Author Topic: Help Me Choose My First DSLR (Read 16191 times)

Will Dutt · « **on:** July 16, 2011, 04:32 »

Hi All,

I am about to invest around $600 - $700 (AU) into my first DSLR

I currently have several cameras in mind:

Olympus PEN E-PL3:
http://www.teds.com.au/olympus-pen-e-pl3

Olympus PEN E-PM1:
http://www.teds.com.au/olympus-pen-e-pm1

Samsung NX100 + 20-50mm and Flash:
http://www.teds.com.au/samsung-nx100-hybrid-20-50mm-sef15-flash-kit

Sony NEX3:
http://www.teds.com.au/sony-nex3

Personally I believe the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is the best, but I am no expert in cameras or photography

If you were in my position which of the above cameras would you purchase and why? Also which of the above has the best lens?

To help you all out a bit more I will be using the camera for Landscape, Objects, Sports and People. The primary use is mainly landscape and objects though.

Look forward to reading your replies.

Kind Regards
-Will Dutt

jm · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2011, 05:22 »

I'm afraid that you don't understand what DSLR means. IMO you should choose between Nikon D3100, D5100, Canon 1100D, 550D or Pentax K- X or K-R.

luceluceluce · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2011, 05:44 »

Anything that's flat like a cigarette packet is probably a point and shoot. DSLRs are bigger and clunkier. The rule of thumb is 'can i fit it in my pocket or down my bra?'. If you can't , or if people point and look at you funny, it's probably a dSLR.

You'll definitely need a 50dd bra cup, coupled with an actual 75a cup in order to wedge a dslr down there. Try to avoid bras filled with gel, because they can burst all over your camera and do a lot of damage - even with this so called 'weather-proofing' bait n switch lie the camera makers pedal us.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2011, 06:22 »

Quote from: jm73 on July 16, 2011, 05:22

I'm afraid that you don't understand what DSLR means. IMO you should choose between Nikon D3100, D5100, Canon 1100D, 550D or Pentax K- X or K-R.

Will, while you say you want to do this, it seems you're lacking even the most basic of knowledge and equipment. I'm still not sure why you think you want to shoot stock. If I were you, I'd just shoot what I like, and put it into blurb books for friends and family.

madelaide · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2011, 06:24 »

A lot of friends and workmates have come to me looking for camera advice because they were so enthusiastic by a photo course they were doing or going to do. They all wanted a camera with all the possible features, even if not a SLR, and my advice has always been to invest on something with the basic advanced functions (exposure modes, for example) and then later, according to evolution, move to a more advanced solution.

Most did not follow my advice, bought something advanced and more expensive, and none of them ever took any serious step in photography after the initial enthusiasm faded.

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2011, 06:35 »

I am a happy Olympus user. I think it's a good choice for your first DSLR, since it costs a bit less that Nikon or Canon with similar characteristics.

But the "Pen" series are point and shot, not dSLR

This one is a dSLR (including start-kit lenses):

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TX9P6W/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=msp0-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=B001TX9P6W

Susan S. · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2011, 08:12 »

Can barely done with lens in your budget if you want to buy in Aus. We get ripped off something shocking by the camera manufacturers. You would need to budget around $aus800 at least.

If you import from the US you can save a fair bit, but camera bodies aren't covered by international warranties, so some risk is involved.

red · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2011, 11:47 »

It seems you want those here to do all your work for you.

Most successful people don't say "I want to" or "I'm going to" do anything without putting in some time before making such statements. They usually do the research, learn by trial and error or by study then "do" before they give opinions or make statements they are not qualified to make. "Personally I believe the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is the best, but I am no expert in cameras or photography."

From your previous posts it is hard to tell if you are some teenager with enthusiasm, high expectations for something that you know little about or a hobbyist who has had friends and family ooh and aah over their snapshots. You have obviously found this forum through some internet search and that is a place to read and take in the past wisdom without jumping in as if you are an expert. Many here are generous to share their wisdom and experiences.

Your enthusiasm is heartening and it makes us all think back to when we started. There is nothing wrong with asking questions but try to ask ones that need more than basic answers here. Perhaps you don't know the difference. And, unlike some other forums this is not one of the typical places to just "chat" back and forth (well, sometimes it is). This is a forum with professional photography members who have been at this for some time.

It seems you would do well to take a community college class first, ask the teacher many questions and then come back here to fine-tune what you've learned after you have taken many photos. There have been some young shooters who jumped in with both feet and have become very successful but it was through much trial and error. They will ask a question here and there but only if they are entirely stumped after reading everything they could get their hands on or finding a mentor who is a pro.

