budget DSLR

TrojanWhore · 6 Nov 2014 at 11:11

hello people!

for some reason I've decided I wanna have a go at some 'proper' photography, and I'm a little stuck on what I should buy.

I only really want to spend a couple of hundred, and if I get into the idea I'll probably upgrade in a year or so

so the two options I'm most tempted by at the moment, are either

- a nikon d3100, which you can get at the Greek island place at the moment for £239.99 inc. an 18/55 lens (could go grab this on my lunch break)
- bide my time and try to pick up something second hand (here/ebay), probably an older model with lower MP sensor etc

the 3100 has the guided mode, which I assume would be useful to a novice like me, but are there any other (older) models that are noteworthy and readily available

If I consider ebay/CeX/Gumtree etc (I think I'd probably rather not!) is there anything I need to be wary of?

thanks for reading, and any pointers you may have!
Trojan

yoinkF · 6 Nov 2014 at 13:08

Only pointer I have is to look at the camera systems you're investing in and look at the lenses they have on offer. As a newcomer the kit lens is great, however you'll likely find you'll want to try out other lenses soon enough. Fast 50, 30 and 24mm lenses are fairly popular primes for APS-C cameras so it's worth looking at how much you can pick those up for. Most recent DSLRs are fine for starting out. The more expensive models typically have luxuries like more focus points, faster focusing systems and better high ISO noise performance, while these are all great to have, it can be a good learning experience to work around these limitations.

The other thing I'd recommend looking at is software like Adobe Lightroom. DSLR cameras give you the option of shooting in RAW formats, having decent software can really help rescue a shot that's perhaps a bit borderline.

Cheers
Kris.

BallisticGT3 · 6 Nov 2014 at 15:17

Reading this thread has just made me go and order one!

I've been unhappy with the results from my Lumix compact for some time and been looking at the options to upgrade.

Having read the reviews, it seems a very good DSLR for the price the last ones are being knocked out at. At £240 what can go wrong?

Now awaits delivery, so that I can have a play and see what the results are like.

TrojanWhore · 6 Nov 2014 at 15:48

Thanks yoink, yeah, I think I'm mostly set on Nikon as a system, as all the keen photo bods I know (the ex included) were very much biased in nikons favour....also gives me the possibility of borrowing lenses before I commit to a purchase!

as far as software goes, once I've got a decent load of photos to experiment on, I'll probably give the PS/LR cloud bundle a go to see if it's worthwhile for me, until then I have access to photoshop CS3 so I can start to get a feel for it, only really ever used it for forum sigs and web graphics before now.

BallisticGT3 said:
Reading this thread has just made me go and order one!

haha, yeah I think I've made my mind up already, would have gone and got it at lunch then noticed it was delivery only, at the rate I'm going it'll be ordered before dinner!

as you said, for 240 with a lens, I think I'll be hard pushed to find fault, just I know what I'm like with my toys and if I enjoy it I'll convince myself I need something more 'enthusiast' orientated....

edit 2: it's done, should be with me saturday