Confusing advice for newbie looking at buying a DLSR camera

TheOriginalTableLeg · Nov 30, 2011

Hello to all, I have just joined this forum in the hope that I may be able to get some advice. As with most things I purchase of a considerable value I always try to get as much information as possible in order to assist me in making the best decision. So far I bought several of the most popular photography magazines which have many many reviews on the particular cameras I am considering, please read many many online reviews but instead of helping if anything it has only added to the confusion of selecting s DLSR. I am looking to move from a compact (Nikon) to a DLSR as I like the versatility of the additional use of lenses, filters and camera settings options. The particular camera's I have been looking at are as follows: Canon EOS 600D - Approx. £550 Nikon D3100 - Approx. £400 Nikon D5100 - Approx. £600 Pentax K-R Twin lens kits - Approx. £450 But........and here's my main issue to which I eluded above......... The various magazine reviews comparing the above camera's all disagree in their final recommendations. These magazines are clearly put together by experienced photographers and hence why I sought the reviews for advice, but the differing results of the reviews makes me wonder if the writers are giving a completely unbiased view. Some reviews favour Canon others favour Nikon. The camera I am leaning towards is the Nikon D5100 with the18-55mm lens. I have looked at the differences between the D3100 and felt that the additional features over the D3100 will give me the additional scope to improve my photographic skills without having to then sell the camera for a better one, however I could a D3100 with an additional zoom lens for the same money as the D5100 which is also something to consider. I do like my Nikon digital compact and have always found it easy to use and gives excellent quality pics, prior to going digital I had several compact Canons and they gave fantastic quality 35mm pictures. Therefore I would trust both Canon and Nikon. So in summary, I don't expect anybody to give a definitive answer to my questions regarding a DSLR as I appreciate there are so many options based not least on uses and budgets. However if anyone would like to offer any comments or advice please feel free to do so. Thanks in advance for any responses.

marmots · Nov 30, 2011

just go to a store, and try each of them to see which one "feels" best

i also recommend hitting the enter key a few times, the big brick of text will be avoided by most

marmots · Nov 30, 2011

i also usually recommend skipping the entry level cameras

one step up usually isn't that much more, but has a lot more features

like the canon 60d instead of a t2i, or t3i

Overread · Nov 30, 2011

The problem is that many of the cameras being reviewed are not much better than the other (prepare for diehard fans of each to appear and start raving about their brand

). In the right hands they'll deliver good results so its really a case of comparing of the listed specifications and seeing what fits best.

However that is only one side of the coin, you've not said much about what you want the camera to do other than be an upgrade of your current camera, an idea of where you want to go with things; what kind of situations, subjects, conditions etc... It would also help if you have some idea of how far you want to take things - all the way to semi and pro level gear; just a few zoom lenses and the camera etc...

In the end its about putting your criteria on the table, once that is done we can better give some more specific advice as well as point you in the direction that might, longer term, suit you better. It might also open up the options of other brands and products to consider such as the new mirrorless range or maybe SLR offerings from Sony or Olympus.

MLeeK · Nov 30, 2011

I'll add just this: I'd skip the D3100 or the T3 and step up to at least the D5100 or T2i. HUGE improvement from the D3100 to the D5100. Considerable improvement from the T3 to the T2i.

I am not a fan of the Nikon entry level (either the D3100 or D5100) ONLY for the reason that they do not put an auto focus motor in the body. That will limit you to manual focus only on some lenses and cost you a bit more on the ones with the AF motor in them on each lens... In the end the amount you spend upgrading to AF motor lenses you could have spent on a camera with the AF motor in it. The D7000 or D90.
OTHERWISE? I'd probably choose the D5100 for an entry level if I had to choose my very first camera today. Yes, I do shoot canon.

Ron Evers · Nov 30, 2011

Overread, you missed the mark in not mentioning the premier mirror-less cameras - Panasonic.

I do not expect the OP will be interested in using all the lenses made over the last 50 years like I do on a micro four thirds (M4/3) camera but just in case, I point this out.

