Camera advice

There's a few happy snappers around the site and some decent one's too

OK so Im wanting to buy a good Digital SLR! But what to get??? Too many brands options etc. Id like to walk into a shop, know what Im after and what I should pay!!! Or better still anywhere on the net to save some $$$??? Sort of an introductory to good photography type camera with decent lens etc. Budget around the $1K mark (cheaper preferred ) Decent shutter speed... IE something that you all use to snap the bikes on the track etc!!!

Cheers

If you want to go Pentax, I've got a couple of cheap lenses for sale !

Hey Rob,

Found this one for you Canon 10.1mp, 3 fps, not a bad start plus comes with 2 lenses only $996 bang on your budget

http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/digital-cameras/digital-camera-slr/canon-1000dtkb-twin-lens-kit-black-fantastic-value/435910

Otherwise check out
http://www.teds.com.au/www/6/1001102/displayproductcategory/1005803.html

Or

http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/

$966.50
I love shopbot!!!
http://www.shopbot.com.au/pp-canon-eos- ... 63914.html

I got a Panasonic Lumix a few years ago and found it does everything I want. Leica lens, 12X optical zoom (equiv 36-432mm). Newer ones are even better specs so worth considering.

Can't comment on others although my brother just bought a Canon EOS 50D and loves it.

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=Photo ... iersOnline

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/?tag=PhotographyLinks

I have bought all my gear second hand from photography forums so far, however I've heard a lot fo good things from these guys..
http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/index.htm

once you have a capable body its ALL in the lenses... unfortunately there is never enough money for all the lenses you want... its never ending...

I went with canon, the 40D. still an eminently capable camera with a sweet screen. differences with the 50D are minimal and you should be able to pick up a 40D for quite cheap...

the difference in lenses is quite remarkable.

you really have to pick what type of photography you want to do, in my opinion. the versatile twin lens kits are OK, but really are jack of all trade lenses that will leave you dissapointed after you progress a bit.

I chose the 70-200F4L IS because it gives me a large range of potential shots, and was half the price of the 2.8 IS.

my second lens is a 50mm 1.8 prime lens, this is canons cheapest lens, and in my opinion is the best value for money in photography. colours aren't quite as vibrant as the L series, images aren't quite as sharp, however for cheap portraits, general work or low light work you can't beat it with anything remotely near its price point.

the main lens im missing that I really want is the 10-22mm canon lens, but thats another $1000 I can't afford at the moment...

anyway, thats just my opinion, I chose canon because I got a pretty good deal on my camera body, and found a few nice lens deals after that.

one thing to remember with photography gear is that good quality lenses (Canons L series, not sure of the Nikon equivalent) are very much built to last, and will be perfect for years and years and years.

they don't devalue much at all either, I can probably sell my lens for almost as much as I paid for it now...

any other Q's feel free to ask mate.

Daniel

my 2 cents worth... (Photography is another of my hobbies... just wish I could take a decent photograph :p )

I currently have a Canon 50d (and I know people that have the 40d... Insane is correct, there is only minimal differences... but if you are serious about photography they may come in handy down the track).

I honestly believe as far as Digital SLR's there is only 2 brands... Canon and Nikon. I have never owned a Nikon but that is only due to when I bought my first Digi SLR Canon was much better bang for buck. Now you basically have to be a professional photographer to notice any difference.

Again as Insane said, really the only part of a camera that is really important is the lens. For me, I own only 1 lens. I was given 1 very good piece of advise that I believe is very true...

There is no point buying a cheaper lens if in 12 months time you have to go and buy a new lens.

This being said I paid more for my lens then I did for my camera body... but keep in mind, the lens will work in new versions of the same camera (IE All Canon lens work with all Canon Bodies). My lens is a 17-55mm2.8f with IS and Ultrasonic focus motors.
The two important parts in that particular lens that I recommend strongly is the f rating...

