Simviation Forums

Hi guys!

I'm planning to get a camera, for taking photographs and maybe planespotting. Anyway, since I'm still a beginner, could anyone recommend me any basic DSLR cameras that are good for beginners like me?

Thanks .

If you have a Film SLR I would look at the same brand because most of the time the lens can be used with the DSLR.
Other than that, most Name Brand DSLRs will do a good job. Just play with them in the store and find the one you are most comfortable with. There will be a lot of people that tell you get this or that, but if find it hard to use you will not use it.

There are numerous cameras on the market, all will do a credible job...but for the money, I'd probably go with something with interchangeable lenses, something you can grow with as your skill levels increase.

boromir125 wrote:There are numerous cameras on the market, all will do a credible job...but for the money, I'd probably go with something with interchangeable lenses, something you can grow with as your skill levels increase.

A DSLR will have interchangeable lenses

I learned on a Canon XSi. A great little camera. It's pretty small, yet versatile. Here's the link some photos I took with the XSi from my Flightaware. I took these with a 55-250mm lens which is pretty nice for basic low cost plane spotting.

http://e1.photos.flightcdn.com/photos/retriever/cacba02e6e4070fa523dbffb0102c160b3d5cebe
http://e0.photos.flightcdn.com/photos/retriever/b590339fd5c94b65004db12afbe48bc4a475f719
http://e1.photos.flightcdn.com/photos/retriever/fed3411f0b9dcadb8a0b530b87e3cacddf4d6071
http://e0.photos.flightcdn.com/photos/retriever/44af99b44fc6863e4a295a64ede815712305ba9c

There are so many different makes and models to choose from that all do pretty much the same job. The ONLY difference between the lot of them is the on board picture manipulation, other than that they are pretty much the same. Just like cars, they all have the same controls, but the satnav or the media player is in a different place and has a slightly different function. Unless you have a firm idea in your head for a make and model, then do the following:

Have a budget in mind.
Go to more than one camera shop
Within that budget, get a few cameras on the table in front of you.
Pick them up and give them a good fondling.
Choose the one that feels best in your hands. You have then found the right camera. If it is an uncomfortable fit, you will not enjoy using it.
Then play the shops against each other for the best deal.

Matt