DSLR camera recommendation

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MikeB4

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#3033844 9-Feb-2023 10:16

I went with a Mirrorless as it was compact, light weight and takes fantastic shots. The battery life could be better but batteries are not expensive and easy to carry and I also have a power bank in my camera bag

Scott3

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#3033848 9-Feb-2023 10:22

A couple of key questions for OP.

- A preference for having a single lens to cover the entire zoom range was mentioned, how important is this to you?

- How long are you hoping to get at the telephoto end of the range.

On the first point, running two lenses i.e. canon 18-55mm + 55-250mm, is a fairly economical solution, and will offer both (slightly) better image quality, and more zoom range than 18-200mm lens.

On that point, Here is an example Nikon D7500 DSLR with a 18-200mm lens, with a reserve of $1350.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/electronics-photography/digital-cameras/digital-slr/nikon/listing/3984494204

Obviously running two lenses, you loose the ablity to sit next to a track, and take photos starting from max zoom, and zooming out until the subject is right next to you...

On the second point, 250mm on APS-C, is pretty long (equivalent to 400mm on a full frame), and will allow you to shoot stuff that you basically don't have a chance with on phone. Frankly, I think it is probably enough. Generally, lenses beyond 250mm are the domain of bird photography enthusiasts & pro's

If you want to go longer, it is possible, but it becomes a lot harder to fit in your budget. In canon, there is no (good) EF-S (crop) lens longer than 250mm, so you need to step up into full frame glass, and the really desirable lens is the L series 100 - 400mm series II. This lens (alone) runs at $2000 used.

Canon does have a non L 100-400mm lens for it's RF mount which can be had for $1000 new (expert infotech), but at the moment the cheapest R series APSC body is the R10 at about $1400, so we are well outside of budget.

Aftermarket lenses could be considered. For example the Tamron 18-400mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC HLD. There is a used one on trademe for $750 (nikon mount), or $825 (canon mount). Pairing this with a cheapish used body (say the canon 800D listed for $550) could get you your desire for a single lens, and you would get comically long telephoto reach, for within budget.

On batteries, I think three is overkill. I have two, but I think the only times I have changed the battery, are when I started the day with my first battery partially flat. (I don't use the onboard flash, which could have an impact).

cshaun

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#3033908 9-Feb-2023 12:24

Scott3:

On batteries, I think three is overkill. I have two, but I think the only times I have changed the battery, are when I started the day with my first battery partially flat. (I don't use the onboard flash, which could have an impact).

I agree. It would depend on the camera obviously. But I actually wouldn't buy any at least at the start. See if you need them. I bought extra and have never needed to use them. Another option is a portable power bank.

So right, needing good zoom definitely pushes you towards a proper camera with the right lens setup. Might be a bit tricky with your budget. I'd definitely look second hand. Only thing to be aware of other than the obvious would be camera shutter count, and possibly fungus etc growing in the lens. Lenses though tend to keep their value if you're buying something that can still be used in the future.

nitro

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#3034056 9-Feb-2023 14:44

Scott3:

On batteries, I think three is overkill. I have two, but I think the only times I have changed the battery, are when I started the day with my first battery partially flat. (I don't use the onboard flash, which could have an impact).

with a mirrorless camera, especially if taking videos, battery use is quite different. having said that op did ask for dslr recommendations...

xpd

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#3034093 9-Feb-2023 16:11

nitro:

Scott3:

On batteries, I think three is overkill. I have two, but I think the only times I have changed the battery, are when I started the day with my first battery partially flat. (I don't use the onboard flash, which could have an impact).

with a mirrorless camera, especially if taking videos, battery use is quite different. having said that op did ask for dslr recommendations...

Showing my lack of knowledge more than anything there ;)

Im open to anything really, long as it does the job :)

At this stage, will look at the "higher end" point'n'shoot range and see what I think from there.

Appreciate everyones input :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Handle9

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#3034180 9-Feb-2023 18:31

wellygary:

Now the lenses and fitting will likely stay the same and allow a path to replace a DSLR with a mirrorless body in the future while retaining the lenses you have...

