good entry level camera?

[Pob255]

Open to 2nd hand, looking for a budget of around £250 2nd hand, £400 new

For new a Nikon D3400?

What I'm after here is models I should be looking at?

Use is for product shots both indoor studio close up's and exterior fashion shoot type stuff.
Needs to handle blacks well with minimal noise.

ps dslr

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

One of my mates has a D3200/D3300 and its a bit noisy in low light - the older models with the 16MP sensor are quite decent in that regard,and for close ups perhaps think of something like a LED lighting array??

Regarding cameras,this is quite a good deal:

https://www.srsmicrosystems.co.uk/ol...ody-black.html

The sensor is stabilised.

[ik9000]

i know you say dslr, but do check out the mirrorless ones. There are some good offerings, and they seem to be getting better lens production than DSLRs these days

[Pob255]

i know you say dslr, but do check out the mirrorless ones. There are some good offerings, and they seem to be getting better lens production than DSLRs these days

Open to that, which?

also looking at wex as they are relatively local https://www.wexphotovideo.com/used-cameras/ and we'll be able to get both hands on and have some place to go if issues arise

Had a look at jesops as they've got a Nikon D3400 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm AF-P VR for £400

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Open to that, which?

also looking at wex as they are relatively local https://www.wexphotovideo.com/used-cameras/ and we'll be able to get both hands on and have some place to go if issues arise

Had a look at jesops as they've got a Nikon D3400 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm AF-P VR for £400

I just pointed out a decent mirrorless camera - another one is the Fuji XA10.

For in-door close ups you really need to consider lighting,or even investing in a tripod if you use natural light especially with the slow kit lens.

My mate has the D3200 and to get over the noise indoors he invested in a wide aperture Sigma lens since he wanted to take indoor pictures.

I have used the D3200 and D3400 - they use pentamirror viewfinders which don't cover 100% of the image and are dark and tunnel like. I have a Fuji XT10 mirrorless camera and the electronic viewfinder I would take 10//10 over low end Nikon dSLRs and I have a Nikon D600 which uses a pentaprism.

Edit!!

The other issue is AF coverage - if you use the viewfinder in the D3400 there are only 11 AF points. Live view actually has wider AF coverage in the camera.

[g8ina]

If its low noise high iso, then I hear the new Sony mirrorless are unbeatable, and thats from a hardened Nikon user.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

If its low noise high iso, then I hear the new Sony mirrorless are unbeatable, and thats from a hardened Nikon user.

Heard good things about the A6000,but the cheapest is £486 on camerapricebuster:

https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/...-Mount-Cameras

Edit!!

It has £100 cashback too:

https://www.sony.co.uk/cashback/summer

So should be under £400 now.

[Bagnaj97]

One of my mates has a D3200/D3300 and its a bit noisy in low light

That would be me and my idea of low light tends to be very low light, astrophotography etc. I also dislike the harsh light from the pop up flash, so I avoid it unless it's absolutely necessary even if that means more noise... and then I moan about the noise!

Use is for product shots both indoor studio close up's and exterior fashion shoot type stuff.
Needs to handle blacks well with minimal noise.

Studio close ups means you should have decent control over light and exterior shots should have plenty of natural light, the D3300+ should be fine but personally I find the lack of AF points limiting and wish I'd spent more getting a 5x00. My D3300 also has a woefully small buffer, when shooting raw it takes about 3 shots before slowing down, even with a fast SD card.

My mate has the D3200 and to get over the noise indoors he invested in a wide aperture Sigma lens since he wanted to take indoor pictures.

That would be the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. Again, this is due to my hatred of the harsh direct light you get from a pop-up flash so I'd rather use available light where possible. The lens is fan-bloody-tastic, tack sharp and the constant f/1.8 aperture is a godsend. It's not the cheapest lens (I bought mine grey market from e-infinity), but cheaper than a collection of equivalent prime lenses, just as good and you don't need to keep swapping - https://fstoppers.com/gear/testing-s...8-primes-65901

As others have said, mirrorless is worth a look, but on a budget a D3x00 and 50mm prime lens will be tough to beat. Possibly even the Yongnuo 50mm, which reminds me... Cat, I need to borrow yours to compare it against my Nikon 50mm f/1.8G!

Also if you're not opposed to grey market imports then you can get the D3400 with 18-55 AF-P kit lens for £309 here https://www.e-infin.com/uk/item/3068...ens__(kit_box)

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

That would be me and my idea of low light tends to be very low light, astrophotography etc. I also dislike the harsh light from the pop up flash, so I avoid it unless it's absolutely necessary even if that means more noise... and then I moan about the noise!

Remember those airshow shots though....the D3300 did have much more noise in the shadows than I expected. The D3400 might be a bit better(another mate has one),but the 16MP Nikon cameras like the D5100 were really good - it was something about the 16MP sensor in them. The XT10 in that regard seems somewhat better.

