Looking at getting into DSLR photography

[A5H]

So, finished my A-level in photography and wanting to get a nice camera for personal use.
Hoping to spend around £500 with a basic kit lense (Will make the rents more happy with me buying one if a lense is included.).
Been looking at the 350D and D50. Either any good?
What else should I be looking at for around the same price?

From the sample images I've seen, the 350D looks to be very good.

Any advice is appreciated.

Ash

Also, would either be OK for creating HDR images?
I know it requires post photo processing. But could I use these cameras to take the donor images?

 

[Lostkat]

So, finished my A-level in photography and wanting to get a nice camera for personal use.
Hoping to spend around £500 with a basic kit lense (Will make the rents more happy with me buying one if a lense is included.).
Been looking at the 350D and D50. Either any good?

Yes, both are excellent, but the D50 is slightly more entry level than the 350D iirc.

What else should I be looking at for around the same price?

Nothing really. The next Nikon (D70s) is approx £670 incl. kit lens, and the 30D is >£800, so both way out of your price range.

From the sample images I've seen, the 350D looks to be very good.

It is excellent, as is the Nikon. I have the previous Canon version, the 300D and it's a cracking SLR.

Any advice is appreciated.

Steve's Digicams always have very thorough reviews on cameras. Worth a read.
Also, please don't buy either camera without going in to a shop first and having a play with them. There isn't an awful lot between them, so it might come down to how they feel and how the controls are placed. It does for a lot of people. You either prefer one or the other.

Also, would either be OK for creating HDR images?
I know it requires post photo processing. But could I use these cameras to take the donor images?

Yep, no problem

 

[jimpy]

Nikon and Canon - slog it out for top dog place and as a consequence keep improving and getting better.
But to get the best out of them you have to have a fair bit of experience behind you.
So don't forget that there are other DSLR's out there
You seen some of my work in recent days on here 'So she wants a new outfit' and to-days Water Nymph- check me out
All this has been done on Olympus DSLRs initially an E10[fixed Zoom] in Antarctica and Water Nymph - My current DSLR is an E-Volt E300.
The E10 I got from ****** as the E20 came out 4 years or so ago so I got it half price -
With Specs chamging to rapidly these days it does you no harm to go for last weeks technology at much reduced prices
The E300 came my way via E-bay- a 2 lens kit, extra Flash, all in a Jessops Fastnet case - £1200 worth less than year old for £485.
So don't get rushed into things - its easy to make a rushed decision and long time getting back out.
They suit me fine -

 

[Deleted member 11679]

Practical Photography have a big test this month on the Nikon D50 vs Canon 350d. I recommend you check that out and pick one out of those 2

The D50 wins the test by the way, but as they point out this is because the conclusion was based on their opinions of what would be good for 'travel photography.'

Tom

 

[divine`]

Also, please don't buy either camera without going in to a shop first and having a play with them. There isn't an awful lot between them, so it might come down to how they feel and how the controls are placed. It does for a lot of people. You either prefer one or the other.

This is good advice, listen to it!

I changed my mind almost instantly when I actually tried them, as the one I was intending on buying wasn't comfortable in my hands.

 

[A5H]

Thanks guys. As you said, I will go and have a play around with them both in shops. The 350D is looking better to me without seeing them in person. The images just look nicer to me (From DP review images).

Will take a look at those reviews you posted.

Once again, thanks

 

[divine`]

Thanks guys. As you said, I will go and have a play around with them both in shops. The 350D is looking better to me without seeing them in person. The images just look nicer to me (From DP review images).

Will take a look at those reviews you posted.

Once again, thanks

Same sort of thoughts as me, was set to buy a 350D, walked out with a D70 instead

 

[A5H]

Same sort of thoughts as me, was set to buy a 350D, walked out with a D70 instead

I don't think my budget would stretch to it jammy git.

 

[divine`]

I don't think my budget would stretch to it jammy git.

When I got mine they were virtually the same price anyway

 

[Sequoia]

I would also strongly suggest you give serious consideration to where you intend your interest to go over the next few years, and do it before you buy a camera. Macro? Portraiture? Architectural? Landscape? Wildlife?

Why?

Because whatever you buy now rather locks you in to a manufacturer.

You'll buy a camera and lens, then another lens, then a flash. Then, in a couple of years, you'll decide to upgrade but you're more or less locked to whatever manufacturer you picked, because to switch means selling (and losing money) on all the bits you've bought so far, including lenses and flash.

So, if you are buying a camera to snap with, then it won't matter much. Looking at a DSLR suggests you aren't. So, consider what you might want to do over the next few years, consider which manufacturer's system accessories AND PRICES best match your needs, both now and in the foreseeable future, and pick a camera from that manufacturer unless something else has overwhelming benefits.

In particular, compare lens prices from Nikon and Canon. It can be illuminating.

Oh, and when doing this, don't forget that third-party lens makers have an impact on this. You'll traditionally find that camera maker's own lenses are better, often much better, but the likes of Tamron and Sigma actually make some VERY good lenses these days.

Anyway, just bear in mind that when you buy a camera, you aren't doing it in isolation .... you're buying into a whole system. Buy into the right system for you .... or it will, in years to come, cost you big-time.

 

[A5H]

Thanks for the advice mate.

Went to ****** today to have a hold of both cameras and they would barely speak to me, nevermind let me hold a camera. It's not like I was dressed scruffy or anything

I'll look into lense choices on the internet now. Thanks again

 

[Deleted member 11679]

Thanks for the advice mate.

Went to ******* today to have a hold of both cameras and they would barely speak to me, nevermind let me hold a camera. It's not like I was dressed scruffy or anything

I'll look into lense choices on the internet now. Thanks again

*Might want to scrub out the competitor A5H*

Sounds about right though. For years I had this struggle getting shops to let you have a look at items, its only recently got better for me and I am now 21!

My best advice would be either to have a look around with your mum in toe...the power of mums and staff in shops has worked wonders for me in the past.

 

[cyKey]

*Might want to scrub out the competitor A5H*

Never a good idea to quote the competitor Just to point out that high street camera stores are competitors and there have been a few mentions recently. If in doubt don't mention them.

 

[FakeSnake]

I would agree with all of the above, think/feel carefully when looking at the bodies. I went in to our local camera exchange with a view to buying a 300d, and played with the D70, walked out 20 mins later with a Nikon.

Its all about personal preference in the end, both systems have good and bad points, both make exceptional lenses and accessories.

I never had a problem with going into shops and having a play with them. Only last weekend, I had a Nikon D2X and a couple of lenses to play with in the shop. The salesman could not help me enough, even though I stated I would not be making a purchase on the day.

I just cannot go back to the shop now, as I know I will probably buy one it felt SO much better than my D70, its just a lot of money for a hobby!