Advice for Newbie...DSLR or Compact?

[android17]

btw if u r unfamiliar with dslr, don go and get those dslr that are designed for advanced users. U will spend most of ur time trying to figure out how to use them instead of actually using them. And most times ur pictures will not come out well cos u are using the camera wrongly, or has set some settings wrongly.

Get a beginner dslr will be a better solution. Firstly their auto modes are designed with newbies in mind, so even without the user doing any settings, the camera will still take pretty decent photos. Secondly they hv guide modes, so when u wish to explore more in depth functions rather than just using auto modes, the guodes will explain briefly what functions u r choosing and how it affects ur photos etc.

I also recommend u to choose a dslr which has images stabalization. This is invaluable for beginners, as it gives u 3 more f stops to play with, so ur indoor shots will be much clearer than cameras without image stabalization.

Thus I recommend the Sony a330. It has image stabalization, live view (taking photo thru lcd screen. Not all dslr hv live view), guide mode, its light weight, and most importantly it cost only $800 and comes with lens.

 

[ian3105]

If budget is not a concern, u might wanna consider getting the micro 4/3 dslrs like Olympus E-P1. Its a dslr but having the size of a compact. Very cute too, to see a dslr so small sized lol

Or u can get a beginner dslr like Sony a330. Its one of the lightest dslr around, and it has a very good auto mode as well as guide mode, so beginners can still take stunning pics with it. But they're much bigger sized than compacts though.

i saw how the EP-1 looks like...its cool and sound very good too..you have any idea how much does it cost?

 

[ian3105]

btw if u r unfamiliar with dslr, don go and get those dslr that are designed for advanced users. U will spend most of ur time trying to figure out how to use them instead of actually using them. And most times ur pictures will not come out well cos u are using the camera wrongly, or has set some settings wrongly.

Get a beginner dslr will be a better solution. Firstly their auto modes are designed with newbies in mind, so even without the user doing any settings, the camera will still take pretty decent photos. Secondly they hv guide modes, so when u wish to explore more in depth functions rather than just using auto modes, the guodes will explain briefly what functions u r choosing and how it affects ur photos etc.

I also recommend u to choose a dslr which has images stabalization. This is invaluable for beginners, as it gives u 3 more f stops to play with, so ur indoor shots will be much clearer than cameras without image stabalization.

Thus I recommend the Sony a330. It has image stabalization, live view (taking photo thru lcd screen. Not all dslr hv live view), guide mode, its light weight, and most importantly it cost only $800 and comes with lens.

yeah, thanks for your reminder...i know nothing about DSLR. that's why tot of compact in the first place..dnt wish to spend so much and yet dont know how to utilise it.

okie, will look at the sony a330....

 

[android17]

If you MAINLY want to take pics of your boy, yes D40 kit would be enough. No need to buy any more lenses. Its been discontinued but if I'm not wrong one or two places may still be selling it, check the Nikon thread. Or theres always the internet.

If not fussy about brand:

Pentax K-M ~ $800
Sony a230 ~ $700

Sony a230 with kit lens now cost only $600 street price. Rrp $699. However I recommend her a330 as she's a beginner, she will find live view very useful for her needs.

 

[android17]

i saw how the EP-1 looks like...its cool and sound very good too..you have any idea how much does it cost?

I didn't check the price from shops, but I think its around $1.6k for body with one lens, or 1.8k for 2 lens...

Don take my word for it, its just my estimation. Best to check with shops

 

[ian3105]

Sony a230 with kit lens now cost only $600 street price. Rrp $699. However I recommend her a330 as she's a beginner, she will find live view very useful for her needs.

really appreciate...for explaining to me about Sony a330...at least i can short list a few models and head down to the shop to look at...where is a good place to buy cameras?

 

[fixie]

Sony a230 with kit lens now cost only $600 street price. Rrp $699. However I recommend her a330 as she's a beginner, she will find live view very useful for her needs.

good call. :thumbsup: didn't think of the live view.

 

[ian3105]

good call. :thumbsup: didn't think of the live view.

Fixie / Android,

is it advisable to buy 2nd? saw someone selling 2nd a330 for 1k ( neg) with quite a number of items...

 

[android17]

Ms colour in amk hub is a good place to buy. Cathay photo in peninsula plaza and marinated square is ok too, but their price is around $10 higher than ms colour.

