hi po sa lahat,
well actually kaya ko po ginawa tong thread na ito was because i noticed that wala pang thread for people like me who appreciates photography but doesnt have a real pro-camera like the ones you guys use.though i have a camera-phone(note: camera goes first before phone :) ) and had some close-encounters with some very interesting subject and fortunate enough to photograph them(using my phone).

then i realized that i needed more "focusing', "lighting", and other factors to give more justice to my subjects. i wanted that versatility and that freedom when taking pictures.

i just wanna ask you guys, what brand/unit ng camera ang pinaka-affordable yet good for beginners like me?

and for other newbies as well, you can post your questions/inquiries here. this will be our place po. and hopefuly, get our answers from the experts.

I'm not an expert but here's my opinion.

If you want a DSLR, the Nikon D50 or the Canon 350D are excellent to begin with. I have a 350D and I have a long way to go before I outgrow it.

If you want a high-end prosumer, the Canon S2IS or the newer S3IS are great cameras as well, have seen people produce good photos with these.

And remember that when choosing to upgrade, go for a lens rather than a new body instead; lenses are far more versatile.

Just my 2 cents.

Hi jaypee,
I highly recommend a "Nikon D70s", But if you can afford the D80 will be great. Nikon is way a head to Canon if your talking about "Lightning", If you were looking for the feature just visit the Nikon website, and then If your looking for the Canon Brand visit their website too...

Before we recommend any camera Jaypee, how much are you looking to spend?

^ sir question na rin po, where can i check for the price of such cameras?

^ sir question na rin po, where can i check for the price of such cameras?

the magazine has a buyers guide of some DSLRs. The pricing is SRP.

@ sir nino
siguro po 10-25k po. im planning to spend the whole of backpay(which hasnt been released hhhrrr..) and downgrade my cam-phone jusy to add na rin..

is this enough? or should i shell out more money for this kinds of cam? im willing to rack up my savings for a nice piece of camera.

ive seen MSRP for the Nikon D50, i think i can afford one given that i need to snatch a portion of my savings. within the price range, what are other alternatives? is it cheaper in HK?

D50 is a fantastic camera. another alternative is the 350D, or wait another week for the new Canon camera expected this Thursday. Prices might just drop. Yes it is cheaper in HongKong BUT local distributors will not honor your warranty unless it is from an authorized reseller with an OR.

ive seen MSRP for the Nikon D50, i think i can afford one given that i need to snatch a portion of my savings. within the price range, what are other alternatives? is it cheaper in HK?

better buy here rather than in HK and insist on local warranties. you don't want to spend much going to HK and have them serviced your cam. if you're buying in HK and not thinking about getting any warranties, think again. a gadget that's worth 40K isn't a small amount for some people who worked hard just to buy that thing.

better buy here rather than in HK and insist on local warranties. you don't want to spend much going to HK and have them serviced your cam. if you're buying in HK and not thinking about getting any warranties, think again. a gadget that's worth 40K isn't a small amount for some people who worked hard just to buy that thing.

thanks sir. i totally passed on the idea of the waranty. thanks for reminding me. :Grin:


im planning to buy one hopefuly by 1st quarter of september thats why im asking for suggestions... :Grin:

thanks sir. i totally passed on the idea of the waranty. thanks for reminding me. :Grin:


im planning to buy one hopefuly by 1st quarter of september thats why im asking for suggestions... :Grin:

don't call me sir. i'm just a newbie with a big problem in camera shake. :(

as for the entry level DSLRs that they have mentioned, the D50 and 350D are really good. My only suggestion is that, try to feel both of these cam before you decide to buy one. I suggest, you wait for the techno madness sale that BPI is helding every year in glorietta. there you can try to hold and use the D50 and 350D. if i'm not mistaken that sale event would occur in august or in september.

my personal experience with the 350D is that, it's body is so small. makes me think of migrating to 30D or buying a 350D battery grip. :)

If you're considering getting a dSLR off the internet, Cameta has E-300 kits for less than 20K. :D siguro with shipping a little over 20K lang.

