Starter camera...

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Soldato
Joined
5 Dec 2003
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With our first child on the way and allot of big events coming up over the next year or two I think it's time that I invested in a good camera rather than relying on my phone camera.

I'm thinking something along the lines of an dsl camera as opposed to a compact that I may have been tempted with in the past. I know with this sort of thing its possible to spend mega money which isn't really what I want. However I am prepared to pay for something that's good enough. I guess its a balancing act of cost Vs quality, somewhere in the middle would be ideal.

Could anyone point me in the direction of the better brands and models to be looking at please?

Thanks muchly :)
 
Do you have any particular budget in mind? If you don't mind something a bit chunky I'd probably grab an entry level DSLR with a nifty 50.
 
50 is too long on apsc for ops needs imo.
Op you should state your budget.. higher the better.

If it was my first born, I would pay what I could afford. It wouldn't be an area where I would look to be a cheapskate as I would regret it for a long time.
 
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With a first born you want something good in low light and good auto focus for when they start running around. A DSLR will certainly help here.
The downside is the size and the weight, and when you go out with a baby you already have so much stuff, often including the baby on an ergo carrier or in your arms that I rarely take my DSLR if I am going out with my daughter. I've found my Olympus EPM-2 m43 compact systems camera to be perfect, DSLR like image quality but small enough to fit inside my pockets or in the stroller pockets, was the perfect camera to take to the hospital etc. I certainly enjoy my DSLR when I am home or making special photo shoots with her but it isn't as enjoyable when I am lugging the baby around. Now it is certainly possible, and you can get away with shoving the DSLR under the baby stroller which is nice.


The other thing with the DSLR is once the baby hits a few month then they react very differently to the DSLR and notice it much more. I don;t think it is a bad thing, my daughter tend to stare at the DSLR more so you can get her attention and stay focused. With my tiny Olympus she is more likely to look at your face and smile but then look elsewhere.

I would also echo An Exception's comment - 50mm is too long, the Nikon 35mm DX works well.


Really need a budget though. I reckon the Nikon D7100 is one of the best bang for buck camera out there but you wont get much change from 1G when all told for. On the other hand A Nikon D5100 is a bargain right now, and yo have a huge choice of Canon models that are all much the same (500D,550D,600D,650D,700D) etc.
 
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I suppose it depends on if you are interested in photography or not.
Whether you want/will want lens options or just something fixed

A dslr with 18-55 (or even 17-55mm!)
 
Sorry folks, not sure why I didnt put a budget in the op. Say £300 may be about right, however if its worth spending that bit more then I really wouldn't mind at all :)

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I'll start having a look into them now.
 
Just bought a Samsung NX3000 for family pics. We've got a DSLR and it's too big to take around everywhere.

Will be picking up tomorrow and see how I get along with it. Seems a good price for £190 with lightroom included. It's got a decent sized sensor without the bulk and complexity of DSLR and takes 1080p videos.
 
Another vote for the D3200 here. I got one for £310 with the kit lens (18-55mm) but I spend another £110 and go the 35mm f/1.8 which is highly rated as a great first prime lens. I love it so far.
 
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