Good luck to you but this will take dogged perseverance. It's a little late in the game to enter this market. How about selling fine art prints? Is there an outlet for that in your area. Perhaps a camera club nearby that you can join? Camera club members like to talk and give advice as well as tell you that they like everything you shoot. As others have said, learn the technical details but begin by shooting what you like and then trying your hand at selling, whether it be stock photos or craft fair prints.

No disrespect given, I wish you much luck but it takes more than luck. Do your homework.

luceluceluce · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2011, 12:54 »

Quote from: cuppacoffee on July 16, 2011, 11:47

It seems you want those here to do all your work for you.

Most successful people don't say "I want to" or "I'm going to" do anything without putting in some time before making such statements. They usually do the research, learn by trial and error or by study then "do" before they give opinions or make statements they are not qualified to make. "Personally I believe the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is the best, but I am no expert in cameras or photography."

From your previous posts it is hard to tell if you are some teenager with enthusiasm, high expectations for something that you know little about or a hobbyist who has had friends and family ooh and aah over their snapshots. You have obviously found this forum through some internet search and that is a place to read and take in the past wisdom without jumping in as if you are an expert. Many here are generous to share their wisdom and experiences.

Your enthusiasm is heartening and it makes us all think back to when we started. There is nothing wrong with asking questions but try to ask ones that need more than basic answers here. Perhaps you don't know the difference. And, unlike some other forums this is not one of the typical places to just "chat" back and forth (well, sometimes it is). This is a forum with professional photography members who have been at this for some time.

It seems you would do well to take a community college class first, ask the teacher many questions and then come back here to fine-tune what you've learned after you have taken many photos. There have been some young shooters who jumped in with both feet and have become very successful but it was through much trial and error. They will ask a question here and there but only if they are entirely stumped after reading everything they could get their hands on or finding a mentor who is a pro.

Good luck to you but this will take dogged perseverance. It's a little late in the game to enter this market. How about selling fine art prints? Is there an outlet for that in your area. Perhaps a camera club nearby that you can join? Camera club members like to talk and give advice as well as tell you that they like everything you shoot. As others have said, learn the technical details but begin by shooting what you like and then trying your hand at selling, whether it be stock photos or craft fair prints.

No disrespect given, I wish you much luck but it takes more than luck. Do your homework.

Luckily plato didn't say to his students 'fe*k off from under this tree and look it up in a book.'

And why is it so late in the game? Is there a photographers' constant, so finely balanced that any new microstocker coming in could explode the universe?

There is a valid and legitimate place in microstock for those who've never read a book and thinks a classroom is one of the lesser comfortable places to fall asleep in. It's great to be stern and serious and stuff but saying things like "Most successful people don't say "I want to" or "I'm going to" do anything without putting in some time before making such statements." is just disheartening and quite frankly false. Some of us don't, you know. Think, I mean. The fact that it doesn't work out OK is just a myth.

red · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2011, 14:01 »

Quote from: luceluceluce on July 16, 2011, 12:54

Luckily plato didn't say to his students 'fe*k off from under this tree and look it up in a book.'

All I was trying to say is that it takes hard work to achieve, whether with help or if you are self-taught. And, I did suggest a mentor. Some effort has to be put into it either way. And, even Plato seems to agree...

And what, Socrates, is the food of the soul? Surely, I said, knowledge is the food of the soul.
Plato

I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by work.
Plato

He also said,

He was a wise man who invented beer.
Plato

jm · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2011, 14:07 »

Quote

Luckily plato didn't say to his students 'fe*k off from under this tree and look it up in a book.'

Luckily Will Dutt is not our student.

stockastic · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2011, 16:03 »

I think the OP was pretty straightforward when he said "I am no expert in cameras or photography" so I don't see the justification for the patronizing put-downs. I learned a lot of what I know about photography, and stock, by posting newbie questions on forums like this, and receiving helpful replies. I suspect many others did too.

Will - a DSLR is a digital "single lens reflex" which means, among other things, that it has a true optical viewfinder which sees what the lens sees. It also implies that the camera uses standard interchangeable lenses. Because it uses full size, high quality lenses, it can produce better images than a point-and-shoot even if the sensors were comparable (and I believe they generally aren't). You'll need this quality for microstock. A previous poster is correct when he suggests looking at cameras like the Nikon D5100.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2011, 16:15 »

Did they have DSLRs when Plato was around? I think any DSLR wil pretty much do the job - the advantage of Nikon/Canon is that should your ambitions equipment wise expand theres a huge range of options/upgrade path. Personally I like my Nikon but you will ind as many opinions as there are photographers. Stock I think has far more to do with business/marketing than equipment/technique.

stockastic · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2011, 16:29 »

Quote from: Pauws99 on July 16, 2011, 16:15

Stock I think has far more to do with business/marketing than equipment/technique.

