£300-500 camera suggestions

Harvey_nikon

Harvey_nikon

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hi all,

I've been asked by a friend to look for a DSLR camera for her boyfriend. I've not kept up to date with cameras for the last 3-4 years and only really bothered with nikon.

Budget is £300-500.

No preference over make.
No previous equipment.
Supposedly has an eye for photography but has never owned a DSLR before.

Mainly shoots dogs and motorbikes but other general use. So fast moving subjects and from varying distances.

Any suggestions on camera body + lens?
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Thanks
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I've had the 750d and d5300 suggested but they seem to be over the £500 top end or are so close there's no room beyond the kit lens.

I also came across the Pentax k-50 with a 18-55mm and 50-200mm WR DAL Lenses for £489. Seems to have decent reviews and the reach of the 200mm would be nice for him.


I've not really bothered since buying my D700 6 years ago so I am out of the game really.

Any recommended online stores or places to avoid?
 
Tandle Hill said:
Second hand all the way. As long as it's been looked after.
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Always best, cameras are very reliable pieces of equipment.

Given that the OP's friend shoots dogs and motorbikes. Maybe something like a d7000 + a sigma 50-150 f2.8. Possible get that for around £500. Will be much, much better than a slow 200mm zoom.
 
Big hands/small hands? If they have big hands then forget Nikon APS-C - the 3200/5500 feels like it's made for a small child.
 
ancient_mariner said:
Big hands/small hands? If they have big hands then forget Nikon APS-C - the 3200/5500 feels like it's made for a small child.
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I've never been a believer in this idea. I've got relatively large hands, and am very happy with my little olympus em5. And the d500 aps-c is certainly no small camera.
 
if it was for me or a general purchase I would also recommend second hand, i'm looking at a second had D700 to accompany the first as a backup, however, it's a birthday present and she wants a new one for him.

I will check out the D7000 option :)
 
Rapscallion said:
I've never been a believer in this idea. I've got relatively large hands, and am very happy with my little olympus em5. And the d500 aps-c is certainly no small camera.
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I'm happy to use an Oly E-M10. I tried a bunch of cameras in late 2013 including the D3200, and it felt horrid and cramped. My brother has a D5500 that he bought at Christmas, and although having most controls through the rear screen makes it much easier to use, it's still cramped and with a dark and obscure viewfinder when using a zoom lens.
 
Don't forget the Nikon D90. A terrific camera that makes brilliant photographs.
One on here recently for £155 with a very low shutter count. Absolute bargain.
 
Buying new that Pentax deal looks very tempting, I think if I were ever to go back to DSLRs I would be looking at Pentax as I like their way of thinking - proper innovators.

Buying used then the world is your oyster with that budget really, I think the Nikon D7000 is a great used bargain as the sensor is very nice (a good improvement over the D90), it has lots of features and can be picked up super cheap with a kit lens (Nikon kit lenses are very good). Then something like the Tamron 70-300 VC @ £200 from MPB and you have a cracking set up.
 
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