Thinking of buying a Digital SLR Camera .......

[jen]

If you're sure it's a DSLR you want, then definitely go for older mid-range over newer 1100d.

Are you sure you want a DSLR? They're heavy and bulky and a total pain in the ass, and you can't take pictures if your camera is in the cupboard.

If you're keen to learn photography and planning to dedicate time to study and practice then there's no better tool than a DSLR. In fact I would say you can't really begin to learn photography without full manual control, which really means DSLR these days. But if you plan to leave it mostly on Auto or P mode don't be so sure that a DSLR is for you, especially with the stonking image quality coming out of the smaller, lighter micro 4/3 cameras these days.

So, what are your plans?

Lol! Did I convert you?!!

If it must be a DSLR, would a low-mid range body with a good lens be a good shout?

For the compact camera system, I'm looking at the Panasonic G3, with the super duper ultra small zoom lenses. The DSLR is just a bit too bulky for me for going camping/trackdays and that one seemed to be the best in the range..... You've still got the option of manual settings too.....

[graeme]

without doing anything other than composition.

...which is a massive percentage of a good photo, to me It's the eye to see what to shoot and how to present it, which no amount of automatic trickery can do for you...

IMVHO, as someone who appreciates but can't do.

My point exactly. You can do that composition bit with any camera. Now that cameras can worry about the rest of that stuff for you, I wouldn't recommend anyone buys a DSLR unless they plan to learn all of the other stuff, which takes time and effort and won't improve your eye any more than shooting auto will.

[graeme]

Lol! Did I convert you?!!

Different situation Jen... you've already got a DSLR and are keen to get the best from it, and I was worried you were asking too much of the G3 and it was going to backwards step for you, but I think we agree you'll be ok for what you want it for.

I have bought a Fuji X100 since I last saw you.

[KennyT]

I was in the same situation last year, have no intention of taking classes etc but through practice and some reading I should be able to produce some pretty good pictures in manual mode, and in point and shoot mode it will be better than most compacts.

I picked up a rarely used Canon 450d with 18-55 IS Kit Lens and a 75-300 IS Lens along with all cases etc for £520, taken a few decent shots, and a whole lot of horrors but keep practicing!

[Peter]

I still think SLR's seem faster than the hybrid camera's and I hate using a backscreen as a viewfinder on a bright day..
Not sure how good all the different versions of bridge camera's are but a friend of mine just changed from Bridge to DSLR because of similar frustrations, at least with a Canon there are a lot more options for components and lenses at the moment.

[Fluoxetine]

To be honest, I hardly used my D-SLR when I had it... Mainly track days / special events.

(Too bulky / cumbersome to carry around on a whim).

Flogged it last summer and bought a Canon G12 compact - Fully manual mode, nice sharp lens, special effects like fake fish eye / tilt shift and shoots in RAW if you want.

It's nowhere near as good as an SLR with decent glass - But I've already taken x10 more pictures on it, as I tend to chuck it in my pocket on a day / night out and I've had some pretty decent results, better than any other compact I've previously owned.

Examples of some shots I've taken below - Think I paid £250 secondhand last summer?

[jen]

Lol! Did I convert you?!!

Different situation Jen... you've already got a DSLR and are keen to get the best from it, and I was worried you were asking too much of the G3 and it was going to backwards step for you, but I think we agree you'll be ok for what you want it for.

I have bought a Fuji X100 since I last saw you.

what are you like! Mind and take one on Sunday! We'll need to get our shooting days sorted!

Was gonna buy a couple of filters, what kinds would I use the most?

[GBOBM]

Strange there are so many Canon shooters out there.

The big thing to bare in mind is that buying a good camera wont make you a good photographer, it just makes it easier to get the shots if you have the skill in the first place. For shooting action then you need good autofocus. Part of this comes from the body and part of it comes from the lenses, but it's not absolutely vital. A good still life shot can be taken with most cameras in good light by someone with a steady hand. (An excellent shot takes years of practice though)

My "job" kit is a Nikon D3 and a Nikon D300, with 70-200mm f2.8 VR, 120-300mm f2.8 and various other expensive bits of expensive glass. Does it make me a better photographer? Nope! Does it make me more likely to get the shot I'm after? Most definately.

