Conclusion.. I cant afford a DSLR

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zaf
  • Start date Start date
Getting away from the dslr talk and back to what the op was actually asking about :D

I bought the ixus 85is a few weeks ago. Really nice little camera. Its compact, lots of features. Good spec and takes some very nice snaps. The 3x opticle zoom is a bit tight. But other than that it's great as a point and shoot.
 
Ixus 85 apparently has in-lens image stabilisation (good for zoom/low light/no tripod), faster lens, and better auto focus, so yes, seems worthwhile to me. But I'd also concur with the idea of looking at the Fuji range.

And yes - think very carefully before going the DSLR route - they should carry a wealth warning.
 
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I have a Nikon D40 and Canon (Powershot) A720 IS.

If you're wanting a compact to bridge into DSLRs, definitely get something with manual options. I'm amazed at how capable my 720 is, with focus and exposure lock, flash exposure lock, image stabilisation and decent f/2.8 wide aperture.

8MP is more than enough (heck, D40's 6MP is more than enough), and the camera uses 2 rechargeable AA batteries, which makes it cheaper. I think I paid £130 for the Canon almost a year ago, plus about £15 on 4 AAs and a charger.

Although my D40 is loverly, especially as a walk-around with the 35mm f/1.8G lens, my 720 travels everywhere with me. Spent a couple months in South America with just the 720 - didn't have the D40 at the time, but the 720 was inconspicuous and travels very well!

Before the 720 I had a Fuji S5600, which was capable, but I just would rather have a smaller Canon than an all-electronic bulky bridge camera. IMHO :)
 
I've got a second hand 20D and its great, I buy nearly all of my gear second hand if I can. Unless you want your pictures on bill boards 8MP is plenty, you can blow images up to A2/A3 without any problems.

With SLRs the most important part is the lens, bodies get updated at an alarming rate, a decent lens will last you for years (I'm still using lenses I originally bought for my film SLR)

I agree with the health warning - SLRs are seriously addictive!
 
I've finally got to the end of my conclusion and I've just purchased a Canon 500D 18-55 Lens kit :D

Should be getting a decent prim lens off my gf for christmas really would like to get into gig photography
 
Zaf said:
So i've come to the conclusion I cant afford a DSLR as prices have gone up :( So just looking a getting an entry level compact untill I have enough dosh!!

I've narrowed it down to

Canon Powershot A480 S = £98 incVAT

or

Canon Ixus 85 = £143 incVAT

I want to know is the £55 diff in price worth it for the Ixus 85 as they seem very similar spec

I'm open to other surgestions as well guys

Will be buying Thursday ready for my Bank Holiday trip away!

Cheers
Zaf
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When buying a DSLR you also have to take into account decent tripods, filters, lenses, flashes, guide books, bags, etc.

It all adds up very quickly.
 
Filters? Depends what you like to shoot, apart from UV, i don't bother.

Bags? It could be cheap, it could be expensive. Shop around, my crumpler was 50% off

Tripod? Again, depends what you shoot, mine is seldom used, £200 and it just sits there in its bag.

Flashes? This shouldn't be rushed into, learn natural light first and learn how light works. Unless you are into portraits/studio then don't start getting into flash photography in a hurry, it's a very tricky & expensive skill.

Books? never read any, all info are online tbh.
 
D.P. said:
When buying a DSLR you also have to take into account decent tripods, filters, lenses, flashes, guide books, bags, etc.

It all adds up very quickly.
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But you don't NEED all that stuff. A body and a kit lens (and a memory card of course!) is all you need to get yourself going.

Raymond Lin said:
Filters? Depends what you like to shoot, apart from UV, i don't bother.

Bags? It could be cheap, it could be expensive. Shop around, my crumpler was 50% off

Tripod? Again, depends what you shoot, mine is seldom used, £200 and it just sits there in its bag.

Flashes? This shouldn't be rushed into, learn natural light first and learn how light works. Unless you are into portraits/studio then don't start getting into flash photography in a hurry, it's a very tricky & expensive skill.

Books? never read any, all info are online tbh.
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Agree with this, it can be as expensive or as cheap as you like this DSLR malarkey.

People shouldn't be put off buying one because of the perception that you need so much more stuff. Buy it, use it, enjoy it. Upgrade/add to it when you can afford to. :)
 
D.P. said:
When buying a DSLR you also have to take into account decent tripods, filters, lenses, flashes, guide books, bags, etc.

It all adds up very quickly.
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Cheers for the input mate

I'm looking at getting a tripod and decent SD card over the weekend, lens will have to wait a little longer untill I decide what i'll be usinbg the camera for the most, but I can see it being landscape and hopefully gig so shouldn't need a flash.

I got a Free Canon 10EG camera bag with it total cost was £597 including delivery. I didn't fancy buying from HK etc so used at UK supplier.

Zaf,
 
D.P. said:
So, getting a 2nd hand DSLR is a good cost cutting measure. But to be honest,I wouldn't recommend a DSLR to anyone who is struggling to purchase the body in the first place. The Camera body will be a small fraction of the total system cost, and you will end up replacing it every few years if you are any kind of techno-geek.

Its not just quality lenses, its decent filters, tripods, remote releases, flashes, software, more software, color calibration, backup utilities, ore powerful PC, insurance, teleconverters, macro gear, external lighting, books, courses, more tripods, a lot of time spent on technique.

A good compact or bridge can do a lot and will certainly save a lot.
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+1 to all said here.

Buying the camera body is the least of your worries as you will soon need, sorry, want a lot more gear and accessories. ;)
 
It came today first impressions so far are :D

Got loads to read up on and play around and test :cool:

My mate has given me a UV Filter today too, it say's 58mm tho is that going to make much diff as my lens is 55mm?
 
Zaf said:
It came today first impressions so far are :D

Got loads to read up on and play around and test :cool:

My mate has given me a UV Filter today too, it say's 58mm tho is that going to make much diff as my lens is 55mm?
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Your lens is 55mm, the UV filter fits lens' with a thread of 58mm.
 
Zaf said:
It came today first impressions so far are :D

Got loads to read up on and play around and test :cool:

My mate has given me a UV Filter today too, it say's 58mm tho is that going to make much diff as my lens is 55mm?
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Your lens has a max focal range of 55mm, the UV filter fits lenses with a thread of 58mm.
 
LOL

It all makes sense now! I thought it might have something to do with focusing etc Doh!

My Nana decided to give all the Grandchildren £1000 :eek:

I was going to spend it on a trip to Vegas but decided on the camera and then save for Vegas.

Does anyone know if cameras are insured under house insurance?
 
Zaf said:
Does anyone know if cameras are insured under house insurance?
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Depends entirely on the insurance policy. Some will, some won't. Some will cover you in the house, but not outside etc etc. I've got my contents insurance with the AA and my camera is covered in the house and outside, even if it's not locked in a car, and I only need to declare items over £1500 in value.
 
Zaf said:
LOL

It all makes sense now! I thought it might have something to do with focusing etc Doh!

My Nana decided to give all the Grandchildren £1000 :eek:

I was going to spend it on a trip to Vegas but decided on the camera and then save for Vegas.

Does anyone know if cameras are insured under house insurance?
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depends.

I make sure mine is covered, either as a specified item, or under the single item limit on unspecified items.

You will need to check with your provider to see whether you are covered.
 
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