Studio close ups means you should have decent control over light and exterior shots should have plenty of natural light, the D3300+ should be fine but personally I find the lack of AF points limiting and wish I'd spent more getting a 5x00.

Its why I told you to get the D5200!! I do find the XT10 does seem to have a better coverage of AF points(39 points on the D600 and D5200) which is better for off-centre subjects,although phase detection does have advantages over contrast detection in very low light(OTH,I have taken pictures in very low light with the XT10 too).

That would be the Sigma 18-35 f/1.8. Again, this is due to my hatred of the harsh direct light you get from a pop-up flash so I'd rather use available light where possible. The lens is fan-bloody-tastic, tack sharp and the constant f/1.8 aperture is a godsend. It's not the cheapest lens (I bought mine grey market from e-infinity), but cheaper than a collection of equivalent prime lenses, just as good and you don't need to keep swapping - https://fstoppers.com/gear/testing-s...8-primes-65901

As others have said, mirrorless is worth a look, but on a budget a D3x00 and 50mm prime lens will be tough to beat. Possibly even the Yongnuo 50mm, which reminds me... Cat, I need to borrow yours to compare it against my Nikon 50mm f/1.8G!

Also if you're not opposed to grey market imports then you can get the D3400 with 18-55 AF-P kit lens for £309 here https://www.e-infin.com/uk/item/3068...ens__(kit_box)

Its the YN 35MM not 50MM,but since I have the Nikon FX 35MM its not really had much use now!

[jerry10]

I'm a Nikon lover, so google any latestest model that fit your price range.

[Saracen]

One factor I find is often overlooked, and is especially relevant to budget csmerss, is sheer ergonomics.

Budget cameras are often smaller, and the bigger your hands, the more of an issues that may be. You might be better off going up a notch of two to a 'prosumer' grade, even if it means going a bit older in terms of model.

Bear that in mind for mirrorless 'compact' models too.

And, IMHO, there is no substitute on that issue but to get hold of a model you're tempted by, and handling it for a bit.

Before even starting to think about brand, think about that. Then, think about handling differences between Nikon, Csnon, etc. Again, try them out. Handle them.

Finally, and it might not matter in this case, think about future needs/wants and the options to cover it in the range of your selected make.

For me, it was Canon, mainly because I preferred the handling and, critically for me, the macro lens options available.

[ik9000]

whatever system you get, I'd encourage getting something with a view finder, preferably optical, but bare minimum electronic (more common on mirrorless). Makes a massive difference in bright light, and can help avoid having the rear screen gobbling up your battery

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

whatever system you get, I'd encourage getting something with a view finder, preferably optical, but bare minimum electronic (more common on mirrorless). Makes a massive difference in bright light, and can help avoid having the rear screen gobbling up your battery

Optical viewfinders are not all created equally. In the film days I used pentamirror and pentaprism viewfinders. Almost all dSLRs with pentamirrors(especially cheaper ones) are horrible - they are small,don't cover 100% of the image and are dark,which means more issues in lower light. They could make them better as the ones in film SLRs tended to be better(look though a Dynax 5 one for example),but they are an afterthought. I was somewhat against electronic viewfinders,as they do consume more power,and earlier ones had motion smearing,especially also having a Nikon with a nice large pentaprism,but the Fuji I have has a greater electronic viewfinder,and its far nicer to use(especially in low light) than many of the lower level dSLRs(outside Pentax who only use pentraprisms).

[Bobster]

Any modern DSLR will give you excellent results with the right lens in front

[Dashers]

Whatever you go for, there are often some excellent deals out there. Manufacturers often run promotions that get you a lot off, and if you're not too fussed about not being cutting edge, then look at the second hand market. If you go to somewhere like London Camera Exchange, you can pick up a two year old camera for a fraction of the price of the current range, and still get a six month shop warranty on it. If you have an old camera, there are often trade in deals knocking another £50 off.

I made my bed in micro-four-thirds a few years ago, and I have been loving it. Very versatile system with something for everybody. I've got a Panasonic GF7 for £200 new end of line from Jessops, and a G7 for £250 in a black friday promotion. The GF7 can be put in a pocket, for walking around, but it'll take the same lenses as the more up market cameras. The G7 if larger and more comfortable to use when you're really into taking your photos.

I don't know where the rest of your budget lies, but I would probably lean towards spending more money on good lenses and lighting rather than getting too obsessed with the body. A good lens will always be a good lens, and you can upgrade the body as your needs fit. The other great thing about mirrorless systems is that you can pretty much fit any vintage lens to them and get some really interesting looking photos. I've got an old Russian lens for mine and it produces a nice effect that I really like for portraits.

[taxineil]

Sony A58/68 will use older minolta lenses a lot of which can be had quite cheap on ebay,my other favourite is the Sony A6000.