And with having, and developing, a sense of what looks good in a photo.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2011, 16:38 »

and SELLS!

stockastic · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2011, 16:54 »

Quote from: Pauws99 on July 16, 2011, 16:38

and SELLS!

Oh yeah that too :-)

These are the hard parts. Any reasonably smart person can learn DSLRs and digital photography. But not everyone has aesthetic and commercial sensibilities. Guess what - some people who come in the door as clueless newbies will turn out to have serious photographic talent.

madelaide · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2011, 18:55 »

Quote from: stockastic on July 16, 2011, 16:03

I think the OP was pretty straightforward when he said "I am no expert in cameras or photography" so I don't see the justification for the patronizing put-downs. I learned a lot of what I know about photography, and stock, by posting newbie questions on forums like this, and receiving helpful replies. I suspect many others did too.

Many of the replie to him may sound rude, but in fact I believe most are concerned with his preocupation in buying something he doesn't really know what it is, just because apparently he thought it was a cool idea to become a stock photographer, despite his very basic knowledge of photography at this point.

At least my intention is to make him see that he has a long way and doesn't really need a new camera until he is really sure photography is something he wants to pursue. As I said, I know many people who got a sudden interest in photography that soon faded away.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2011, 19:51 »

Will pm'ed me (hope it's ok to 'out' ya), and he's a teenager. I wish you would have come in introducing yourself that way, and you would likely get a different response as as a young adult looking to learn about photography.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2011, 20:01 »

Thank you all for your posts!

First off I would like to start by appologising for my lack of photographic and microstock knowledge. The reason I have joined here is because I love photography, it has been and always will be a passion of mine.

I am at a stage where I want to take my photography skills past my Cybershot and Mobile Camera, and that is why I post so many questions on these forums.

Every time I revieve a reply, I learn a little more. So maybe some people would like to see me do a bit more individual research before posting, im cool with that and will try google deeper before asking here.

Many of you are very encouraging, and have clearly stated that microstock is not an easy industry. However I am always up for a challenge and always looking to improve.

We all have to start someone, there is only one way from here. Practice does make perfect, and I plan to be practicing for a while.

I hope all the support, knowledge and experiences will never stop. Lets hope with hard work, determination and trial and error I will be able to share my knowledge and experiences (eventually) with other newbies with minimal knowledge.

Thank You All

cathyslife · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2011, 20:28 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 16, 2011, 19:51

Will pm'ed me (hope it's ok to 'out' ya), and he's a teenager. I wish you would have come in introducing yourself that way, and you would likely get a different response as as a young adult looking to learn about photography.

I would believe that Will Dutt is a teenager, truly looking to get into micro as a newbie, from the posts in this thread, but I saw posts by this person in other threads where he was giving other microstock contributors advice about contributing. Something's not adding up.

In fact, after I read a number of his (or her, who knows on the internet) posts, and the questions that were being asked, I figured he/she was writing a blog, book or something and just wanted everyone else to do the work for them.

Color me suspicious. $:-\$

Will Dutt · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2011, 20:48 »

Quote from: cclapper on July 16, 2011, 20:28

I would believe that Will Dutt is a teenager, truly looking to get into micro as a newbie, from the posts in this thread, but I saw posts by this person in other threads where he was giving other microstock contributors advice about contributing. Something's not adding up.

In fact, after I read a number of his (or her, who knows on the internet) posts, and the questions that were being asked, I figured he/she was writing a blog, book or something and just wanted everyone else to do the work for them.

Color me suspicious. $:-\$

Ahh, no im not writing a blog or a book

The advice I gave was just advice that others had given me, I was just trying to help. And no I dont want everyone else to work for me, I just need a little guidance.

luceluceluce · « **Reply #21 on:** July 17, 2011, 02:13 »

Will, you may be getting the impression that microstock is difficult and requires years of training in order to enter its hallowed portals. But there is a hidden side, the side no one talks about - and it's filled with microstockers who didn't know what . they were doing, or which proper button to press, but started doing it anyway and learned on the go.

Most martial arts masters would say you are the perfect student, coming with an empty ricebowl just waiting to be filled up with juicy fat learning. I mention martial arts, because while bladed weapons aren't permitted or possible in virtual space, I can see them metaphorically slicing through this thread if I focus hard enough. I also saw rainbows once too, but apparently that just means a giant migraine is coming. Which is slightly unfair when you think about it.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #22 on:** July 17, 2011, 04:30 »

Ok, Will, assuming you are a teenager with little cash who wants to learn on an SLR, why not think about something like a Zenit-E or Praktica film camera? You should be able to get a decent one for about $30 (with lens). Film is cheap as long as you don't burn too much and you don't have to get prints (which is the expensive bit), you could get a scanner like an Epson V500 for less than $200.

