Another "what should I get" thread....

yoby

yoby

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Hi guys and gals,
Around this time last year I got myself a second hand Canon D300 Digital Rebel with kit lens which I'm chuffed to bits with. Hardly ever use the auto modes for anything, preferring to experiment with various manual settings. The only other lens I got myself was an extremely old 70-300 with the slowest autofocus ever.

Because I'm loving it so much I'm seriouisly thinking of upgrading, but not really sure what to. The Canon layout and controls are easy to use but then again, I've never used a Nikon at all. I reckon I've got around £400 to spend, more than happy with second hand - Especially If there's a lens or two included.....

At the risk of starting a Nikon vs Canon war, would really appreciate any recommendations from you lot so I can start bargain hunting.
 
Well you're not too committed to lenses, so a swap is realistic for you. In all honesty it's down to going along to a dealer and handling the cameras to see which suits you best. There's nothing to choose between the two makes - each has little areas where they're better than the other but overall there's really nothing in it, so handling is the thing to look for. ;)
 
CT said:
Well you're not too committed to lenses, so a swap is realistic for you. ;)
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h'mm i'd agree with that CT ,but with £400 to spend i'd say you're better off sticking with the 300D and spending it on glass ,after all the 300D is a good camera isnt it ?
 
:agree:

If you want a new body go down to your local camera shop and play. Decide which is best for your hands and has the features you want.

However speed of focusing and optical resolution are somethings that D-SLR body wont help you with.
So if you are happy with the body then consider investing in better glass. Adding more features to the camera may/will probably make you happier, but the quality of the image lies in the glass thats on the front.
 
Glass........
An option hitherto un-considered.....

Yes, the body's great, does everything I need it to, and the overall picture quality is more than good enough for my current needs..... I can feel an afternoon of browsing coming on........
 
daftbugga said:
h'mm i'd agree with that CT ,but with £400 to spend i'd say you're better off sticking with the 300D and spending it on glass ,after all the 300D is a good camera isnt it ?
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I'd tend to agree absolutely, but yoby is considering the change anyway, so I'm just pointing out it's a good time for him if he wants to swap horses - if he makes the change later when he's more committed to glass it gets painfully expensive. 400 quid isn't much to start the basis of a new system, so I'd agree with spending the money on glass to see the best results, providing he's happy with his present body for a while.
 
I'd go with new glass too, £400 isn't enough to buy you a decent upgrade from what you have bodywise.
 
Why not opt for a good 'ol 50mm f1.8, probably the cheapest quality upgrade available at around £60
 
I'd also go with the "new glass" option. Changing bodies may give you a small improvement on your existing model but changing glass could give you a significant improvement in IQ.

Changing bodies won't improve your photographs, the one you have is highly acclaimed

simon
 
Another vote for the glass option here. The 300D will be just fine behind a decent lens. 400 quid will get you a 70-200/f4L and a "nifty"
Bingo, you're setup.

Bob
 
Would be fair to say that the 50mm would be a great replcement for the kit lens - Really like the thought of f1.8...... especially at this time of year.

Just to clarify (and I think you've all really helped with focussing my desire to spend some) I was really wondering whether there was a clear benefit in upgrading the body while I have no expensive glass. Appreciate that the Nikon/Canon is really a matter of personal prefererence when it comes down to functionality etc. and can't fault the body at all. It does what it does extremely well but can't help thinking that it's getting on a bit now and must have a limited shelf life. If I spend on glass then I'm tied to Canon, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.Looking on fleabay at used kit at the moment and there are some fairly impressive bundles of D70's plus glass, or a 10 or 20D plus glass, but not too sure what benefit I'd get from say a 20D or 10D over the 300 that I have at the moment..... The more revbiews I read the less clear the differences seem....
 
Yoby

Your clearly unsure which way to jump. Do you spend the cash on some lenses and get locked into Canon No bad thing, or go the Nikon route not bad either.

Why not look at the sort of cameras you would like to own. OK you may not be able to afford them yet, but it will give you some direction.

If after researching you decide, on lets say, a Canon D40. You have an option now of spending the money you have now on some canon lenses, which will stand you in good stead for the future.

If on the other hand you decide it's going to be Nikon, then the best bet may be to simply buy the 50mm f1.8, which will improve IQ over the kit lens, and then save the rest for the Nikon. Lenses tend to hold their value better than cameras, so you could sell the lens without to much of a loss.

As far as benefit of a 10D over the 300. Nice body, but no increase in resolution, but still a good camera, but getting on a bit. Plus you may not know what sort of life it's lead.
20D more recent than the 10D with 8 Mpixels compared to you 6. You will see some improvement, but you will need to look for it.

AJ Purdys are doing trade ins on 20D for 40D's so they may have some good offer on the 20D

Really the best thing to do is go and look at some different cameras. Make up your mind which way you are going and make the decisions then. It's got to be your choice at the end of the day
 
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