SLR camera suggestions

Wanting some advice or suggestions really..

I am a novice photographer.. Not very knowledgeable, never taken any courses but I seem pretty nifty!
(If you'd like a little taster, there are some old snaps on 13th-Tragedy's deviantART Gallery )

I have only ever had digi cam's before, some right cheapo's but you'd be surprised how well they look! Latest is a Panasonic lumix that i got a couple of Christmas's ago from my father.

However, i have always fancied going for a good ol' SLR, and always fancied perhaps a Canon (was 400D, but now they have newer models like the 550D etc.).
But what should i go for? Can anyone give me any good idea's on what would suit me?

I like to take a lot of animal photos, as you may guess - so a good 'sport/action' mode is needed for the moving objects. I also like to take a lot of outdoors/landscapes, as well as the odd indoor and portraits. I'd also love to have a go at dim lighted shots and night time shots but have never had a camera able to do it yet. I am not into any of the professional shots though, so no 'modelling' professional type needed in that respect.

Anyone got some recommendations? Anyone enjoy the type of photos i am interested in that has a camera that is good for just that?

I do understand cameras of course (a little!), and I know a lot depends on the lens. Most camera's can do the type of shots needed with the particular lens for the shot.. But still.

Any info, advice and recommendations greatly received.
Especially if you have any example shots from the cameras recommended!

 

Its quite a minefield to start of and choose a DSLR (Digital SLR) as there are many manufacturers out there Canon, Nikon and Olympus to name a few. Most people will go with either Canon or Nikon though and thats is mainly down to the fact that more accesories are available for those particular brands because as a general rule, a canon lens fits a canon camera. Other manufacturers make lens that fit these cameras too so for example the lens manufacturer "Sigma" will make lens that are "Canon fit" or "Nikon fit" for example, so the choice for these two brands is greater.

What you need to do is get along to a camera shop (without money or credit cards - so no impulse buy) and ask to view the camera your interested in, so ask to see the Canon 550D and also ask to see the Nikon and Olympus range equivalents, pick them up and handle them. The aim here is to ignore the "whistles and bells" of what the camera can do but to guage which model feels right in your hands, turn the dials flick the switches and press the buttons, see which is most comfortable to you. DONT be pressured, take your time with this. Also ask to be shown how to change the lens's, and make sure your comfortable with this part too.

I'm a Canon man myself and own the 400d you mention in your posting, its more than adequate for my needs and takes really good Photographs, a small selection I have attached below are taken with the 400d and its "kit lens". The kit lens is the lens that comes with the camera when you buy it. So, straight out of the box you can get busy and its the Photographer that gets the shot, not the lens or camera.















I'll pm you some details about a Photo starter course thats free that will get you up and running with your new DSLR when you finally choose and buy one.

In the future you will probably want a tripod too and you get get a cheap on for around £25 (NOT recommended) or a decent one for around £100-150 or a cheap second hand one for somewhere in between those two. A camera bag to protect your kit when not in use or being transported and a shoulder bag is a good way to start £25-30. Memory cards and possibly a spare battery for your camera.

If you have any questions please do ask them now, before you buy.

Steve...

 

Thanks Steve, that was really helpful.

I have wanted to go to a shop to get some proper info and help, whilst browsing about.
Do you know anywhere to go for this? I'd rather go to a place where the staff will know about camera's rather than just read off of the little info tag along with the product.
So probably not somewhere like Curry's..
I have seen some little camera stores, but is there an actual popular franchise of stores for camera's?

 

Most people have a "Jessops" near them...see if you can get to one of them and remember to go without the means to buy...so you cant buy on impulse.

Steve...

[Edit] Jessops store finder. Store Finder - Jessops

 

I love my trusty Canon 350d (Canon Rebel)... Unfortunately they don't make them any more, as the new model is the 550? I have my reasons for getting an older model... astrophotography, especially deep space imaging - something the 350 rocks at!!! My daughter has a Nikon D40 which is quite nice, and I noticed it's very light - but no use for me, it's noise reduction software is dubbed 'the star eater', so not so good for DSOs.
Its also worth noting that there is a difference in sensor size between the entry level DSLRs and their 'professional' counterparts. The cheaper DSLRs use APS-C size sensors which means a 50mm lens will be more like using a 70mm on a larger sensor.
I'd also look in magazines (like Practical Photography or Digital Camera) for reviews and local suppliers if you want to go and get advice and have a wee shot before you buy. There is a large national camera shop which used to be good, but unfortunately it's now more like other national electrical stores...

SF

 

Lots of very good advice posted so far Elizabeth, Steve's is particularly sage advice. Having looked at the photos of your old snaps I'd guess that you'll probably find the standard 'kit lens' a good starter regardless of what DSLR you choose. One thing Steve didn't mention is a remote shutter release to add to your kit this can make slow or bracketed exposures much more reliable when you use a tripod.
If you are keen on animal shots a camera that has a good fast 'burst mode' and can take several frames per second without pausing for a rest while writing the photos to memory is a good investment.
At the end of the day it isn't the software IN the camera that produces a good photo, it's the software HOLDING the camera.

A very good site for in-depth reviews of cameras is >
Digital Cameras: Digital Photography Review, News, Reviews, Forums, FAQ

 

I may be a little late to help, but it's also worth considering a used camera from a reputable specialist. My local indy has been really easy to build a relationship with - indeed it was their suggestion. I had a Cannon on loan from a friend before I bought, but took the advice offered and walked out with a mint D40 kit for half the price and the promise that if I was not happy within a month (in writing) then bring it back and get the Cannon with a full refund on the D40.
18 months on, I'm just reaching the limits of the D40. So I'm now looking at a D80.

 

I had a Canon Eos 30D when I traded on ebay....

I always used to be a Nikon Fan (had a Nikon F3HP) when I lived in South Africa

Reason why I opted for Canon, is that at carboot sales, you will always find old Canon cameras which have lenses that fit the newer Canon cameras ....

and although they don't work in autofocus mode, they work perfect in manual mode and can be bought for a bargain



reason why I opted for a Canon

 

A word of warning if you by a Nikon. I bought a new camera last week and was told by Jessops there is nothing coming out of the Nikon factory at the moment. They have lost all there stock due to floods. Even the Nikon I was interested in, Jessops wouldn't sell to me as the 'powers that be' had stopped sales at the shop.

I settled for my other choice..........a Canon.

 

Well, I have a camera now.. But it's not what i expected!

I have got a Panasonic Lumix G3.
I'm really enjoying it at the moment.. But no where near reached even the beginnings of great photo's with it. I need to buy a decent camera bag for it, and saving for a 45-175mm lens.

It's a good start, and i'm definitely quite happy with it thus far

P.S Here's an example of one of my first photo's taken with it:
http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/038/3/d/sweet_talk_by_13th_tragedy-d4oz0i7.jpg

It's lovely quality, big pictures. I'm happy

 

You can't go wrong with a Panasonic Elizabeth,you will have so much fun with it.

 

I had an old TZ...8 or something silly like that.
Brilliant little camera, so i knew i liked panasonic

 

I had a tz7 great camera but a little restrictive zoom wise, I now have a Nikon 36x but I still wonder if I would have been better off with a Panasonic.