A film SLR has the same creative possibilities as a digital SLR, allowing you to see what the lens sees, switch lenses, select your apertures and focus point and use macro tubes etc. for extreme close-ups. Master a film SLR and switching to digital later on is easy.

That set-up won't get you into microstock but it will let you learn "proper" photography on a pay-as-you go basis, without having to put $1,000 up front for a cheap digital SLR. If buying and processing 35mm film costs you $5 per roll, you can burn your way through 6,000 frames before the cost gets up to what a cheap, new DSLR would set you back. If you shoot that much film in a year or two you should be damned good by the end of it.

Actually, it is possible to get 35mm Epson film scans accepted on microstock, but you have to be very, very careful in the shooting, processing and scanning to get acceptable small-size files so it's certainly not a good way of getting into the microstock biz.

luceluceluce · « **Reply #23 on:** July 17, 2011, 04:45 »

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 17, 2011, 04:30

Ok, Will, assuming you are a teenager with little cash who wants to learn on an SLR, why not think about something like a Zenit-E or Praktica film camera? You should be able to get a decent one for about $30 (with lens). Film is cheap as long as you don't burn too much and you don't have to get prints (which is the expensive bit), you could get a scanner like an Epson V500 for less than $200.

A film SLR has the same creative possibilities as a digital SLR, allowing you to see what the lens sees, switch lenses, select your apertures and focus point and use macro tubes etc. for extreme close-ups. Master a film SLR and switching to digital later on is easy.

That set-up won't get you into microstock but it will let you learn "proper" photography on a pay-as-you go basis, without having to put $1,000 up front for a cheap digital SLR. If buying and processing 35mm film costs you $5 per roll, you can burn your way through 6,000 frames before the cost gets up to what a cheap, new DSLR would set you back. If you shoot that much film in a year or two you should be damned good by the end of it.

Actually, it is possible to get 35mm Epson film scans accepted on microstock, but you have to be very, very careful in the shooting, processing and scanning to get acceptable small-size files so it's certainly not a good way of getting into the microstock biz.

Yeah, but you can buy a decent entry level digital canon or nikon for $300 second hand. If you want to learn, lots and lots of input and lots and lots of practice is the best way - and 50,000 shots on a dslr costs nothing. With film you just get a few chances for practice, and it's a lot slower. Do we have to practice in gokarts before we get the car? Learn to use a stick before we use a brush? Become expert at the cup and string before it's advisable to get our first phone?

It's like learning a language - total immersion is the best way. Film just can't do that - the number of shots you can take is terrifyingly small. I'm not even sure teens today can handle numbers that small, or timescales that slow.

travelstock · « **Reply #24 on:** July 17, 2011, 04:48 »

Quote from: Will Dutt on July 16, 2011, 04:32

Hi All,

I am about to invest around $600 - $700 (AU) into my first DSLR I currently have several cameras in mind:

Olympus PEN E-PL3:
http://www.teds.com.au/olympus-pen-e-pl3

Olympus PEN E-PM1:
http://www.teds.com.au/olympus-pen-e-pm1

Samsung NX100 + 20-50mm and Flash:
http://www.teds.com.au/samsung-nx100-hybrid-20-50mm-sef15-flash-kit

Sony NEX3:
http://www.teds.com.au/sony-nex3

Personally I believe the Olympus PEN E-PL3 is the best, but I am no expert in cameras or photography If you were in my position which of the above cameras would you purchase and why? Also which of the above has the best lens?

To help you all out a bit more I will be using the camera for Landscape, Objects, Sports and People. The primary use is mainly landscape and objects though.

Look forward to reading your replies.

Kind Regards
-Will Dutt

Look into the Panasonic options if you're going with something like micro 4/3. If you're shopping in Australia, remember you can order from B&H in New York and get the product shipped at a cheaper price and not pay GST if its under A$1000. Cameras in Australia are an absolute rip-off...

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Author Topic: Help Me Choose My First DSLR (Read 16191 times)

Will Dutt

jm

luceluceluce

Sean Locke Photography

madelaide

microstockphoto.co.uk

Susan S.

red

luceluceluce

red

jm

stockastic

Pauws99

stockastic

Pauws99

stockastic

madelaide

Sean Locke Photography

Will Dutt

cathyslife

Will Dutt

luceluceluce

BaldricksTrousers

luceluceluce

travelstock

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