is only £62 more.

Is it worth the £62 more?

[arry]

You really need to wizz down to a camera shop and have a play. The most important thing with picking between Nikon and Canon is what do YOU feel comfortable using. For me, Canon all the time - but only with the additional battery grip. The Nikon's just don't feel right to me, and I'm not mad keen on the way you scroll between settings.

Another thing to consider is, who do you know that's got either? If your mates have Canon's and lots of different lenses, then there's only one choice

As with any investment in photography - the photos you take will only be as good as the lens you're using at the time, and the kit lenses on both cameras aren't what you'd call 'amazing'. Good lenses = lots of dosh.

[X-Man]

Thanks again mate, the d3000 was my first choice but the d3100 is only £62 more.

Is it worth the £62 more?

Yes, it has Live View (I think), HD video, and an improved Guide Mode which is well worth an extra £62

Edit, this gives a handy comparison between the Nikons

Edited August 16, 2012 by X-Man

[Proffitt]

You really need to wizz down to a camera shop and have a play. The most important thing with picking between Nikon and Canon is what do YOU feel comfortable using. For me, Canon all the time - but only with the additional battery grip. The Nikon's just don't feel right to me, and I'm not mad keen on the way you scroll between settings.

Another thing to consider is, who do you know that's got either? If your mates have Canon's and lots of different lenses, then there's only one choice

As with any investment in photography - the photos you take will only be as good as the lens you're using at the time, and the kit lenses on both cameras aren't what you'd call 'amazing'. Good lenses = lots of dosh.

Thanks mam, ye I defo need to go to the shop and see them both and play with them both

Think thats a job for friday afternoon.

Nah I dont have any mates with cameras, they not into photography or anything like that. So I cant steal borrow / buy of them either lol.

Yes, it has Live View (I think), HD video, and an improved Guide Mode which is well worth an extra £62

Edit, this gives a handy comparison between the Nikons

Yes it has the Live View which I think will come in handy

Thanksm I shall have a look at that link now.

[Quiksilver_TR]

I use canon.

As long as your body is decent then most of the picture quality is down to the glass of the lenses.

IIRC Nikon glass is slightly better than Canon glass but I couldnt tell you why as I wasnt really listening when I was told.

Nikon glass is also more expensive than Canon

Just things to consider when you buy the body.

Might be worth popping into somewhere like Jessops and having a play with the various mentioned bodies to see how you get on with them before parting with your cash.

*edit* it would pay me to read the thread before posting, LOL! all point mentioned before. LOL!

Edited August 16, 2012 by Quiksilver_TR

[DJ Syxx]

Thanks mate

Easy to use?

Thanks for the link but the 550d is out of my price range

Thats really weird I never posted a link within my post!?!?

Here you go mate, don't know if its out of your price range though.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300661781485?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[ish_330]

what i say to my clients is buy what feels more comfortable in your hand! performance wise i personally prefer the Canon 1100D. Menu system is so much better and lens range wise is alot larger!...

I use the Canon 600D and 650D at the mo...

in case your all wondering why i have two similar cameras...I work for Canon and they have given it to me :-D

[PeterH]

So it's a biased opinion regarding the menu as your used to using it...

As a complete newby, i found Nikon easier to use

[ish_330]

like i always say...buy what ever feels better in your hand

This shot it with the 1100D...

the shot of me is with flash

the shot of the church is natural light.

[Gaz]

Canon 550d

That's what I use after upgrading from my 400d. Amazing camera. Not sure I'd describe it as a beginers DSLR, that's more suited to the likes of the 1000d, 400d I'd say. I just want a 5d mkiii now though!

The thing with DSLR's, lenses matter a lot more than the body. I'd rather have a cheaper camera and 2 decent lenses than an all signing all dancing body and one kit lens.

Edited August 16, 2012 by Gaz

[GAZ 2617]

I've got a 600D and walk round like a jap tourist when we go out. Lol

Getting to grips with it tho, but still take loads of photos, deleting 99.9% when I get home.

Practice makes perfect I guess, and there's always the auto mode for quick shots. It's more camera than I'll ever need but it's fun to learn.

