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Original poster

Digital SLR camera owners-please help

23 replies

Mala · 22/09/2006 12:01

I am going to buy my first SLR camera next week. I had decided on the Canon EOS 350D. I will be using the camera handheld(not on a tripod) and mainly to photgraph people.I wanted to know from people who had SLR cameras whether it was relativery easy to take good photos with their cameras using the lens provided with the camera or whether is is necessary to get an image stabilisation lens. The Sony alpha A100 comes with a built in anti-shake feature and while I would prefer to get a Canon, I am now wondering whether to go for the Sony, as it will be really expensive buying the Canon camera and additionally Image stabilisation lens. I am not an experienced photographer and though keen to learn more, would like to use the camera to get decent photos pretty much straight away.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

Kelly1978 · 22/09/2006 18:49

Well I'm a novice too, but we bought that same camera a few months ago, and it is brilliant! It good light I have had no problems with image blur at all, even with fast moving subjects. It's only it dark conditions that I am having problems, and I'm actually considering a tripod.

Original poster

Mala · 22/09/2006 19:23

Thanks Kelly1978, I'm still leaning towards the Canon, love the fact that it is so small and light for an SLR.

OP posts:

tamum · 22/09/2006 19:27

I have a Canon EOS (300D I think- an older one) and it's fantastic. The lens it comes with is pretty good, though I have another one with a wider aperture I tend to use for portraits when I can be bothered to change it. I don't honestly think you'd need image stabilisation- dh wants to get one but only for doing photos of butterflies and stuff

quokka · 22/09/2006 19:27

I've got the canon eos 350d and its great for just point and shoot, it takes great photos and easy to use. There are lots of other things you can do on it to keep you busy for a few years of photography.

Kelly1978 · 22/09/2006 19:29

another thought, we do have another lens, as the one with it is better for close ups. For scenery you def need a different lens. We're borrowing dp's aunts lens from her old film slr.

MrsSpoon · 22/09/2006 19:31

DH has a Canon Digital SLR (I'm unsure of the model), I can use it so it must be easy. We have taken some fab photos of our DSs with it.

JackieNo · 22/09/2006 19:46

Just asked DH who's quite into his photography, and he said 2 things (actually he took over and typed the rest of this post):

First, Stabilisation. You don't need it but with long lens or in bad light it is a real help. Canon IS lenses are expensive, but the Sony and Pentax bodies have it built in, so every lens is an IS lens.

Second there are no bad DSLRs, so go and try as many as you can. You won't get good shots from the "best" one on paper if you're fighting to make it work, and won't use it as much. So if you find you like the Canon when you hold it but not the Sony, then buy the Canon and vice versa, but try a Nikon D50 and a Pentax K100 as well!

meko · 22/09/2006 20:25

there are some really good review sites on digital cameras. I looked at most of the top 10 sites here and they give fairly extensiver reviews of the cameras. I compared them to the which? reviews for the relevent cameras and was pretty impressed that they had similar findings but were considerably more indepth but very user friends for novice photographer and semi professional. they cover everything from functionality to even giving you test shots to look at and even compare the similar models side but side. I was going to buy a dslr'like' camera but as a result of these reviews am now going to hold off until I know I will have time to really get to grips with a dslr.
have a look at this

meko · 22/09/2006 20:27

the first 5 sites were particularly helpful. from ease of use to quality of build all in plain simple english apart from a couple of photography specific references.

Original poster

Mala · 23/09/2006 21:20

Thanks Kelly1978, tamum, quokka, MrsSpoon, Jackieno(and husband!) and meko. You have all been a huge help. I've decided to go for the canon eos350d(or maybe even the 400D if I get a good deal), it's the one I wanted before I started having these fears about taking blurry pics. By the sounds of it I should be able to decent photos, even though I am an inexperienced photographer.

OP posts:

GeorginaA · 23/09/2006 21:42

Mala - there's a new Canon coming out at the end of the year - EOS 400D which looks like it's going to be a superb camera - also has the antishake and sensor dust gizmo. It may well be worth hanging on a little as the Nikon D80 is also imminent and I can see some price crashes on the horizon. The 350D is a VERY nice camera but there's starting to be some serious rivals and you can get a LOT for your money.

