Hi all, I've been using a very basic Panasonic bridge camera for some time now and I want to make the step up to dslr. The thing is I'm a total novice when it comes to using them, always use auto mode on my bridge. Can anyone recommend a good starting point for me? Happy to buy second hand to get more for my money, no point in me having anything super complicated but would like to learn how to use one and get some better quality shots! Thanks
In reply to Post #1
What's the downside to the bridge? I would of thought in this day and age the picture quality would be excellent?
What's the downside to the bridge? I would of thought in this day and age the picture quality would be excellent?
In reply to Post #2
Well I've had it a long time now, it does the job but the quality of the pictures aren't anywhere near as good as what I'm seeing with dslr's. Just thought it would be a step up.
Well I've had it a long time now, it does the job but the quality of the pictures aren't anywhere near as good as what I'm seeing with dslr's. Just thought it would be a step up.
Why don't you just take the plunge and buy a decent camera and gem up on how best to use it via YouTube videos or better still, if your local council puts on courses over holiday periods that can be very affordable?
You can always buy second hand and save a bundle of cash. Just a case of asking people on here for advice on which one, or join a camera forum.
You can always buy second hand and save a bundle of cash. Just a case of asking people on here for advice on which one, or join a camera forum.
In reply to Post #1
Decide how much you can afford for a camera and lens
If it is a crop sensor camera you would preferably be looking for a 35mm 1.8 lens
The lens is important as you get good pictures using a good lens and average camera but with a good camera and average lens you will get average pictures
Cannon and Nikon are both a good start and also Sony have some good cameras and lenses these days
So decided how much you can spend, decide what make of camera you want, the three mentioned are all as good as each other then get the best lens you can
A good idea is a kit lens that comes with the camera plus a 35mm for trophy shots
Decide how much you can afford for a camera and lens
If it is a crop sensor camera you would preferably be looking for a 35mm 1.8 lens
The lens is important as you get good pictures using a good lens and average camera but with a good camera and average lens you will get average pictures
Cannon and Nikon are both a good start and also Sony have some good cameras and lenses these days
So decided how much you can spend, decide what make of camera you want, the three mentioned are all as good as each other then get the best lens you can
A good idea is a kit lens that comes with the camera plus a 35mm for trophy shots
Have a look at Canon Eos M series of cameras mate. They have the same image quality as the DSLRs due to the same APS-c sensors, but being mirrorless they are much smaller and generally less complex.
They all have flip screens too, so ideal for fishing. You can pick up an M100 or M3 from eBay for just over £100 and they match up lovely with their 22mm lens 👌
They all have flip screens too, so ideal for fishing. You can pick up an M100 or M3 from eBay for just over £100 and they match up lovely with their 22mm lens 👌
In reply to Post #6
You have to be careful as the M100 doesn't have a jack socket so can't take an intervalometer (which imo is absolutely critical for fishing/self-takes).
OP, let us know what you want to spend. Any old DSLR or mirrorless will be a huge improvement over your bridge camera. Flip screen and intervalometer interface is ideal.
You have to be careful as the M100 doesn't have a jack socket so can't take an intervalometer (which imo is absolutely critical for fishing/self-takes).
OP, let us know what you want to spend. Any old DSLR or mirrorless will be a huge improvement over your bridge camera. Flip screen and intervalometer interface is ideal.
In reply to Post #7
Budget is the factor before anyone can really make a recommendation
I know its not what your asking for but a better bridge camera might be better for you, like a Canon g7x, lumix l100, Sony rx100...
Just taking control of your camera would give better results if you put the effort in to learn a bit, and if you don't want to learn a bit a higher spec camera is wasted imo
Google "the exposure triangle" and read a few articles for the basics
Budget is the factor before anyone can really make a recommendation
I know its not what your asking for but a better bridge camera might be better for you, like a Canon g7x, lumix l100, Sony rx100...