[Frobius]

As has been mentioned, get yourself to Jessops and have a play. But don't let the salesman swing you.

Also, as Gaz says, you'd be better off with an older camera which is much cheaper and spend a little more on a decent lens.

To be honest, if I were you, I'd look for something second hand. You'll get much more for your money and you can sell it on again for what you paid for it if you don't get on.

For what it's worth, I shoot a Nikon D300, primarily with a Nikkor 17-55 f2.8. Also have 300mm, 85mm and 50mm primes as well as a Sigma 10-20mm wide, but the fast zoom is just so good!

Edited August 16, 2012 by Frobius

[analbeard]

holy quotemonster!

At the moment the Nikon stands out more to me as it has better features like the pixles, this is an advantage as I am going to New York in January and want a decent camera for that and possibly to blow some pics up and frame

In the nicest possible sense, the pictures you frame will not be due to the camera, the brand, or how much you spend on it. The photos that really stand out are ones that are interesting to look at or well composed, neither of which have anything to do with the camera. Also, as you've not owned a DSLR before you'll need to spend plenty of time with it before you go away as they're more involved than a point-and-shoot and you'll have to put more work into it to get good photos out of it.

take this shot of mine for example. I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge starting at the the DUMBO end and all the tourists heading the same way were shooting the downtown skyline, whereas this caught my eye:

One tip i'd give to anyone photographing in New York is to take a CPOL filter, believe me when i say that you'll need it, i've been there a couple of times and you'll just end up with blown-out skies without it.

Also, don't ever shoot in Auto mode, Program is the closest you should be getting to Auto. Don't use the onboard flash, EVER. If it pops up as you go to take a photo, you're doing it wrong.

If you find you need bits when you're out there, i'd thoroughly recommend a visit to B&H Photo at 9th Ave and 34th Street, there's no shop like it in the UK, it's just incredible. I make a point of going in there each time i'm in NY. Actually, even if you don't need any bits, go in there anyway. Trust me, it's well worth a visit.

I have the D3100 and love it! Others will say go for the Canon but i've been told that they are a bit harder to use...

See, i find Nikons really counter-intuitive. Horses for courses i guess.

You really need to wizz down to a camera shop and have a play. The most important thing with picking between Nikon and Canon is what do YOU feel comfortable using. For me, Canon all the time - but only with the additional battery grip. The Nikon's just don't feel right to me, and I'm not mad keen on the way you scroll between settings.

Couldn't agree more, pop down to Jessops and see what you like. Don't buy there though, they're rip-off merchants. Personally, i hate Nikon menus, they feel like they've been designed by a child.

I use the Canon 600D and 650D at the mo...

in case your all wondering why i have two similar cameras...I work for Canon and they have given it to me :-D

You work for them yet they only provide you with entry-level bodies? I'd be pushing for at least a 60D, if not a 7D.

I've got a 600D and walk round like a jap tourist when we go out. Lol

Getting to grips with it tho, but still take loads of photos, deleting 99.9% when I get home.

Practice makes perfect I guess, and there's always the auto mode for quick shots. It's more camera than I'll ever need but it's fun to learn.

The trick is not to take loads of photos, it's to think about the ones you are taking and to make them count. If you want to improve then look at the photos you've taken and work out why you like them, then try applying those ideas next time you're out, you'll find you take less but you'll also find you delete less

i should probably point out that i am in no way a professional, nor do i claim to be any good, so please take this advice any way you want.

Edited August 16, 2012 by analbeard

[analbeard]

Also, if you're looking for some ideas of different places to visit in NY, i'd highly recommend heading out to Coney Island, take the D, Q, N or F trains out to Stillwell Avenue, it'll take you about 45 minutes to get there. When you get there there's plenty to photograph, but make sure you go for a ride on the Cyclone, probably the scariest couple of minutes you'll ever spend on a rollercoaster.

Also, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn side, take a 2 or a 3 train out to Clark Street station and then walk back over towards Manhattan.

Wander around Central Park, there's always weird and wonderful things going on there.

Take the Staten Island ferry, it's a great (free) way to see the Statue of Liberty.