TheOriginalTableLeg · Dec 1, 2011

marmots said:
just go to a store, and try each of them to see which one "feels" best i also recommend hitting the enter key a few times, the big brick of text will be avoided by most

I had actually done that. But when I then I previewed the post prior to submitting it took them all out! No idea why.

TheOriginalTableLeg · Dec 1, 2011

Thanks to all of you for the replies. I have no intentions of progressing any further than being a casual photographer, so Semi pro or more equipment is not the direction I intend to head. I do like to be able to get up close to photographic subjects and also like to photograph those subjects which may be a distance and therefore feel that a good Macro lens and a telephoto lens serve this purpose well, hence why I felt that the step up to a DLSR would give me this advantage over a compact. I like shooting low light sunsets and sunrises, thunderstorms, rain etc, plus the day to day stuff covered by most family photographs which normally includes a wide range of lighting levels. I guess in summary I am looking for a good all rounder as I realise that my requirements are asking a lot of a single camera. In respect of the point raised about the lenses, the poster was correct in assuming that I would not be interested in the use of older lenses. In fact I doubt I would have any more than a Macro, mid range and a Zoom lens. I think this more than cover my needs. Thanks again. *** I have just typed this response and once again in preview all spaces have been removed. Apologies to anybody having problems reading this *** If anybody has any idea why please let me know!

Overread · Dec 1, 2011

Are you posting to the site from a computer or a mobile device? I know some mobile devices seem to remove all formatting to the site when you post and some users of mobile devices might be able to point out how to prevent this.

So with your interests lined out what kind of investment/budget are you envisioning for this? You've quoted some prices in the first post for the cameras, though, unless I missed it, no overall budget that you have to start this with. The budget helps since there might be some older bodies, still good quality, that might suit you better for the amount you're willing to pay.

TheOriginalTableLeg · Dec 1, 2011

Overread said:
Are you posting to the site from a computer or a mobile device? I know some mobile devices seem to remove all formatting to the site when you post and some users of mobile devices might be able to point out how to prevent this.

From a netbook so I do not know why this is happening, but it is a bit annoying.

Overread said:
So with your interests lined out what kind of investment/budget are you envisioning for this? You've quoted some prices in the first post for the cameras, though, unless I missed it, no overall budget that you have to start this with. The budget helps since there might be some older bodies, still good quality, that might suit you better for the amount you're willing to pay.

Budget wise I am looking at upto £600. For this I would like to try and get the body with at least one lens. I would consider a slightly lower spec body if it meant I could get a second lens for the same money. I would not be able to fork out any more money on additional equipment i.e. lenses for some time so hope that my choice will meet my requirements. At this present time I would leave out a camera bag and memory card and obtain these separately outside of the budget when possible. I will just reiterate that I am only a casual user and am happy with the overall level of quality of my current 10mp Nikon compact, I would just like to have the additional features of the DSLR not only in its feature set but its versatility in using different lenses and an increase in Mp on the sensor an added bonus to enlarging images.

MLeeK · Dec 1, 2011

Considering your wants and needs? I might REALLY consider the Pentax K-r. It's a pretty remarkable camera. Which goes against the normal advice, but you are the kind of person who isn't looking to get into the professional end of it and aren't going to run into the difficulties that the professional upgrades bring with it.
The sony line is pretty excellent as well. I'd honestly rather have a consumer DSLR in Sony and Pentax if my intentions were the same as yours.

TheOriginalTableLeg · Dec 2, 2011

MLeeK said:
Considering your wants and needs? I might REALLY consider the Pentax K-r. It's a pretty remarkable camera. Which goes against the normal advice, but you are the kind of person who isn't looking to get into the professional end of it and aren't going to run into the difficulties that the professional upgrades bring with it. The sony line is pretty excellent as well. I'd honestly rather have a consumer DSLR in Sony and Pentax if my intentions were the same as yours.

Thank you for the response. With the Pentax K-r I could get the Twin lens kit which comprises a 18-55mm and a 50-200mm zoom lens for £499. I realise it may not be as good as say a Nikon or a Canon but still it appears to be a lot of camera for the money. Plus the left over money from the budget could fund a bag and a memory card as well.