Buying advice for entry level SLR - Canon or Nikon?

spiki

spiki

spiki

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Need some advice on what to buy as an entry level SLR. Let me explain the reason for buying.

I play in a covers band on a part time basis and while we are very busy, have a full diary and good promotional materials (brochures, biz cards, pop-ups etc) we have few good quality photos or video of the band performing live.

At a wedding we were playing at recently we happened to blag a mini photo session off the official photographer but we weren't happy enough with the results to use for promotional purposes.

The same person advised us to buy an SLR rather than spend a couple of hundred on an expensive photo session. Trouble is, I have no idea what to buy.

In the past I have had a Canon Powershot G something and Panasonic TZ5 and while both were decent enough cameras for general use, they were both pretty limited when it came to taking good quality, sharp images of the band performing live.

I've been reading lots of reviews, both cutomers and critics, but am finding it all a bit bewildering. I have no idea what I need in terms of a lens and what I should be looking for to get those essential low light shots.

I had narrowed things down to a Nikon D3200 and Canon EOS 1200D which seem to be highly regarded.

Can anyone please give me some helpful advice? It would be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
Just looking at them in the store and picking the one you like the look of is often as good a way as any to decide lol :)

Unless you have a particular lens in mind that only one manufacturer has then there isn't a wrong choice imo.

Just buying a cheap DSLR probably won't result in you getting good shots of your band though... It might require some learning and practise before you get something you'll think looks good... It might also require some more equipment if you're looking for shots in dark venues etc.
 
Thanks Phal. Could you advise on what other equipment I might need or even an all in one solution that would be cost effective?

I maybe should add that it would mainly be to capture live shots of us, mostly in hotels/wedding venues, that potential clients can see. Most wedding venues are not just as dark as concert venues as they tend to have some ambient lighting even when the band is performing, so a camera that would produce good results at an affordable price is what we need.
 
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I'd go for Nikon due to them having a cheap 35mm prime lens that opens wide which will work great for low level, plus it's meant to be a better focal length than 50mm.
 
Thanks Hyburnate. Have you any experience of this particular model or lens? Anything else worth considering in the same price range?
 
Nope no experience with Nikon, just if you want low level shots you're going to want an aperture as wide as possible and their 35mm lens does that and on that sensor should give pleasing results.
 
Tbh if you want to get into photography then buy a DSLR but if you just want some decent shots of you and your band then find someone to take em for you :)

Might be able to find someone with a bit more experience and kit willing to do it for free for a bit of experience etc.
 
Phal said:
Just buying a cheap DSLR probably won't result in you getting good shots of your band though... It might require some learning and practise before you get something you'll think looks good... It might also require some more equipment if you're looking for shots in dark venues etc.
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This. If you want good shots of the band the last thing you should be doing is buying a DSLR. The most most effective solution to get good shots will be to pay for a professional to do them for you.

To reverse it, it is Like a photographer that wants some live music so he buys a guitar and learns to play himself. No, that doesn't make sense. If you want good shots pay someone to do it, don't buy the guitar to make your own music yourself. There is so much more to it than the gear.
 
As someone who was in a very similar situation to yourself recently, I also asked this very question on various forums all over the place and I ended up getting a compact system camera instead.

I got the Samsung NX1100 and at my level of photography and at this budget, it spanks any DSLR out of the box. To get better results with a DSLR, you're looking at considerably more for a body alone, and lenses will cost you a fortune too.

This camera is much smaller, more practical, doesn't need cases of kit carted around for good results, can snap in a millisecond without having to worry about focus and levels, and does, quite literally, everything a DSLR can do.

I'm genuinely impressed with it, hands down one of the best tech items I've ever bought, and coupled with the fact that you can pick it up and snap within seconds, many of my friends and family have picked it up and grabbed instant shots of moments that would have been much more difficult to catch with a DSLR as they're so chunky and require a bit more setting up for good results.

Of course if you really want to go pro, then a DSLR is the way to go but then you're talking some major wedge before you can outclass this camera.

It also has loads of smart capabilities so you can use any tablet or smartphone as a viewfinder, you can transfer photos to any tablet or phone as you're shooting them (bigger screen is great), edit them on the fly, etc etc. It's astonishing what you can do with this little monster.

I will say that should you consider this camera as an option, Argos is your best bet as it's cheapest, and this is coming from someone who researched this for at least 3-4 months before jumping in and buying it.

Whatever you decide, photography is great fun and a hobby which you can do whenever or wherever you want, it's lovely.

Here's a great resource for beginners, one which explains things quite well, I recommend it regardless of what you decide :)

http://digital-photography-school.com/digital-photography-tips-for-beginners/
 
The key with the cameras is that both will capture good quality results provided the person taking the picture is good at taking a picture. You should hold both and play with them to see which feels more comfortable in your hand and in use. Also consider what any of your friends have as that might help you learn the camera or its systems better or swap some gear.

For low light shots you want something with decent ISO performance and a fast lens, and since it's indoor and close packed something like a 35mm f1.8 might be useful.

However, if you just want some decent pictures for promotional purposes as the main aim, would either a) paying a photographer to get those images (and likely be better than what you might take if you don't know what camera or lens to buy) or b) put a shout out on here or some other forums for someone in the area to come along one night and do them, probably for the experience, the addition to their collection and a pint. If you strike up something that works well maybe they can do them in a more official capacity.


Also, if you're taking the pictures of the band who's doing whatever you're supposed to be doing in the band?
 
I'd say Canon if you want to shoot wildlife because of the 400mm f/5.6, otherwise Nikon because their sensors are a fair bit better.
 
spiki said:
Thanks Phal. Could you advise on what other equipment I might need or even an all in one solution that would be cost effective?

I maybe should add that it would mainly be to capture live shots of us, mostly in hotels/wedding venues, that potential clients can see. Most wedding venues are not just as dark as concert venues as they tend to have some ambient lighting even when the band is performing, so a camera that would produce good results at an affordable price is what we need.
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Personally I think you need a good photographer. I don't think you are going to be able to produce pictures better than the wedding photographer tbh.

Best advice, find a photographer who's pictures you think look amazing.
 
An Exception said:
Personally I think you need a good photographer. I don't think you are going to be able to produce pictures better than the wedding photographer tbh.

Best advice, find a photographer who's pictures you think look amazing.
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This :) unless you have an interest in photography and you want to start somewhere then maybe go get a DSLR but if you just want good pictures then don't DIY
 
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