Recommendations for DSLR

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 21:51:08 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]If you wish to make photographs on the "this is how it was, imperfections and all" principle, this is what film photography is for[/quote]

Went to see the Ansel Adams exhibition in Greenwich last week, and it seems he spent more time noodling in the dark room than most people do in photoshop today!

[/quote]

Indeed. Fascinating to see how much after-work went into Don McCullin's brilliant super-realist black and white photos.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rob Loxley — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:32:04 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]If you wish to make photographs on the "this is how it was, imperfections and all" principle, this is what film photography is for[/quote]

Went to see the Ansel Adams exhibition in Greenwich last week, and it seems he spent more time noodling in the dark room than most people do in photoshop today!

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:28:01 GMT

Do get a polarising filter . Makes a lot of difference sometimes.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:25:19 GMT

[quote user="Mark Frost"]RRP = £1400 [/quote]

Anyone thinking of "upgrading" their photography, don't be put off by this sort of stuff. Such things may be superior but you can take blinkin' good photographs with inexpensive equipment. Embarrassingly, you can nowadays get blinkin' good photographs with a "compact" or a "bridge" camera: they are just a bit more limited.

Photoshop? No, not for most of us. But most photo-sorting applications, iPhoto or whatever, incorporate some basic editing facilities and it's silly not to do a bit of cropping (get that annoying tourist's arm off the lefthand side!) now and then, or straighten your horizon, or adjust the contrast a little; and there's Photoshop Elements for a little bit more; otherwise you are just wasting the usefulness of digital photography.

If you wish to make photographs on the "this is how it was, imperfections and all" principle, this is what film photography is for. Film is still great despite the disadvantages.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rob Loxley — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:32:27 GMT

Otherwise if you can always rent for a weekend or week away; I rented a lovely big lens that I'd never afford to buy, for a trip to a game reserve last yr

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

James Laidlaw — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:29:18 GMT

16 - 35 L series is awesome. Well worth all that money I saved!!! I use that and a 50mm 1.4 most of the time. Also have an 70-200 L 2.8 (I think 70-200). And can wholeheartedly recommend L lenses if you can afford. Don't think you'll ever see them come down in price much, but if you look after them they don't devalue a lot either.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Mark Frost — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:46:25 GMT

[quote user="james herriot lied"]

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]

4) Buy a poloraiser, if the sun is at 90 degrees to you then no computer program on earth will have this effect

[/quote]

We're going to be in the Himalayas at Easter. White mountains, blue sky, polarising filter. Photography heaven.

[/quote]

Wow.. sounds amazing!!!

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Mark Frost — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:39:06 GMT

[quote user="Rajat"]

Good points Mark I only use filters where I *want* their effects and second the careful handling. My camera costs more than my car (yes my car is very cheap!) so I have a good incentive to take care of it. Thanks for the tip re kenko polarisers will keep an eye out for them.

I too love the 50 in low light, and agreed there is no comparison between the two for this - in bright well lit scenes at equivalent f stops say f5-6, my point was that the L series will be far better - it's been available on Amazon for sometime at £750 and the 50 mm at £80-90 like you said. I guess you get what you pay for! Good point re the IS - I love this feature but know it ain't a fix for people motion/slow shutter speeds...

I wish Canon made more affordable lenses like the 50 1.8 tho. Or a L series lens that didn't cost more than a brand new mid range DSLR!

Not sure that swap makes much sense to me BTW

Cheers

[/quote]

Would love to use any of the L series.. although I think for people relatively new to photography or SLRs its much better to hone your skills on cheaper gear so when you do decide to splash the cash you get exactly what you want that suits the type of photography you love. I have had 3 non-L lenses covering a range of situations, 17 - 85mm IS, 70 - 300mm IS & 50mm 1.8 for 6 years (and more recently 11 - 16mm) since I first got a DSLR (my first SLR digital or not) and if I had a spare £1 - 2k (which I don't!!) I'm still not sure which of the L series I would go for... currently I'd probably get the 16 - 35mm f2.8 L as landscapes, low light and portraits seem to be what I am shooting most but the 24 - 70 f2.8 L would make it a difficult decision! Not something I'm going to need to worry about for a while though!

