Help in Narrowing Down to a Dslr as my First camera.(Canon or Nikon)

[patrickjoseph2010]

Hi All,

I am very interested in Taking photos during my Weekends a Hobbyist . As through my Experience i could not afford to upgrade my camera from Kodak easyshare DX6490. Although i have used my current camera to its full potential and looking forward for an upgrade after years. So need help in deciding which is a better option for me ( Canon or Nikon )

1. Do i need to go through a basic photographer course if so pls do let me know if there is any good institute in Bangalore. (since i never touched a DSLR till date) (weekend only types)
2. I have spend countless hours browsing through these two Brands ( Canon and Nikon), but i am still confused as to which camera would suit my needs thats the whole point i am posting this out.
3. As a newbie to this world of Dslr . Photos that i love taking is of Wild Life, Landscape , Portrait , and fast moving objects.
4. I am not sure what does a focus length, Shutter speed and rest of the Technology means to me that the whole reason why i was opting for Photographic course.
5. Now getting to what i require. I need a Camera through which i can see the wider aspect in a lower budget with Camera and a proper lens to suit my adventure (40k). and which i can use for atleast 3-4 years min, And not get out dated.
6. I know most people prefer Nikon over canon  vise versa. However i am looking for a camera body which is compatible for long range shooting wild life birds and animals on move . . . Lens i would get  a feel once i buy my camera and spend hours in this forum.

I have looked and narrowed my search to Nikon D3100 and D5100  Canon 1100D and 550D along with there basic Lens Kit offered which would suit my requirements

I would like everyone to help me out as to what would be the best camera for me based on what i have mentioned . . .

And if anyone can help me with the best place to buy my gear in Bangalore at the lowest rates.

Cheers
Patrick

[sujoyp]

Get canon 1100+18-55+55-250 for 35k that's a very good offer...with 5k add 1-2k more and get 50mm 1.8 ....and join a basic course

[iamsomnath]

dear patrick,

ur qustions are very pertinent  and all photographers ask these questions themselves at some point of time or other. For every person there is a different way of doing things . I can share my experience and u may or may not find them useful :-

1. canon, nikon, pentax, minolta, leica  all make cameras which are not only good enough for any beginer   but also for many gurus. Hence brand is almost irrelevant. In India we prefer Canon/ nikon becoz of their better service support and lense availabilty.
 
2.If I were u , I would have limited my budget initially to 12000 to 15000 max. I would have picked up a battered nikon or canon body (2 or 3 generations older) along with a 50 mm 1.8 lense. this lense is a keeper and u will want in ur kitty till u die. Download the manual from net and on the first week just explore the camera as per the manual. It's a slow but very sure way to pick up valuable knowledge. D3100/D5100/1100d kind of body will lose it's resell value much faster than a maruti 800  and probably u will outgrow them after 2/3 years. After using the old workhorse DSLR to ur heart's content u may go for a body of ur liking and it will be an "informed choice". u will keep the 50 and will still resell the old body for Rs.5000/Rs.6000  , hence minimizing ur loss or if u are a kind soul may be u will gift it 2 some poor aspiring photgrapher  .

3. I would not have joined a class where all the photographic funda will be spoonfed over 4 weekends. Rather join some local photographic aspirants , follow some forums , read some books and SHOOT a lot.Be candid to other photo enthusiasts that u need a lot of basic knowledge & generally ur local pals will pour over u a lot of hot sauce  . Over time u will know to differentiate between wheat and chaff. If u have the chance then u may assist a good pro photographer , just by watching them work u will be enriched  like nothing else.

4. Ur photographic interest is soooooooo wide  . unless u  r a 2G scamster u will find it very difficult 2 satisfy urself in this regard. Photography is a very COSTLY hobby. Undoubtedly u will discover that for urself.

amen

somnath


 

[patrickjoseph2010]

@  iamsomnath,

Thank you for taking your time and replying to my post and clearing my Doubts . . . I am sure what you have said is true . I am a freak in a way and many times go out of the way in taking shots and spend hours outdoor looking for things that other would ignore. And using a Kodak was the only option i had . . . However its better instead of buying a Expensive camera i can buy a used one and learn and then i would know which camera body would suit me in a long run and yeah lens as well. . . . Thank you

@ sujoyp

Thank you canon 1100D is a good camera i have heard ( however i have a friend would has brought a D3100 today and another friend 1000D with basic lens offered along with there camera and they have offered it for a weekend trip from Chennai to Bangalore so i would use both and let you guys know which brand suit me ) I am so happy that i can relate to my hobby to friends that knows what i am trying to learn . . . .

Thank you all

[sujoyp]

as people here suggested any dslr would be a learning experience for u...i am using a d3100 and in my last one year I experienced that lenses more imp in any case ..the 1100d deal was good so I suggested u else I would have suggested u d3100

[lightwave]

Nikon has some excellent bodies. Unfortunately their entry levels are not examples of that. Get a D7000 or if out of budget go for 550D or even 1100D.

[dutta.debasish]

Get canon 1100+18-55+55-250 for 35k that's a very good offer...with 5k add 1-2k more and get 50mm 1.8 ....and join a basic course

+1

[thelightening]

I would say, 550d is a better body from the list. as it got better capabilities than a 1100 or d3100.

And if you can get bluecrane tutorial on 550d, its more than enough to learn.

[Junoon]

I'm in same situation as yours.

I bought D3100, and will go full throttle on weekend to experience it.

I think you don't need any classes for photography. Its a self-learning process, like childhood.

[Hankosaurus]

Hello Patrick.

Welcome to the JJMPF. I hope you will enjoy this Forum as you enter into this hobby that we all love so much.

I think you don't need any classes for photography. Its a self-learning process, like childhood.

Well, it's true that each person must learn it for himself. But he is better off not having to do it alone and in a vacuum. Education is expensive, but ignorance can cost even more, especially if we head down the wrong path with gear we don't need, or with equipment we will "outgrow" within a relatively short period of time.

There are many ways to accelerate one's learning about photography. Associating with friends who are already familiar with it can be a great help. Participating in forums like this one can be of great assistance as one grows into the hobby. Ask questions. The JJMPF Membership is eager to help as we grow and learn.

There are also any number of tutorial sights which explain the fundamentals. Your fellow Members here can elaborate on or clarify any questions that should come up as you explore those or any such resources. From time to time we learn that there are workshops for those specializing in different aspects of imagemaking... like weddings, portraiture, landscapes, etc.

And don't forget that manual which came with your camera.  A lot of good can come from actually knowing what your camera can do and how to use it to its best advantage.

Once you have a grasp of how to operate your camera, you will come face to face with the greatest challenge of all... learning how to SEE and visualize images which will be interesting to your intended audiences, a cut above mere snapshots. Stuff to move the soul.

Ultimately, the images come from the photographer, not the camera. Study the images of people whose works you like best. Learn about them, about what they do, and learn what they say about what they do and think when creating those images. It's not all intuitive at first. There is much to learn.

Best of luck with the adventure. It's enough to keep one learning and growing for a lifetime.

[VikramF]

I think you don't need any classes for photography. Its a self-learning process, like childhood.

As with life, you'll only get out of it as much as you put into it.

I agree with the post above and if you're planning on self-learning, you'll need to put in twice the work ... and you'll find out soon enough that learning never ends.

[patrickjoseph2010]

Thank you all for replying towards my post, Yeah i have never used a DSLR before so Self learning is good, however i would miss out on smaller details about the function of camera which might make a big difference towards my thought process through my images in a DSLR. So basic course is IMP i believe, since i can learn towards lenses and how to put them to use, Plus learn more towards functions of the camera software aspect and Photoshop which i don't have a clue of. And through great reviews and Debate across amateur and professional Photographers through Website such as JJmehta Beginners like me gain loads of knowledge even before we own one. . . .Which gives us a choice as to what or why we require a camera so choosing a camera based on our Requirements is always better than buying one and used one a year. I would prefer a proper Photography camera i am not concerned about the video output of it , So i finally stuck to 550d , 600D canon and Nikon D5100 . . . . So now i am thinking which would be a Better camera towards Photography . . .( Mainly i would Shoot birds, insects , some animals and a little bit of Landscaping) I know lenses is what matters  towards the end result however i prefer having a Good body and use it for a couple of years. So body is more imp to me as my first DSLR since choosing a brand for Wildlife photography between Nikon and canon is quite tough. . . However thinking about the long run i need to decide which brand i need to stick to . . . . So based on everyone experience and expertise which brand would be more comfortable for wildlife . . . Since i am so confused after looking at all the 3 camera up close and personal last Sunday and still could not make up my mind . . . .600D is bit out of my budget however i can manage the extra 10K if its a Better camera for Wildlife compared to 550D and D5100 . . . .I am a very quick learning when it comes to gadgets . . . However based on what i have learnt from the camera sales person is the major Difference between 600D and 550D is the video quality and he spoke about AF technology in 600D which i could not understand since he spoke in the regional language more than English. and D5100 he said its good however Canon is better for wildlife Purpose and Bird shooting and said Nikon is better in the long run confused me more then ever . . . . So instead of buying the camera i took the brochure and walked out . . . . . I was a bit confused before i went to the shop however after i spent 1 hour in the shop i am far more confused in choosing a brand for wildlife . . . . . I could not sleep the entire sunday night . . . I am so so confused and since i had waited for 4- 5 years to buy my First DSLR and i wanted the proper kit . . . Grhhhh . . . Sorry to post personal thought over here . . . i am sure all of ul would have gone through the same what i am going through Now. . . . . .So concluding with which is better for Wildlife photography Canon 500D or 600D Nikon D5100 . . . . And what is AF in 600D that 550D lacks

Thank you
Patrick

[lightwave]

The brand of the body does not matter ... in wildlife as in any other genre, the quality of the pics they generate will be the same. But I still agree with the shopkeeper. This is because of the glorious Canon 100-400mm L IS lens. So if Wildlife is your passion and if you do not have budgets for the 1.5lakh+ costing lenses, then this is the one for you.
As for 550D and 600D, there are not many differences. The chief being the swivel LCD and the remote flash trigger of the 600D. I am not aware if there have been AF improvements as well. The 550D is a very capable camera and you could easily opt for it. The D5100 also has many fans though I personally do not prefer it but I do not want to get into the reasons here.

[VikramF]

. . . Since i am so confused after looking at all the 3 camera up close and personal last Sunday and still could not make up my mind . . . . . . . . . I could not sleep the entire sunday night . . . I am so so confused and since i had waited for 4- 5 years to buy my First DSLR and i wanted the proper kit . . . Grhhhh . . . Sorry to post personal thought over here . . . i am sure all of ul would have gone through the same what i am going through Now. . . . . .So concluding with which is better for Wildlife photography Canon 500D or 600D Nikon D5100 . . . .

As you experienced yourself - it is confusing. It is confusing for me too after a number of years in photography - Because they are all very good cameras.

Now Nikon has an equivalent lens in the 80-400 and is releasing a new 80-400 f/4 VRII ..... so that might be something to think about.

LOL - I'm just messing with you. There's just too many factors to think of Patrick. And while Wildlife is one factor and points towards you needing long lenses, the point on whether you'll be willing to spend the amounts that correspond to these lenses is one that you need to answer. I don't know the current price of the Nikon 80-400 or of the Canon 100-400, but if either of these 2 are something you'll willingly spend for, then choose the corresponding system. Else you come to third party lenses - Sigma 150-500 is 'affordable' (not to many, but relatively affordable is perhaps the correct term). If the price for the sigma is something you can see yourself spending, then you're back to the Nikon/Canon body issue.

Or you could just decide you need more reach and the 1.6 crop factor of the Canon gives you more reach than the 1.5 crop factor of the Nikon.

Bottomline - between the models you've mentioned, I'd suggest the 550D. Based not on brand or performance (as those aren't distinguishable in a final printed photograph), but on handling and reach.