New to DSLR - what did you start out with?

[qwertbabe]

Hellos all,

I'm trying to start my photography hobby after years of a dummy P&S camera. Am looking around for a good DSLR, but in addition, I realize more than the body and the main kit lens, other accesories will be required to enhance my photography experience.

For a beginner, what kind of accessories would one recommend? Things like filters, hoods, flash... other lenses etcetc

For starters, I know I am shopping for a kit set, a tripod, spare batt, spare mems, but would like to get a sense of what other things should I be prepared to invest in the next 6-12mths as I seriously start this new hobby.

Any comment/advice is appreciated. =)

(I've been reading the forum lately, but if I've missed a similar post, pls do redirect me there... many thanks! =P)

 

[jjtml]

Hello, welcome to the world of DSLR.

First and foremost, you have decide which camp you are going into....

1) Canon

2) Nikon

3) Olympus 4/3 systems

4) Sony

5) etc.. etc..

For basic stuff you're gonna want....

a) lenses to cover from wide to zoom (kit lenses would be a start)
b) UV filters to cover your kit lenses, Cir-pol filters.... etc
c) tripod with seperate ballhead
d) spare batt / spare mem
e) cleaning kit
f) bag to hold cam + at least 3 lenses + flash + other nonsense
g) basic external flash


Later you'd probably want
h) monopod
i) higher grade lenses (macros, super telezooms, primes)
j) u/w housing if you're a diver, + stobes = burnt wallet
k) more powerful flash
l) lightspheres / omnibounces
m) studio type lighting... backdrops...

the list goes on.... you'll get the BBB syndrome for sure!

 

[qwertbabe]

Hmmm... is the built in flash really that insufficient? I was actually thinking of starting out without external flash first and just use the built in...

 

[zaren]

Hmmm... is the built in flash really that insufficient? I was actually thinking of starting out without external flash first and just use the built in...

the built-in flash is ok for direct (usually harsh) lighting and for fill-flash, but you cannot "bounce" the flash (by tilting or swivelling the flash head) to achieve better lighting effects in your photo.

 

[zac08]

Hmmm... is the built in flash really that insufficient? I was actually thinking of starting out without external flash first and just use the built in...

Well, for fill in flashes and snapshots, these can do just fine. But when you need the extra Oomph and effects, you'd need the external flash to help give you the extra boost. It's a good tool to have, do save up for one.

 

[Azure]

A repeat of what is mentioned in another thread ---> http://forums.clubsnap.org/showpost.php?p=3074339&postcount=17

A tripod is optional, if you're not sure whether to go into long/low-light exposures, for a newcomer to dSLR. Extra battery will be good, if you expect to spend a full day out or if you review photos a lot. Join good outings like this ChngPE's Nikon outing, or the AG Outings to learn some more about yourself, what you prefer to shoot.

A lot of individuals, though most of them very quiet in the forum, started out with a kit lens and a spare battery and after a year, they are still very happy with that setup.

 

[DemonicPP]

i am thinking of getting 1 dSLR soon... next pay or what... and a laptop for processin... but thinking about going in to NS soon then by the time i finish then would my equiptment be outdated? if i get now then next few month go in ns not much time use also then by the time come out get new 1.. what do u guys think..

 

[Jinks]

but thinking about going in to NS soon then by the time i finish then would my equiptment be outdated?

Welcome to CS!

My advice - don't be a technology chaser. It's often quoted on CS that at the end of the day, what makes a good picture is the person behind the camera.

 

[Galdor]

Yup, I agree. Dun be a tech. chaser. I am still happy with my 6MP Minolta.

