Calling all keen photographers.

[Grant Fondo]

Get a D40 or D80 . Job done .

Agree there are some great deals on cropped DSLRs.a standard f1.8 will get you great portaits over chrimbo and the 10-18s are mint for wide angle.
Ps i have got a 30mm f1.4 sigma which is a great lens, cost me £150

 

[accountantpete]

Check out the glass first - then look at the camera.

For landscapes you really need a good 35mm lens (and possibly wider) and as you will presumably taking your time then there is no need for a super quick auto focus etc etc so a tidy 16mp sensor would be fine.

 

[accountantpete]

Nice to see you Pete

I trust you are keeping well

Hi Rocky - Just getting over the annual Man Flu infestation

 

[subaqua]

Because mirrorless is a piggin nightmare of you are a keen photographer avoid at all costs!

Really! So loads of togs must have either really good skills
Or
Damn good luck .

I know where I would place things.

 

[mybike]

I've got a bottom of the range Pentax DSLR with 3 zoom lenses plus a 300mm Russian mirror lens, it fits my hand!

I've also got a canon G15 which fits my pocket.

They both cost around the same amount of money, which one I use depends on what I want to photograph and how seriously I'm going to work

 

[Grant Fondo]

I've got a bottom of the range Pentax DSLR with 3 zoom lenses plus a 300mm Russian mirror lens, it fits my hand!

I've also got a canon G15 which fits my pocket.

The both cost around the same amount of money, which one I use depends on what I want to photograph and how seriously I'm going to work

Does the Russian mirror lens give a distorted view of the world?

 

[John the Monkey]

To the OP - I went Nikon, because I was able to get a 2nd hand D70 cheap (it was a bit ago) and the 18-70 kit lens that came with the camera was both well regarded, and a useful range for me. I added a Tamron 24-200 (which doesn't get a lot of use) a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (great fun, and the most bang for buck, imo) and a Tokina 12-24 (a brilliantly fun lens if you like perspective distortion, but decent at conventional landscapes too).

A others have said, look at the features of both, look at the lenses you might want, and don't discount getting something a bit older if you can get more for your money.

But the camera I enjoy using most is my 1980 Zenit EM 35mm film SLR, which I picked up for £30 including two quality lenses. It requires a bit more effort, but its a lot more rewarding.

If you've not tried a compact rangefinder yet, give one a go - terrific little cameras. I like the Canon Canonet best, but there used to be lots of nice ones around for £10 -£30 ish.

My favourite film camera is a Nikon F3HP, a fantastically well made 35mm SLR.

Cool particularly if you still develop B&w yourself...ppl dont realise how good this is

Indeed - the sharpness of Ilford HP5+, the character in the low ISO Adox CHS films...

I do wish there was still a place in Manchester that developed slide film - there's something really magical about those perfect little frames.

 

[Grant Fondo]

To the OP - I went Nikon, because I was able to get a 2nd hand D70 cheap (it was a bit ago) and the 18-70 kit lens that came with the camera was both well regarded, and a useful range for me. I added a Tamron 24-200 (which doesn't get a lot of use) a Nikon 50mm f/1.8 (great fun, and the most bang for buck, imo) and a Tokina 12-24 (a brilliantly fun lens if you like perspective distortion, but decent at conventional landscapes too).

A others have said, look at the features of both, look at the lenses you might want, and don't discount getting something a bit older if you can get more for your money.


If you've not tried a compact rangefinder yet, give one a go - terrific little cameras. I like the Canon Canonet best, but there used to be lots of nice ones around for £10 -£30 ish.

My favourite film camera is a Nikon F3HP, a fantastically well made 35mm SLR.

Indeed - the sharpness of Ilford HP5+, the character in the low ISO Adox CHS films...

I do wish there was still a place in Manchester that developed slide film - there's something really magical about those perfect little frames.

Alas my good friend its all archived to the oldie bin...just like vinyl it will one day become trendy!

 

[mustang1]

Years ago I was looking at my first DSLR too much like you are now. Back then it was Nikon d40 or canon whatever-the-equivalent-was.

I went to the store thinking I'll get then Canon. It had higher spec for the same price but j walked out with the Nikon. As soon as I held the Nikon, the quality of fit and finish seemed better to me, the controls were slicker, the viewfinder better. So I went with my 6MP and forego the 10mp Canon. One of my better desicions.

 

[Cuchilo]

Taken with an iphone .


All you need is to think about a good shot .

 

[Grant Fondo]

Years ago I was looking at my first DSLR too much like you are now. Back then it was Nikon d40 or canon whatever-the-equivalent-was.

I went to the store thinking I'll get then Canon. It had higher spec for the same price but j walked out with the Nikon. As soon as I held the Nikon, the quality of fit and finish seemed better to me, the controls were slicker, the viewfinder better. So I went with my 6MP and forego the 10mp Canon. One of my better desicions.

I did the same spent £500 on a Nikon then a few years later went Canon and realised the error of my ways...apart from a spell with a Nikon V1...what a load of junk!

 

[Grant Fondo]

Taken with an iphone .


Sometimes you just need a simple camera .

Maybe not...if i took that with an f1.4 it would look 'interesting' phones are shite at photos but good at emails/ texts

 

[PhilDawson8270]

Photographers who use Nikon will recommend Nikon, those who use Canon will recommend Canon.

I'm a photographer that uses Nikon. I recommend canon. Mainly for lenses.

While both make excellent lenses there's a big gap in the Nikon range. Want better than kit quality you end up at their pro range.

Canon have a nice mid range kit with pro quality L glass but not at 2.8 and not with all metal construction. The canon lens line up is much better for keen amateurs than Nikon in my opinion.

 

[Grant Fondo]

I'm a photographer that uses Nikon. I recommend canon. Mainly for lenses.

While both make excellent lenses there's a big gap in the Nikon range. Want better than kit quality you end up at their pro range.

Canon have a nice mid range kit with pro quality L glass but not at 2.8 and not with all metal construction. The canon lens line up is much better for keen amateurs than Nikon in my opinion.

I am sure top end Nikon is great...maybe one day!

 

[John the Monkey]

Maybe not...if i took that with an f1.4 it would look 'interesting' phones are shite at photos but good at emails/ texts

They fill the niche that compact cameras do/did, I think - they're not so good at edge cases, but work for a surprising number of situations.