13 replies to this topic

[AlBundy65]

So, while I had a whale of a time at the air tattoo, one thing was very obvious, I need a decent camera, but boy, is there a bewildering choice out there.
Looking at the Nikon D3100, cheapish, and flexible by the looks of it, but open to advice and suggestions.
Over to you wise ones.

[klyne]

Comprehensive review here http://www.dpreview....iews/nikond3100  I doubt it will disappoint, seems a good spec for the price. Personally a Canon man but both are excellent brands. Will this be your first DSLR?

David

[AlBundy65]

Yeah, and hopefully last, have been looking at the d3100, nice to get a recommendation

[bi6als]

Not sure if its what you want but Fuji do some good "idiot proof" SLRs........you cant change the lens but on the other hand the muck cant get in either.

Ive got a HS10 and its never failed to give me the pic I want. I may not be that demanding though.

http://shop.fujifilm...-cameras?cat=48

[toscal]

I'm a cannon fan too. I still use an old Ixus S330. Even though its only 2mp it produces photos that are of a better quality then some 5plus mp cameras.
But I do like Nikon.  I was thinking of getting either a Coolpix L810 or L310. The L810 has a lens equivalent to a 35mm 22.5 – 585mm
Try you tube for reviews. Or Amazon for the D3100 and for the L810

[klyne]

AlBundy65, on 16 July 2012 - 07:11 PM, said:

Yeah, and hopefully last, have been looking at the d3100, nice to get a recommendation

The reason I asked that is that I found when first using a DSLR for a while after purchase I was not getting brillient picture so I started reading magazines and the instruction booklet and discovered to get the best out of that type of camera you can't just plonk it in automatic mode so be prepared for a steepish learning curve but it will provide rewards in the end. Another advatage of a DSLR is that there are masses of  lenes available so in time you can expand your outfit.

David

[Challenger]

Have a look at the Fujifilm HS30. Just upgraded from the HS20. Brilliant bit of kit with great zoom. Not too heavy and easy to carry around. Depends how much you want to spend. Amazon are the best price today.

[bobnchris]

There are now three types of digital cameras available.
The slip in the pocket type, the all singing and all dancing type and an inbetween which is classified as a bridge camera.

I've done all three now.  Whilst I like the pocket one I wanted a little better but not the top of the range dslr with a large price tag.  Ended up with a bridge camera, quiet happy with it - each to his own

[RogerL]

bobnchris, on 17 July 2012 - 09:28 PM, said:

There are now three types of digital cameras available.
The slip in the pocket type, the all singing and all dancing type and an inbetween which is classified as a bridge camera.

I've done all three now.  Whilst I like the pocket one I wanted a little better but not the top of the range dslr with a large price tag.  Ended up with a bridge camera, quiet happy with it - each to his own

It's important to know one's own limitations and don't assume that a better camera will give better results - I never mastered an entry-level non-digital SLR so I stick to a pocket digital now.

[Predictable Bob]

One of my boys wanted a DSLR a while ago and after extensive research we came down in favour of the Pentax K-R - Pentax aren't one of the market leaders these days but the K-R comfortably outperforms the entry level cameras from Nikon/Canon etc and was great value for money.  He started off determined to get a Canon but changed his mind when he'd handled all of the contenders and read a lot of reviews as both the Canon 1100 and Nikon 3100 felt pretty insubstantial compared to the Pentax .  It's well over a year down the line now and he's still well happy with it.

[AlBundy65]

Took the plunge and bullied PC World into price matching and giving a second years warrenty as well, did say thats fair enough, but I don't get any clubcard points here, so they threw in a 200 odd page idiots guide with a price of £13.99 for nowt, well if ya don't ask, ya don't get. Now off to read and play.

[driftwood]

My best advice is get some sort of training on how to use it.
I have just booked a night time one in Liverpool for £29.
Group on etc often have them and you learn so much.
I bought a used Canon 300d for £50 and cant fault it, just have to learn a bit moreabout using it now..

[Bristles]

I have been using Canon since the late sixties and would not use anything else. I currently have a Canon 5D with various lens's including the 100/400L.

Having said that in all honesty whether it's Canon, Nikon etc they will all give you the result's that you would expect to get they are all good quality it basically comes down to personal choice.

I would suggest going into a few photographic shops and get the feel of some DSLR's but beware, the salemen are very likely to be very biased and therefore whatever they say it is because it's what THEY like. Read between the line's and make your own choice.

[Predictable Bob]

Sound advice from Bristles !

My boy was dead set on getting an entry level Canon because one of his mates had a top end one and enthused about it.  I persuaded him to look objectively at a wide range of entry level DSLR's and after a bit of effort he came down in favour of the Pentax as it was better built than the entry level Canon and Nikon and had a better spec too.

The bottom line is that any DSLR is likely to far outperform the average photographer and it's purely about personal taste