If you want something very handy, you might want to look for a pre-owned or brand new Canon Powershot G5. The G6,I think, isn't as good as its predecessor.

Check out Michelle Morelos' photos here...mostly shot using the G5...

http://www.glitterdoll.net/snapshots/archives.htm

It just proves that a DSLR isn't a requirement to produce very nice photos.

The thing is the G5 is expensive. But I bet it's worth your money.:)

If you want a DLSR then you can choose between the Nikon D50 or the Canon 350D. Both are good beginner cameras. Hmmm...if you want something cheap, you can get a pre-owned Canon 300D at a very low price now. The 2nd hand kit is selling for 25-30K. Quite a number are selling it because it's time upgrade. :)

Remember the camera is only a tool, it's still up to you to create good photos...

hi po sa lahat,
well actually kaya ko po ginawa tong thread na ito was because i noticed that wala pang thread for people like me who appreciates photography but doesnt have a real pro-camera like the ones you guys use.though i have a camera-phone(note: camera goes first before phone :) ) and had some close-encounters with some very interesting subject and fortunate enough to photograph them(using my phone).

then i realized that i needed more "focusing', "lighting", and other factors to give more justice to my subjects. i wanted that versatility and that freedom when taking pictures.

i just wanna ask you guys, what brand/unit ng camera ang pinaka-affordable yet good for beginners like me?

and for other newbies as well, you can post your questions/inquiries here. this will be our place po. and hopefuly, get our answers from the experts.

Hi Jaypee, if I were in your shoes... Maybe I'd go get myself a D50 body and a 50mm f/1.8 prime. Both are relatively inexpensive plus the prime lens will teach you alot when it comes to composition. :) Hope this confuses you more... ehemmmm... helps you pala... :)

If you want something very handy, you might want to look for a pre-owned or brand new Canon Powershot G5. The G6,I think, isn't as good as its predecessor.

Check out Michelle Morelos' photos here...mostly shot using the G5...

http://www.glitterdoll.net/snapshots/archives.htm



I saw her shots before and they are really good. I can't believe that it was taken with just a prosummer cam. She has been a guest speaker of our club before.

If you want something very handy, you might want to look for a pre-owned or brand new Canon Powershot G5. The G6,I think, isn't as good as its predecessor.

Check out Michelle Morelos' photos here...mostly shot using the G5...

http://www.glitterdoll.net/snapshots/archives.htm

It just proves that a DSLR isn't a requirement to produce very nice photos.

The thing is the G5 is expensive. But I bet it's worth your money.:)

If you want a DLSR then you can choose between the Nikon D50 or the Canon 350D. Both are good beginner cameras. Hmmm...if you want something cheap, you can get a pre-owned Canon 300D at a very low price now. The 2nd hand kit is selling for 25-30K. Quite a number are selling it because it's time upgrade. :)

Remember the camera is only a tool, it's still up to you to create good photos...

As my friend Miguel would say,
It's the INDIAN, not the PANA.

I'd have to agree with Earl on this one. The 50mm f/1.8 prime lens is a stunner. Since it's a prime, you'll have to use your feet to zoom in and out :)

also, when plunking some serious cash on a digital SLR, remember that you are buying the system, not just the body. meaning, lenses, accessories, flash and all that sort. research on which system you want, try it and buy it.

Very true!
I just recently discovered my dad has a lineup of Canon lenses hehe. whoops.

Very true!
I just recently discovered my dad has a lineup of Canon lenses hehe. whoops.

ouchie! :D

jaypee, it depends on your level of interest, i guess. if you're really serious in pursuing photography, without a doubt you may want consider investing in a d-slr. although high-end point and shoot cameras are versatile, the features of a d-slr will give you more leeway in learning/experimenting (not to mention toying around with lenses). in the price range you quoted, there are alternatives already mentioned in the earlier posts, still i'd like to add one more -- buying pre-owned (of course from someone you really know well and super-ingat sa gamit). i heard though that the price for a brand-new d70s is within the 35k range. either that or wait for the canon new release. to echo nino's caveat, think way ahead if you're plunking your hard-earned cash in a d-slr as you're buying into the system (read: stuck with the brand from lenses, flash, etc.), not just the body. anyway, before you part away with your cash, you can ask friends who have cameras to let you get a feel for the unit beforehand.

