Complete noobie looking for some recomendations. I Decided! Ooh the Suspense...

tiddy

tiddy

Suspended / Banned
Messages
15
Name
Dave
Edit My Images
No
Hi all, I have been interested in photography for some time now. My 1st Camera was a Pentax SLR which was given too me some years ago by my brother. I traded this in for a compact Fuji Digital approx 10 years ago! That was then given to my Mother and for the last 2 years we have a Casio EX-70 compact.

I now would like to get back into and take a more serious approach to Photography with a Digital SLR. I am looking for a good entry level Camera and I am thinking of going down the lines of a Nikon D40x. I've seen this reviewed on 'The Gadget Show' and was impressed and having read further reviews, I still am Impressed. Which now brings me here to ask you guys if I am looking at the right choice? Or can you recommend something else I sould be considering.

Here is my Flickr. You can get an idea of my level and the sort of things that I photograph & what I'm trying to improve on.

Thanks in advance & I look forward to your replies

Regards Tiddy
 
I think there's an issue with some lenses not auto focusing with the D40, the D40 is a good csmera but if you can afford it a D80 would be a better option.
 
Can I sugest you go to your local camera shop and try a couple of different camera's. The key to it is how does it feel to you? do you feel comfortable holding it? is it the right size for your hands etc?
 
RobbieW said:
Can I sugest you go to your local camera shop and try a couple of different camera's. The key to it is how does it feel to you? do you feel comfortable holding it? is it the right size for your hands etc?
Click to expand...

:plusone:

And steep is correct, only certain lenses (AF-S is the designation for these types) will autofocus with the Nikon models D40, D40x and D60. There are actually a lot of AF-S lenses out there, but no smaller primes that I'm aware of (maybe sigma?).

But Robbie has a good point. Try it out before you buy. Make sure it fits you.
 
RobbieW said:
Can I sugest you go to your local camera shop and try a couple of different camera's. The key to it is how does it feel to you? do you feel comfortable holding it? is it the right size for your hands etc?
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I was planning to do Robbie, I just need some model recommendations so I can make a list, check out the prices and go to Devon Camera Centre to check them out, then decide with the help from you guys & hunt down the best deals. Cheers anyway
 
tiddy said:
That's exactly what I was planning to do Robbie, I just need some model recommendations so I can make a list, check out the prices and go to Devon Camera Centre to check them out, then decide with the help from you guys & hunt down the best deals. Cheers anyway
Click to expand...

Canon 350D, 400D and 450D are canon's offerings v nikon's D40 D50 D40x and D60.

As stated, these bodies will only work with the latest nikon lens range due to the fact that the body does not contain a focusing motor, that is built into the lens, so although you can use Nikon's older range of lenses, you won't be able to autofocus, just manual focus.

Personally if I was going for a nikon, the D80 would be my choice because it will work with the older lenses.

Canon bodies will work with all EF lenses, but the 5D and 1D series camera's will not work with the EF-S lenses as these are build specifically for the smaller sensor camera's.

Would stick with Nikon or Canon, but have a look at the pentax K10, 100...., Sony A100.....offerings, not sure about Olympus 3/4 system and very limited on lenses available (can be expensive).

Peter
 
tiddy said:
Thanks Peter. I never knew about the issues with the lens compatability. Cheers
Click to expand...

It's not really an issue and Nikon are continuing to bring out a host of new lenses, but it is abit of a limitation for the beginner camera's. What you have to look at is the system as a whole and the other lenses and accessories that will be available to you. Thats why most people recommend Nikon or Canon because they hold the larger market share. As you said, go to the camera shop, try them all out and see which one you like, you've done some research already, but its you who'll be forking over the cash and using the camera, so pick which ever one you fell comfortable using.

My example of a few years back, wanted 350D read up all about it, finally decided to go and have a look, got to the shop and tried it, but it felt too small and controls were too closed together, just didn't feel right, so opted for the 20D instead, little bit extra cash but felt comfortable to hold and haven't looked back, it was and still is a good camera.