Essentially I agree though... more ££ = sharper but if you can't afford it or if starting out the 50mm f1.8 is a cheap but excellent introduction to prime lenses and fast apertures and takes WAY better images than its price would suggest. Ultimately it is the photographer that makes the difference, the quality of the kit just opens up more possibilities!

Totally agree re: the more affordable lenses comment - would love a range of primes 17, 35, 100mm in that kind of price range with nice wide max apertures!! (Obviously they are available, just for a bit more than the £80 I'd want to pay!)

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rajat — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:16:39 GMT

[quote user="Mark Frost"]

[quote user="Rajat"]

My understanding was the UV filter does nothing to improve piccies but polarising filters do help. Another + 1 for the ND filters.

Worth spending good money on these filters as no point n putting cheap glass between your subject and your expensive glass! Hoya Pro series are a decent investment.

[/quote]

Agreed, a UV filter helps with film but has no effect with digital, serves as protection for front of lens only but personally would rather not put any more glass infront of the lens than is necessary, I protect my lenses with a lens hood and careful handling!! Love my Pro1 polarisers though, much cheaper on eBay also, look out for Kenko branded filters (Pro1), made in same factory as Hoya but branded for far east rather than european markets. I have both (in different sizes) and can't tell the difference other than the name.

[quote user="Rajat"]

I too like the Canon 50mm f 1.8 but I find the piccies are nowhere near as sharp as my L series 24-105 lens at equivalent focal length. Given the L series 50mm is about 7 times the price, I think this lens is pretty good valyue for money. No IS but the fast speed kinda makes up for it. DOF is pretty good too as expected!

[/quote]

Ha ha!! 50mm RRP = £130, 24-105 RRP = £1400 (appreciate you can get them both at approx 1/2 RRP though), I'd be GUTTED if the L lens wasn't sharper than the cheapest lens Canon make, f1.8 vs f4 though means in low light there is no contest regardless of price, 50mm wins almost every time as IS can't help you with movement blur ;) (wouldn't say no to a swap though!!)

[/quote]

I wish Canon made more affordable lenses like the 50 1.8 tho. Or a L series lens that didn't cost more than a brand new mid range DSLR!

Not sure that swap makes much sense to me BTW

Cheers

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Robert FalconerTaylor — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:20:40 GMT

and insurance! I slipped & the front of the filter took the impact. The filter glass was smashed and metal rim bent horribly. The lens itself was fine,, not a scratch.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Mark Frost — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:06:53 GMT

[quote user="Rajat"]

My understanding was the UV filter does nothing to improve piccies but polarising filters do help. Another + 1 for the ND filters.

Worth spending good money on these filters as no point n putting cheap glass between your subject and your expensive glass! Hoya Pro series are a decent investment.

[/quote]

[quote user="Rajat"]

[/quote]

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:27:11 GMT

Help Someone please translate-or I might start posting in Welsh

Wynne (IDU)

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rob Davis — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:26:13 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="robloxley"]

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]I didn't have a clue what DSLR stood for and am rather glad it's not yet another veterinary abreviation-something todo with photography I gather[/quote]

GIYF

[/quote]

IHTNR

[/quote]

IDKWTFYTABIJTG!

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:48:25 GMT

[quote user="robloxley"]

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]I didn't have a clue what DSLR stood for and am rather glad it's not yet another veterinary abreviation-something todo with photography I gather[/quote]

GIYF

[/quote]

IHTNR

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rob Loxley — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 13:31:15 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]I didn't have a clue what DSLR stood for and am rather glad it's not yet another veterinary abreviation-something todo with photography I gather[/quote]

GIYF

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Hannah Wynne Richards — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:38:35 GMT

I didn't have a clue what DSLR stood for and am rather glad it's not yet another veterinary abreviation-something todo with photography I gather

Wynne

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rajat — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:29:43 GMT

My understanding was the UV filter does nothing to improve piccies but polarising filters do help. Another + 1 for the ND filters.

Worth spending good money on these filters as no point n putting cheap glass between your subject and your expensive glass! Hoya Pro series are a decent investment.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rob Loxley — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 23:45:35 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]1) Bracketing[/quote]

Yes in the days of shooting slide film, but in these days of instant histograms I'm not sure why, rather than, say, tweaking the manual settings or exposure compensation (unless you're playing with HDR in which case: whatever floats your boat!).