Just taking control of your camera would give better results if you put the effort in to learn a bit, and if you don't want to learn a bit a higher spec camera is wasted imo
Google "the exposure triangle" and read a few articles for the basics
In reply to Post #1
One of my lock-down purchases was a DSLR to replace a bridge camera and my old Canon G5.
I got the Canon 250D, and i hunted around and got it for about £460. Well pleased with it. Can't comment on what the trophy shots look like as i haven't caught anything yet.
One of my mates gave me some good advice - Just learn about the shots you are likely to take, rather than getting bogged down with all the settings a DSLR has. I signed up with one of the on-line photography courses, which was really useful. If i was to do that again, i would just use YouTube and save my money - Look up Chris Bray
One of my lock-down purchases was a DSLR to replace a bridge camera and my old Canon G5.
I got the Canon 250D, and i hunted around and got it for about £460. Well pleased with it. Can't comment on what the trophy shots look like as i haven't caught anything yet.
One of my mates gave me some good advice - Just learn about the shots you are likely to take, rather than getting bogged down with all the settings a DSLR has. I signed up with one of the on-line photography courses, which was really useful. If i was to do that again, i would just use YouTube and save my money - Look up Chris Bray
In reply to Post #9
Nikon 5100/5200 camera with a 35mm lens...thats what I use for selftakes..flipscreen and easy manuals..
Nikon 5100/5200 camera with a 35mm lens...thats what I use for selftakes..flipscreen and easy manuals..
Hi all, I wanted to bring this thread back as I still haven't got a dslr! After catching a nice common this morning and getting awful pictures on my bridge camera I managed to get someone to take some on their Nikon for me and they were worlds apart. So I really need to get one now.
I'm going to go second hand and I'm looking at spending £500 max really and I'm hoping I can get a camera, decent lense and an intervalometer for that. Would that be too ambitious? Recommendations please, Canon or Nikon and what's the best i could get with that sort of money? Thanks
I'm going to go second hand and I'm looking at spending £500 max really and I'm hoping I can get a camera, decent lense and an intervalometer for that. Would that be too ambitious? Recommendations please, Canon or Nikon and what's the best i could get with that sort of money? Thanks
In reply to Post #11
Are you looking at new or would consider 2nd hand as I went that route and bought a lightly used canon 700d with the kit lense, a fixed 50 lense, intervalometer, speedlight 90ex flash for £300 and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I also have a micro four thirds Panasonic which is good for self takes but the canon although marginally heavier and bulkier takes the better shots for me personally.
Are you looking at new or would consider 2nd hand as I went that route and bought a lightly used canon 700d with the kit lense, a fixed 50 lense, intervalometer, speedlight 90ex flash for £300 and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I also have a micro four thirds Panasonic which is good for self takes but the canon although marginally heavier and bulkier takes the better shots for me personally.
Not Dslr but also check Sony A6000/6100 very good camera's
In reply to Post #12
It will definitely be second hand as I think I will get more for my money, also I'm no camera expert so a brand new one would be wasted on me! That sounds like a good deal you got, was that off eBay? I want a flip screen obviously and Bluetooth would be handy. I'm not really sure what models I would be best looking at.
It will definitely be second hand as I think I will get more for my money, also I'm no camera expert so a brand new one would be wasted on me! That sounds like a good deal you got, was that off eBay? I want a flip screen obviously and Bluetooth would be handy. I'm not really sure what models I would be best looking at.
In reply to Post #14
Look at a second hand canon 200 250d or a Nikon d5300 or d5600 , just get a kit lens to start , both will be miles better than your bridge camera. Even if you leave it on auto to start with.
Once you have mastered the basics look at getting a faster lens for the canon i would recommend the 24 mm 2:8 pancake and fit the nikon the 35mm1:8 , both take stunning pictures.
Look at a second hand canon 200 250d or a Nikon d5300 or d5600 , just get a kit lens to start , both will be miles better than your bridge camera. Even if you leave it on auto to start with.
Once you have mastered the basics look at getting a faster lens for the canon i would recommend the 24 mm 2:8 pancake and fit the nikon the 35mm1:8 , both take stunning pictures.