Nowadays it's more difficult because there's so much choice, back then there was the 20D and 350D and Nikon's D70s.

Peter
 
There is a work in progress on the subject here which is aimed at just this sort of question. Plenty more to do but it would be interesting to see if you think it is going in the right direction or if there are things that should be added etc. just post to the thread in tutorials.
 
Refurbed Canon 400d from Canon Outlet on Ebay around £280 with standard kit lens and 12 month warrenty.

Sony A200 with kit lens £270ish.

Nikon D60 with kit lens around £340ish after money back.

All similar cameras. But don't rule out the Olympus E410/420 or E510/520.
 
Hi again, I've had a look at the Canon 400d. Looks and feels a really nice camera but then reading some further reviews, there seems to be alot of negative comments made about the lens. Is this true? Is it that bad or are people just being nit picky? If it is true, is it best just to get the body & another lens? But, which one? Or is the 18-55mm that you get in the kit actully good?

What combo would you go for?

Sorry for all the Q's, I just wanna make sure I get the right thing.

Thanks in advance.

Tiddy
 
Buy the one you feel most comfortable with.

All DSLR can take good pictures. You make them great.

If you are out using the camera all day it's important the "feel" in your hands is comfortable and all switches/buttons fall easily to hand.

Reviews are fine but it is always one persons opinion and thats why there can be differences.
 
tiddy said:
Hi again, I've had a look at the Canon 400d. Looks and feels a really nice camera but then reading some further reviews, there seems to be alot of negative comments made about the lens. Is this true? Is it that bad or are people just being nit picky? If it is true, is it best just to get the body & another lens? But, which one? Or is the 18-55mm that you get in the kit actully good?

What combo would you go for?

Sorry for all the Q's, I just wanna make sure I get the right thing.

Thanks in advance.

Tiddy
Click to expand...

If you are looking at the budget Canon DSLR's, I recommend the 450D over the 400D.
The reasons are: The kit lens is the EF-S18-50mm IS (I believe the 400D's isn't IS?).
It also gets better reviews than the one supplied with 400D (400D kit lens tends to be critisied for producing softer pictures).
12mp over 10mp (although from what I have read, this isn't a major advantage).
Liveview (if you need it), the screen is also bigger so better for reviewing your pics.
Automatic sensor cleaning.

Too be honest, even if you decided to just by the body and seperate lenses, the 450D would be a better option in my oppinion.
These were the reasons I chose the 45OD over the 400D.
Just my tuppence worth if it's any help to you.

I'm not 100% sure but I believe the Canon £50 cashback offer is still vailid until the beginning of September so you can save yourself £50 :D
 
tiddy said:
Thanks Hashcake, a good tuppence worth. Great reply.

See....I don't know these things.

Cheers mate
Click to expand...

Your welcome :)
Other more knowlegable people will be able to pick up on any points I am not correct about.
 
hashcake said:
Your welcome :)
Other more knowlegable people will be able to pick up on any points I am not correct about.
Click to expand...

Only the sensor cleaning - the 400D has that too. Another benefit of the 450D is spot metering (live view and spot metering were my reasons for 50D upgrade from 400D to 450D!! :D)
 
Canon 450d, Nice camera but, it's just too much money.

I gotta stick to £300-£350. Quite liking the suggestion made by Outlaw. The Canon 400d from the Canon Outlet store.

I don't mind second hand or refurb. But, I like the thought of a Nikon!

Right narrowed things down. I think it will be a Nikon or Canon.
 
The 400D is ace, especially when you put a good lens on the front. The N-eye-kon fans will say the same about D40x too. Try and have a play with each, and see which one you find it easier to use and prefer and then get the credit card out!! :)
 
This is all good advice Dave. At the end of the day, it's you that has to live with the choice! Took me three months to decide, and finally went with the 40D (and, as Stuart points out in his sig, that's over 2 million pixels less than the 450D. Don't know how i'm gonna cope....;)) The handling, specs & feel will change depending on the camera - for me, 40D won hands down.
(And the IS lens with the 450D is an added bonus IMHO)

Get your wish list together, set your budget and hit the shops! :)
 
Tommo B said:
This is all good advice Dave. At the end of the day, it's you that has to live with the choice! Took me three months to decide, and finally went with the 40D (and, as Stuart points out in his sig, that's over 2 million pixels less than the 450D. Don't know how i'm gonna cope....;)) The handling, specs & feel will change depending on the camera - for me, 40D won hands down.
(And the IS lens with the 450D is an added bonus IMHO)

Get your wish list together, set your budget and hit the shops! :)
Click to expand...

