Point and shoot to DSLR

[Sparky]

Ok im finally ready to bite the bullet and go for a DSLR.

Coming from a Fuji s5500 i imagine the array of options on a DSLR will be quite confusing.

Could you recommend a camera? I have been looking at the Canon 350D as it seems quite a lot of camera for the money. What sort of lenses should i be looking for?

The main uses will be for the usual family photo's plus i work in F1 and like taking a few shots of the cars/drivers etc.

Thanks

 

[Jotun]

The 350d is certainly a good SLR to start off with. I would recommend buying one with a kit lens (should be about £200 on eBay, that's how much mine sold for). Spend a week or so playing with the kit lens and see what you think of it. Then you can decide what else you need from other lenses, ie not wide enough or need to get closer in, or needs to perform better in low light etc. Anyone can give you a recommendation for a lens, but it helps if you know the weaknesses of the kit lens and have an idea what to look for

Also, if you can you might want to hold the 350d if you haven't done so already, if you have a friend who has one or can find one in a second hand shop, as it is quite small and feels a bit plasticy. The Nikons do feel a lot more solid, although I'm less familiar with their range, but they are worth a look too no doubt. That said, i you are upgrading from the s5500 that's not huge either so it may not be an issue to you if you are comfortable with it.

 

[Sparky]

I have tried a 350D in a High St store and it did feel about the same as the Fuji but, they do a battery grip don't they that beefs it up a bit.

Would be looking for one of those to go with it.

 

[3dcandy]

400d's go for about £250 - £300 and you may find that's a better buy as it has sensor cleaning, 10.1mp etc. etc. personal preference but I prefer Canon to Nikon feel!

 

[Schizophonic]

if you got the funds to buy one, get a 350D.

If you dont - then read up how to use SLRs and seek advise how to do so. I know it sounds pointless because you dont have a SLR to play with but if money is tight then how do you know you will seriously get into photography.

Are you wanting to get into SLR because its the "new thing" to be doing?

I know plenty of people wanted a SLR because it the thing to have and got the standard kit, went out on one occasion and now its sitting in the room collecting dust.

 

[NinjaBill]

DLSRs aren't as good at point and shooting as a bridge or compact IMHO. You have to drive a DSLR to get good results from it.

Unless you intend to change your use in future, you may be better off with a really good compact, like the canon G9

 

[Sparky]

I understand what you are saying with ref to the abilities of a point and shoot and accept the weaknesses of DSLR. From my point of view the quality and expandability of a good DSLR outweigh its flaws as a point and shoot.


Hope that makes sense.

 

[Mr Jones]

I understand what you are saying with ref to the abilities of a point and shoot and accept the weaknesses of DSLR. From my point of view the quality and expandability of a good DSLR outweigh its flaws as a point and shoot.


Hope that makes sense.

It'll have to depend on the OP, has he/her been expending his interest in such area by using aperture/shutter priority or even full manual modes (if available?) - as it all starts by wanting control over the camera... to being fluent and knowing what settings for what situation or composition.

 

[NinjaBill]

I understand what you are saying with ref to the abilities of a point and shoot and accept the weaknesses of DSLR. From my point of view the quality and expandability of a good DSLR outweigh its flaws as a point and shoot.


Hope that makes sense.

It does, the DSLR does have some massive advantages over a compact, but looses some features which make it not as good at P&S, for example face recognition, large zoom range (without carrying a bag full of lenses) and has a much reduced depth of field in most situations.

That aside, there is no way I would get rid of my dSLR for a compact P&S

 

[Nicos Rex]

Ok im finally ready to bite the bullet and go for a DSLR.

The main uses will be for the usual family photo's plus i work in F1 and like taking a few shots of the cars/drivers etc.

Thanks

You are very fortunate in your job for the opportunities it will give you to get some unique photographs!

You need to think very carefully as to the pros and cons of a DSLR and a compact. A compact is just that - you will always be able to have it with you and whip it out of your pocket when the chance presents itself, and a good one can offer excellent image quality and a degree of creative control. A DSLR will offer far more creative control (once you get to grips with it) and flexibility but will do little good if you have to run to your bag to get it out while the "moment" passes you by!

Of course, it's your money and I would not presume to try to tell you how to spend it - it seems to me however that unless you are planning to taks a lot of pictures of fast-moving F1 cars (in which case you will need to spend a LOT of cash on long fast prime lenses) that a really good compact may serve your needs better.

