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Photonovice
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10-05-12, 10:31 PM
#1

Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Hi
I am new to the forum.I was recommended by Jols regarding this forum. I am keen to take photography as a serious hobby.
I have saved 500pounds for this.I need all the advice I can obtain to get me started. I don't have any previous knowledge of camera or photography. I am going to look for any weekend course near me.
I need a lot of hand holding and support from you all.
Thanks in advance.


     
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Azz
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10-05-12, 10:45 PM
#2

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Hi,

Have you thought about second hand? You could get a Nikon D40 with kit lens for about £200, then buy more lens as and when you need - then when you feel up to it, get a better camera body that you can use with your new lens

Or if you want brand new, then check out the Nikon D3100 Lens Kit (18-55mm VR + 55-200mm VR) at about £550

Or Nikon D5100 + 18-105mm VR Lens.

Depends what kind of lens you want really, but a quick guide is if you look at the long number, that's how far it zooms - so bigger number means it will zoom further.
Kit 1
Nikon D300
Nikon 55-200mm VR
Kit 2
Nikon D40
Nikon 18-55mm
My Compact/P&S: Panasonic Lumix TZ7


     
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11-05-12, 08:27 AM
#3

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Hi and welcome.


Glad you came, also look on old threads for some info.
LENSBABY


     
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11-05-12, 11:05 AM
#4

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Welcome to Yop - some good advice from Azz - sure others will help too - but I agree, buy a cheaper camera, and make sure you have good lenses. It's a very expensive hobby, but a very rewarding one!

xx
Kit 1
Nikon D800
Nikkor 50mm f1.4
Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8
Nikkor 105 mm f2.8 macro
Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8
Sigma 50-500mm F4-6.3 EX DG HSM
Sigma 150-500mm F5-6.3 APO DG OS HSM
Nikon 70-300mm AF f/4-5.6G
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Kit 2
Nikon D700
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!
My Compact/P&S: Fuji finepix bridge


     
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11-05-12, 07:30 PM
#5

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Hi there Photonovice - welcome to YoP !

If you're going to begin a course it might be worth checking out what it will consist of as this may help you decide what you may or may not need to get up and running.

I'd also consider buying used equipment. Once you've been at it for a while you'll no doubt find yourself beginning to have a preference for a particular genre of photography and this will determine what kind of lenses you need or indeed what features you'll be wanting in any body upgrade.
Kit 1
Canon 1D Mark 3
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Kit 2
1D2 & 40D


     
Bazza
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11-05-12, 08:42 PM
#6

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Hi and welcome

Buying second hand is ok if you know what to look for. For example everytime a picture is taken the shutter moves. Commonly called shutter click or shutter count. Now here is the thing about second hand cameras, the higher shutter count the nearer the camera is getting towards the end of its working life. Same as if it were a car you have two options as in a car, get a new engine or new car, same with a camera get the camera rebuilt or a new camera.

Ok how can you tell how many shutter clicks should a camera be able to take? that depends mainly on the camera and how good the shutter mech is. There are ways of checking how much use a camera has had, one way is to take a photo and down load Kuso exif viewer which gives all the data on the camera including how many times the shutter has operated.

So what to check a low shutter count of say up to 8000 clicks would be just about acceptable any more and the camera price should start becomming cheaper most cameras recon on 150,000 clicks so if you are after one with 50/80,000 expect to get it a lot cheaper and personally i wouldn't touch one with that amount on it anyway.

As for make and type of camera well there is the basic, but very good compact,( ie point and shoot) but you are limited to what that camera can do. Most go for a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex), these cameras allow different lenses to be attached. Also many now will take videos as well of both types.

So where do you go from here? Tough question

First of all the range of makes and lenses is so vast far to much to put on here but this link may help to give some idea of costs

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

On top of the camera and lens also budget for a memory card of which there are basically two types CF and SD with variations of both, so make sure you you allow for that. A 4GIG card should get you started Sandisk are a good make ,I have never been let down by one, The you may need a card reader for your computer so you can put the photos on the computer without draining the camera battery. Talking about camera batteries its advisable to always carry a spare.

Ok now you will always find something a little better in the photographic world be it camera /lens or editing suit or flash gun so stick to your budget. A lens can be carried over to an upgraded camera at a later date and not depreciate as much as a used camera, something to bear in mind.

So what should you look for in a camera?

Again there are many things worth noting but first and foremost is it comfortable in your hand and are the settings easy to understand, also is there a good range of accessories for that make? This is why most go for Canon or Nikon which I would say to go for.

Hope this gives a brief insight to help in choosing a camera


Bazza


     
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12-05-12, 12:29 AM
#7

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

There you go, Krish, enough info to do you for a month of searching. Maybe you should use my wife's tactics for buying a camera its as good as any for the first time, after all its to learn on.
Firstly, she take me with her. Not that she believes I know anything about cameras but more to look the salesman in the eye and let her know when he's bullshitting.
Next, she decides how much she wants to spend and adds 20% for good measure. The extra is from my credit card.
Size is everything. If its big you want go for it. Just remember. you will need to carry it around in you pocket, purse, handbag, camera case, car boot, pack horse.
Next is the colour. Oh, yes. Red is good, blue is better. Black is a blokes thing, Silver is good middle ground (matt is better than shiny).
Knobs and dials doen't impress unless the salesman says so, which is where I come in. First timers usually like the idea of a big complicated camera but need a simple starting point.
Warrenty is next. The shop will try to sell you an extended warrenty. Forget it. The camera manufacturer will take care of the first year. By that time you'll be hooked and want to upgrade anyway.
If you're a bloke you'll like the idea of a big bright strap with Nikon or Canon on it for everyone to see. If you're a sheila you'll want something more discrete.
Lastly, ask if it will take really good pictures. If it doesn't, move on. What's the point if you spend all that cash and it won't do what you want it to do.
Best of luck.
Cheers
Tom
Kit 1
Nikon D3s
Nikon 35mm f2
Nikon 50mm f1.4
Nikon 85mm F1.8
Nikon 135mm F2 DC
Nikon 200mm f2.8 micro
Nikon 15mm f2.8
Nikon 105mm Micro
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8
Kit 2
Nikon D700
Nikon 17-35mm f2.8
Nikon 24-120mm f4
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!


     
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12-05-12, 01:05 AM
#8

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Blue is not better than red but yes, size is everything.
Kit 1
Canon 1D Mark 3
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
Kit 2
1D2 & 40D


     
Photonovice
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12-05-12, 11:34 AM
#9

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Thank you all for all your replies.
I have had a look around and quite like the canon http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/canon-e...28342-pdt.html at currys.
I do welcome and value your opinion.
Please let me know if I am making a big mistake..


     
Bazza
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12-05-12, 12:52 PM
#10

Re: Camera help needed...for a complete novice

Not a bad choice as a starter kit, it gives you everything you need. At least its brand new with at least 1 yr warrantee.
Before you actually buy see how it fits in the hand, is it comfortable and is the settings/menu easy to use.

Bazza


     
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