Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Photography => Topic started by: RedLeader on February 07, 2010

Title: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 07, 2010
I'm going to treat myself to a DSLR but don't want anything too pricey. Am thinking of a Nikon D3000 which is about £400 or so and seems to review quite well.

Anyone any thoughts?
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: chris on February 07, 2010
Thats the one I got and I'm chuffed to bits with it. so a def vote for it here! The kit lens does the job and I had a 50mm prime sitting around that I was able to use and I bought a 70-300mm on top of that.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 07, 2010
Excellent. Where did you buy and how much did you have to pay?
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 08, 2010
Thats the one I got and I'm chuffed to bits with it. so a def vote for it here! The kit lens does the job and I had a 50mm prime sitting around that I was able to use and I bought a 70-300mm on top of that.

Also do you know that Nikon are doing £30 cashback on a D3000 bought between Nov and Feb 15th. Seems like it applies.
http://www.nikon.co.uk/sites/cashback/D3000.html
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: Kirth on February 08, 2010
Believe it or not the lens is more important than the camera!

I've used Nikons for years and have changed cameras loads of times, but always use the same collection of lens.

If I was buying the D3000 I would spend some money on a good lens, you dont have to go overboard but the Ideal partner is the Nikon 18-200 VR, this will get you wide for landscapes but long enough for tight shots and some wildlife. The VR means Vibration reduction which helps keep your lens steady in low light resluting in less blurry images.  I use this lens in the summer for Riot work, so I can run like the hammers and dont have two cameras round my neck.

The other beauty about this lens is, you will never have to take it off the body, reducing the amount of dust on the sensor, (mine are bloody bogging)

K
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 08, 2010
Will bear that in mind, but from what I can see the 18-200 is £500 which is outside my price range for both the body and lens :) Just at the start I'll take the 18-55 VR that comes bundled and once I'm up and running I'll consider upgrading. At the mo Jessops are doing the D3000+18-55VR lens for £379 plus Nikon are doing £30 cashback bringing it in at £349 which isn't bad.

Any recommendations for accessories? Most of my photography is outdoors so do I need a decent bag to protect and keep it dry (bearing in mind weight is a consideration)?

(Err, and wtf is riot work?)
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: Kirth on February 08, 2010
Any Bags I use are by Lowepro, they have the best padding and waqterproof covers, In saying that the last two times I was up the mourneds, I wrpapped it in a plastic bag and thn round my down jacket and stuffed it in my pack,  ???
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: chris on February 08, 2010
Yeah j you've got untill the 10th buy it and your claim has to arrive by the 15th. There is a lot of focus put on getting a decent lens but for beginners like ourselves mate the 18-55mm kit lens is more than adequate! To be honest I think you should buy a decent tripod asap it opens up a whole new world of photograhy from 30sec exposres of the strars to better landscape shots.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: chris on February 08, 2010
Also (and this is something I wish I'd done!) you could check out ebay and get yourself self a good deal on a really decent body then get a second hand lens aswell. For the price of a D3000 you could end up with something cracker!
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 08, 2010
I considered that but for a first time buyer I didn't want to end up with something that was knackered. Once I've gotten used to this one I'll decide if I need something better. I'm no pro photographer - just want a slightly better photo than my crap compact takes.

Also (and this is something I wish I'd done!) you could check out ebay and get yourself self a good deal on a really decent body then get a second hand lens aswell. For the price of a D3000 you could end up with something cracker!
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on February 08, 2010
Keep an eye on http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/ as they sometimes have some good prices on used D-SLR's from both Nikon and Canon.  I haven’t bought from them personally, but a few of my photographer buddies have and always been very pleased.  It’s a good way to get second hand prices without the obvious risks of eBay etc.

That said... the price of D3000 is so low that its probably just better to buy one from new.  I bought my 50D from Calumet in Belfast on the Boucher Road.  Worth checking their prices if you want to buy local.  You can also buy online/collect in store with Calumet which is a good way of getting web prices without paying the postage charges.  For buying online I tend to use http://www.warehouseexpress.com.  Very good service and usually competitive prices.

I do agree with JT about buying good lenses... but I also have to agree with Chris.  When you are starting out the 18-55 is spot on as its more important taking the time to learn how the camera works.  It’s only when you are confident with the camera (and what you are pointing it at) that you will start getting obsessed with zooming in to 100% and moaning about chromatic aberrations, soft pixels etc.  For publishing to the web, printing up to A4 etc. the kit lens will produce some outstanding results.

I'd give another vote to Lowepro bags.  I've got a couple of them, and they've taken a fair bit of abuse with no issues.  For using with a rucksack I like to use the Lowepro Topload bag, which allows me to wear the strap bandolier style across my chest, with the waist belt of my rucksack through the belt loop of the camera bag.  This means the bag is always stable and doesn’t get in the way, but at the same time I can easily grab the camera from in front of me when I fancy grabbing a quick shot.  Was it Ulsterwalker I spotted at the Donard Wood trip using an OMM chest pack to store his D-SLR?  I thought that was a neat idea.

For tripods, check out the Gorilla Pod.  Could be the lightweight travellers answer to the tripod :)  Its on my shopping list!
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 08, 2010
Awesome advice guys. Just picked up the D3000. Now I just need to work out what all the damn settings mean..
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: chris on February 08, 2010
Awesome advice guys. Just picked up the D3000. Now I just need to work out what all the damn settings mean..

