Advise needed

[syncer]

Hey gurus out there, I'm a total noob when it comes to digital photography. However, I've been using those PnS cameras for quite sometime. On the scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate myself as 0.5 or 1 at most!

I'm planning to get a most basic DSLR to experiment first before committing into getting a better one. Would really appreciate if anyone can recommend me the best beginner DLSR in the market now?

Was recommended by this friendly salesman from Harvey Norman today.
1. EOS350
2. D40
3. e-500

Any opinions on these 3 DSLRs?

Cheers,
Clement

 

[ExplorerZ]

Hey gurus out there, I'm a total noob when it comes to digital photography. However, I've been using those PnS cameras for quite sometime. On the scale of 1 to 10, I'd rate myself as 0.5 or 1 at most!

I'm planning to get a most basic DSLR to experiment first before committing into getting a better one. Would really appreciate if anyone can recommend me the best beginner DLSR in the market now?

Was recommended by this friendly salesman from Harvey Norman today.
1. EOS350
2. D40
3. e-500

Any opinions on these 3 DSLRs?

Cheers,
Clement

you can try out the new pentax k100d(lower end) or k10d(higher end). im impressed by their abilities. Only thing i don like about their system is hard to find lens. I bet to say their priceerformance ratio is far better as compared to all other system. :thumbsup:

 

[goldbird]

you can try out the new pentax k100d(lower end) or k10d(higher end). im impressed by their abilities. Only thing i don like about their system is hard to find lens. I bet to say their priceerformance ratio is far better as compared to all other system. :thumbsup:

Yeah only a few shops in SG carry Pentax lenses.

You cant go wrong with Canon or Nikon for starters.. they're extremely noob-friendly. Of course I'm referring to those entry-level cameras.

Can I just ask you what's your budget? If you are really just looking for a dslr body to play around.. I suggest you get a 2nd hand body.. just in case you cant sustain your interest. Then at least your pocket wont bleed as much

But if you're really interested in photography, I suggest dont bother with the entry level cameras, just dive into the deep sea get a semi pro ;p

 

[syncer]

Hey, thanks for the lightning fast reply!

Frankly, i'm looking at getting a 2nd hand cam first, and slowly make my way into this hobby. But judging from how poison some gurus here gotten, I don't think i can do it slowly! Haha

Anyways, seriously, $$$ factor is top on my agenda now.

Can i ask, what is the amount you guys recommend i shd set aside to kick start this hobby?

And goldbird, how much would be the damage if i were to dive into the semi-pro zone?

 

[versatile]

Canon, No Doubts.

 

[ExplorerZ]

Hey, thanks for the lightning fast reply!

Frankly, i'm looking at getting a 2nd hand cam first, and slowly make my way into this hobby. But judging from how poison some gurus here gotten, I don't think i can do it slowly! Haha

Anyways, seriously, $$$ factor is top on my agenda now.

Can i ask, what is the amount you guys recommend i shd set aside to kick start this hobby?

And goldbird, how much would be the damage if i were to dive into the semi-pro zone?

hard to say damage... some lens cost thousands, while some are just pass 100.
anyway to get a decent setup with entry level body, you gotta prepare around 1.5k+/-.

 

[syncer]

WOW!

the 1.5k+- estimate is for brand new item? or 2nd hand?

Could you please recommend me on what to get for a entry level setup? I'm planning to use it to take photos of nature and animals.... think Jurong birdpark and Pulao Ubin kinda pictures..

Cheers,
Clement

 

[goldbird]

WOW!

the 1.5k+- estimate is for brand new item? or 2nd hand?

Could you please recommend me on what to get for a entry level setup? I'm planning to use it to take photos of nature and animals.... think Jurong birdpark and Pulao Ubin kinda pictures..

Cheers,
Clement

I'm not too sure about the price tags as of now.. sometimes you can just head down to camera shops and tell the people there that you have a budget. Ask them to make some recommendations, but of course refer back to the forum people, in case you get conned lol.

Since I'm a Nikon man, my choice will be D40 with kit lens, plus another lens with wider range..