I have a carry around camera and it can still capture some cracking shots and is a fraction of the price.
This was taken with a Panasonic G3 at Monza last year through a wire fence and it's turned out alright:


p.s. I'm not a motorsport photographer by any means!

[Peter]

Low res but in total contrast to my DSLR comments...

taken on a pocket panasonic (low res copies)

[graeme]

Was gonna buy a couple of filters, what kinds would I use the most?

How should I know? You tell me.

Circular polarizer kills reflections and could be hand for shiny car/glass/water shots if you know what you want to achieve. Plenty examples on the web if you google for "with and without polarizer". You can get a funky variable ND screw-on filter... could be fun for those long slow blurry waterfall type shots if that's your thing, but I think those run to about £60.

Have you got Aperture or Lightroom yet? If not, get one of those (I prefer Lightroom) before you get a bag of filters you'll only use once a year. Aperture or Lightroom will help you improve every shot you take, not just the occasional filtery one.

[pete]

Dad just bought a Nikon D5100 and it's lovely. Very light, great screen. Only 500 with a kit lens.

I've a D80 with a 18-200 VR lens and I love it. I just like playing with it, and the noise it makes. The photos aren't as good as they could be but hey I like it and isn't that the point?

[a4drk]

Crikey - what a response.
I've nearly got as many responses as a title like "Whats better, an S1 or an S2" ......

My friend Grant has just ordered a Canon SX40 Bridge camera- he gets it tomorrow.
He's looked into it in a big way. I don't think he can be bothered using /learning everything to know about using a SLR (properly)
as he will probably just have it in auto mode most of the time.
Again, changing lenses, keeping clean etc... too much faffing about.

I'll keep you posted to see if he / I am happy with the results of it. ...

Cheers
David

[jen]

Was gonna buy a couple of filters, what kinds would I use the most?

How should I know? You tell me.

Circular polarizer kills reflections and could be hand for shiny car/glass/water shots if you know what you want to achieve. Plenty examples on the web if you google for "with and without polarizer". You can get a funky variable ND screw-on filter... could be fun for those long slow blurry waterfall type shots if that's your thing, but I think those run to about £60.

Have you got Aperture or Lightroom yet? If not, get one of those (I prefer Lightroom) before you get a bag of filters you'll only use once a year. Aperture or Lightroom will help you improve every shot you take, not just the occasional filtery one.

Hey! Think im gonna order a polariser and a gradient one. Not got those software packages yet. Will probs get them once school has finished and I have time to actually sit down and use them!

[Jacobite]

the last couple of Nikon DSLR's I've bough have been from the local cash convertors ~they don't seem to get much call for them so much cheapness
Nikon D60 Body with DX 18-55mm and 55-200mm DX lens's £249.99 last August and the one near me currantly has a couple of older D70 bodys at £149.99 each
so its worth a look on line at Cash Convertor type shops

[JohnStewart]

Was gonna buy a couple of filters, what kinds would I use the most?

How should I know? You tell me.

Circular polarizer kills reflections and could be hand for shiny car/glass/water shots if you know what you want to achieve. Plenty examples on the web if you google for "with and without polarizer". You can get a funky variable ND screw-on filter... could be fun for those long slow blurry waterfall type shots if that's your thing, but I think those run to about £60.

Have you got Aperture or Lightroom yet? If not, get one of those (I prefer Lightroom) before you get a bag of filters you'll only use once a year. Aperture or Lightroom will help you improve every shot you take, not just the occasional filtery one.

Hey! Think im gonna order a polariser and a gradient one. Not got those software packages yet. Will probs get them once school has finished and I have time to actually sit down and use them!

Rmember that teachers and students get a nice discount off Adobe products like lightroom. You will need a beefy PC to run it quickly though.