Btw if u do decide to get Sony, i'll advice u to get the extended warranty. It cost $2xx more and extends warranty by 2 yrs I think. But most importantly is u get the 50mm f1.8 lens for free (or u can buy the lens alone for $190).

Reason is cos the 50mm f1.8 is a good lens for taking portraits. Its very fast at f1.8 (smaller is faster), coupled with image stabalization, it ensures tat even in low light ur photos will still be clear.

 

[ian3105]

Ms colour in amk hub is a good place to buy. Cathay photo in peninsula plaza and marinated square is ok too, but their price is around $10 higher than ms colour.

Btw if u do decide to get Sony, i'll advice u to get the extended warranty. It cost $2xx more and extends warranty by 2 yrs I think. But most importantly is u get the 50mm f1.8 lens for free (or u can buy the lens alone for $190).

Check my blog http://sging.blogspot.com I took some cosplay photos using the 50mm lens. Those are one of the first pictures I took with my camera (bought last month)

wow..saw the pics..to me its very nice already...so you are also using a330? actually additional lens are for? better zooming ?

 

[android17]

Fixie / Android,

is it advisable to buy 2nd? saw someone selling 2nd a330 for 1k ( neg) with quite a number of items...

Which thread? Or list out the items and we see if its worth it...

 

[ian3105]

Which thread? Or list out the items and we see if its worth it...

* Set Made In Japan. Current DSLR A330 in the market are Made in Thailand.
* Smallest body
* Face detection
* CCD sensor; total pixels: 10.75 million
* Dust Reduction System
* Black & White Mode with Color Filters
* 2.7", 230,000-dot LCD
* Auto Focus Live View Mode (11-point multi-area autofocusing)
* Face detection
* DT 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens (model SAL-1855)
* Sony SAL55200-2 SAM DT 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Telephoto Lens
Package/Accessories/Extras:
- Everything in box
- Package come with 2 Kit Lens (SAL-1855)(SAL-55200)
- Bundle with Free Additional Battery worth $120 and Hard LCD Protector worth $25.

Additional Comments:
- Screen protector has been on since day 1.
- Shutter count ard 9k?
- Selling coz upgrading.


he say 1k ( neg)

 

[android17]

wow..saw the pics..to me its very nice already...so you are also using a330? actually additional lens are for? better zooming ?

I was using a350. It has a higher resolution than a330 (useless for u and me actually, unless u wanna print poster sized photos) and it doesn't hv guide mode. But everything else is exactly the same, as in sensors, functions etc.

I edited my previous post regarding the lens I used for my cosplay pics.

 

[Galdor]

Fixie / Android,

is it advisable to buy 2nd? saw someone selling 2nd a330 for 1k ( neg) with quite a number of items...

Not advisable.I just came back from the Sony Style shop in Marina Sq and the retail price of a brand new one with 18-55mm kit lens is just slightly above $1K and they do accept 0% installments if you pay by Citibank or DBS credit cards.

 

[jctan77]

start off with something like panasonic lx3.
it has manual controls as well as auto controls...
also has hotshoe for external flash.
it has a fast len too

:thumbsup:

I'm a Panasonic LX3 fanboy ;p
Checkout the newbie photos I took after about 1 week playing with it:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/weizhen77/sets/72157622569489954/

 

[android17]

U save $100 for buying that package.compared to brand new. But ask urself do u need a high zoom lens? If not I rather buy the 50mm which is so much better for taking portraits.

 

[Galdor]

U save $100 for buying that package.compared to brand new. But ask urself do u need a high zoom lens? If not I rather buy the 50mm which is so much better for taking portraits.

Agree. With the extended warranty you get a 50mm f1.8 free. This lens is very good for taking pictures of kids who are moving about so fast.

 

[android17]

Not advisable.I just came back from the Sony Style shop in Marina Sq and the retail price of a brand new one with 18-55mm kit lens is just slightly above $1K and they do accept 0% installments if you pay by Citibank or DBS credit cards.

Is there an error? A330 with 18-55mm kit rrp only $899, with ms colour selling $810. How can it be 1k.

 

[ian3105]

Agree. With the extended warranty you get a 50mm f1.8 free. This lens is very good for taking pictures of kids who are moving about so fast.

okie...thank you for pointing out to me..else i will be cheated!

 

[Galdor]

Is there an error? A330 with 18-55mm kit rrp only $899, with ms colour selling $810. How can it be 1k.

Oops sorry. The price was for A380 not A330 cos my friend was comparing the A380 and the A500.