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 Replies: 12 / Views: 1,896 |
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Valued Member
Australia
64 Posts |
hi guys,
i have done a bit of a search but cant seem to find an answer so here goes (my apologies if this has been done to death)
I am looking at purchasing a second hand entry level digital SLR and I was hoping some of you experts could lead me in the right direction as far as what brands I should be looking at. I know most of the brands like Canon, Nikon and Pentax etc are good but do any stand out as far as value for money and accessories such as lenses etc go?
CCheers - Geoff
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Valued Member
United States
225 Posts |
Start with a good company, because the business plan of these companies is to sell you a lens that stays witty you longer than the camera. I find the one most people start with, if they buy more than one lens, they stay with it. I've been using canon for fifteen years.
Having said that, I think that either canon or Nikon would be the answer. They are competitive and offer similar gear. The lenses that you can buy for their entry level, with the right research, can be used on all there cameras. I'm on my fourth canon and still have use for all the lenses, save one, that I've purchased.
Hope this helps.
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Pillar of the Community
921 Posts |
DSLR's: CANON lens & bodies are more $$, NIKON's are alot cheaper & almost just as good...
Honestly, you can't beat the price of any of the CANON POWERSHOTS if your intrested in just taking pics of coins with the macro feature or taking the camera to a sporting event using the automatic zoom lens or just for portraits etc, I'd look into ANY of the CANON POWERSHOTS which are all automatic & take wicked pics for all-around use...DSLR are nice, but it really depends on what level you want to get into it at...The POWERSHOTS save you from fumbling for diff lenses, it's just click away & download...A great 2nd cameras.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4038 Posts |
Since you are asking this on a coin photography forum, I will assume you will be primarily taking pics of coins with it. So the answer is simple...Canon. With a Canon you get:
1) EFSC functionality which results in reduced internal vibrations
2) Free and excellent tethering software
3) Short register distance such that both Canon and Nikon lenses can be used
I can recommend the T2i, or if you buy used you can go back as far as a XS and still get the EFSC function...Ray
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Valued Member
 Australia
64 Posts |
Awesome, I have been looking at the canons. I have a Fuji p&s but in reality, most of the pics taken day to day are with my phone as its always handy and gets comparable results.
i am looking to use the DSLR for coins but I also live in the bush so there are great scenes to take pics of as well as well as awesome starry nights.
i have noticed that lenses do seem to be kept by the person selling there cameras as so many second hand ones are sold as body only.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
When I bought my T2i I bought it body only from Amazon. A lot of folks buy just the body if they already have lenses and are just upgrading. There is very little need to upgrade lenses once you find ones you are happy with. Or in my case I just wanted to use the body on my coin photo setup, so didn't need a lens...Ray |
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New Member
United States
1 Posts |
I totally enjoy my Sony a-57 DSLR-SLT. The SLT designation means it has a transparent mirror. This camera is so much fun to use, I feel others should be made aware of its' presence. Great camera for every kind of photography.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4038 Posts |
Quote:
I totally enjoy my Sony a-57 DSLR-SLT. The SLT designation means it has a transparent mirror. This camera is so much fun to use, I feel others should be made aware of its' presence. Great camera for every kind of photography. Smitty...Can you show us some pics taken with the SLT57? I'm also curious about tethering software. I know what Canon and Nikon offer, but am not as aware of what Sony offers and how well it works. Are you using the Sony tethered and how well does their software work? Is it free with the camera or do you have to buy it? I've heard rumors of EFSC functionality in newer Sony cameras but am not sure if this one has it. Any thoughts? Thanks...Ray |
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Valued Member
Australia
64 Posts |
Well, I brought myself a 2nd hand canon 500d for Christmas. Now I just need to setup for macro coin shots :)
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
That's a very darn good start. You can run the Canon completely from your computer using the enclosed software, making the process a heck of a lot easier.
Now, to choose a lens. "Regular" lenses aren't that hot for macro coin work; if it's in your budget you're going to need a dedicated macro lens or a bellows/lens setup as we've been talking about here for so long.
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Valued Member
Australia
64 Posts |
Thanks Dave, I have just started to make a copy stand rig with some bits I found in my shed. the next thing I will purchase is a set of bellows and a macro lens. I still have to work out how the macro lens and bellows works but I am starting to look at the numerous topics on this so I should get it nutted. i might post I pic of my copy stand rig in the topic about copy stands for less than $100 as it has cost me nothing so far  . |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
i might post I pic of my copy stand rig in the topic about copy stands for less than $100 as it has cost me nothing so far If you're willing to go to the effort, create a bespoke thread about your build. It would be an inspiration for others to possibly go down the same path. |
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Valued Member
Australia
64 Posts |
no worries, here it is https://goccf.com/t/137286I'm going to start a new thread for some advise on if I can use my existing lenses to set up a bellow system so I may need your help there as well. Cheers - Geoff |
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Replies: 12 / Views: 1,896 |
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Posted 12/16/2012 09:56 am
