Digital SLR

[Hans Voralberg]

I was down in Brighton over the weekend, and every sod has a DSLR, all with the kit lens....I wonder how many of those cameras will end up at the back of some cupboard somewhere gathering dust before the summer is out....

More 2nd hand SLR for the not that rich amongs us, I cud always use a backup body

[shiato storm]

if you want a quick do-it-all solution you could do worse than a nikon D40x and 18-200mm VR lens as a one lense start-up kit. or go for the canon 400D with two lenses: the 17-85mm IS and a 70-300mm IS set up. (nikon use VR - Vibration Reduction, canon use IS - Image Stabilisation)

...i use a canon and its great. its a pro-body though which means two things: it turns heads and it's reliable. the third point is you can use it to bludgeon people that stand in your way...

[dancingmatt]

I've found that getting my 350D has given me a great leap in quality of photos just because you have such a range of flexibility - no more thinking "that didn't turn out how I wanted" and presuming it may have been something to do with the camera as well as my skills!

If nothing else the focusing through the viewfinder makes an enormous difference if you are using auto-focus. You know exactly what you're aiming for... Plus the 3MP compact I used took brilliant photos most of the time but I could never achieve the DOF aperture-priority shots I am doing now...

Buy one and take the plunge with learning about the settings and experimenting with them - never use it on Auto, ever, not even on day 1!

True though, I see an awful lot of them around now...

[Lee H]

I've been playing with my 9500 more recently.

I've been messing with portait shots of people and macro shots as well as just some random snapping.

Anyone got a quick link to explain DOF to me and how to adjust and set it all up ?

[Howard]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

[Lee H]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

Doh - don't I feel a right n00b now

LOL @ that page. I've not seen that many equations since my A level Math's exam.

[Zak33]

Lee..... I'm ok at explaining Depth of Field. if youre stuck..call
We'll talk

[Hans Voralberg]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_field

If the above is too complicated, try this

http://www.photonhead.com/simcam/shutteraperture.php

[shiato storm]

holy crap, even I don't understand all those equations and I'm [technically] semi-pro!
http://www.amazon.com/John-Hedgecoes.../dp/0806903767

john hedgecoe's books are easy to understand without patronising the user...I sometimes refer to mine (bit dated but still the fundamentals apply)

[Bobster]

yeah i got those in a book somewhere.. much easier to use a DoF wheel

[Lee H]

Cheers for all the links.

My braincells (well... the ones that are left working from my weekend abuse regime) are all screaming thanks to the new information I need to digest.

[Hans Voralberg]

yeah i got those in a book somewhere.. much easier to use a DoF wheel

What is that ??

[Million]

I just got myself a 2nd hand Nikon D70 from eBay for £225. They seem to go for about that price, 200-270 ish. It's an excellent camera from what i've seen, and I can't wait til it arrives!

[shiato storm]

bargain that. D70 is an excellent camera, its abilities should help you improve dramatically! nice one

[Hans Voralberg]

I heard the D70 is plagued with problems and the D70s was out to fix those ? Could someone shed a light , I dunno much about Nikon

[shiato storm]

utter poo, the D70 is an excellent camera. the D70s is less than a minor upgrade on it tbh.
if you want to see what the D70 is capable of head to this place ...inspiring stuff