I'd highly recommend picking up tickets to see the NY Rangers playing ice hockey in MSG if you can, fantastic atmosphere. Tickets don't always come cheap though unfortunately.

I'd also recommend taking a ride on the 7 train out to Flushing and back, you get to see a very different side to NY.

Edited August 17, 2012 by analbeard

[Proffitt]

holy quotemonster!

In the nicest possible sense, the pictures you frame will not be due to the camera, the brand, or how much you spend on it. The photos that really stand out are ones that are interesting to look at or well composed, neither of which have anything to do with the camera. Also, as you've not owned a DSLR before you'll need to spend plenty of time with it before you go away as they're more involved than a point-and-shoot and you'll have to put more work into it to get good photos out of it.

take this shot of mine for example. I walked over the Brooklyn Bridge starting at the the DUMBO end and all the tourists heading the same way were shooting the downtown skyline, whereas this caught my eye:

One tip i'd give to anyone photographing in New York is to take a CPOL filter, believe me when i say that you'll need it, i've been there a couple of times and you'll just end up with blown-out skies without it.

Also, don't ever shoot in Auto mode, Program is the closest you should be getting to Auto. Don't use the onboard flash, EVER. If it pops up as you go to take a photo, you're doing it wrong.

If you find you need bits when you're out there, i'd thoroughly recommend a visit to B&H Photo at 9th Ave and 34th Street, there's no shop like it in the UK, it's just incredible. I make a point of going in there each time i'm in NY. Actually, even if you don't need any bits, go in there anyway. Trust me, it's well worth a visit.

Couldn't agree more, pop down to Jessops and see what you like. Don't buy there though, they're rip-off merchants. Personally, i hate Nikon menus, they feel like they've been designed by a child.

i should probably point out that i am in no way a professional, nor do i claim to be any good, so please take this advice any way you want.

Thanks for the info mate, sounds like you know what your on about

Right, whats a CPOL filter?

With all that info it still leads me to my first question, is the Nikon d3100 or the Canon 1100d a good starting point as I am a complete noob at it.

I wont be going to New York untill January next year so will have plenty of time to play with the camera, also I am off to Italy in October and that can be a learning curve for me using the camera too

Also, if you're looking for some ideas of different places to visit in NY, i'd highly recommend heading out to Coney Island, take the D, Q, N or F trains and it'll take you about 45 minutes to get there. When you get there there's plenty to photograph, but make sure you go for a ride on the Cyclone, probably the scariest couple of minutes you'll ever spend on a rollercoaster.

Also, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn side, take a 2 or a 3 train out to Clark Street station and then walk back over towards Manhattan.

Wander around Central Park, there's always weird and wonderful things going on there.

Take the Staten Island ferry, it's a great (free) way to see the Statue of Liberty.

I'd highly recommend picking up tickets to see the NY Rangers playing ice hockey in MSG if you can, fantastic atmosphere. Tickets don't always come cheap though unfortunately.

I'd also recommend taking a ride on the 7 train out to Flushing and back, you get to see a very different side to NY.

Wow, thanks alt mate. Very useful info there. Unfortunately we are only going for 4 Nights so wont be able to cram everything in

[Frobius]

CPOL is a Circular Polarizing Filter. Basically it cuts out polarized light. What this means in practice is that it cuts out reflected light on one plane. Have a google and you'll see what I mean - think being able to take pictures over water and not worry about the reflected light off the water, or reflections from a window. In the above example, it would cut out the reflected light in the sky and thus make your skies much deeper and bluer. Very good bits of kit.

Make sure you get a circular one though so you can adjust it rather than a linear one that would be fixed.

As for what one to go for, both of the base model cameras are much of a muchness, you just have to decide whats best for you. The 3100 though has a 'guide mode' which will tutor you how to use the settings beyond basic Auto mode so that would be my choice.

[analbeard]

Thanks for the info mate, sounds like you know what your on about

Right, whats a CPOL filter?

With all that info it still leads me to my first question, is the Nikon d3100 or the Canon 1100d a good starting point as I am a complete noob at it.