 

[ExplorerZ]

i am thinking of getting 1 dSLR soon... next pay or what... and a laptop for processin... but thinking about going in to NS soon then by the time i finish then would my equiptment be outdated? if i get now then next few month go in ns not much time use also then by the time come out get new 1.. what do u guys think..

outdated cam and lappy can still be used... many small office are still using intel pentium 2 or even lower. :bsmilie:

 

[jmmtn4aj]

I've had an Olympus C-50z and a Canon EOS300D, but I really only started out (got serious) with my D50

 

[tanjonhan]

hi i only started out half a year ago..if money is an issue, getting a kit would be good enough.
Some things you definitely need(as mentioned by the others):

1. Tripod (definite if not you cant shoot nice night shots..)
2. DRY CABINET (to protect yr gear during storage..)
3. Bag to carry your stuff around..
4. Spare battery (optional but good to have)
5. Extra memory cards (though i think getting like 2GB would be more than enough..you can delete the definite no-no pictures after taking immediately, memory card prices are always falling so you dun want to buy too many now, unless you really have a need for it)
6. Some filters perhaps?

If you are on a budget..
tripod - can get the slik 330, or benro which is really light..(120-150?)
dry cabinet - digicabi 30L (about 95)
Bags (lowepro stealth reporter / lowepro slingshot / crumpler 5/6 million dollar home)
Batteries - Can buy second hand on b&s or can buy third party brands

I personally feel that flashs can be put on your second wave of buying spree, should take the time to know yr camera first?

maybe you can pm me your email i can send you something which u may find useful..

 

[qwertbabe]

thanks all for your views and comments.

I'm not really looking for a "beginner" dslr, but more of a beginner setup. (just fyi i'm eyeing the new olympus... am waiting for the e510 to come out to compare e410 heehee.. but pls, this is a whole new discussion for another thread.)

A lot of individuals, though most of them very quiet in the forum, started out with a kit lens and a spare battery and after a year, they are still very happy with that setup.

That sounds good. Initially that was my intent until i play around and really figure out what I need. that's why my "basic" timeline is at least 6-12mths before i consider buying other add-ons.

 

[totoro17]

hi i only started out half a year ago..if money is an issue, getting a kit would be good enough.
Some things you definitely need(as mentioned by the others):

1. Tripod (definite if not you cant shoot nice night shots..)
2. DRY CABINET (to protect yr gear during storage..)
3. Bag to carry your stuff around..
4. Spare battery (optional but good to have)
5. Extra memory cards (though i think getting like 2GB would be more than enough..you can delete the definite no-no pictures after taking immediately, memory card prices are always falling so you dun want to buy too many now, unless you really have a need for it)
6. Some filters perhaps?

If you are on a budget..
tripod - can get the slik 330, or benro which is really light..(120-150?)
dry cabinet - digicabi 30L (about 95)
Bags (lowepro stealth reporter / lowepro slingshot / crumpler 5/6 million dollar home)
Batteries - Can buy second hand on b&s or can buy third party brands

I personally feel that flashs can be put on your second wave of buying spree, should take the time to know yr camera first?

maybe you can pm me your email i can send you something which u may find useful..

my email address is darren.rox@gmail.com if you dont mind to email me that thing you feel that i will find it useful, since im still newbie

 

[Azure]

thanks all for your views and comments.

I'm not really looking for a "beginner" dslr, but more of a beginner setup. (just fyi i'm eyeing the new olympus... am waiting for the e510 to come out to compare e410 heehee.. but pls, this is a whole new discussion for another thread.)



That sounds good. Initially that was my intent until i play around and really figure out what I need. that's why my "basic" timeline is at least 6-12mths before i consider buying other add-ons.

Good for you, you already have a set-up (more or less) in mind.

Get a kit that comes with whichever brand/model you are eyeing, and go out to shoot some. All the other stuff, is very much dependent on whether you want to make a particular genre your favoured genre. And seriously, there are folks who can get by with decent macros (more of close-ups) of flowers on their kit lenses, and very nice scenics and streets as well.

If you want to try out night shots, find a friend who has a tripod to go with. Low-light isn't necessarily everybody's cup of tea. Try it one, two times, then decide whether you are going to spend many more nights/mornings doing it before you go buy the tripod.

Enjoy shooting!