Buying DSLR - Help please!

Hi peeps, looking for a bit of advice on buying a dslr.
Looking at the more entry/mid level cameras, mainly due to my budget.

I am after a DSLR that I can take Skate and Snow photos with (this will be primary focus), as well as other shots out in the wilderness (landscapes, nature, other sports I do like kayaking and mtb).

HD video is also a must, as I will be setting it up with a fish eye for skate filming. Fish eye isnt on the budget yet.

Faster continues shots also gets bonus points, but doesnt have to be light speed. is the ~4fps on some of the below photos gonna be good enough for sequences in snow and skate?

I am wanting to take this with me on my travels to Whistler at the begining of next yr.

I have been looking at the Nikon D5100, Canon 600D and 650D. Again mainly because of budget and movie features. Flip out screen is ideal too, but not a 100% must

Looking at getting a twin lense kit with the standard 18-55 and then a 55-200/250/300. Would like a bit of advice of what size to get for the big lens too. What do you use for snow/skate?

And yeh in future I do intend to get better lenses, but for now happy to just work on my skils n technique with a kit.

Recenltly been using a Canon 60D a little bit and dont mind it. Dont know if I love it either

What is your budget?

I got the Nikon 5100, and have found that it’s a great mid level cam for the dough!!!!!

I thought that the flip out screen was cool but not a must as well!!!!! That was until I started usin it!!!!! It’s a must in certain situations!!!!!

I paid ~ $1200 for a twin lens kit, bag, filters, High Speed Card, Cleaning Kit!!!!! I reckon that they will be sooooooo much cheaper now, as I got mine over 12 months ago!!!!!

I have heard that if ya truly want good Vid, that the Canon is a step ahead, although I reckon the Nikon has still got great quality!!!!!

Dunno, if this helps?????

The more experienced shooters on here should be able to give some better feedback!!!!!

This was a good site that Gumblor gave me the link to when I was in the market!!!!! (It’s heavily swayed toward Nikon, but it has some good info)

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm#serious

Azz, my budget is probably topped at $800. Looking at purchasing from http://www.dgidigitalcameras.com.au as suggested by Tills in another thread. Remove link if not sposed to be here!
So can get them for under that on that site.

Yeh, for skate filming on my camera stablizer, I can get away with out the screen, but it would make it heaps easier if I had it flip out.

And yes Mizu, Canon has more options with frame rates an size in there vid settings and do have a good reputation behind them.
But thanks for your opinion on the Nikon

Hi K2.

Here is my advice.
Do your friends own DSLRs? If they do, I would suggest you buy whatever brand they have.
Personally, I shoot with Canon. Not necessarily because they make better cameras than Nikon, but because years ago when I first started out, my brother had already bought a Canon and some lenses. When I got my Canon, I instantly had access to all of his lenses. Muhahahahahaha. Also, because the cameras were similar, we could help each other figure out how to do stuff like shortcuts,  custom functions etc. Over the years my friends have also asked me, Nikon or Canon? Each time, I’ve told them Canon for the same reason. Now most of my friends have a Canon, and eventually upgraded and bought some lenses, flashes, wireless triggers, all the shit. All of which I can now borrow for free. Muhahahahahahaha.

But if you have no friends with DSLRs, then my advice is to choose Canon. You get a better variety of lenses and the 2nd hand market for Canon gear is much more active, making it easier to save money by buying stuff second hand rather than brand new.
Now, which Canon for under $800? It’s true that you get what you pay for. I would get the 650D over the 600D and if your budget can strech that far, the 60D over the 650D. All the photos I took for the 2012 Snowboard Photography comp were taken on a 60D.
The 60D and 650D are very similar cameras, with the main difference being:
* The battery on the 60D lasts much longer. It has the same battery as the 5DMK2
* Faster shutter speed. 60D shoots up to 1/8000th compared to 1/4000th on the 650D
* Build quality is better. The 60D is about 150g heavier. Feels less plasticky and more stable in the hand and probably has slightly better weather sealing than the 650D. This might be important if you’re planning on doing a lot of shooting in the snow.

Finally, the kit lenses are crap, but you have to start somewhere. I have a 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 that you could have for $100. Both are the non IS versions though.

