Newbie Quest for New Hobby (Key Requirements, Items)

[symmetrix]

I was actually thinking buy acccessories 1st, then buy the camera and body. It could be a wrong move... Probably saved up a lump sum of 2k then buy all at 1 shot...

The accessories won't do you any good without a camera to use them on...

1. Get a camera w/ kit lens
2. Go out
3. Shoot
4. ??????
5. PROFIT!

You haven't stated what kind of subjects you want to shoot, my guess is you have 1 or 2 types in mind but you aren't sure. In which case, settle for the basic camera+kit lens first and actually use it. You'll find out what you enjoy shooting and go from there.

 

[acertey]

Why put the 50 1.8 for "long term"? Do you even know what it's used for?

If you already have the 18-105, why go for a 18-200? Why buy a 70-300 unless you are actually going to use the long focal length?[/QUOTE]

Erm you are right about me not knowing why i need those. That's the 3 lens that the photographer recommends for basic set up. What would you get if you have a choice?

 

[MatCh]

Thanks for the tips and pointers.

I won't really call it feel. The shots per second is one of the thing i am looking out for. Additionally the ability to take the photo shooting to the next level.

So actually what's the reason you guys get DSLR? Probably it may help me in decision making... :bsmilie:

manual control over aperture and shutter speed should be the main reason why ppl choose dslr over pns, secondary reasons might include specific lens to use.

I've never heard of anyone jumping into dslr for the FPS.
i'm very sure there are plenty choices of pns that have superior fps than most of the dslrs, G12 is one example.

 

[Rashkae]

Erm you are right about me not knowing why i need those. That's the 3 lens that the photographer recommends for basic set up. What would you get if you have a choice?

I would start with the kit lens, and then only get lenses when I feel that the kit lens limits me for the type of shooting I want to do.

 

[Tucksoon]

If shots per second are important to you, you should be looking at a Sony A55.

+1 10 frames per second

 

[acertey]

The accessories won't do you any good without a camera to use them on...

1. Get a camera w/ kit lens
2. Go out
3. Shoot
4. ??????
5. PROFIT!

You haven't stated what kind of subjects you want to shoot, my guess is you have 1 or 2 types in mind but you aren't sure. In which case, settle for the basic camera+kit lens first and actually use it. You'll find out what you enjoy shooting and go from there.

Subject? That's a tough one, i basically wanna use it for family outings to anywhere. So most likely is human...

 

[luckyorange]

Subject? That's a tough one, i basically wanna use it for family outings to anywhere. So most likely is human...

Then I think a body + kit lens will do just fine for you...

 

[rhino123]

If fps is what is more important to you, then you have to look at

1) Sony's A55 (blazing 10fps!)
2) Canon's EOS 7D and 60D (7D had 8fps, 60D had 6.3fps)
3) Nikon's D7000

However you must first understand why you need that fast a fps, or was that you want short recycling (almost instantaneous) time between shots? If the latter is the case, then all DSLR could provide you with this capability... and even newer mirrorless like the Olympus EP3 can do that too.

Anyway, you would need to define what sort of photography are you looking into - wildlife, street, sports, landscape, macro, etc before you would know what type of camera (or lens) would suit you better.

 

[NoS77]

And also consider the weight of a dslr vs a pns, especially when you want to bring it everywhere with you

 

[kayel79]

TS i think, you are thinking too much.. i am a newbie as well, started this hobby abt a year back,
start with a canon 450d, 18-55 lens , no dry cab,no filter, no bag, (using the free canon bag)
start slowly, think no point getting all the accessories 1st than get the cam.. abit funny that way..
get the cam 1st and start shooting.. until you know what yr kit lens cant get you to than it time to upgrade...

my 2cent

totally agree.

 

[Rashkae]

Subject? That's a tough one, i basically wanna use it for family outings to anywhere. So most likely is human...

Then may I suggest the Sony A55? It's very lightweight, so it's easy to carry everywhere. It's very "newbie friendly" (in case your wife is not too techie...) and the AF in liveview is full speed, so if you want to shoot using the screen instead of the viewfinder it will work just as well. You have 10FPS to capture split-second moments.

 

[donut88]

Then may I suggest the Sony A55? It's very lightweight, so it's easy to carry everywhere. It's very "newbie friendly" (in case your wife is not too techie...) and the AF in liveview is full speed, so if you want to shoot using the screen instead of the viewfinder it will work just as well. You have 10FPS to capture split-second moments.

Or the A33, it's another good choice, cheaper than A55

 

[dreamsz]

Hi guys sorry for posting this newbie post,

Recently i started to read about DSLRs due to several magic it can do on photos compared to a normal camera.

Well i was going about doing my budget planning in getting a camera, so do bear with me on this.

Plans - Nikon D7000 with Kit Lens(AF-S DX 18-105 VR)/ Cannon 60D with Lens Kit, Nikon now comes free with a 18mm-50mm lens. Think probably offer has expired.

