400D suitable for beginner?

miracleboy

miracleboy

miracleboy

Associate
Joined
31 Oct 2002
Posts
2,315
Want to start getting into 'proper' photography, rather than my point and shoot holiday camera - so basically looking for a good DSLR for a beginner. The Canaon 400D is in my price range, is it a recommended camera for starting out?
 
I would say stick it on Green auto mode for a few weeks to get used to it and then have a play with the other modes Get your self a decent book and you have got a decent camera for years to come.........

The only down side is that nearly anythink decent to do with SLR's can be expensive so start saving........
 
Puffingbilly said:
I would say stick it on Green auto mode for a few weeks to get used to it and then have a play with the other modes Get your self a decent book and you have got a decent camera for years to come.........

The only down side is that nearly anythink decent to do with SLR's can be expensive so start saving........
Click to expand...


It starts with a camera, then a tripod, then filters, spare batteries, better lens, better filters, more lenses, bag(s), better body, more lenses and goes on and on

If you do want to stump up and replace the kit lens I'd highly recommend the 24-70L f2.8 probably my most used lens (in fact since I've got it I haven't even used the 50/1.8)
 
Just got me a Canon 400D with the 18-55mm kit lens and a few other bits and bobs and what a camera it is, the difference going from my Canon S3 IS to the 400D is amazing!

Is it for beginners?

Well I don't class myself as a experienced photographer, I've taken a few but like has been said stick it on green (Auto) and snap away until you get the feel for it :D

Stu
 
i disagree, personally as soon as i got my 350d i was on full manual playing around with how the shutter speed + apertue affect the shots. I did a fair amount of reading along with this too so i had an idea of what does what.
 
Anyone who buys a DSLR and leaves it on Auto for more than the first 2 hours of ownership needs a slap.
 
I would say yes. I bought a 350D as an introduction to DSLR's and i'm very happy with it. The kit lens is poo, but the fact that I can recognize that after 2 months means (to me at least) that I'm learning something!. I pop into the OcUK IRC channel quite a lot and ask silly questions. But all in all I would say they are a great introduction. Forget auto, it really is for gays (complete waste of time buying a DSLR just to run it in auto). I only use manual mode, and it's really quite easy to use. Meter+check the histogram, at least that's how I take photos (I am a noob though). Buy Buy Buy :p .
 
Puffingbilly said:
I would say stick it on Green auto mode for a few weeks to get used to it and then have a play with the other modes Get your self a decent book and you have got a decent camera for years to come.........

The only down side is that nearly anythink decent to do with SLR's can be expensive so start saving........
Click to expand...

I would start with P mode actually, at least that will let you play with things a little bit while retaining some control for experiement.
 
P mode does a fine job in most situations, and is still a setting i use when i dont want to think (ie, festive time). The kit lens isnt too bad - it has a useful range to start out in and can be pretty sharp in the right conditions and settings. The fun in SLR photography is how extensible your setup can be, but its always good to make the most of what you have - at first. I would say, get an external flash soon too. Indoor Bounced flash pictures just looks so much nicer compared to the direct flash pics.
 
benneh said:
The kit lens is poo...
Click to expand...

It's not really that bad. Just have a check here for a (quick and dirty) comparison between the 18-55 kit lens and the £900 16-35 f/2.8 L. Sure there's a difference, but £850's worth? After all the slagging I was plesently suprised with the results from my kit lens :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom