Budget DSLR for beginner?

Davyboy

Davyboy

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I was asked by a friend what the best DSLR to get for around £350 for her daughter who's just starting out in photography, including lens. I know with that budget she would be pushing it a bit, any ideas anyone please?
 
Take a look here to check for prices:
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html
You should be able to pick up entry level Canon, Nikon or Sony for £350 including kit zoom. A Pentax might cost a bit more. Don't rule out second hand though. Many people just *have* to have the latest models and sell perfectly good cameras for much less than they were new.
 
Used does generally offer better value when your looking to start on the cheap.

The main choice is I'd say how you balance spending on the body vs the lens.

How many megapixels does she want? if she's thinking of making larger prints then something like the 500D might be worth it

Does She want video? The 450D is the oldest model that still has video recording.

What does she want from the lens? the Canon 18-55 IS is more thsn sharp enough for older models but its range and appature are limated plus it makes a polarizer hard to use.
 
As with the others, get the young lady into a store to handle as many goods as possible (Jessops? for the latest models) Of those that feel right, see if they have the older bodies in and make a note of the ones that do feel right.

If you have a local used camera store, they will be the next place. Pop in and mention which bodies felt good, see what they have to hold of the older models.

As its likely to be a crop, see whether they have a deal with kit lens and/or a 30/35mm prime lens.


Remember you need a memory card or two - batteries should be ok initially and a built in flash on the body would be sufficient for now.


Probably entry model although I prefer a little better if you can afford it.

As I'm nikon, I'd say a d70 d80 or d90 used, d200 if you have a good bargain.
nikon 35mm f1.8 (new in jessops is 170 - so used around 100?) or 50mm f1.8 new around 100ukp so used around 75?

Canon, perhaps a 20d or 30d? not sure of prices. The 450d or 500d for a newer camera?
 
I've suggested to her that she would almost certainly be better off buying my 20D body which is in mint condition and not many actuations on it, and buying a decent second hand lens. I didn't push it though as she might have thought I was just trying to off load it onto her, and to be honest I don't really want to part with it. I know £350 isn't much but I'll take the advice on here and put some options to her, thanks a lot for your help folks.
 
Maybe even go for a 350D and a couple of lenses i still have mine and it still takes a nice picture and is uber cheap second hand
 
I and my sons have grown up on bothe Nikon and Canon. I have Canon right now but my seventeen year old has the D3100 Nikon, believe me, it is way better than the lower Canon, remember the lens is the more important part.
 
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