I knew somebody would bite eventually!!! :lol::lol:
 
Thanks Tommo, I like your reply. Hey I'm open minded (Like the Missus;)) but at the end of the day I've set a budget, a couple of years ago I'd of just bought the most expensive. I'm a bit wiser these days & getting the most out of the budget is the main aim! Cheers
 
Hi Tiddy, take your time and dont make any impulse decisions. Your budget of £350ish could soon turn into £500ish with a little more saving and open up the choices even more to you. If a 40D or D80 feels better than the 400D or D40, then save for the camera that suits you, better to be satisfied than to 'make do'
 
I've just been down a similar route myself having chosen bought my first DSLR this very week. I aquired a Nikon 35mm SLR a few years back but in recent years it got very little use compared to my digital compact.

As a previous Nikon customer I went into our local camera shop with every intension of coming out again with a new Nikon - despite finding out that my old lenses would be next to useless on the only two Nikon models I could afford!

However, on handling them, the D40 and D60 models just seemed tiny and somehow didn't feel right in my hands. In the end I settled for a new Sony A200 (which is a larger camera) and part ex'd the old 35mm and lenses to the shop.

I've only had the A200 a few days but so far so good. It too can use older cheaper s/h lenses - in fact I snapped up a 70-210mm today on fleabay for £18! IMHO not being able to use older AF lenses on the entrly level Nikons is bit of a disadvantage especially if funds are tight.

Anyway good luck with your choice.
 
theres always the Nikon D50 if you want to keep price down and use non AFS glass.

But as others have said, S/H D80 would probably be your best route
 
But as others have said, S/H D80 would probably be your best route
Click to expand...

Good advice that, if you go Nikon.
 
tiddy said:
Right! I've narrowed it down to 3...It will be either the Canon Eos D400 or Nikon D60 or the Nikon D40x.

Of those 3 AND those 3 only, Which would you go for?
Click to expand...
What do you want to shoot? If you're into aircraft, birds or wildlife, then Canon offers you a wider range of telephoto lenses. If you're into indoor photography, Nikon's flash system is arguably easier to control.
 
well its really 2 you've narrowed it down to, as the D60 is a D40x but a year newer

Go for the NIKON, why??? because im biased
 
I think the d40 will be perfect for you, don't think that just cos the d60 has more megapixels you'll get a sharper image, thats all in your hands!

theres always going to be a 'better' camera, the d40 is the one id choose
 
just a quick add i started a thred on here about the nikon 18-55 kit lens and every body agreed its a cracker of a lens for the money nikon you cant go wrong but then again i'm biased:nikon: havnt held the d60 i have a d50 not to small at all dont worry in a years time you'll be looking for a new one:lol::lol: good luck make sure you get a good deal :woot:
 
ryank said:
I think the d40 will be perfect for you, don't think that just cos the d60 has more megapixels you'll get a sharper image, thats all in your hands!

theres always going to be a 'better' camera, the d40 is the one id choose
Click to expand...

Do you mean the d40x? I didn't want the 6.1mp D40. My casio's got more than that and i like blowing up pics to at least A4 size, so bit dubious of the D40.

Thanks anyway
 
I own a Canon.....so i'd get the 400D. :lol:

No, i'm kidding, serious input time. The only Nikon i've held is the D40, and I got bored after about 30 seconds.

From what i've experienced from my 400D, owning it just under 18 months, it was a very nice camera to use, nice to hold, light-weight but yet felt solid. Took some great photos with it (in my opinion, obviously) and it'll take any lens Canon makes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top