oggie
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oggiehttp://wwwogglepinoy.blogspot.comhttp://oggieblog.blogspot.com

i do suggest you get the d50 (syempre nikon! :)). getting a dslr as a begginers camera gives you an edge rather than buying a prosumer camera in terms of learning photography and system upgrades! so if you do decide to buy a flash or lenses in the future, you already have the body to fit it to. :)

im really learning alot here, salamat mga sir.

im thinking of buying a second hand cam na, pero syempre may hesitations pa rin, and ung warranty nga. well i'll try to weigh in things and factors and hopefuly decide on the 1st quarter of september.

@sir karlo
i agree po na getting a dslr as a beginners camera(for someone with plans of pursuing photography) gives me an edge over prosumer cams, sa prosumer cams kasi feeling ko pagdating mo sa limit mo, and sa limit ng camera eh humihinto na.

@sir ogie
kelan po ba lalabas yung bagong canon? is it the EOS 30D? or something else?

@sir earl
i know something na about 50mm f/1.8 prime lense, though wala pa kong hands-on experience with it, and im looking forward of using it and experiment with it as you and sir sonny suggested. :Grin:

@sir nino
im studying, and reading reviews on these babies. though mahirap lang maintindihan yung iba kasi im not familiar with most of the terms yet and yun :D

mga sir question na rin, where can i find here(PDP) yung mga technical 101's ng mga parts and accesories ng mga cams?

mga sir question na rin, where can i find here(PDP) yung mga technical 101's ng mga parts and accesories ng mga cams?

For some Nikon related links... I posted some here (http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=805). :)

salamata po sir earl

salamata po sir earl
No problem Jaypee... I always wish I could be of assistance to anyone who needs it... :) And I'm sure most of the people here would do the same for you...

Dear Jaypee,

Try looking in Quiapo. I knw a shop there who offers me Nikon D70s for 45 Thousand bucks with Lens. And a Sony Alpha 1000 DSLR with Two sony lens for 62thou or 2 Carl Zeiss Lens for 70Thou. Or just like the others said a Canon 350D cost 35thou with kit lens.

Hope that budget would fit. Check other sites for a detailed Test of the Cameras i mentioned.

Enjoy Shopping!

@ sir earl
thanks for the suport! this thread's not just for me, its for all those aspiring photographers. nahihiya lang sila siguro to post questions on certain issues in starting this kind of career/hobby.

@sir kenneth
thanks for the suggestion, iv seen several shops in quiapo selling these kind of cameras, but i was too scared and skeptical to purchase one from them with reasons that i didnt really knew the history of those babies. but if you can give me a specific shop that you yourself trusts eh im very much willing to avail one from them. :)

Jaypee it's Mayer Photo Shop. Tel. 733-75-98; 733-77-22
Located at 111, 113, 115 C. Palanca St. Quiapo, Manila

-Try calling them first then when youre ready to buy they'll give a reasonable price, especially when your buying in cash. Check also there promo for the month. Last saturday they sold all there Nikon L2 camera for 8,500 i didn't get any coz i went there late afternoon. Nikon L2 cost 16 thousand +/- from the dept. store.

@sir kenneth
noted. thanks sir for the info.

Mayer is great ;) They give you a really good price + no bull :)

Mayer is great ;) They give you a really good price + no bull :)

Check this thread out before dealing with Mayer.

http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/showthread.php?t=677

another consideration maybe your close friends' and relatives' cameras and lenses... before i got my nikon d50 (which is more than enough for my needs and am happy growing with it), i asked my photographer friends what they are using... and most of them are using nikon... this is not to say na "gumaya" ka na lang sa kanila but instead, you can ask them to lend their (other) gears to you and test them and hopefully ibigay din sa yo... hehe... kung sakaling canon ang gamit nila, baka nagcanon din siguro ako... (canon and nikon, pati rin olympus are superb brands and you cant go wrong with any system/brand)

one of my close friends (parang tatay ko na siya) is using nikon mula pa nung '70s... yung mga lenses niya na di na niya ginagamit... ako na ngayon ang gumagamit... pati flash na di niya ginagamit, pinamana na sa akin.... hehe... the advantage is, you can test the lenses and other accessories first before buying them because you can borrow stuff from them...