Plus accessories such as memory cards, camera bags, tripods etc etc. Just a word of caution: this is a long term investment! ;p

 

[zac08]

WOW!

the 1.5k+- estimate is for brand new item? or 2nd hand?

Could you please recommend me on what to get for a entry level setup? I'm planning to use it to take photos of nature and animals.... think Jurong birdpark and Pulao Ubin kinda pictures..

Cheers,
Clement

Brand new... D40 is about $1000 odd then u need to add the below mentioned.

You'd need a kit, tripod for the nature or night shots (tat's gonna cost $100+ at least), macro lens if you like macro (anywhere from $250 [50mm plus reversal kit] - $600 [actual macro lens]) and if you need a longer reach, then a longer lens is needed. Another few hundreds at least.

Not forgetting the dry box, cleaning kits, bags, spare batteries, memory cards, etc...

Do think carefully first. It's not just a simple purchase of a camera.

 

[Artosoft]

Brand new... D40 is about $1000 odd then u need to add the below mentioned.

You'd need a kit, tripod for the nature or night shots (tat's gonna cost $100+ at least), macro lens if you like macro (anywhere from $250 [50mm plus reversal kit] - $600 [actual macro lens]) and if you need a longer reach, then a longer lens is needed. Another few hundreds at least.

Not forgetting the dry box, cleaning kits, bags, spare batteries, memory cards, etc...

Do think carefully first. It's not just a simple purchase of a camera.

Don't forget flash. Nikon series, you need ~$300 for SB600, ~$600 for SB800. Cheapest one is SB400 for ~$200.

Regards,
Arto.

 

[zekai]

for even the most basic.... start planning if you have a budget of 3K
do not start buying camera and have no spare cash for a decent lens and flash.

 

[zac08]

Don't forget flash. Nikon series, you need ~$300 for SB600, ~$600 for SB800. Cheapest one is SB400 for ~$200.

Regards,
Arto.

Oh yeah... thanks.

And there's always the R1C1 kit for macro shooters ($1k iirc)

 

[Artosoft]

Oh yeah... thanks.

And there's always the R1C1 kit for macro shooters ($1k iirc)

I think considering the price, someone will change his/her hobby :bsmilie: . Helicopter RC looks good . Around $200-300 can fly already with basic helicopter...

Regards,
Arto.

 

[syncer]

@_@.... man! the amount involved is scary!

Ok, i guess this discussion will be ever going. before we head to no where, can only recommend me a good basic set for taking photos of Natural scenes.

What are the lense that i need? What kinda cleaning kit are you guys referring to?

 

[ExplorerZ]

WOW!

the 1.5k+- estimate is for brand new item? or 2nd hand?

Could you please recommend me on what to get for a entry level setup? I'm planning to use it to take photos of nature and animals.... think Jurong birdpark and Pulao Ubin kinda pictures..

Cheers,
Clement

for nikon i would recommand d40 kit(18-55) + 55-200(about $300) and maybe a SB600($350) + a tripod(<$200 would be more than enough) total would be close to 2k.

edit: and yes a cleaning kit and memory card.

 

[Artosoft]

@_@.... man! the amount involved is scary!

Ok, i guess this discussion will be ever going. before we head to no where, can only recommend me a good basic set for taking photos of Natural scenes.

What are the lense that i need? What kinda cleaning kit are you guys referring to?

Just buy a kit. This can take natural scenes already. But, considering the good kit lens, you might want to go for D70s kit (if you go with Nikon camp).

Regards,
Arto.

 

[syncer]

I'm actually more inclined towards the canon base... Any recommendations?

 

[ExplorerZ]

I'm actually more inclined towards the canon base... Any recommendations?

same same... camera + kit lens + a tele (most probably sigma 70-300) and a flash 430EX? 420EX? (im not using canon so not v familiar with their flash) :bsmilie:

 

[syncer]

Yo!~

a few more questions here.... what is a kit lens? Also, is flash really necessary? The camera itself doesn't come with one?

 

[Witness]

kit lenses are lenses that come bundled with the camera body.... an off camera flash would be a useful thing to have to "light up" yours shots..

the built in camera flash is normally not powerful enough and since u cant bounce it...it wun produce as pleasing an effect as an off camera one i suppose..

cheers..