Advise??

[Christmas]

Hi everyone,
am very new to this place so if i asked stupid questions, please really bear with me. I am trying to learn as much as possible. I have really been into photography for 2 years, i guess. Right now, i decided it's really time to get my first DSLR and as with all new comers, its going to be a really diffcult decision as to which one to bear. I would just like to hear some opinions from those who don't mind sharing.
Some of the question i have in mind:
1)What was your first DSLR?
2)What was your budget then?
3)Did you regret your choice, if yes/no, why?
4)Is 2nd hand camera advisable?
5)Is it true that it is much cheaper to buy camera/lenses in Hong Kong? Cos i am always going down there for business trips.

Hope some of you out there can shed some light with regards to my queries. Thank You

[mummum]

My take

1)What was your first DSLR?

Canon EOS 400D

2)What was your budget then?

Forgot leow. I choose based on the class. Entry level class.

3)Did you regret your choice, if yes/no, why?

Yes and no.

Yes, it's becuz the grip is too small for me, buay song after a long period of handling it esp. with heavy lens attached.

That's why i always tell those people buying their first dslr to choose the one that FEELS the best among the class :P

No, it's becuz, it still captures beautiful photos for me, and, it's light!

4)Is 2nd hand camera advisable?

Why not, if the condition matches the asking price.

5)Is it true that it is much cheaper to buy camera/lenses in Hong Kong? Cos i am always going down there for business trips.

No comments. Even if the price is the same as Singapore, the tax rebate is a wow leow.

[zac08]

A person's first DSLR may differ widely as the person may have graduated from a PnS or prosumer and thus would favour the smaller beginner cameras. And for those who have used SLRs before or other users DSLRs before may then opt for semi-pro model or even the pro models (esp if they have more dough)

Thus this can differ greatly, personally I started with a semi-pro, D200 back then as I wanted more controls and a better camera than the D70s that was avail then.

For budget, its up to you to set and save for...

No regrets at all on my choice.

2nd hand cameras may have pros and cons. Yes, it's cheaper, but you won't know what the previous owner may have done with the camera. So there's always a risk there.

yes, it's cheaper in Hk, but for camera bodies, your warranty is limited to the country that you buy it in. Thus if you have an issue with the camera body, you'd have to return to HK to claim the warranty. For lenses, the warrnty is international.

[dxsibo]

1)What was your first DSLR?
Canon 300D

2)What was your budget then?
got it with kitlens + grip for 500+ 2nd hand.....
of cos slowly kana BBB virus...ahrrrr

3)Did you regret your choice, if yes/no, why?
No - cause i'm still new to photography so....yea just keep shooting...

now yes - cause i find the functions kind of limiting me....

but well....i could say i learn alot of stuff from it..


4)Is 2nd hand camera advisable?
i would say that it's up to each individual ba...cos some die die wad also want to get 1st hand cause the feeling maybe more shiok? but ofcause if you have no budget why not get 1st hand?

but for students like me with tight budget and prefer to use own hard earn money to get some stuff....2nd hand is ok as long as in gd working condition..


5)Is it true that it is much cheaper to buy camera/lenses in Hong Kong? Cos i am always going down there for business trips.
i heard many ppl saying this too...but i have no idea...

[2.8photography]

1)What was your first DSLR?
Nikon D50 (that was back in 2006)

2)What was your budget then?
Didnt have a fixed budget, but just started photography, so i was looking for an entry-level model, and was recommended the d50

3)Did you regret your choice, if yes/no, why?
Nope. It was a very decent camera which provided for most things i needed then, and still now. Have since changed to a 6mp D70s (very similar), and am still using it in today where 12MP cameras are entry-level and ISO25600 is the max ISO

4)Is 2nd hand camera advisable?
it is a very viable option, especially if you are low on budget. but with anything, do be careful to check stuff like condition, warranty, sensor dirt (if any), shutter count and accessories

5)Is it true that it is much cheaper to buy camera/lenses in Hong Kong? Cos i am always going down there for business trips.
im not sure, but i continue to buy stuff locally. i have, though, considered buying things from japan and the US

[Reportage]

1) Canon 300D.
2) Less then $1000 for everything including accessories.
3) Nope. It still gives nice pictures even when up against the newer DSLRs.
4) If know what you are doing.
5) see #4.

[PyeeL]

1)What was your first DSLR?
Mine was a Canon 400D, just bought 2 months (or so) ago.

2)What was your budget then?
500 bucks.

3)Did you regret your choice, if yes/no, why?
No. The 400D is, in my opinion, a capable camera, and I don't have use for certain functions found on higher-end cameras.

4)Is 2nd hand camera advisable?
You got to see it and check it for yourself. My first DSLR was a second hand, and it's performing pretty good till now.

5)Is it true that it is much cheaper to buy camera/lenses in Hong Kong? Cos i am always going down there for business trips.
I do not know. I heard so.

[dennisc]

1)What was your first DSLR?
Olympus E10, if it's considered a DSLR (since no such thing then), Canon 10D

2)What was your budget then?
>4k to I forgot

3)Did you regret your choice, if yes/no, why?
No, made full use of it, lug it everywhere I go, learned tons

4)Is 2nd hand camera advisable?
Sure, it's like buying a 2nd hand car

5)Is it true that it is much cheaper to buy camera/lenses in Hong Kong? Cos i am always going down there for business trips.
Never tried asking