Photography help please - which DSLR?

[nucleustylzlude]

Hey guys,


I know we have a few keen photographers on here and wondered if people could help me choose a new camera.

The camera I've had for a while now was a fairly decent compact and has been great for the odd outing for snaps and such, but recently the flash has failed on it and with the baby due soon, I thought I’d invest in a DSLR. I’ve wanted one for a while now and it seems to make sense to buy now.

I’ve only got a budget for a beginners entry level camera of around £400. I’ve looked at a number of cameras from different manufacturers, but seem to come back to Nikon and between these two:

- Nikon D5100 – A well spec’d £7-800 RRP camera but a couple of years old now, hence why you can get them for this money but still new. 16.2MP DX-format CMOS image sensor, ISO 100-6400 (extendable to 25600), 4FPS, HD camera, Flip out & rotating 3” screen too which is handy for filming (but appreciate for real photography I should be using the mirrored viewfinder), a special effects mode which include color sketch, miniature effect, night vision and selective color – all stuff you can do with adjusting settings manually and/or photoshop but handily at the click of a button. Cheapest I’ve found from a reputable looking camera place is £368.99 including the usual 18-50mm VR lens - http://www.procamerashop.co.uk/product/ ... _Kit_36865

- Nikon 3200 – A new camera in Nikon’s lineup released early in the year which boasts almost identical specs as the D5100 except in the brand wars pixel race has upped the resolution to 24.2MP, again a CMOS / DX sensor, HD camera too but a fixed screen (3” as well), ISO 100-6400 (extendable to 12800), 4FPS, blah, blah, blah. On paper for the specs it seems the same as the D5100 with the main difference being no flip out screen and more pixels. http://www.procamerashop.co.uk/product/ ... _Kit_38347

I’ve read some reviews online comparing the two and it’s confused me even more.

My consumer head says get the newer model with the higher pixel count – newer must be better! But then my heart says that level wise the D5100 is a better camera. Most photographer forums end up suggesting other cameras which are out of my price range, but the few that get the options, tend to say D5100. I expect the d3200 was the first in a new lineup and the D5200 shouldn’t be far behind, but it’s not worth waiting for as the price will be £7-800 again.

Beyond this is a couple of Canon’s that look like a possible alternative (600d or a little over budget the 650d), but I seem to be drawn to the Nikon’s.

Any advice or opinions would be a big help.


Cheers,

Rob

[indigolemon]

Interesting you've chosen Nikon - I applaud your choice! I much prefer them for handling/build over the Canon alternatives - but many people just seem to rush out and buy a Canon (cos that's what Stuff magazine said was best! ). My choice, from these two, would be the Nikon D5100 - even though it's older, you are getting a much better grade of camera as it's from the model line above the 3200. Think a last generation but brand new Honda Accord vs a brand new Kia WhateverTheEquivalentSizedCarIsIDon'tKnowOrCare.

Just my 2p!

[nucleustylzlude]

Cheers Graham. Yeah, alot of the dedicated photographer sites seem to recommend the Nikons. I think the 650d is pushing my budget and it's extra features of touch screen and 5FPS are'nt enough to spend more.

The d5100 seems more than up to the job for me to learn how to use an SLR camera and progress with a little.

Found this good review, which is the best honest opinion test I've found that actually distinguishes seem key differences:

http://www.portraitsf.com/blog/nikon-d3200-vs-d5100/

[Shiny]

I chose very carefully, a buddy of mine was into photography and he is a pro, and he told me a 100 reasons why the Canon 400D was better than the Nikon DX at the time. Things may have changed, but i still prefer the Canon to the Nikon.

It is a personal thing though, when you outgrow your body, your lenses will still be good for your upgrade. So pick you brand carefully as you probably stick with it for many years.

Go into Jessops and have a jolly good feel, see what feels best in your hand, see how you like the menus.

Personally i'd go for the new 650D, not because a magazine told me to, but because i have already faced my Canon v Nikon dilemma and made my choice a few years back. Many will chose Nikon and still be happy.

Forget the rest though, they are probably the best two contenders for a flexible DSLR.

I've just bought a Canon S100 as i didn't want to take my 400D on holiday with me, it is a cracking little camera for a point and shoot.

Weigh up what you want from a camera too. A DSLR can be a total pain in the arse to lug around. Low light shots aren't really that great unless you buy a decent flash to go with it too. You can select longer exposures for arty shots, but need a still subject.

