Hi
Budget 300-400 euros. 400 is the absolute max. Prefer to keep it around the 300 mark.
Not adverse to buying 2nd hand (no private sells. Reputable refurbish companies only)
I want to keep the initial outlay quite low until I can decide if it's worth sticking some serious cash into.
My only exp with a camera is my 50quid point n shoot Sony...
Amazon has this on offer
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=358550147&pf_rd_i=468294
Any good?
I don't want anything too complicated. If I feel I can achieve something with a camera then I'll start looking into higher end consumer models once I got to grips with the basics.
What am I going to photograph...who knows
I live in a nice part of the world so it could be mountains, wildlife, people...anything really.
Talk to me about macro lenses...I've been on the odd photo forum and the close up of bugs are quite amazing. Are these pricey? are 2nd hand lenses worth the gamble?
At some point I might buy a reasonable telescope (I live in the sticks so no light pollution...). Something that would be good at taking picture via a telescope would be good.
Ta!
That Canon 1100D looks like it fits your bill perfectly. It will have the important staples of DSLR photography for you to learn with at a reasonable entry price. If you eventually find a reason to buy a new camera then you can do so. Just be mindful of buying a more expensive body for no reason other than buying a new body. I've had three since mid 2006, first was a new D80, then about 2 years ago I upgraded to a used D7000 for better ISO performance, screen and some minor other bits. I now have a D7100, but only because my D7000 was stolen and this was the insurance replacement. I'll not buy another body now until I decide to get a full frame sensor, and only then when I decide that I need it for something.
As MilanoChris said, my only concern would be the size of the camera itself. I have large hands so the smaller models can feel a little cramped for me. Your best bet is to go to a local shop just to see how it feels.
Dedicated fixed length macros can help capture some stunning images, but on a budget I'd look at some extension tubes. I have a set even though I have a dedicated Macro lens as they can be used in tandem. They increase the distance from the rear of the lens to the sensor, and in so doing magnify your image without putting any other glass in the way. You can get a set of Meike tubes for probably £40-50. Be cautious of purchasing any tubes which have no electrical contacts, since you'll not be able to set your aperture on most lenses.
Here are some links to images I found on Flickr taken with a kit 18-55mm and some extension tubes to show you just what can be achieved. Last one is a Nikon camera, but still 18-55mm kit lens.
https://flic.kr/p/bybXPt - Spider
https://flic.kr/p/jWhX26 - Watch
https://flic.kr/p/9GghLd - Dandelion
https://flic.kr/p/8tRTaB - A cricket
47 views and no replies....that speaks volumes for this sub forum. Bet if I increased my budget to 4k people would be all over this like a rash.
Most of us dream of having such a budget. Your budget of £328/€400 is what will have made it difficult for people to help suggest other options for you.
I'm hoping to pick my first SLR up next month, currently not sure between the Nikon D5100 or the Canon 600D/650D
Nikon
-Cheapest!
-No OEM Battery Grips
Canon 600D
-Not really any cheaper than the 650D (2nd hand)
-OEM Battery Grip
Canon 650D
-Touch screen
-OEM Battery Grip
-Most expensive!
Performance wise they all seem to be pretty closely matched, with the Nikon edging it image quality wise. I do however plan to use mine a lot one camping, so the convenience of having 2 batteries in the grip really appeals! Also, whilst some will denounce the touch screen as a gimmick, a lot of the reviews seem to think it's genuinely quite a useful touch.
Have you touched either of them?
Canon and Nikon along with all the other brands make exceptional kit that will capture fantastic images. The deciding factors should be a) which one feels best in your hands, b) do you have friends with a brand that can assist or do swaps with, c) budget.
In your lists I see you have OEM Battery grips. Having had a genuine Nikon one for my D80, and a Meike one on my D7000 and D7100, I'd go for the Meike one time and time again. If I was getting a D800 (£2000) or a D610 (£1400) then I'd consider spending the extra on a Nikon grip. In the meantime, the choices are a £35 grip that works perfectly, feels great and does the job and from a brand I've used twice now, or a £230 Nikon one for my D7100.
As for having two batteries in the grip, I never found I needed them. Unless you are looking at every picture every night on your camera or using the onboard flash regularly, the battery could easily last you 800+ pics. I've had a grip for the ability to shoot portrait a little easier and the extra size it gives the body, as I said above I have large hands and the grip just gives me a little more to cling on with. Swapping a battery takes seconds and you should easily be able to get a huge number of pictures without needed to change at all.
Not really sure on your budget but to throw a cat among your pigeons, the D5200 with the 18-55 VRII lens is currently on sale for £469 after Nikon cashback from WEX, or £379 body only.
An excellent camera. Just like the others you've picked already!
