Help choosing a DSLR

kat180390

kat180390

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Kathryn
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Hi,

I am now looking at buying a proper DSLR, I currently have a Fuji Finepix S1800 but I am pretty limited to what I want to do. I love macro and can take some OK pictures on the Fuji I have now but I want something a little more special!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which DSLR is best for a beginner with a good macro? I will be looking at macro lenses too so if anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

I will use the camera for mainly macro and landscape shots and I don't have a budget as I can save up for a while!

Thanks in advance!
 
Any of the mid range DSLRs from canon, nikon, pentax or sony would be fine. Pick them all up and play with them and see which suits. As for macro lenses then the sigma 105mm macro is quite a favourite. There's also the tamron 90mm. Canon do a few good ones. Just depends on how long you want to save for really :)

Landscape shots will be fine with whatever kit lens comes with the camera as they generally tend to be 18-55 or thereabouts so reasonably wide.
 
As above. All the DSLRs are good, and it's really just a case of choosing the one you like. Canon and Nikon have more lenses and accessories - OEM and third party - which might, or might not, be important to you.

Macro photography is about the lens, not the camera. For still life, the shorter ones are fine; for insects etc, the longer 90 - 105mm ones let you keep a bit more distance between you and the subjects. This can help if they're "nervous", or if you're nervous because they sting/bite!

You can also use extension tubes with the standard lens. These come in budget versions, with no AF or exposure control linkage, and more expensive types with these features; but it's still cheaper than buying a macro lens, to be going on with anyway.
 
As Suz has said, you should try before your buy/decide. The different makes feel different in the hand. Some makes will feel more comfortable than others.

I come up to Manchester fairly often, so can recommend going in to Calumet in the city and try out a few starter DSLRs in the hand. I wouldnt go at the weekend though as it can be a bit busy. If you go midweek it's quieter and you can take your time and talk at leisure with the guys in there.
 
Nikon D90 body only, opens up a much wider range of lenses such as the excellent Cosina 100mm f3.5 Macro which is cheap as chips secondhand.
 
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