SLR Advice - Complete Beginner

[MultiMartin]

Hello everybody,

I was wondering if you would be able to offer some advice on purchasing a new SLR camera. I am a complete beginner when it comes to photography but would like to develop it as a hobby.

I am thinking of purchasing a 'mini' SLR camera so that I can carry it with me when I am out and about. However, I seriously have no idea what to look out for and what makes a good SLR camera. My budget is up to £350. Would any of you kind folk to able to suggest a camera which would be a good all-rounder?

Many thanks

[JohnDoyle2]

Well now, I had expected that your query would have been flooded with answers! Your query is a very broad one though. Do you not know of any photographers near you? Who could guide you in your quest? If not, then, I would suggest as a start, a visit to some photographic outlets such as Jessops or London Camera Exchange or any other near you. Have a look of what is on offer, feel and try them, don’t be in a rush to settle on a particular brand on model, remember that time is on your side. Besides the Camera itself you will also have to consider, Lenses and other accessories that match your choice> Good Luck

[MultiMartin]

Thanks for your reply. Sadly I do not know any photographers near me, which is part of the reason I haven't bought a camera sooner. From what I have read a 'bridge' camera would probably be best but I am still unsure as to which model would be best.

I've had bad experiences in the past with cameras that have taken blurry and grainy shots and I am concerned that the same will happen again. I am unsure about lenses since I have been using 'traditional' cameras for years. My current camera is a Konica Minolta DiMAGE Z10.

Any further help would be greatly appreciated!

[flake]

I'd have to reccomend the Canon SX1 IS 9£380) or the SX10 IS (£350). Both these cameras will do everything a DSLR will do, but they are self contained, and there are no expensive add ons to buy, unless you want a flash gun. The SX1 will also record HD video.

Both cameras have a 20x zoom which will also shoot close up detail, they are image stabilised to help with camera shake in low light, they are styled as conventional DSLR's but more compact. They take rechargeable AA batteries which reduces cost considerably over the normal OEM Lion type.

Here is the conclusion from one review:

Bottom line - Canon has produced one awesome digital powerhouse, that can be used by anyone! The SX1 is a perfect 'bridge' camera that fills the gap between consumer point-n-shoots and entry-level dSLR systems. While the price is close to a dSLR kit, there are several features you will not get on most dSLRs at this price point, like the 20x optical zoom, image stabilization, a 2.8-inch articulating LCD, full HD movie mode, etc. This model offers outstanding performance in both single and continuous capture modes as well as awesome image quality. The CMOS image sensor is a welcomed addition compared the the CCDs used in past models, and we Love the new 1080p HD movie mode. The SX1 is sure to be a very popular model in the coming months (or years), and we have no problem giving this camera our highest recommendation to anyone who is torn between a consumer or dSLR unit. With a street price of US$599 or less, we feel the Canon PowerShot SX1 IS offers an outstanding value for the amount of control, quality and features you are receiving.

[Forseti]

Hallo Martin and welcome to the forum. With the best will in the world your question is impossible to answer objectively with the little information given. What can be said however, is that there are no bad cameras being built today and neither are there bad lenses although obviously some are better than others. Having a good knowledge of how your camera works as well as a good understanding of exposure/light not to mention a good understanding of camera technique e.g. how best to hold it will almost certainly lead to sharper images as opposed to using the latest and greatest from any particular camera maker.

You say that you'd like to develop photography into a hobby. Ok, then - why? Have you been influenced by any particular photographer and have you thought much about what aspects of photography might be of interest to you? For example, it's akin to saying that you'd like to become a racing driver. Fine - but there are Rallycross racing drivers, off-road racing drivers .........you get my drift here obviously. All of these drivers have differing requirements in terms of their equipment i.e. cars and in the same way this can be extended to photography. A photographer shooting 99% in a studio will have a different requirement to that of say a landscape photographer spending 99% of the time in an outdoor environment.