I know a lot of people who have bought a dslr, it sits in a drawer and when it come out the dial is on "auto" and they just press the shutter button. Unless you want to learn about the camera, stick in AV or manual mode and practice when you can, i wouldn't bother with a DSLR. If you want to make a hobby of it, then go for it.

[nucleustylzlude]

Some sound advice there bud, I was waiting for you to chime in.

I take all your points and while I did say I wanted to upgrade from an old and broken camera, plus take snaps of the new addition soon, I guess I should have sold my enthusiasm more. I’m definitely keen to learn proper photography skills and most certainly not leave it in a drawer and when used stick it in auto. I’ve not even bought a camera yet and I’m a good few pages into a good book about photography. I’ve done different forms of Art all my life, it’s just in me – I enjoy it. I completely get composition, colours, layout, light, etc, etc and learning to catch it all in a photo is something I look forward to as a hobby. It’s just an expensive one, so I’ve had to play the waiting game.

All that to one side, the price of a compact, I’ll no doubt get another one day for a small, mobile different use altogether. But right now I want to learn how to take a real picture.

I take your point on Canon, and like you say, they and Nikon seem to be the favourites. I do need to pop into a Jessops to check them out in person, and planned to do this before just ordering away. A minor point on the D5100 over the d3200, a few prefer the feel of it. Literally by mm’s, but it can make a difference depending on your hands. So looks like I have a visit planned this weekend to my local store.

We shall see the outcome. Like I said, the Nikon D5100 is doing it for me right now. The only Canon I would consider in its place would be the 650D, but I have to justify in my head the additional £74 (from the shop link I gave).

Cheers for your thoughts bud.

[Shiny]

Whatever you decide, don't be disappointed when you upload your first batch of pictures.

Your first outing will probably be on "auto" to try and get a fell of how the camera uses aperture, shutter speed and iso to balance the light in a shot. You shots will look dull and you will think what a waste of money.

I nearly always use AV priority, so i can set my own depth of field and let the camera choose the shutter speed. I can then go to manual and adjust the shutter speed if i need to tweak it any more. Straight off the camera the shots still can look a bit bland, but shoot in JPEG+RAW and you can adjust the exposure, white balance etc in a RAW image editor on your pc. I always then run the pictures though a basic editor (photoshop would be best, but ive no idea how to use it). I tend to use Photoscape as it is easy to use and i can adjust the contrast, bloom etc and add a graduated tint to the sky where the sky looks blown out. Then your pictures will come to life.

Oh and get a tripod.

I'm no photographer, just an amateur that likes to have a go, but look for a different angle on things, watch what is in the back ground (so you don't have trees poking out of people's heads) and, if you need inspiration, give the camera to my 12 year old boy, he has an eye for it, lies on the ground, stands on chairs etc. He took this one on my S100, he lead on the ground, took it straight into sunlight (which normally just blows out any pictures on a point & shoot) and with a bit of tweaking came out with this!




Make sure you have a really good go in Jessops, they are usually fine, but if not, remind them you a spending a fair sum of money and want to make the right decision before you buy!

[indigolemon]

Yep, exactly what Shiny says. Have a really good play and then buy the one you like the feel of best. My like for Nikon comes down to their control layout - it feel intuitive to me whereas Canon's layout does not, but this is not the same for everyone.

For editing raw files, can I suggest RawTherapee http://rawtherapee.com/ ? It's free and constantly being improved. I've had some really good results from it

[nucleustylzlude]

I'll give that program a look, but I'm fairly competent user of Photoshop and will have a fresh Adobe Creative Suite CS6 copy and the lates Lion OS uploaded to my old Macbook Pro by the time the weekend is up!

[Donald]

I won't bore you with a sales speech seeing as you seem to research well, but I have a barely used Canon 40d for sale if that takes your fancy

[BigTom]

D5100 is by all accounts a great camera - I think the D5200 has just been announced and should hit shelves in time for xmas, which means the D5100 prices should drop a bit if you can wait a month or so.

To be honest there's rarely such a thing as a bad SLR these days - your skill, post processing and most importantly the lenses you use will make a bigger different that what body you choose 90% of the time.

PS - as far as I'm aware procamerashop mainly deal in grey imports from Hong Kong, etc. Obviously up to you how you spend your money, but it can make warranty returns tricky and protracted. just make sure you check out the details before buying.

http://camerapricebuster.com/Nikon_D510 ... VR_pc.html is very good for keeping track of prices.

Also, don't be afraid of buying second hand kit, especially lenses. I've bought lots of things from places like the Talk Photography forums - http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/.