Buying my first DSLR - Help needed!

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Bip104

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First post! :D

I'm about to take the plunge and buy my first DSLR. I've got a point-and-shoot at the moment but last week I booked a fairly impulsive 2-week inter railing trip around Europe for the start of July and, despite money being a bit tight, I'd love to get my hands on a cheap DSLR for it.

I've found an Olympus E400 for sale fairly locally at a great price (the same price as I'm selling my point and shoot) with 3 lenses... Seems like it would be a great way to ease myself in to the world of DSLRs for next to nothing and if I feel the need I can always upgrade in a year or so.

Problem is, the camera has an issue. I'm hoping someone here can help identify the issue and help me gauge the seriousness of it and if it's still worth buying. Apparently, when using auto-focus the camera zooms slightly then blurs, but the pictures come out fine. Manual focus is (supposedly, will check before buying) working fine so this isn't that big a concern for me. The other problem though is a circle which appears in the view-finder and causes blurring around the edges of the circle. Apparently the severity of it changes depending on the lens being used... Any idea what could be causing this, if it's a warning sign to steer clear and if it may be fixable?

As I said, for the price it really is a no-brainer, so long as the issue doesn't effect it's use dramatically and manual focus is working fine. :bonk:
 
Personally I've no clue what could be causing the fault you are describing but I'd be steering clear if it were me.

Especially since you can get used E-400's including lenses from ebay for < £200. I've no idea what you say is a bargain but I'd be very wary of the old adage buy cheap, buy twice. It's incredibly true for photography.
 
My budget is genuinely as little as possible... I'm selling my point and shoot for around £130 and the E400 is £135. I could stretch to £180 at a push but the less I spend, the better. Money won't be tight once I've returned from this trip but until then I'm counting the pennies!

Fair point gadgeteer and it is noted. I'm just finding it difficult to pull myself away from such a deal and as I see it even if I got this trip out of it then decided to make another purchase it wouldn't be a major loss. What would be a major loss is if I were to make the purchase and it be a complete flop, so if I can't identify the issue I'll definitely steer clear.

Is there any particular camera you guys would suggest in my price range? Obviously I'll be going second hand and age isn't a concern at all, as I'll likely be upgrading within 6-months or so.
 
You're just asking for trouble with this purchase.
 
What happens if you buy it and take it with you on this once in a lifetime trip and it fails (either the shots come out badly or just stops working). You won't have any shots to remember it by and wish you'd have forked out just that little bit more for one with no reported issues.

As above, buy cheap, buy twice (or in this case, buy twice with no way of getting those missed shots back).
 
What about this one instead on eBay?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Olympus-E...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item1e7b699556

OK, it's more and you don't get 3 lenses but then it's fully working too.

The problem with the one you are considering is that it already has a fault which sounds pretty damn serious. Even if it's not, when it's time to come sell it, it will be very hard.

And then as above, what happens if it breaks whilst you are away?
 
Good points, well made. Mind thoroughly changed!

I'll get hunting around for another option and post back when I get my hands on something. Thanks for the advice everyone :)
 
I would also add a few thoughts on the e400.

One is that Olympus 4 thirds is a dead system. Olympus have pretty much given up on dSLRs and are instead making compact system cameras using the Micro 4 Thirds mount. It's never been a very popular system and you will find getting lens and accessories tricky. L

Two, the grip on the e400 is tiny and I didn't find it a comfortable camera to handle.

I would look for something a little more mainstream, you should be able to get some reasonable Nikon or Canon cameras in budget with a basic 18-55 lens.
 
KC Leblanc said:
I would look for something a little more mainstream, you should be able to get some reasonable Nikon or Canon cameras in budget with a basic 18-55 lens.
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I agree, there are many older Canon or Nikon models around your price range and at least then you can have a wide choice of lenses later on.
 
Have a look at "The Photographer's Bag" - put it in 'google' and you will easily get some nice kit and within budget.
 
You can pick up a Canon 20D plus 18-55mm kit lens for around £120-£150 tops and you could do a lot worse. Yes it's an old DSLR, but a well made model which IMO can still produce stunning images.
 
happygolucky said:
You can pick up a Canon 20D plus 18-55mm kit lens for around £120-£150 tops and you could do a lot worse. Yes it's an old DSLR, but a well made model which IMO can still produce stunning images.
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Agree. Had one last year and it was a great camera. Struggles with high ISO but every thing else is great.
 
I would echo the idea of something like a second hand 20D, I have had mine from new and still use it a lot. MPB Photographic deal in second hand Nikon and Canon and I have got some cracking lenses from them (I am not associated just happy with their service).
 
I'd recommend going to a high street shop which deals in used equipment such as London Camera Exchange, staff will be happy to discuss your wants and needs as well as the all important being able to see and handle prospective purchases because a most important part of photography is to be at ease with the camera you are using.

LCE offer a six month warranty with used goods, much better than a potential pig in a poke from that auction site. Not everything on it is bad, just brought a lawnmower on it. an old one which can be rebuilt with spanners and screwdrivers

As above, if your budget is tight, an older DSLR is the best route. On another forum, one poster gave his old camera to his daughter, who promptly went out and got some good shots, so he posted one.

One point is that in general, each manufacturer of camera bodies and lenses employs different mountings. The only way you'd be able to mount a Nikon lens on a Canon body, for example is by an adapter and you'd be restricted to manual focus only
 
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I'd agree with the suggestion to peruse what good dealers can offer by way of used kit. My D90 was a lightly used purchase from MPB, whilst my TC14 came used from Grays of Westminster, an exceptionally good company to do business with. Wex also now offer used equipment; all will offer a guarantee with used goods, typically six months, so you're genuinely protected against anything untoward.

And, of course, there are the classifieds right here, which yielded my 10-20mm f/4-5.6 at a highly agreeable price.
 
Id personally recommend a Nikon D40 with a kit lens, its a great camera to learn on and I know many people who used it as their first DSLR and got great images with it. You should be able to pick one up with the kit lens for about £150 give or take.
Its also worth looking at dealers who sell second hand equipment instead of eBay, a lot of the time people will list items as mint condition with no information such as how long theyve owned it or the shutter count, of course you can ask questions but its much easier to either buy from someone on here or a site such as MPB or Ffordes who know what theyre talking about and you have some sort of comeback should you need it.
 
Have a look on http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/ as they have some good cheap dslr's and a good selection of cheap lenses. I'm sure you'd get a camera and lens for your budget on there and IIRC all their sales come with a 3 month warranty (maybe more or less depending on purchase). I've bought a couple of used lenses from them and I couldn't tell them from a new one. Also a couple of friends have bought cameras and lens kits from them and they were in excellent condition.
 
Shameless plug for mine in the classifieds, £165 :)
 
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