I'd echo Frobius's point, they're all roughly the same at that level, I'd personally say Canon but then that's because I'm on that side of the fence. Bear in mind that whichever brand you go for you're effectively tying yourself to them in the future should you come to buy a new body. Lenses aren't interchangeable so if you went Nikon then unless you have the funds to replace all your lenses, you couldn't change to Canon in the future, and vice versa.

Frobius is spot on about the cpol filter, it's also useful because it'll protect your expensive lenses if they take a knock on the glass. You'll find in NY you'll take a fair few photos of tall buildings with sky in the shot and the camera can't meter correctly for both the dark and light areas, so you'll typically end up with blown-out skies. The filter will help return some definition and colour to them.

Wow, thanks alt mate. Very useful info there. Unfortunately we are only going for 4 Nights so wont be able to cram everything in

Still, that's a decent introduction to the city! Where are you staying? As you're gonna be pressed for time, I'd recommend the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and as you're going in winter then you could always go ice skating on the rink in front of the Rockafeller Centre. I'd recommend a trip up to the viewing platform at the Top of the Rock too, fantastic views across the city and it's never as busy as the Empire State.

[Proffitt]

CPOL is a Circular Polarizing Filter. Basically it cuts out polarized light. What this means in practice is that it cuts out reflected light on one plane. Have a google and you'll see what I mean - think being able to take pictures over water and not worry about the reflected light off the water, or reflections from a window. In the above example, it would cut out the reflected light in the sky and thus make your skies much deeper and bluer. Very good bits of kit.

Make sure you get a circular one though so you can adjust it rather than a linear one that would be fixed.

As for what one to go for, both of the base model cameras are much of a muchness, you just have to decide whats best for you. The 3100 though has a 'guide mode' which will tutor you how to use the settings beyond basic Auto mode so that would be my choice.

I'd echo Frobius's point, they're all roughly the same at that level, I'd personally say Canon but then that's because I'm on that side of the fence. Bear in mind that whichever brand you go for you're effectively tying yourself to them in the future should you come to buy a new body. Lenses aren't interchangeable so if you went Nikon then unless you have the funds to replace all your lenses, you couldn't change to Canon in the future, and vice versa.

Frobius is spot on about the cpol filter, it's also useful because it'll protect your expensive lenses if they take a knock on the glass. You'll find in NY you'll take a fair few photos of tall buildings with sky in the shot and the camera can't meter correctly for both the dark and light areas, so you'll typically end up with blown-out skies. The filter will help return some definition and colour to them.

Still, that's a decent introduction to the city! Where are you staying? As you're gonna be pressed for time, I'd recommend the walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and as you're going in winter then you could always go ice skating on the rink in front of the Rockafeller Centre. I'd recommend a trip up to the viewing platform at the Top of the Rock too, fantastic views across the city and it's never as busy as the Empire State.

Thanks guys, will defo look into a CPOL filter.

Im going to go to Jessops this afternoon to have a look and a play with the cameras there and see whats best for me

We are staying in the Milford Plaza Hotel on Times Square

Defo want to go up the Rockafeller Centre

[analbeard]

Thanks guys, will defo look into a CPOL filter.

Im going to go to Jessops this afternoon to have a look and a play with the cameras there and see whats best for me

We are staying in the Milford Plaza Hotel on Times Square

Defo want to go up the Rockafeller Centre

I know the CPOL will add to the cost, but at the end of the day it's better to spend £20-£30 on that now than have to spend a couple of hundred if the lens gets damaged. And also there's the massive improvement over photos taken without one too. Here's an example, filter was used on the left image, although i don't know if any post-processing has been done but that's the sort of difference you can expect:

You're staying in a nice location! i've stayed at the Crowne Plaza on Broadway just a couple of blocks up from there. I don't know what you're planning on doing for breakfast, but i'd highly recommend eating at the Cafe at the Edison Hotel (you don't have to stay there to eat there), everytime we go we always eat there every morning, great atmosphere, fantastic service and bloody cheap too. It's just up from you on West 47th, almost on the corner with Broadway.

[analbeard]

just to whet your appetite, this was taken from The Rock..