Lol nice. If I was you I'd get straight onto amazon and get a d3000 specific book. I played with mine for a few weeks on my own but I learnt more the day I got the book than those few weeks put together! also I wouldnt get into the habit of using the "pre set" settings especially auto. Stick it on aperture priority or shutter priority or preferably Manual. Just sit when your watching tv and shoot away, you'll soon learn what settings will be over exposed whats under exposed whats in focus what different iso's and white balances do. If you want to ask any specific about it I'll try and help ya.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 08, 2010
So what book did you get?
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: chris on February 08, 2010
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3000-Expanded-Guide-Sparks/dp/1906672695/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265642044&sr=1-3 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D3000-Expanded-Guide-Sparks/dp/1906672695/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265642044&sr=1-3)

I found it very uselful. Its a small book (size wise!) so its easy to carry around. It'll get you started and explain a good few things, It also comes with a cut out white card which I use alot.

This guy Foound very useful aswell http://www.youtube.com/user/FontanaKnowledge#p/c/81112CA092D722FF (http://www.youtube.com/user/FontanaKnowledge#p/c/81112CA092D722FF)

He may not be to your taste and can be a little "spacey" at times but I learnt a lot from watching his tutorials (13 in all) and would def recomend them!
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 09, 2010
Had a right old fiddle last night and tbh I'm none the wiser :D Will need to get it outside for a proper experiment but all the messing with shutter speeds, exposure, focal lengths and iso numbers just confused the hell out of me. Maybe we should beg one of the pro photographer types to start a thread with some basic information in it or to dig out some links to tutorials. That said, I'm well interested in learning to use it properly.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on February 09, 2010
Maybe we should beg one of the pro photographer types to start a thread with some basic information in it or to dig out some links to tutorials.

I think the best idea would be to try and get a photography trip organised.  Nothing too strenuous, just a day out with the cameras to share a bit of knowledge.  Preferably that doesn't require lugging a tripod up a mountain ;)  I haven't had my camera out since November so could do with blowing the cobwebs off any way... any one interested?
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 09, 2010
Maybe we should beg one of the pro photographer types to start a thread with some basic information in it or to dig out some links to tutorials.

I think the best idea would be to try and get a photography trip organised.  Nothing too strenuous, just a day out with the cameras to share a bit of knowledge.  Preferably that doesn't require lugging a tripod up a mountain ;)  I haven't had my camera out since November so could do with blowing the cobwebs off any way... any one interested?

I'm definitely game. Am hoping for a quick run round Cave Hill this Saturday morning for that very purpose if anyone is interested.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: ulsterwalker on February 09, 2010
Will give those videos a look Chris, but the background on his channel was making my eyes bleed!

The OMM chest pouch is a good unit and pretty handy for keeping the camera in, but the e420 is "the worlds smallest DSLR" so you might want to check dimensions first. I also had it round my neck and sitting in the Buffalo top pocket which was also quite handy. Got a lowe pro top loader as well which goes inside a dry bag, and is where the E420 lives if the weather is dump. I think Ortlieb or sea to summit do a camera specific dry bag with padding which might be of some interest, otherwise you could just tape some of a roll mat together for padding and put that and the camera inside a drybag. something like this but with a bit more structure http://blogpackinglight.wordpress.com/2009/09/13/myog-padded-camera-bag/

As for the tripod, I've read a couple blogs talking about the velbon v pod as doing a pretty decent job of a lightweight tripod. It's on my shopping list at the mo and should hold my E420 and 14-42 no probs (570grams) but your heavier nikons might struggle on it? At 2 kilo's I think the benbo will only come with me if I'm taking things a bit easier and heading out solely for photo's
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 09, 2010
I have a collection of e-books on photography. They may or may not be complete crap but anyone who wants them PM me and I'll send you a link.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: chris on February 09, 2010
the vids are aimed at total beginners, they cover everything from how the shutter works to setting your white balance. I'd be up for a bit of a photo shoot I'm not convinced that landscape photography would be the best place to start tho. It can be hard to get right at the best of times especially without a tripod....
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: Kirth on February 09, 2010
I would be up for a wee jaunt up the cavehill on Sat Morning for a few pics. I have a football match to do that afternoon, so morning would be great.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 10, 2010
Awesome. What time suits? Although as a pro photographer I'll probably torture the life out of you with inane questioons about my new camera :D

I would be up for a wee jaunt up the cavehill on Sat Morning for a few pics. I have a football match to do that afternoon, so morning would be great.
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: suspectmonkey on February 10, 2010
I'm definitely game. Am hoping for a quick run round Cave Hill this Saturday morning for that very purpose if anyone is interested.

I might be able to go on Saturday as well, would certainly like to as Cavehill is a good spot to take the camera out.  Will let you know nearer the weekend though, Im still sickie-bad so not fit for much at the moment :(
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: Kirth on February 10, 2010
How about 9.00 / 9.30?

where do you guys want to meet?
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 10, 2010
Say 930 at the car park just below Belfast Castle?

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=54.641379,-5.943518&geocode=&gl=uk&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=17&sll=54.64113,-5.943947&sspn=0.002856,0.009645&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=17 (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=&daddr=54.641379,-5.943518&geocode=&gl=uk&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=17&sll=54.64113,-5.943947&sspn=0.002856,0.009645&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=17)
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: Kirth on February 10, 2010
Sounds good, anyone else up for this?
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: chris on February 10, 2010
yes please!
Title: Re: DSLR Recommendations
Post by: RedLeader on February 11, 2010
Since this is actually a DSLR thread I've put a post in the Meets section for this (assuming me, JT, Chris & Jon are going).
Here:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=839