Thanks heaps for the advice mate, really appreciate it!

That awesome advice end user. Muhahahahahahaha

Except what you say about aftermarket lenses. Canon are known to make VERY good stock lenses, while for Nikon upgrading the stock lens makes a big difference - hence there’s a more demand for nikon mounting lenses from third party, lens specific companies like Sigma.

K2, consider a second hand camera - the entry level dslr’s usually get left in camera bags after the owner plays a few times, when they realise how much more convenient their iPhone is.
Pro gear is often heavily used and nearing the end of it’s life.
SLR camera’s have been around for a long time and still camera’s over 100years, they are a simple machine and the art of building a still camera is pretty much perfected so now they add gimmicks or put more MP in them to generate consumer interest.

For what you want it for - and I believe you will shoot a lot and really enjoy dslr photography - Your going to need a sturdy housing and hear is your problem. Not many entry level DSLR’S are super tough, and I mean tough enough to be knocked off a tripod when a rouge skateboard hits it or when baggage handlers dump the bag under suitcases.

I pretty much agree with Spaz!

I have been out of the SLR market since digital came along…. But when reading what end user wrote I was thinking but Nikon have more third party lens options, all my lenses were signa.

I do agree with getting what your friends have though! and if you have been using your friends Canon for example then a Nikon might not feel good in your hands. I feel I am all thumbs when i use my sisters canon.

Spaz also has good advice about buying second hand. the D90 is a good camera and has been around for a while now that some people will be looking to upgrade. See if you can get a D90 second hand.

I was pretty keen on the Sony A57 for a while, seems to have decent specs and write ups especially for the money.  never pulled the trigger though as there’s a lot of other stuff I need to buy before a DSLR!

yeh one of the reason I was considering Nikon is because of the lens options.
I may be willing to push my budget a tad more, because weather sealed camera is pretty important really. Esp for snow, and skate impacts (pray it doesnt but it becomes unavoidable sometimes)

As for friends cams, I have been using my mates Canon 60D, and its good but havent fallen in love with it. My bro just got a Nikon D5100. Thing is neither of them will be planing on updating lenses any time soon. So I shouldnt really take that into account.

I will look into second hand. Not to sure where to look other than the obvious ebay.

I like the fact the 60D is weather sealed, and has a shit load more battery life, faster shutter speed but the price is more ( and i do agree you get what you pay for).
650D is cheaper, the high ISO is apealing.

I am by no means an experienced photographer, but wouldnt say a complete novice to DSLR either. I dont know if the more “consumer friendlness” of say the 650D would work better for me, or have the 60D “prosumer” features/layout and allow room for my skills to grow.

Thanks for the advice everyone, keep it coming.

At the moment if ya buy in Australia, Nikon is giving 2 year warranty, and Canon 3 year replacement warranty!!!!!

Ya might save by buyin second hand, but there’s also the risk that it could end up costin more to repair, and also the inconvenience of bein without the camera when ya wanna use it!!!!!

If ya buy it in the month before ya leave for Canada, ya can also claim the tax back at the TRS!!!!!

I’d try and wrangle a deal through somewhere like JB HiFi/Bing Lee etc etc!!!!!

K2 haven’t you said before that you have used your school one? What did you think of that?

that was a Canon 450D. Felt very restricted by that camera and could never shots I liked with it.

I would honestly say… Spend that bit extra and get a better body.. As you can keep it longer and just upgrade lenses.. I brought a canon 400d and then got the canon 450d less than a year later (both entry level and the 450 has better features but I could have saved around 800 buy spending that 250 more on the 450 in the first place instead of buying the cheaper one then ending up getting the other one anyways when the price dropped a bit…. I now have the canon 5dmkII and love it!!

I went with canon because my bfs dad used to repair them so he can do basic repairs on mine if needed etc.. So it seemed more logical..

I got my 5dmkII as the mkIII came out so the priced had dropped from just under 4000 to 2800.. And I got it on 20 months interest free.. So im paying it off slowly.. Maybe look into something like that??  I got mine through Harvey norman and their price wasn’t too far off online, =)