 

[olv]

If you are going second hand then I would always recommend going for a 20D or 30D over a 350/400D. it sounds like you would benefit from a slightly large body and the dual control wheels are invaluable. Also, the xxD series feel like proper cameras and are not cheap and plasticy in build like the xxxD cameras.

A 20D body will set you back £250-300 and a 30D around £350.

lenses depend entirely on budget

 

[Sparky]

Thanks for all the information,it has been taken onboard. I have just purchased this lot:

Canon Rebel/ EOS 300D Digital Camera and Sigma 18-50mm F.3.5-5.6 DC Lens in original boxes.

Original Canon wide strap
Battery charger with power cord
Li-ion battery pack
3 Batteries (one is brand new)
Interface cable
Video cable
EOS digital solution disc
Adobe photoshop elements 3 (disc)
RAW workflow software
1GB compactflash card + 4 Gig Card
Canon RC-1 remote controller (with instructions)
Polarising filter
Cokin A series filter holder
2 grey graduated filters: A120 & A121
1 sunset graduated filter
Full original instruction manuals (English & French)
Lens comes with:

UV filter
Lens hood
Original instructions

I thought this way i would not be spending a fortune on a camera only to get
bamboozled by it!

 

[thepharcyde]

Mate was in your situation had a S5500 and bit the bullet and got a proper DSLR. Amazed by the difference!

S5500 a year ago on hols

This year with my Nikon D60

& some sample pics with my new D60 and I am an amature

Head over to talkphotography.net, who are an invaluable source for kit etc etc

 

[Sparky]

Mate was in your situation had a S5500 and bit the bullet and got a proper DSLR. Amazed by the difference!

S5500 a year ago on hols



This year with my Nikon D6

& some sample pics with my new D60 and I am an amature :

Head over to talkphotography.net, who are an invaluable source for kit etc etc

Will do thanks for the heads up

 

[Ixon]

As it looks like you don't really want to get into the World of Photography, but want something that takes decent pics of what you mentioned above then here my recomendations.

Nikon D60 very easy DSLR to use basically helps you out.

Olympus E-410 smallest DSLR on the market and can be bought for under £300 brand new with the brilliant 14-42mm Kit lens.

review here
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/OlympusE410/video_review.shtml

 

[Mp4]

Ok im finally ready to bite the bullet and go for a DSLR.

Coming from a Fuji s5500 i imagine the array of options on a DSLR will be quite confusing.

Could you recommend a camera? I have been looking at the Canon 350D as it seems quite a lot of camera for the money. What sort of lenses should i be looking for?

The main uses will be for the usual family photo's plus i work in F1 and like taking a few shots of the cars/drivers etc.

Thanks

How did you get a job in F1 ? what do you do ?

 

[Sparky]

How did you get a job in F1 ? what do you do ?

I've worked with composites for since 1996,started at Lola Cars. A friend of mine and Geoff Willis both left Honda last year and asked me if i would help them sort out the autoclaves at Red Bull.

So i did.

 

[3dcandy]

say hi to dc and mr webber then!
a customer of mine did composites for williams, never did get bhis name but was interesting to talk to him when he popped in

 

[a1ex2001]

DLSRs aren't as good at point and shooting as a bridge or compact IMHO. You have to drive a DSLR to get good results from it.

Unless you intend to change your use in future, you may be better off with a really good compact, like the canon G9

I couldn't disagree more my 30D on full auto (In my girlfriends hands I hasten to add) takes better pictures than any compact or bridge I've ever owned. The size of the sensor and the qulaity of the glass make a massive difference and the low light performance is in a different league.

While it would be a bit sad to use an dSLR in nothing but fully auto I'm sure the results would be better than almost any non-dSLR and you still have the option of taking control. I bet there are loads of dSLR's out there that have never been off fully auto.

If you happy with the size of the 350D and the layout of the controls and interface then get one you won't be disaponted allthough you maybe surprised how cheaply a 400D can be had!

 

[D.P.]

There are drawback to a DSLR for point and shoot purposes, even ignoring cost and size and weight etc.

Firstly, the large sensor means that big telephoto rnages are harder to achieve, while many bridge camera eaisly surpass 300mm with a small lens.

Similarly, macro focussing is a lot easier on a smaller sensor.

Video modes are also much easier on P&Ss . Other things like face detection for auto focusing and scene reognition can help the laziest photographer.