If you tried going to John 3:16 you'll find that they'll let you try the cams out, and tell you which one they think will be better for you etc. without the hardsell. They don't force you to buy either so go for it for as long as you like it.
Hi Bonrya,
Thanks for the recommendation, heard about this shop that is mentioned greatly in the forum, will defintely check it out!
Based on ur budget and ur 2 choices....
I would say, go for the Nikon D3100.
Cuz the balance money can buy flash, tripod and some accessories.
Or can also buy the Canon 550D just body alone and buy a diff lense + accessories.
Buy from recommended shops shared by seniors here.
Dun buy from Courts/Harvey Norman/Best Denki superstores.
Hope that helps.
Hi Gua Po,
I have also thought of that, to buy a more economical body, as i might need additonal cash to buy some of the essential add on..thanks for the advise dude!
Don't be bothered by the stares from the salesman, many have tried it like you have and you will not be the last to do that. Test/Try what you want to try is more important than these "minor" details. *If they force you to buy, walk out and don't look back*
btw, don't be swayed by whoever tells you X is better than Y or the other way. Go with what fits in your hand better. This means from the grip to menu to ergonomics to almost anything else.
1) Camera Wise
- both are good for beginners. The camera engineers are smart enough not to design complex menus for entry level cameras....
2) Bundles
- to what I know, most only give you a free 8GB Class 4 SDHC card.
- Dry Box, Don't think got free...anyway, get a Dry Cabinet for convenience sake.
- Tripod, get it when you need it....If you are shooting night scenery, MUST buy (Do a search on Tripods and you should hit
at least 100 posts)
- Lens Cleaning Kit, get a Rocket Blower + Microfiber cloth (should be more than enough for normal cleaning....Sensors cleaning is another matter....)
3) Lens
- I would suggest a walkabout lens of 18-200 as it will come in quite handy esp for travelling. After playing with DSLR for sometime, when you want to upgrade lens, you will then analyze/know where your most common focal length are (Please read DPreview or other websites for Lens reviews).
4) Books/Reading Materials
Read up the Stickies in Newbies Forum. Will be more than enough for you to digest for 2 months. But first, read the basics:
Photography Notes For Newbies. You can also read up,
Digital Photography School,
Ken Rockwell's website. There are also many websites out there and
Google is your best friend to find it
btw, before buying anything, Call the shops to ask for quotations or send them an email for e-quotes, just in-case some tries to smoke you by quoting it higher (you can do a search and see many such cases)....
Hope this helps.
Hi Skystrike,
Really appreciate that you took time to advise me
thanks bro. Will soon hit the shops to try out these 2 models again to see which one is better in terms of ergonomics factor and the complexity.
1.) I also thought that in terms of spec they are similar only with the 550D is much more superior but it cost ard $200+ more.
I guess the menu aslo plays a impt part, as it must be easy to use for beginners/newbies. I had tried the D3100, at the Gain city it fair @ expo last week i can only say i need time to get use to it. For 550D no chance to try cos too many ppl!
Which system did u own? a canon or a nikon which is a easier system to maneuver?
2) Thanks for your advise on the bundle, last week got a deal worth $949 Nikon D3100 with 8GB SD card + 16GB SD Card+card reader+PU bag+tripod+dry box+ 1.5 inch digital photoframe.(Gain city it fair @ expo) Though the card reader and the digital photo frame is quite useless. I though it was quite a deal, but i had not done my research well, so i decided not to buy. the 550D got something similar with a extra 3rd party battery. For the tripod part, as due to travelling thats abit inconvenient but i think i understand it is good to have for night scene. Does the lens cleaning kit you mention normally includes in the bundle?
3) Not too sure for the 550d need to check , but for 3100 lens is a 18-55 mm AF-S DS Nikkor, f/3.5-5.6VR ? this is the default lenses that come with the body right? the default one should be enuough for a newbie for me for travelling? I intend to get the the cam with default lenses only. Additional lenses, i am thinking at a much later time due to my budget and i think i need time get use to the cam after i bought also.
4) thanks for the recommendations, will defintely read and try to disgest it. any personal recommendations from you regarding the better shops out there? PM can? thanks!
1) try and decide. it's a system, you have to know which system you prefer. (System = cam body + lenses + accessories like flashes)
Photography is a journey. The lenses can be kept as you upgrade your body. but switching between systems will cost you a lot in future.
2) dry cabinet. Blower and lenspen (LP-1) good enough for cleaning your lenses/filters while on the move. Bag: backpack / sling bag to hold your camera while you are about.
Wireless remote: if you are travelling with your gf and want to take shots, these are handy!
3) lens: for a compact to DSLR convert, i believe you will find the 18-55mm most useful. think about longer range later on after you are familar with your dslr. consider uv filters to protect your lens' front element (some pple stand by it, some don't. it's up to you). A
CPL filter should be a serious consideration if you are going to shoot thru glass / shoot at water features. search thru the forum to read up more on this type of filter. And i believe you are going to take night / low light shots. Consider a prime lens with wide aperture (very small f number. eg: f1.8)
4) Reading materials: "Getting started in Digital SLR Photography" by Digital SLR Photography magazine (read up articles on their website also). $10.50, available in most bookstores. Great guide to start with. I'm a newbie and I'm still digesting information from this guide. Note: things won't make sense at first, but after you start playing around with the DSLR, things start to fall into place. I'm 3rd week into my D7000 and am enjoying it thoroughly!
Hi Skimmilk
Thanks man for your advise, you hit a point! system are costly to switch and I should get it right the first time!
2) These kind of clean kit do they normally come in a bundle? I guess with a costly device, it makes sense that i take good care of it.. yes need a bag so i can bring it around.
Other than gf, there will be another couple around too, does the wireless remotes works together only with tripod presences? Sorry i am too new, need to check on the wireless remote thing too.
3) Yes not intending to get any lens till i consider a better player myself.. i hope the default lenses is enough, thought i not too sure abt 550D, 3100 comes with 18-55mm. I hope the defaults lenses that comes with it is enough for me!
Hmm night/ low light shots f1.8 think the default one for 3100 is only f3.5 - 5.6 shucks would that not enough?
4) thanks man, will check it out too! definetly alot of info to digest, but same like you , i think need to play around with the cam do know what it means, if not it is just like learning swimming on paper.
Oh ya have another query as well, are in terms of accesories like dry box/cabinet, cleaning kit, blower,bag etc....can give me some rough ideas in terms of the $ factor?
Have no sense of $ factor of these items, and would hope i still can keep it within my budget
Have done a comparison also of the specs between these 2 models in DP review
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=canon_eos550d&products=nikon_d3100 -- they are comparable but 550D seems a little more superior on paper
any advice on that?
Thanks in advance bros!
