Landscape Photography Buying Advice

[aking]

Hey, sorry if this is the wrong place for posting this but I'm looking for some buying advice for landscape photography.

I currently just use a compact so I'm wanting to get a new camera and equipment for it. I want it to last me for a while, so I would prefer a DSLR over a hybrid camera (unless you think that's a bad idea). I don't really want to spend much more than £1200 on everything together (camera, tripod, lenses etc.) but I don't mind buying additional, unessential things along the way.

If anyone could suggest things to buy so that I don't end up spending too much I would really appreciate it.

I hope that made sense

Thanks!

[AndyStevens]

From what I've read, and from a friend who now owns one, a Canon 550D would be a good investment. Add a super-wide 10-20mm lens (Sigma are about £350), some ND Grads (Cokin are ok and cheap-ish) a decent tripod (Manfrotto do some for around £100) and a Lowepro shoulder bag (big, well priced at £50/60 and have waterproof covers that pull out) and you should be well sorted - and about on budget.

Or maybe a little over budget once you've added a memory card, cable release, hot shoe spirit level...

Take a shopping list into a store and do the 'how much for all this lot? I've got £1200 in my pocket' kinda thing.

Good luck!

[chris-p]

£1200 is an enormous amount of money to spend if you've only ever used a compact.

A Canon 550D would be a perfectly suitable, but rather expensive, camera. The choice of camera is a whole different topic for discussion.

If you really want to spend spend spend, I'd suggest something like a Nikon D3000 or Canon EOS 1000D with kit lens (£340-350), a wideangle lens like the Tamron 10-24mm (£380) or the Sigma 10-20mm (£400) and, if you really want a tripod, something like a Manfrotto 7321YB (£60) and a bag (£40-50).
That lot would still add up to £850(ish) which is a lot for a complete novice to spend...

My advice, however, is get an entry level DSLR and a kit lens and learn to use it before you shell out huge amounts of money.

[aking]

@AndyStevens I've looked at a Cannon 550D and thought it looked good but wasn't sure if I'd be able to get much more because of it's price, thanks for your advice.

@chris-p I would want to hold onto it for quite a while as I said. Do you think that it's easier to learn using DSLRs with an entry level DSLR over a better one?

I have used a DSLR a few times before but obviously not one that I owned. Thanks a lot.

[matt wilson]

Chris has certainly got a good point re the lower priced body .I own a canon 50 d .My partner is also a keen photographer and I recently bought her a second hand 1000 d .

Put my sigma ultra wide or macro lens on a 1000 d and you would struggle to tell which camera had taken the shot .

The 50 d is better built ,shoots faster etc but when you consider you are mainly interested in landscapes I don't think you need all that.

Budget for a polarising filter I use that far more than my graduated filters.

If you don't own a copy already then photoshop elements for around £80.00 is a wise buy.

Don't ignore the second hand market .The 1000 d I bought cost £275 with kit lens boxed as new software never opened .

I then got a lowepro slingshot bag for her for £15.00 second hand ..retail £50.00.

Don't skimp on the tripod ,it's false economy and you will end up buying something more substantial if you go for a real cheap model.

With the rapid pace of change in cameras there are always going to peole who must have the latest kit and trade in .These bodies were cream of the crop not long ago and are more than capable of taking shots you can print to A 3 size .

Lenses from canon ,nikon sigma etc are always going to be in demand and will retain a good proportion of their value.

[aking]

Thanks Matt.

I will definitely look at second hand equipment when buying, especially with things like bags. As for filters, would you advise getting Lee Filters, which everybody speaks very highly of but are pretty expensive, or something cheaper?

I've been using Photoshop CS3 for about three years so... :P

I understand what you mean about the latest cameras.

Thanks a lot for your advice!

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by aking

@chris-p I would want to hold onto it for quite a while as I said. Do you think that it's easier to learn using DSLRs with an entry level DSLR over a better one?

Everyones different but I don't think it's any easier or harder to learn with any particular model. Its about how you learn, not what you learn with.

First and foremost, it's your money but, as Matt has already said, the technology in cameras moves on very fast. You're better off getting a cheaper camera and investing more in your lenses, where the technology doesn't leap forward just after you've spent all your money and leave you with a brand new, shiny, outdated model.

Oh, and filter wise, Lee filters are (like Singh Ray) very expensive. Cokin are cheaper but can leave a colour cast on your shots. Kood make some very good value filters which definitely worth looking into. They're normally about £10 for an ND grad.

[donoreo]

If you want to go SLR, look at a Pentax K-x. Lots of the same features of Canons and Nikons for a lot less money. Their UK online store has them at £529 with a kit lens.

[matt wilson]

re the pentax KX ..it's a well specified camera .Interestingly PC world has a twin lens deal on that works out at £450.00 odd .(everywhere else wants £500.00 plus for body and kit lens .)

The body feels good but the two lenses didn't seem very well built .I have never heard such noisy or slow af performance.

One advantage though is that you enter into the ability to use older K mount lenses .it takes 4 AA batteries which could be regarded as good or bad depending on your point of view .Rechargable lithium AA's should last a while .

I seriously considered this for my partner but it was the lenses that discouraged her.

[aking]

Thanks for all the advice!

OK so now I'm thinking:

Canon EOS 1000D Camera Body (possibly used)
Tamron 10-24mm
A couple of Kood Filters
Canon LP-E5 Battery Pack for 450D / 500D / 1000D (will I need this?)

@matt wilson mind me asking where you bought that bag from? Also could you suggest a cheaper tripod that would work nicely?

Thanks