So my advice would be to approach this problem the same way as you would for buying a car for example. Ask yourself what are the minimum requirements that this camera must have and to what use it will be put. By way of example, will you be happy with results straight out of the camera i.e. jpeg format images or would you wish to expand your hobby into shooting RAW format images that later need to be processed on your computer and in a way that suits you as opposed to what the camera thinks is right.

I've only scratched the surface here but hopefully you will have seen that purchasing a camera is not as easy as on the surface it first appears. It's easy to go out and buy a camera, and many do, only regretting it afterwards. So think first where your interests lie, what functions should the camera have, purchase a selection of camera magazines which contain multitudes of advertisements and narrow it down to what models fall within your current price bracket. Once you've got this far more constructive advice e.g. what does anyone think about this model can be offered. Good luck.

Edit: flake was obviously posting her comments as I was composing mine and, in the light of what she has said I will add this as regards the SX1. This is one of the rare times that I have ordered something online without actually trying it out for myself in the shop and what a mistake that was. Guided by flakes own glowing report along with reviews that are posted (flake gives one such review above) I went ahead and purchased an SX1 for myself. Never before have I been more disappointed in a camera as I have with the SX1 and this doesn't stem so much from the quality of finished product or even the images/video that it produces but more from the overall design. It appears to me that the Canon designers never took into account (a) how a camera should be held and (b) the shape of a normal persons hand. The main control dial is placed in such a position as to sit directly under the heel of the hand and along with it being so sensitive means that just as one is about to press the shutter release you have inadvertently changed a setting with the heel of your hand. This obviously applies to me - others seem to be perfectly happy, but stresses the argument of physically getting your hands on a camera rather than purchasing online based on what other people think is just fine.

[MultiMartin]

Many thanks for you replies. I was looking at the SX1 as I have found it for £319 online but Forseti's comments have now sowed the seeds of doubt!

In response to your comments about why I want a camera. I recently joined Flickr and have been in complete awe of some of the amazing landscape shots of, for example, beaches and the night sky. Some of which are:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35510593@N04/3689638702/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldandersen/563692357/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterpa...53/3241617504/

I know these were taken by professionals with very expensive cameras but they really captured my imagination and made me want to start to take some shots myself!

[Forseti]

Just so long as those seeds of doubt don't put you off at least considering this camera as that wasn't my intention. The point that I was attempting to make is that cameras come in a multitude of configurations and sizes and that the camera you finally decide on has not only to meet your needs but also sit comfortably in your hands. The SX1 is a wonderful camera producing excellent results in good lighting conditions with top quality full HD video even though it is 30fps. It's just that with having previously owned a G5 as well as several SLR's the feel for me is completely wrong and this puts me off using it as much as I would like to. I won't even mention the type of lens cap fitting whose squeeze grip fitting can only be operated by someone with a glove size of one i.e. a child of two. In summary - try before you buy.

[Sue Allen]

The first photo you've linked to was taken with an Olympus E-410 and, as the focal length was 14mm, I assume the standard kit lens. The later E-420 - and possibly the newer E-450 - with that lens are just about within your budget. I've only used the earlier E-400 - this range is physically very small in DSLR terms which makes it a good travel option.

http://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/c/2...R-Cameras.html

[MultiMartin]

Thanks for your help. Now I am not sure what to do if the SX1 is not good in low light as I would like to take sunset shots etc. I am now considering the Olympus E420 with the 14-42MM lens. Would I need the 40-150MM lens too?

[Sue Allen]

Depends on what you want to shoot. The 4/3 system means the 14 -42mm is roughly equivalent to using a 28-80mm on a film camera - good for landscapes/people shots etc. The 40-150mm adds the ability to take the sort of stuff you'd need something like a 70 - 300mm lens for on a film camera. With these two lenses you'd be set up for a long time - buying as a kit means saving money on buying an additional lens later as they always work out cheaper bought in a kit. Olympus kit lenses are amongst the best you can buy - amongst kit lenses that is.