UKC Forums - SLR Camera for beginner

SLR Camera for beginner

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Rick Ashton 20 Oct 2012

Thinking of getting my girlfriend an slr camera for Xmas as she's always wanted to get into photography. Any one got any advice on what to get for a beginner that want destroy my savings.

It will be used to take all sorts of pics from holidays to the outdoors etc. Not bothered about super advanced functions but being able to take good pics of wildlife would be nice.

The Lemming 20 Oct 2012

In reply to Rick Ashton:

Any of the cheapest/budget reputable brand name dSLRs will be perfect. They are all as good as each other and will keep her happy for years. Just because these cameras are relatively cheap compared to the more expensive models does not mean that they will produce vastly inferior images.

A cheap lens on an expensive camera will produce the same sort of image as a cheap lens on a cheap camera. Buy a beginners camera with a kit lens. And when your other half has learnt as much as she can and wants to progress to the next level of photography buy a better lens. No need to buy a more expensive camera.

Taking good wildlife shots takes money, lots of money.

john1963 20 Oct 2012

In reply to Rick Ashton: Hi Rick If its her fist camera and you dont want to spend big bucks i would look at the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX200V its an avanced bridge camera. easy to use good image quality and a big zoom lens which is ideal for wildlife pics.

David Ponting 20 Oct 2012

In reply to Rick Ashton: As others have said, get the entry-level model from a good brand, and then add a long lens later on for the wildlife!

I use Nikon, so I'd suggest a D3200 or D5100 with the 18-55 kit lens (shop around, there are normally good deals), followed by a 70-300mm (£400) or 55-300mm (£250) tele when you want the long lens for wildlife (gives you the equivalent of 450mm in film terms, which is pretty decent).

To the poster who suggested a bridge camera, READ THE OP! He's decided on an SLR, so bridge suggestions aren't that useful...

bigdelboy 20 Oct 2012

In reply to Rick Ashton:
I got the basic Canon DSLR and its fantastic and easy to use. Also get her a beginners DVD on how to use it. I got one and its much easier than reading through the manual. I was recommended either Nikon or Canon. Both are way better than I will ever need. Plus all the magazines that give hints and tips all support/feature Nikon and Canon as well.

thebrookster 20 Oct 2012

In reply to Rick Ashton: Yup, as others have said, the expensive bit is the lenses. You can end up paying ridiculous sums for top end lenses!

Since you say she wants to take good pics of wildlife, then you want a tele lens, I would get a basic level lens to start with, probably something like 50-200mm to start with? Not top end, but as you say your girlfriend is a beginner I think you might find to start with it will not be the lens that produces the poor quality pictures You can always upgrade at a later date.

Try and find a reasonable body is my recommendation, you don't need a top model, but in comparison to lenses this is the cheap bit, so personally I would get something that has some of the advanced features. If she takes to photography, then she will have that little extra freedom to play with once her skills allow it. Top end of budget kind of area, good make.

stoo2k 20 Oct 2012

In reply to Rick Ashton:

A friend of mine actually found a rather good deal in Jessops recently as the old Canon 550D is coming to the end of its shelf life... £450 for the 550D + 18-55 kit lens + a Tamron 70-300 telephoto and the offer of the nifty 50 for an extra £50 which would be MORE than enough for any keen beginner for the next year or two!