another thing to consider, pag dslr ang gamit mo di masasayang ang lenses kasi siguradong magagamit mo pa rin sila kung sakaling maguupgrade ka ng body in the future... nikon/nikkor lenses from the 70s can still be mounted on newer bodies whether digiral or not, not sure with canon though...

hth :)

@sir ali
i have a friend(actually a former love affair :D ) who has a film slr(i dunno if the term is right) with a set of lenses, parang nasa 5-7 types of lenses ata meron cya, she doesnt use it at all and was just stacked in her cabinet. so i was wondering if theres a possibility na i can mount it in a dslr. i just forgot the brand of it, it was given to her by her american step-dad which happened to ba a street photographer in the states...:Dum:

i already texted her and asked her if i can visit her and take a look at those lenses, and she said its fine.(waaah double purpose visit, nyahahaha)

@sir nino, marton, and kenneth
id probably call or visit mayer and try to hassle a bit when it comes to prices, warranty and stuff. iv read the forum that mayer's blacklisted or something, and i'll try to take advantage of it. :) is this possible? hahaha

the new 400D... if it's affordable. :D

Hey Jaypee,

Welcome to our collective obsession :Grin: Maadik ka din sana like everyone else here!

If youhaven't purchased a camera yet, I was just at Columbia Megamall and they had a pricelist posted for Nikon stuff on sale. Included was the D70 kit (not D70s) for just PhP 33k. Seems reasonable enough since there isn't much difference at all between the D70 and D70s. And personally, I prefer this over the Canon 350 due to the fact that I find the controls to be easier to mess around with even if your eyes are still stuck to the viewfinder (and I've always been a Nikon-nut anyway...) :D

Good luck!

Hello. If you decide to go with the Nikon D50, I suggest just getting the body and foregoing with the kit lens. The kit lens looks and feels very plasticy and very cheap. The image quality will also be not that great. I suggest, if you have the money, to get the 18-200 VR (http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=2159),or you can get the new Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G (http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph/forum/cat=1&grp=5&productNr=2162) which is half the price of the VR.

Check here (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond50/) for review of the D50.

Check here (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/) for review of the 350D.

Hope this helps.

don't know if this is fit for this thread? does anyone here use the Sony alpha DSLR? how is it?

don't know if this is fit for this thread? does anyone here use the Sony alpha DSLR? how is it?

Raul, try the Sony thread... :Grin:

@jaypee

Have you decided yet? Here's my experiece. I'm also a newbie to Digital Photography. We may mot have the same situation because I already have a P&S(Canon S2 IS) but I think we are going through the same stage in life (most of us I think). Same principle.

I was thinking of upgrading to a DSLR. So I spent days researching. A lot of people gave me great advice. To cut the story short, I finally decided to keep my P&S. I realized that I am not yet ready for DSLR and my existing P&S can produce great photos (like this Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/s2is/)group) like DSLR does(atleast for a beginner). I guess I have to grow with my camera and live with its limitations before I dive into the world of DSLR. Besides, Photography is still photography no matter what you use. Like every one else say here: Its the Indian not the pana.

So read up and don't hesitate to ask qusetion. It will help you make the best decision.

@sir ali
i have a friend who has a film slr(i dunno if the term is right) with a set of lenses, parang nasa 5-7 types of lenses ata meron cya, she doesnt use it at all and was just stacked in her cabinet. .
Ei... this can be a good start... why don't you check out first what she has... if she's gonna lend or even give you those lenses, it would be a great headstart...

I was even going to suggest sana that if you're not in that hurry to get a DSLR, why don't you give yourself a try with film and use the camera that goes with the lenses. But of course, this is a forum for digital photography... baka ma-ban ako dito... hehehehe.