I managed to view 1 of the videos to beginner DSLR and things should be getting to kick off:

List of Items

1. Camera Body + Lens
2. Dry Cabinet - Usually about 5yrs warranty, not sure about market value(What does it take to hold like say 5 lens, and 2 camera body? Something which not required frequent monitoring)
3. 1 X Polarized Filter, 1 X UV Filter for each lens(Prices are probably quite scary? Is there any best buy recommendation, or what do you use to balance the $ Vs quality)
4. Cleaning Kit(I am not sure if the one which was provided during buying of camera is good enough, price estimate would be good.)
5. Camera Upstrap(Is the one provided by Nikon good enough or it is highly recommended to get 1? Seems that upstrap easily 50+, i heard most using Op Tech or something like this)
6. Camera Bag(So far i am looking at Lowepro Stealth reporter not sure which model yet. Should be can hold 1 body with lens, and another 2 lens with charger + camera flash and water bottle);
7. Tripod(Although it mentioned Gitto some carbon fibre type, but i was told in the video it was the only item which never gets changed)
8. LCD Screen Protector(I think it's probably a must have...)
9. Camera Flash(Not recommended from Video, but it seems that many are buying it. It probably beats the one which is in built)

Lens Interest
Start off with the basic Kit 18-105mm
Long Term will be 50mm f1.8,
then 18-200mm, (Should be one of the general lens which will be frequently used)
then 70-300mm(It's what the video says for the above 3 lens, is it considered complete? Or for beginner just 1 & 2?)

I still dun know if i will turn this hobby, but i would say that initial planning for investment sure is hefty. For basic accessories, it works out to be about close to 400 estimation. Is this the usual prices you guys get to kick start?

I guess that club snap is the best place to gather such information. Many thanks for your kind patience to guide a person wanting to try out.

At the end of the day, sometimes dont think too much cause you never really know you will like it or not unless you own it, try it, do it.
So... just go ahead and do it. Life short..... hehe
The most, if you dont like, sell it in B&S.
However, a word of advise is, dont need to buy everything at one shot. Just a camera and lens first.... then slowly you will know what you want and what lens to buy....
Accessoriess are never ending......

Wrong choice or not, Depends on how you look at it.
In negative manner : Alamak, waste money and impulsive purchase, now gonna sell it and lost some money.
In Positive manner : I learn something and now i got the experience. It gives me better idea what i am good at, what i am not good at and had open up more option in my life

 

[donut88]

A piece of advice for you.

If u r really getting a Dslr, get a compact type, lightweight. U looked like those ppl who aren't going to take photography seriously, coz u are just going to take your family members.

So get a lightweight one. If not, u will just leave the cam in one corner collecting dust.

So assuming u r getting a Dslr, just get the kit lens. Forget abt the rest. U won't get them.

When I got my Dslr, I only get with kit lens and a dry cabinet. That's all. Got FOC UV filter. so I just use kit lens even until now.

Dry cabinet is impt so that yr Cam is kept in good condition. Just get a medium size one.

 

[acertey]

i think i probably start to understand why people asking the subjects that i would like taking after visiting the gallery. I would think in my case most probably portrait, poses, & Landscapes;

Btw just another curious question, warranty for camera with kit lens what does it really covers? Fungus on lens?

 

[SkyStrike]

i think i probably start to understand why people asking the subjects that i would like taking after visiting the gallery. I would think in my case most probably portrait, poses, & Landscapes;

Btw just another curious question, warranty for camera with kit lens what does it really covers? Fungus on lens?

If for poses and landscape, the kit lens (18-55) will suffice.

AFAIK, the warranty covers any mechanical failure during the cause of normal use. E.g. AF stopped working after some usage or give funny noise when AFing etc.
What is not covered (just stating some examples, but not limited to these...*all these are AFAIK*)
- Fungus in lens (after buying. If when buying for fungus, you still buy?)
- Dust in lens (whether before or after buying).
- Scratches due to negligence (but if scratches is found before buying, why did you buy....)
- Dropped lens and mechanical parts spoilt/dented etc

 

[kei1309]

to TS:

Buy a entry level kit first... Play with it for a short while. learn. and buy more. and then buy some more. and buy buy buy.

 

[shanmugong]

Accessories itself going to cost a bomb. My personal experience:

Extra SD Card: $60
Extra Battery: $35
New Dry Cabinet: $190
Hood: $20
Sirui Tripod: $210
Screen Protector: $10
Camera bag Crumpler: $160
Camera bag KATA: $100
AA batteries for flash: $10
SD card reader: Free!

And much more stuff I haven't got the guts to buy yet...

 

[shanmugong]

Thanks for the tips and pointers.

I won't really call it feel. The shots per second is one of the thing i am looking out for. Additionally the ability to take the photo shooting to the next level.

So actually what's the reason you guys get DSLR? Probably it may help me in decision making... :bsmilie:

Bought DSLR because I used to be a SLR user. Did not switch to DSLR at the revolution because DSLR bodies are so EX than. Reverted to PnS $100 Fuji Camera until this year, I trade in my old body and got a Canon 600D. I have taken beautiful pictures with PnS before and it is the composition and creativity of the photographer that makes the difference. I pity my old lenses, flash, cam bags and 2 SLR bodies which is why I decided to switch since I can get rid of an old body and get a new DSLR under the PPP program.

 

[dreamsz]

Accessories itself going to cost a bomb. My personal experience:

Extra SD Card: $60
Extra Battery: $35
New Dry Cabinet: $190
Hood: $20
Sirui Tripod: $210
Screen Protector: $10
Camera bag Crumpler: $160
Camera bag KATA: $100
AA batteries for flash: $10
SD card reader: Free!

And much more stuff I haven't got the guts to buy yet...

Thats the BBB virus which applies to most of the hobby.... like even running, you will end up buying music player, good shoe, good shorts and tees thou the road is free for usage