Total beginner ... What camera ?

[Dave H]

I read that the Nikon D5100 is an excellent camera to start with.

Would you buy new or secondhand, and from where?

What lenses are best for taking a variety of shots of city scenes and the usual snaps of friends etc ?

 

[Ay Ay Ron]

You'll get pretty much the same replies as everyone who asks that question.

Go to your local camera shop, Curry's etc and hold both the Canon and Nikons. I've no idea on the Nikon models as I'm a Canon guy. From what I've read on here though, lenses are a bit more tricky with Nikon as some need the focus motor built in (although in sure someone on here will be able to explain better than me)

Even try the Sony NEX range too. Very good cameras from what I've seen.

The kit lens that you'd usually get would be OK to start with with, then look at a 10-20 sigma for city and landscapes and a 50mm 1.8 which is good for people shots (although I'm looking at 30mm primes to replace the 50mm)

 

[Niall]

I've owned a D5100 and it would be a great starter camera, lenses I'd reccomend you get are either a 50mm F1.8 or F1.4 (if you can stretch the budget for the 1.4) and a wide angle such as the Sigma 10-20. I've got a 35mm F1.8, a Sigma 50mm F1.4 and a brand new (recieved yesterday) Sigma 10-20 on my D7000 which has the same sensor as the D5100 and they work a treat and provide some stunning images.

 

[Ben10]

I know i've posted this a few times but I have the Nikon D5100 with 50mm 1.8 and a 18-70mm lens. 6 month old on eBay for £420. Perfect condition. The lenses will be a bit more expensive as they need the auto focus motor built in, but if you are only getting a couple of lenses you won't see the difference in cost.

Like others say, go and hold them and have a play!!

 

[Dave H]

Link to eBay?

 

[JJ!]

Brand new UK D5100 just under £400

I also highly recommend the 50mm f1.8g (don't both with the f1.4g) or the 35mm f1.8g

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004U4UHTQ/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?redirect=true&ref_=nosim&tag=cpbcouk-21

 

[Ben10]

Link to eBay?

​www.ebay.co.uk

 

[@Spoonie]

​www.ebay.co.uk

I did chuckle

 

[The Fatty]

I know i've posted this a few times but I have the Nikon D5100 with 50mm 1.8 and a 18-70mm lens. 6 month old on eBay for £420. Perfect condition. The lenses will be a bit more expensive as they need the auto focus motor built in, but if you are only getting a couple of lenses you won't see the difference in cost.

Like others say, go and hold them and have a play!!

FLOL, they don't cost that new!!

 

[Dave H]

Do you recommend that I buy a secondhand camera from Ebay, or buy new ? What did you do when you started out ?

 

[Ben10]

FLOL, they don't cost that new!!

They are £400 new with kit lens, and considering I got a better lens than standard (18-70 instead of 18-55) AND a prime lens chucked in which should be £150, I didn't get a bad deal tbh

 

[The Fatty]

They are £400 new with kit lens, and considering I got a better lens than standard (18-70 instead of 18-55) AND a prime lens chucked in which should be £150, I didn't get a bad deal tbh

Sorry I completely misunderstood your post; I thought you were trying to sell your D5100 with a single lens for £420!

 

[Ben10]

God no!! That's how much I paid for the camera with both lenses and I intend to keep hold of it for another year or two Brilliant camera for a decent price was the point I was trying to make