Most of the manufacturers have taken the opportunity to introduce new mounts. You can often get a conversion ring but unfortunately it's not usually a straight swap.

Handsomedan

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#3034437 10-Feb-2023 11:16

xpd:

Showing my lack of knowledge more than anything there ;)

Im open to anything really, long as it does the job :)

At this stage, will look at the "higher end" point'n'shoot range and see what I think from there.

Appreciate everyones input :)

If that's where you're heading, get a Bridge Camera that looks/feels like a DSLR, not just for the way it looks, nut also because they are the closest to what you ultimately need/want.

Make sure that they either have a digital or optical viewfinder - shooting by using a screen is so hard in sunlight.

Also look at the lens manufacturer on your camera of chouce - some are rubbish and others are pretty high-end glass for what they are: i.e. Panasonic's good Bridge cameras use Leica lenses, while the slightly less expensive use Lumix (in-house) glass. Sony use Zeiss, in their higher-end. Dedicated camera manufacturers will generally use their own, such as Canon, Fuji, Nikon etc.

The "higher end" Bridge cameras I'd recommend, if this is the way you're going are these:

All three look and feel like a DSLR, with ultra-long zooms and lots of manual features, should you choose to use them.

I have the Panasonic and find it takes far better pictures in my hands than I was able to achieve with my Canon DSLR.

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nitro

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#3034595 10-Feb-2023 14:31

Handsomedan:

The "higher end" Bridge cameras I'd recommend, if this is the way you're going are these:

https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/point-and-shoot/nikon-coolpix-p950-digital-camera/
https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/point-and-shoot/canon-powershot-sx70-hs-digital-camera/
https://www.photowarehouse.co.nz/shop/shop-by-product/digital-cameras/point-and-shoot/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz300-digital-camera/
All three look and feel like a DSLR, with ultra-long zooms and lots of manual features, should you choose to use them.

I have the Panasonic and find it takes far better pictures in my hands than I was able to achieve with my Canon DSLR.

that you got better photos out of the panasonic than your dslr might have to do with a lens having a constant f/2.8 aperture, whereas most kit lenses bundled with dslrs go f/3.5-5.6. and IS with kit lenses did not use to be the norm.

can't go wrong with any of these. definitely can't argue against the fz300 in value - and that fast lens (can't really stress this enough)!

the SX70 does have a couple of things going for it - (#1) better zoom range both at the wide and tele range [if you need the range beyond the FZ300's capabilities, and shooting outdoors more than indoors, i.e. don't need f/2.8], and (#2) extra megapixels [as inexperienced shooters tend to benefit from the leeway in cropping their images]

of course, if one is keen on taking a stab at the moon and planets, the nikon's 2000mm equivalent goes a long way (quite literally 😁).

insane

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#3034771 10-Feb-2023 19:54

I've shot Canon since ~2008. Having owned a 400D, 40D, 6D, 5Dmk3, and now a R6 and at least 30 Canon or Sigma zooms and primes I can honestly say that using kit lenses or anything above f2.8 is a total waste of time but for landscape photography. You'd be better off using you phone.

If you could find another few hundred in your budget you could get 2nd hand:

Canon 6D
Canon EF 50mm f1.8
Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 or equivalent sigma/tameron

If you wait for the right moment you can find a bargain 70-200 f2.8 IS (image stabilised) every so often, one was on TM last week for $1100 in mint condition.

Best part of buying used Canon gear right now is many of us with pro gear are transitioning from EF mount to the new RF mount, but that means lots of professional EF kit can be found 2nd hand for crazy low prices. (New cameras are backwards compatible with the EF to RF adaptors like I use).

Failing Canon, look out for Sony E mount cameras which in this price bracket E.g A6400 could give you a good starting point with an upgrade path in future.

I've had a few friends buy cheap DSLRs with budget walk-about zooms e.g 18-200mm that are f3.5-f6.3 etc and lament how poor their shots look and give up. So do invest in quality lenses.

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