Both the body and lens.Second hand or new.
is that just for a DSLR and lens or will you need anything else, memory cards etc.
That's an interesting idea actually.Depends what you really want to do with it and as Colin says, is that budget just for body or - as I'm assuming - body + lens.
You could get a cheap second hand body plus nice 50mm (or 35mm) fast prime for about your budget. Good (but not brilliant) high ISO performance would include the Sony A58, Pentax K5-ii as well as the usual suspects from Nikon/Canon. I think the former of those last two big brands usually has better high ISO capabilities, although that may not hold as true at the budget end, where you're very definitely looking. Sony and Pentax can be had for about £250 body-only, possibly less.
But here's a bit of a leftfield idea: how about a Sony RX100? It's a compact (although possibly one of the best ever made) but it has surprisingly good high ISO performance and the fixed zoom lens goes as wide as f/1.8 at the wide end, I think. It's about £250, give or take.
You could have a really good play with it and decide whether you want to get more into photography as well as decide what your new, higher budget might be at that point. When you make that next leap, you can either keep your super little compact as a "always have it with you" camera or sell it for nearly what you paid.
Thanks for the advice!Well 'What Camera' seem to like the D5200 and for sure it's likely to meet your needs as a beginner in my view. Does seem to be on your budget limit with the 18-55mm kit lens, which will get you started, but may not be the highest quality. Have a think about what you want to take pictures of and why you think you want to start with a DSLR rather than a compact camera.
For example, I used film SLRs for something like 35-years. When I first tried digital photography I used a 2MP compact camera and it took pretty good photos (someone visiting my house just today commented very favourably on a shot on my wall taken with said compact). However, i used to get frustrated with the slow focusing speed and shutter delays. So, I returned to the SLR format via a Canon EOS 20D, very nearly went with a Nikon D70S instead and may well have done so if there were any around at the time. I still have the 20D and have a number of shots on the wall at home from it's 6MP files. My main camera right now is a Canon 50D which is not everyone's favourite, but it works for me. My next camera is likely to be a 7D MkII, this will go nicely with the lenses I have and will I think be a nice step up.
What I'm trying to say is this, photography is not defined by the camera but instead by the photographer and the subject. Pretty much any current camera around your budget point will take pretty amazing pictures. The main advantage of the SLR format is that it offers a lot of opportunities to grow into a system through adding lenses etc. This can become quite expensive, but rewarding too. Good luck.
Shots like this:One more question, what sort of low light images.
Night sky shots, pub band following shots, or wet Scottish day shots, etc.
That's an interesting idea actually.
What would be the main drawback of a more compact camera rather than a DSLR?
Have a look what the 18-55 kit lens can do.
When people say it's good for beginners, it usually puts the beginners off! I like to show them this image that was taken with an 18-55 kit lens (not my pic, I would credit the photographer if I could remember who it was!).
Start with the kit lens and get used to the DSLR format before deciding what you need next. It's okay for us to tell you what you need but we can only recommend. You will know eventually what lens you require
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Hey guys
I have a budget of £350.
Im new to photography and am looking for a DSLR which will be able to take good low light images.
I have looked at th Nikon D5200, what are your thoughts?
Are there any better options?
Shots like this:
Obviously the photographer is very skilled but being able to achieve results like this with practice would be perfect.
In other words, skyline shots but with foreground.
Just to go back to the OP again for a moment...
I haven't emboldened the above - it was in the OP like that. I'd ask what you mean by low light images - you've given us one example, but how about some of the types of image on this page: http://photographycourse.net/lessons/low-light-photography/
Low light might mean slow shutter speed, it might mean high ISO, or it might mean huge aperture. Or a combination of the three. Even the cheapest camera and lens combo will do the first, a reasonably modern body will do the second but primes or expensive zooms might be required for the third. If we knew what sort of low light photography you wanted to do, we could advise better. Simple night trails and/or easy astro could be achieved with the cheapest compact!
Yes this is a perfect description, images where light is far away (if that makes sense)To be fair Paul ( @pjm1 ), as the OP has given an example of the types of shot in post #6 we do have something to extrapolate from.
To me that looks like something suitable for urbex, specifically in the 'high stuff' category.
The posted image is really a bit small to see, but I *think* I can see light trails (so long exposure), and with the deep DoF, that's either stacked (I doubt it) or a long exposure with a small aperture.
A lot of the (night time or low light) urbex I've seen has been taken with a tripod so whilst youmight initially think FF and prime would be ideal, it's not really a requirement.
I think if this were my aim and I was starting from scratch, I'd be looking for:
- Nikon or Sony crop sensor (Crop for the size and Nikon/Sony for the ability to pull back underexposed images far more cleanly than Canon)
- Kit lens initially, followed by a wider lens when funds allowed (being a canon user, I don't really know Nikon lenses (or Sony other than you can fit Nikon lenses with an adapter)
- Gorillapod
Looking on dxomark, there isn't much between the d5200 & d5500 (in fact in some tests the d5200 looks to come out on top (high iso believe it or not!)
