Northern Ireland Aviation Enthusiast's Forum
General => General Discussion => Photography => Topic started by: George on July 03, 2009, 11:47:49 PM
-
Hey guys,
looking to get my first DSLR,
Im deciding between the Cannon EOS 350D and the Nikon D40
Can anyone guide me in the right direction as far as taking decent snaps of aircraft is concerned...
All help appriciated,
Thanks
-
I would check out the Canon shop on Ebay here (http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet_Canon-EOS-SLR-Cameras_W0QQ_fsubZ3QQ_sidZ114950978QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322). I'm a Canon man so would recommend Canon :) The 350D is an old camera (but a good camera). I'd recommend trying for the 400D or even the 1000D as a first camera.
-
cheers for that casper, its just im buying second hand and these are the only two available right now as i am abit short of money haha
-
Hey George,
Like Casper, I'm a Canon man, although if I had a Nikon, I wouldn't be complaining, as they're both fine camera companies. Did you have a lens in mind to go with your camera? The canon 350D is a good solid workhorse of a camera from what I have read so you couldn't go wrong with it.
Just ensure if you buy one, that it still has some life left in it shutter wise. A lens will cost you between £100 to £200 for a good one, such as 75-300mm I believe Casper has which seems to produce some pretty crystal clear shots, he must've got a good copy of the lens!
Any ideas where you had hoped to buy the camera?
-
Ads4Free ;D .. just to get me used to working with the SLRs and how all the settings work:D... i think it just come with the kit 18-55 lens.
-
I had a Canon 350D and it is a brilliant camera-mine was stolen so had to get newer model (the 450D) which was rubbish.(I sold it on and got a 40D which is great)
Try and spend as much as you can on a good lens-I use a Sigma 150-500mm-most of the shots I have posted in the gallery (military and some Red Arrows stuff) were taken with my 350D except the newer ones which are with my new Canon 40D.
-
It's a Nikon D40 I'm using and the "beginner" lens just happens to amazing! The 55-200 VR is great for the price of about 200 quid. Nikon has the advantage of auto iso in all camera modes, something I don't think the canons have.
-
My Canon 40D has auto ISO but I prefer to set it up myself-it`s not difficult to do and gives you much more control over your pictures.
Aviation photography is an art all by itself and you will find in most cases preset/auto settings will give poor result's.
You really need to retain as much control over the pics as possible,and auto/preset settings simply won`t do that for you.
You will probably find you get lots of silhouette's if taking airborne shots-static will probably be OK-I suggest you experiment as much as possible and find what gives you the results you are after.
Most important of all-have fun! :D
-
Totally agree, if you learn to use the 'normal' camera modes (shutter priority, Aperture priority & manual) you will get a far better understanding of how to adjust aperture, shutter & exposure compensation to achieve the results you want (I mainly use shutter priority or manual for my bike shots - but still keep the auto ISO on as it lets me keep the exposure I want without compromising the camera settings I wish to use for depth of field & 'panning movement')
Having used both Canon & Nikon over the past few years, the only difference in the 'real world' between the same level is in how they feel to use, if you can get a chance to hold each of them & see how comfortable you feel with them, the more you feel 'at ease' with a camera the more confident you will be using it IMHO.
Joe B
-
Has anyone tried a Sony Alpha?? My mate who is a Nikon man says that they are a great entry level DSLR.
-
hi xair i have a sony alpha 200 it is a great entry level camera it's pretty good all round.
-
Thanks String,
He told me it was as good as more expensive Canon cameras and he also said that the lenses were cheaper ;D
I think there in Tesco's for £299.99
Xair
-
I got mine from currys as they give you 2 lenses £499 the lot if you get the a200 it only take flash cards.
check the blog on New camera/lens you will see the picture of my camera. and the lenses i got with it.
-
String,
Finally took the plunge and got an A200 with the two lenses from Argos. Looks like they may be going end of line as i got the lot for £339.99. Just got it charged and will get a CF card tomorrow. Can't wait to get using it, Any tips would be appreciated.
Xair
-
String, have you headed to the City Airport yet to try out your camera? I've seen lots of shots of aircraft flyinf over your house but now that I think about it, I've not seen any shots from an airport :) |'d be interested to see how it performs there.
Congrats on the new camera Xair, you will not be disappointed. By the way, what were the two lenses with it?
-
Congrats on the new camera Xair, you will not be disappointed. By the way, what were the two lenses with it?
Thanks Dave, Can't wait to get using it. The Lenses that were included are the standard Sony DT 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 and the Sony DT55-200mm F4-5.6. I read some of the reviews and they said that the extra lens was quite good but I suppose the proof is in the pudding and i'll have to give it a go. Any suggestions re a UV filter? is it better to go for a really good one or is a cheaper on OK for a beginner?
Xair
-
Congrats on the new camera Xair, you will not be disappointed. By the way, what were the two lenses with it?
Thanks Dave, Can't wait to get using it. The Lenses that were included are the standard Sony DT 18-70mm F3.5-5.6 and the Sony DT55-200mm F4-5.6. I read some of the reviews and they said that the extra lens was quite good but I suppose the proof is in the pudding and i'll have to give it a go. Any suggestions re a UV filter? is it better to go for a really good one or is a cheaper on OK for a beginner?
Xair
Personally I have several filters of various kinds but I have actually never used them. Some photographers will use them, others will not. I'd probably say that you shouldn't worry too much about filters at this stage, but perhaps some of the others who have filters can give you some advice on which ones to get if you want any.
Dave
-
I use a UV filter,mainly to protect the lens-go for something mid price if you want to get one.
My lense takes a 86mm filter-they start at around £45 and upwards
-
String, have you headed to the City Airport yet to try out your camera? I've seen lots of shots of aircraft flyinf over your house but now that I think about it, I've not seen any shots from an airport :) |'d be interested to see how it performs there.
Unfortunatley i haven't been very well and have not been able to get to any airports yet but i am going to get there sooner or later maybe in the next few weeks