steuk Posted August 18, 2012 Report Share Posted August 18, 2012 I use a Fujifilm S2950 (I think it is...) Its more on the cheaper side of the market but it takes a damn good photo. Its perfect for a starter camera imo. Loads of functions that I've not a clue how to use lol. I was in your situation and went down the camera shop handled a few there and got what what felt best ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Sorry to hijack but I'm also looking at investing into a beginner dslr I was looking on the Jessops website and some come with a vr lense and a non vr lense or both What is the difference? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frobius Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 VR is vibration reduction. It lets you take sharper pictures at slower shutter speeds, also allowing you to use smaller apertures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 VR is vibration reduction. It lets you take sharper pictures at slower shutter speeds, also allowing you to use smaller apertures. Nice one, there's one come with both but the vr lense is the usual 18-55mm and the non vr upto 200mm or something... would it be worthwhile getting both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analbeard Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 As a rule you'll want a decent spread of lenses anyway, you can get lenses that do a huge range but you're talking serious money for them. I have:a kit lens (which on my camera is a 17-80mm IS, most entry level Canons come with 18-55mm (Canon's stabilisation is called Image Stabilisation)),a telephoto lens (70-200mm i think)a wide-angle (10-20mm)a nifty fifty (50mm prime (fixed lens, no zoom))a longer telephoto (300-600mm) Out of those, the wide angle/kit lens/fifty get the most use. If you're starting out you'd be best off with a medium range lens (most kit lenses are good for that) and a telephoto. as for the nifty fifty, that's usually the best value for money lens you can buy. This: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-50-1-8-Lens/dp/B00005K47X is the Canon version (where the name nifty fifty originated), but Nikon also do a similar lens. If you're not sure why you need one, have a read of this: http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/shooting/nifty-fifty-the-benefits-of-a-fixed-50mm-lens/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arry Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Yeah nifty fifty's are amazingly good value. I have a nifty, the 18-55 kit lens and a 55-250 telephoto. I wish I'd held out for a 300 on the telephoto front, as that would probably have done me for all I need it for. 250's a little too short, and leaves me taking pics on full zoom a lot of the time, which flattens out the depth of the image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Thanks everyone for the advice, I will defo be getting a CPOL filter. Looked and they are not that expensive Will be going to Jessops today to have a play and a feel with the cameras then if all good I will buy one, but from either Argos or Currys as they are cheaper lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arry Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Yup, don't get sucked into buying from Jessops - they're really not that helpful and definitely not the cheapest. Don't forget to budget for a card etc too. I have an 8GB in mine and that'll store more than the camera battery is good for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Yes I have budgeted for a card Jessops / Argos' cards are very expensive for some reason!! Maplins next door do the same card for a lot less and Play.com does them really cheap, £22 for a 32gb SanDisk Extreme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arry Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 As long as it writes fast.... I doubt you'll need 32GB mate. Like I say, my 8GB holds well over a thousand photos, more like 2000. Probably 800 RAW files. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAZ 2617 Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 (edited) Class 6 or higher is recommended for the 600d. Otherwise movie taking stops after a couple of seconds. Edited August 20, 2012 by GAZ 2617 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Yes I shall be getting one that writes fast and has a grade 10 rating Can you tell I have been researching all this haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longun Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Just to add to this I wouldn't discount Sony. The entry level kit used (I'm not up to date on the current kit) to get better reviews because the Camera was cheaper and cheap minolta lenses would fit the mount. On the flip side you invest in lenses that will last, so when you want to upgrade the body you keep the lenses. Another vote for a 50mm although I find the 35mm more handy in smaller rooms. Either way prime lenses are brilliant for the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted August 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Cheers Longun, i have been told photographers to only get a Nikon or a Canon as their software is far superior (well something like that) I will be getting the camera and just getting use to it really and then I shall look into new lenses / accessories etc etc What software do people use to upload pics and edit them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C17RSF Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 believe me it becomes a very expensive hobby. There seems to be some really good advice on here which I would agree with majority but its really down to your personal preferance of which is best suited to you. This can be determined on the types of photos you want to take. Im a canon man and really only became one as a few friends at the studio were canon so I could borrow lenses. Now I have a few myself and use a 5D as my main camera and a 350d as a backup, but lenses do make a big difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analbeard Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 Cheers Longun, i have been told photographers to only get a Nikon or a Canon as their software is far superior (well something like that) I will be getting the camera and just getting use to it really and then I shall look into new lenses / accessories etc etc What software do people use to upload pics and edit them? i don't think i've ever touched the software that came with the camera, i use Lightroom for editing photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted August 20, 2012 Report Share Posted August 20, 2012 If anyone's after a 450d, I've got a virtually brand new one for sale. It's just been sat on the cupboard for the last year or so. Perfect condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arry Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 If anyone's after a 450d, I've got a virtually brand new one for sale. It's just been sat on the cupboard for the last year or so. Perfect condition. I know someone that'll be interested. I'll drop you a PM mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted August 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 i don't think i've ever touched the software that came with the camera, i use Lightroom for editing photos. I shall have a look into Light Room, thanks If anyone's after a 450d, I've got a virtually brand new one for sale. It's just been sat on the cupboard for the last year or so. Perfect condition. lol Gaz, you tell me that now! I bought the Nikon d3100 last night First Impressions are great. Its a great camera to get started with and the guide mode is very helpfull :DDi Didnt get to play with it much though so tonight I will have more of a play Thanks everyone for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arry Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Cool Hope you get on well with it mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsc Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Wow the CPOL filter looks very useful!!! Any downsides? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
analbeard Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Wow the CPOL filter looks very useful!!! Any downsides? Only issue is that because it's a filter it does step down the exposure slightly so you'd need a slightly longer shutter speed to achieve the same exposure than you would without it. In reality though you're going to be using it in broad daylight so this shouldn't be noticeable in 99.9% of situations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proffitt Posted August 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Cool Hope you get on well with it mate Thanks, no doubt I shall be posting in this thread with questions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arry Posted August 21, 2012 Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Only issue is that because it's a filter it does step down the exposure slightly so you'd need a slightly longer shutter speed to achieve the same exposure than you would without it. In reality though you're going to be using it in broad daylight so this shouldn't be noticeable in 99.9% of situations. This, and make sure you buy a good one. The cheaper ones are poorer quality glass, and it's the glass that can make a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted August 22, 2012 Report Share Posted August 22, 2012 This, and make sure you buy a good one. The cheaper ones are poorer quality glass, and it's the glass that can make a difference. Yep. No point having an all singing all dancing lens, then bottleneck it with a cheap filter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...