I'd be tempted to go with a d5200 and kit 18-55 which comes in at just north of 300 notes at a certain sarf london based grey emporium, which leave some money left over for cards and maybe a gorillapod (or a gorillapod copy)
Edited for some of my speeling mistakes
I'm not a Nikon expert, I just went by the detailed (not high level) stats on dxomark. It's worth a look, just make sure you ignore the summary scores and drill into the sections of the camera's functionaliity you will be using. For the shot you posted, "Dynamic Range" across the iso range is going to be important.I believe a combination of the three, where the sensor is picking up as much light as possible (which might refer to the exposure)?
Yes this is a perfect description, images where light is far away (if that makes sense)
A tripod is certaintly a requirement, along with a Gorillapod!
I had my eyes set on a D5200 but do you think i'd be better off going with the D5300 which has a slightly higher ISO rating (and wifi but that's not really needed by me, just nice to have)
Short answer to this is "no".Also as you use Canon, do you think the 7D is worth the extra money (around £200 more than the D5300 for a used one)? I could always save a bit longer.
Also thanks for the advice on the RX Paul, I will definitely look into a more compact alternative but for the time being, the ability for me to to buy a new lens for the body would be very useful (eg for wide angles and being able to swap it over also it'd allow me to experiment more)
Thanks!
I would recommend learning more about photography to be honest (not meaning to sound insulting). Then you would realise that there are many more choices than "DSLR" or "compact". These days:That's an interesting idea actually.
What would be the main drawback of a more compact camera rather than a DSLR?
Looks like a rooftopping shot from a GoPro to me.Looks like a composite of 2 separate images, the lens perspective for the foreground is different to the city in the background, which was taken with a very wide angle or fisheye lens.
Hey guys
I have a budget of £350.
Im new to photography and am looking for a DSLR which will be able to take good low light images.
I have looked at th Nikon D5200, what are your thoughts?
Are there any better options?
Thanks for the advice man!I'm a beginner who has just spent pretty much that exact same budget on a Nikon DSLR and have very quickly realised my camera was a piece of equipment it was going to take me quite a while to learn how to use. I hadn't figured out the sheer number of different settings I can change on it and the amount of buttons was pretty daunting. It's a hell of a lot to learn on the camera and I also have to learn how to get the effects I want in my photos.
My advice would be do a bit of research in to the cameras in your price bracket, both new and second hand and have a look at the pros and cons of them. There are some great comparison websites out there for you to look at the ISO performances. Such as this for example, where you can swap cameras in and out to compare. http://cameradecision.com/compare/Canon-EOS-550D-vs-Nikon-D7000
Also be aware that a good lens costs a fair bit as well.
Almost everyone on here will know more than I do, but that's how it's panning out for me.
Just a heads up and some advice but you could get into trouble canvassing a sale on an advice thread. I'm not trying to be clever or be a kill joy but the mods will suspend you so put the camera on the classifieds and deal there for safety's sake. Just trying to help.Hi
I have a canon 600D with lens, 2 battery's 2 cards, cables, software and remote control that I'm selling low shutter count.
If you would like to PM me I can send you more details and some pictures of the camera with price (well within your budget)
Kevin
No problem, it's a rule of the forum and I didn't want you to get into trouble.Hi Wardy07
Thanks for that I didn't know, will do as suggested.
Thanks for the advice man!
My friend recently got a 1200D and it took us both a good 30mins or so to work out how to get it to work correctly, I guess it all comes down to practice.
And I know, glass is more expensive than the bosy in most cases.
Some lenses for the D5300 exceed $2000 and the body+kit lens is only $550.
I'd disagree with the above comment that mirrorless is anywhere near replacing DSLRs and the industry figures published at the end of 2015 back that up. They are a good option where size & weight is more important than outright quality, lens range & support. Different systems for different needs.
I would advise, based on the guy's budget, the Canon G7X rather than a 4 year old inferior RX100. The G7X has the same sensor as the RX100-III but is cheaper and better in every respect except the EVF.
For the money, you're not going to get a decent DSLR or mirrorless so maybe something like the G7X is the way to go.
Thanks for the advice man!
My friend recently got a 1200D and it took us both a good 30mins or so to work out how to get it to work correctly, I guess it all comes down to practice.
And I know, glass is more expensive than the bosy in most cases.
Some lenses for the D5300 exceed $2000 and the body+kit lens is only $550.
$2000? Some cost over $16,000 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918849-REG/nikon_2205_af_s_nikkor_800mm_f_5_6e.html
Then you have some cameras, like Blads, costing $45,000 , they are a lot more expensive than lenses > http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...34&setNs=p_PRICE_2|1&N=4259332394&srtclk=sort
Thanks for all the help guys!
Got myself a used D5300 with Tamron 18-200mm lens, at the bargain price of £320
Which lens would you recommend I save for?
Thanks again, this forum has been amazing in terms of information!