Entry level D-SLR / CSC

lordrobs

lordrobs

lordrobs

Soldato
Joined
30 Sep 2003
Posts
16,454
Location
Norwich
Firstly apologies if this gets asked every other day but I'm after a little advice on where to start.

I've always been keen on taking photos but I'd like to make the step up into taking up photography as a hobby. In the past I've only ever had compacts and because of the way I use them (take them out when I'm on my MTB, down the beach etc.) I can't bring myself to spend proper money on one. This leaves me a little limited when I go out with the intention of taking some photos.

So I'm thinking of getting myself something a little more capable. At the moment I'm swaying more towards a digital SLR but I haven't ruled out a CSC although I found the Nikon 1 really awkward to hold when I had a play with one.

I've got a few odds and ends to sell and I expect I'll end up with up to around a £500 budget for everything to get me started but that will need to include a bag and any other bits I don't yet know that I need!

As for use... a bit of everything really. I'd like to use it at car shows, in the city, in the countryside etc. I realise that to start with I'm going to have to get a 'Jack of all trades, master of none' type setup but I'm ok with that and I can progress as my interest grows and budget allows.

So if you made it this far any advice would be great!

TL/DR - Starter D-SLR (maybe CSC) setup, general use, £500 max budget
 
I'll definitely go and have a play with them all. Can I ask... why not the d3200? Or is it simply that the d5100 offers more for around the same money?
 
Excellent, I'll go and have a play with the D5100, D3200 and D3100 at the local Jessops.

What else would you say was an essential to get you going? A bag seems an obvious one but what else am I likely to need? I've just started looking into filters but not sure if that is a day 1 purchase or not. My compact lasts all day on a single charge (and the following couple normally) but would a spare battery be wise?
 
lemonade said:
Thought I'd mention it here, Jessops have the d5100 with the 18-105mm lens for £529. Ordered one myself and hopefully it should arrive tomorrow, but then its Jessops, so it might not...
Click to expand...

Some of their offers do seem quite competitive. Unfortunately I haven't started shifting my old stuff that I need to sell yet so I'm still £529 short on the budget :p
 
...and despite not having sold a damn thing yet I can't wait and I've just bought a D5100 as well :o

I went for the 18-55 VR lens, this left budget for a bag, 8GB card and a UV filter for protection purposes. I'm sure I'm going to have fun learning how to use it :D
 
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