1. The F rating - most lens are rated at 4f. This means to get enough amount of light in for a shot the shutter speed must be much slower. There is a mathematical equation but it is unimportant right now. Essentially this is very useful when taking photos of say fast moving motorbikes.

2. USM (Ultrasonic focus) the lens can focus on an object super quick... again very useful when taking photos of an item that you do not get much time to obtain focus prior to shooting.

A final point... a good site for comparing all cameras is www.dpreview.com

Nikon D60 there are lots of stores online and retail outlets doing the D60 body with 2 lenses for under a Grand, if you need any more info just send me a PM.


Neil

Wow thanx all! Lots of reading to do... then Ill come back with harder questions

There's a few happy snappers around the site and some decent one's too

OK so Im wanting to buy a good Digital SLR! But what to get???

Just a thought , maybe some of the excellent photographers on here could tell us the details of what camera , lens and settings they used for taking a particular shot .
Would help a photo numpty like me

There's a few happy snappers around the site and some decent one's too

OK so Im wanting to buy a good Digital SLR! But what to get??? Too many brands options etc. Id like to walk into a shop, know what Im after and what I should pay!!! Or better still anywhere on the net to save some $$$??? Sort of an introductory to good photography type camera with decent lens etc. Budget around the $1K mark (cheaper preferred ) Decent shutter speed... IE something that you all use to snap the bikes on the track etc!!!

Cheers

Firey...just went thru all this...bloody phone calls to local camera shops
ringing up suppliers and importers, reading magazine reviews
it had to be right coz it was for the missus' birthday...

ended up buying the Sony DSLR a200 package with twin lens...for $865 from Dick Smith (online RRP normally $999)
plus extra 2 years warranty thrown in

having had it now for about 3 weeks...it is FANTASTIC
better than all the cameras I looked at... missus is very happy

Last edited by Smitty on Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

Firey sorry to slightly hi-jack your thread, but can anyone recommend a place in Sydney, I can take my DSLR to, to get it cleaned, I go caught in a dust storm a while ago and would like to get it cleaned up.

back to normal viewing.

Interesting reading so far.

The reason people often suggest Canon or Nikon is that as the major brands, they have the most accessories available. Canon probably more than Nikon, but the Nikor lenses are higher quality than Canon.

You can still take decent shots on the cheaper SLRs, Canon 400D has always been an OK camera, it just lacks fome features, and often speed of the higher spec cameras.

It used to be that a cameras were chosed by their photographic features, and then you chose the quality of film you put in it.

Now you have to look at photographic features (and if you need them), resolution, and now file transfer speed. Some of the really expensive cameras look to have very similar specs, until you look at how fast it can save an image. A cheaper camera will lock up after 10 continuous shots whilst it saves the pics, and more expensive camera will take hundreds, it not lock up at all.

If you only plan to use your pics on your computer, or prints will never be much over 5"x7" then any lens will suit. If you plan A4 plus prints, then higher quality lenses is recommended. Cheap lenses are Tamron, Sigma etc, the camera manufacturers lenses are usually good.

If you only plan to use your pics on your computer, or prints will never be much over 5"x7" then any lens will suit. If you plan A4 plus prints, then higher quality lenses is recommended.

In time I definately want bigger pictures / prints posted on the wall around home. So yeah a decent lense is essential. What numbers (ie scale range) should I be looking for in the f rating and quick auto focus? To give you an idea Ill be taking happy snaps of rugby, bikes, cars etc so moving sports!

If you only plan to use your pics on your computer, or prints will never be much over 5"x7" then any lens will suit. If you plan A4 plus prints, then higher quality lenses is recommended.

In time I definately want bigger pictures / prints posted on the wall around home. So yeah a decent lense is essential. What numbers (ie scale range) should I be looking for in the f rating and quick auto focus? To give you an idea Ill be taking happy snaps of rugby, bikes, cars etc so moving sports!

If your into action shots you need to also look at the different methods the lens manufacturers handle image shake very important when using zoom lenses!


Neil