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]2) Check the histogram once taken... ...until the peak is in the centre (ish)[/quote]

There is also the concept of 'expose to the right' (assuming you are shooting RAW)

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]3) Stick a UV filter on the new lens... ...improves your piccies[/quote]

Really??

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]5) Use an N-Grad filter for sunny landscapes[/quote]

This I would really recommend if you're serious about landscape photography, as like you I think there's a lot to be said for getting the exposure as right as possible in the camera, without noodling with photoshop or HDR. See http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/graduated-neutral-density-filters.htm for a brief overview. Beware however cokin's non-neutral grey-grads...

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

james herriot lied — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:59:16 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]

4) Buy a poloraiser, if the sun is at 90 degrees to you then no computer program on earth will have this effect

[/quote]

We're going to be in the Himalayas at Easter. White mountains, blue sky, polarising filter. Photography heaven.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Sarah Keir — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:42:25 GMT

Canon's guarantees for body and lenses are worldwide, no matter where you bought the camera. Nikon is only world wide for lenses, not the bodies. Don't ask me why.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Neil Wheadon — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 14:36:41 GMT

Personally I think that they are all off a great standard for an ameteur taking what is after all shots for personal use and not for publication.

However like anything they are only as good as the person wielding it. Each picture requires a different approach and personally I don't have the time or inclination to understand or learn photoshop, getting it right when clicking the shutter is a lot more satisfying and quicker too. I'd recommend

1) Bracketting. All cameras have this. Take the picture and then take it again going up and down the stops

2) Check the histogram once taken. If the peak is too one side then retake increasing or decreasing the exposure, until the peak is in the centre (ish)

3) Stick a UV filter on the new lens, protects and improves your piccies

4) Buy a poloraiser, if the sun is at 90 degrees to you then no computer program on earth will have this effect

5) Use an N-Grad filter for sunny landscapes. These are filters which go progressively darker. When you take a photo of a sunny landscape the sensor in the camera will look at all that contrasting light and so will overexpose the sky and underexpose the land - result a disappointing photo. By blackening the sky and lightening the land you get much better piccies. I have mine in a case and simple hold it over the lens when needed.

I've put 4 photos on the members gallery of Vietnam. http://www.vetsurgeon.org/media All required a different thought process and filters but they look OK and remember before showing others or storing, delete the bad ones, then delete then delete again.

Neil

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Mark Frost — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 21:59:56 GMT

Didn't see this thread originally..

Would highly recommend the Canon 50mm f/1.8 as an amazing (and cheap!) lens - brilliant for portraits, low light (the only lens I use at friends weddings etc..) and an excellent addition to a twin lens package. Its reportedly quite flimsy but I have had mine for over 6 years now and amongst other things spent 7 months travelling abroad with no damage!

Best advice is to get (like you have done) a relatively cheap body and lens set and then get the more expensive lenses if and when you decide which ones suit what your uses are, Having said that the 50mm lens I have recommended to everyone with a new SLR and all who have bought it have been amazed. The 000D cameras from Canon are excellent (my wife uses a 400D) and the newer models are much more advanced than my 30D which I still love!!

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Rob Loxley — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 23:16:28 GMT

[quote user="james herriot lied"]they were almost all based in Hong Kong[/quote]

Even the locals in Hong Kong advised against buying from the cheap camera dealers there...

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

Dagmar Steele — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 20:36:26 GMT

good luck with it! I have a friend who owns a 550D and he makes wonderful pics! Service should be ok regardless where you buy it. I dropped my Nikon in summer and it was still within warranty but I couldn't find the receipt (it was a gift from my husband). At the Nikon service center they just ran the serial no. through their system, told me it was bought one and a half year ago at amazon. They repaired it for free and I could pick it up the next day! Amazing service! I would suspect Canon would be the same.

Re: Recommendations for DSLR

james herriot lied — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 19:25:16 GMT

Thanks for all the advice given - eventually went for a 550d with twin-lens package, on the basis that when we're a bit more proficient, we can look further up the ladder. Bought it from an actual shop, with an actual human being assistant - so when it goes wrong, I can stand and shout someone. There were a bunch of very cheap internet outlets, but they were almost all based in Hong Kong, so any 'guarantee' on the warranties was pretty much virtual.

Many thanks to all