Another newbie cry for help and advice

pants

pants

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Apologises for my first post being one of a cry for help. Spent the whole xmas break looking for a camera. Want to take pics of most things to be honest, motorsport, landscape, portraits, moving animals my two loony cats etc... After alot of looking decided that buying second hand and getting a better camera might be a better way forward and was after your thoughts.

Been looking at MPB photography site and was thinking of getting a Canon 20d and a Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM as a starting point before purchasing better and more variety of lenses. One reason for the Canon was the fps was good compared to a £250 new DSLR. Does this sound the right thing to do? Is it worth getting the 30d instead, my budget is circa £500.

If I dont buy one or shut up soon her in doors is going to shoot me think.

Thanks in advance
 
Hi & welcome to TP.

The 20d is a good camera, and the 30d is little different, it has a larger screen on the back and spot metering. The important thing is have you held either to check that you fel comforable with it and it fits your hands?
 
Are you smitten to Canon? I managed to grab a Nikon D200 (3000 shutter count) and 18-70mm for £350 +£100 and for me is a great setup. Lovely metering system, fast camera AF, weather sealed, great erganomics... just a thought.

Sorry, welcome also :wave:
 
That is a very good price for a D200!

The 20D is a good camera, a little dated now but still good - plus you could probably pick a 20D body up for not much more than £200 now which gives a few extra quit to buy lenses. FPS and autofocus wise the 20D and 30D are about the same - both are good.
I would avoid the 28-200mm lens if possible, Canon do a 18-200mm IS which is much better - or you could go for a two lens kit which will provide better quality.
 
I have presumed, maybe incorrectly that they are of a simliar size to the 50d which a friend has, borrowed it for a few hours and get on well with it. Not settled on a Canon and have held a Nikon D90 which I also liked to be honest. Been to a couple of jessops stores which I found to have unhelpful staff maybe my luck, also went to Park last week, ended up with an unhelpful chap there as well, no real luck on the shop front.

Had a look around at D200's could not find one for that price, maybe its just a matter of waiting to see what comes on the second hand market. Would the D200 be a better option or just a different option?

Thanks for the welcome !
 
pants said:
Read that thread earlier :thumbs: Was not sure if the Canon was suited to everything else as well
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I'll let you know on Tuesday :D
 
pants said:
Had a look around at D200's could not find one for that price, maybe its just a matter of waiting to see what comes on the second hand market. Would the D200 be a better option or just a different option?
Click to expand...

The D200 is a much better than a 20D - no doubt in my mind there.
Cheapest I found a used D200 was about £400 which doesn't leave you much budget for the other gubbins you need.
 
RichardtheSane said:
The D200 is a much better than a 20D - no doubt in my mind there.
Cheapest I found a used D200 was about £400 which doesn't leave you much budget for the other gubbins you need.
Click to expand...

Thanks Richard I found one for 399 with 7000 actuations or £425 with 900 actuations but then with the lenses it would leave the budget a bit short as you quite rightly say. Gonna have to have a think, weigh up the pros and cons, got more money just was unsure about spending to much at such an early stage, hence the setting of the £500 limit.

Could get the £399 D200 with 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6D AF Zoom-Nikkor £49 and a 55-200mm f/4-5.6G AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikko for £135, total of £583, sounds okay deal wise to me?
 
What I would say is don't skimp on the lenses - buy one better quality one than two poor quality lenses - otherwise you would not see & feel the benefit of the D200 quality & AF. I don't know what Nikkor lenses are good and what would suit you with a D200 (Should you choose that route) - but something in the 18-70 range will definitly be enough to get you started.
 
Just make sure you understand that you're buying into a manufacturers system. When you buy a body and a couple of lenses and maybe a dedicated flashgun you realise that to change to another system is likely to be expensive, so make sure you understand that. I personally went Nikon but blindly, without understanding that it'd be very difficult to change. I don't want to BTW :lol:
I should stick with either Nikon or Canon simply because of the depth of new and more importantly second hand kit available. There's a lot more Canon stuff out there but you'll have enough 2nd hand to choose from for Nikon as well.

From the Nikon range my recommendation would be to get the 18-70mm as that is plenty good enough and is capable of excellent pictures, good sharpness and contrast and very fast focus. I know your budget is limited but I would then save for the 70-300VR for sports, IMO it can't be beaten for the money.
In terms of camera body a 2nd hand D200 for £400 will be good for several years while you build up better glass, maybe a D80, but I'd go for the D200 if it were my money.

A D200, 18-70 and later, a 70-300, will set you back in total about £750 but will cover all your bases really well.

Don't dismiss Canon though.

regards
Kev
 
Thanks for all the assistance guys, gonna have a think. Already had a play with the Canon, so think I am gonna take a trip to Grays and have a decent play with the Nikon. Its only a short train journey away dont want to spend x amount to discover I have made the wrong decision :eek:
 
Some good points made. I hope I'm not seen as pushing Nikon at you LOL. For me it was the right choice, luckily maybe at the right price too. The ergonomics alone pointed me at the D200, it's big and rugged and with useful features on buttons rather than hidden away in menus. The best advice, as always, is to handle everything and run through menus, change settings etc as you would in the real world to see what works for you. Most relatively modern DSLRs will give you good results. Good luck :thumbs:
 
Dont worry your not pushing the Nikon (well not to much, lol) merely suggesting I try it as well which is a valid point. Will give it ago next w/e, will let you guys know how I get on.
 
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