FWIW, I'm normally the Canon evangelical here on Mumsnet, but I'm seriously tempted with either the alpha or the D80. Downsides to the D80 is no anti-dust system and image stabilisation comes with the lenses not the camera, like the current Canon. The kit lenses that come with the Canon DSLRs seem to be quite poor compared to the rest. And the Alpha is reported to be quite noisy. I tie myself up in knots every time I read a magazine review

Anyway, my advice is don't buy ANYTHING without going to Jessops and handling each and every one in your price-range. On paper one camera can be much better than another, but the look and feel may not suit you, or the menu system may be much more intuitive on the one you least expected to like. Remember, you can always buy cheaply on the internet later (or get Jessops to price match with the internet price) - but DO get your research trips in first.

GeorginaA · 23/09/2006 21:45

Sorry - to clarify, the EOS 400D will have the Image Stabilisation built into the camera. But there's no confirmed release date as yet (I suspect it'll be out for Christmas though, if they have any sense).

The downside to IS on the camera rather than the lens is that it's not quite as good. The upside is that it's much much cheaper.

GeorginaA · 23/09/2006 21:45

Sorry, I'll shut up in a minute... but another thought ... even if you prefer the 350D over the 400D, it's worth hanging on as the price for the 350D will drop as stores try to get rid of their stocks with the new arrival.

Kelly1978 · 23/09/2006 21:49

I would stay clear of nikons personally. we tried one and it felt heavy and bulky compared to the cannon.
I've been reading abotu the new cannon, apparently there are slight improvemtns on the 350. Prob worth hanging out for price drops at least though, I agree.

GeorginaA · 23/09/2006 21:51

Canon 400D review

Nikon D80 review

Sony Alpha review

Pixiefish · 23/09/2006 21:52

I have the canopn 350slr and it's fab. I have no shake with the lens that came with the camera

GeorginaA · 23/09/2006 21:55

Oh poo, read the review and there isn't in built image stabilisation on the new Canon (and I'm sure I heard that it was going to). Sorry, misinformation there

busybusymum · 23/09/2006 21:58

I am no professional just a mum who loves photos of her kiddies. Before I went digital I would take a role of 36 and get 4 or 5 "good" photos from it.
I recently bought a second hand Sony V3 cybershot and it is absolutely fantastic. Everyone who sees the photos are so impressed. I believe it has been replaced with a newer model but its worth looking around for. I use an epson Picturemate 500 to print out the photos or store them on my PC.

HTH

Kelly1978 · 23/09/2006 22:02

noooo, dont get a cybershot! that is what we traded up from, they really are rubbish. sorry busybusymum, but you need to try a canon and you will see the differnce!

Original poster

Mala · 24/09/2006 20:52

GeorginaA -You sound very much like me. The more reviews I read the more confused I get on what I should buy!

I agree with Kelly1978 regarding the Nikon being bulky compared to the Canon. I know some reviewers have said that the Canon can be uncomfortable to hold, but I've got small hands and found it comfortable. Even Dh was impressed, initally he was all for getting the Nikon D80. The Canon EOS 400 does have the anti-dust system and a bigger screen. I would like to get it if I can afford it, if not I'm sure I'd be happy with the EOS350D. The only thing that worried me was lack of image stabilisation, but I have been reassured about that after reading the posts here.

Thannks pixiefish and busybusymum for your comments too.

OP posts:

Surfermum · 24/09/2006 20:57

I know nothing about photography but dh is into it. He is completely over the moon with his Canon EOS 350d.

NotAnOtter · 24/09/2006 21:00

so so so excited as its precisely 16 days until my 39th birthday and i am dreaming of one of those surfermum!

GeorginaA · 24/09/2006 21:38

I've always liked the Canons I've had (I have a little point and shoot A620 at the moment - great little camera, lots of manual control eminently portable) - particularly because of their handling and menu system. It's tempting to go Canon for a DSLR simply because the learning curve would be smaller.

I've put off going for DSLR up to now (well apart from the money factor!) because of the bulk and fear of getting dust on the sensor. For me, the anti-dust is a real winner.

Oh. Dh (who is also a camera enthusiast!) suggests if you go Canon that the kit lens isn't that great. It's probably worth buying body only and then getting a Sigma lens instead.

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