My DSLR dilemma

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GEH007

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Im new to the forum and would be very grateful of your advice.

Bit of a story so hope you dont mind.

Quite a few years ago i was into my SLR photography. Very much enjoyed it but my results were mixed. And being film based it wasnt cheap getting it wrong! In the end I gave up and went compact.

Scroll forward to digital photography. Had a cracking Sony W7 compact for a few years now and ive really enjoyed it, still takes some nice shots.

A few months ago I had a yearning to get into photography a bit more seriously again. I decided that I would buy a bridge camera, see how I got on for 6-12 months and if the bug was definitely there, Id go for a DSLR.

I bought the Fuji S8000 a couple of months ago. And I love it. To have all that flexibility in one unit is great and it takes some really good shots. However, I'm already bitten and craving the DSLR route I think. The S8000 wouldnt go to waste though, still great for certain situations and my son would use it also.

I've been looking around, doing a lot of reading and research and the following is where I am at the moment options wise.

1) Stick with the original plan, dont rush, use the S8000 for the next 6 months and then take the plunge, there will always be good deals around the corner.

2) Take advantage of the Amazon Sony A200 offer at the moment. Looks superb for the money and lots of features and Im aware of the Minolta backwards lens compatibility which is great.

3) Go for a more "established" DSLR brand, such as a Nikon D40 but I realise the technology is a bit older than the Sony.

4) Push the boat out and go for a Nikon D90 with a VR lens.

Its not a question of money as such although I dont throw the stuff around for the sake of it. If I want the D90 I can do it.

Can I canvass some opinion from those who know far more than I. Am I mad to be thinking this way already? Should I go for a good offer now or if Im going to do it is pushing the boat out the way to go?

Many thanks for any guidance.
 
Are you mad, i don't know you so can't answer that one.
If you want a DSLR with the added versatility then get one, just be aware the spending won't stop there.
With regard to brands don't fixate on one. Go to shops and see which feels most comfortable to use to narrow down your options and then your questions here can be more specific.
 
Thanks.

I've done a little of that and decided that if I do it, to buy into either ther Nikon or Sony systems.

I tried a Canon and wasnt keen on the handling for me, the Olypus was decent but I believe the 4/3 technology is getting left behind so Im fairly sure its either Sony or Nikon if I do it.

Type of photography is literally anything, family, portrait, landscape, some sports and so on.
 
There's a real tendancy to get embroiled in brands, thinking that one is better than another. Of course, Nikon and Canon do seem (on paper) to offer the widest ranges of bodies, lenses and accessories but read any of the mags and talk to folk on ehre and there will be equal amounts of them who will happily recommend the 'other' brands like Sony, Pentax and Olympus.

I bought my own DSLR back in January ater using my works kit for eight years (Canon EOS stuff). I went with Nikon because of a gut feeling – it still feels right – but I'd not go out of my way to try and convince newcomers into the Nikon brand just because it suits me. The handling on the Nikons is great because of the bigger body compared to the Olympus/Canon/Sony alternatives.

The big thing for me is lenses. The body does play a big part but it's the lenses that do a lot of the work. All the brands offer some truly fantastic lenses.

From the options you've outlined I'd be temped to go as new as you can afford and get the D90. However, this leaves you skinto and without options to get further lenses from the strat. If you went witht he Sony (or another 'budget' body) then that means you ahve more funds to play with to get a lens or two, or even an add-on flash. As you say, with the Sony you have the option of buying Minolta lenses, which could save you a few quid if you buy off ebay or from a good used dealer like Ffordes of Midsuds.

Definitely take advantage of the current economic climate in the shops to physically test the cameras and haggle as hard as you can to get a good deal. Have you thought about a Fuji S5 Pro? £420 in the shops now and a truly fantastic camera, plus you have the benefit of Nikon build quality and Nikon lenses/accessories.

You have done the hard work in (nearly) convincing yourself you want/need a DSLR. The quality of digital SLRs is so good these days that even if you amke a bad choice (which I doubt you'll do), you'll still walk away with a good camera.
 
I've just realised that the D90 also shoots HD video which means I could do away with my Mini DV video camera too.

Hmm, the plot thickens.
 
GEH007 said:
I've just realised that the D90 also shoots HD video which means I could do away with my Mini DV video camera too.

Hmm, the plot thickens.
Click to expand...

Do a search here and elsewhere. I believe the DV quality is not too great.

If you want video use your mini DV.
 
Do you need all the features of the D90 ? Is there something the slightly cheaper cameras wont do that you'll need (e.g. high fps rate etc).

Could you live with a D60 or say 450D canon (freeing up cash for lenses a bit later).
Even a secondhand 40D or Nikon D50/D80 etc?
 
Take a look at the Samsung GX series. I have the GX-10. The mount is the pentax K mount meantin that you can buy loads of the old pentax 35mm lenses and they are compatible.

Samsung DSLR's are pentax rebranded, and I have to say, I love mine. And I love the backwards compatibility of the lenses.
 
Dear Dierdre,

The more I look into all this, the more confused I become.

Is this natural?
 
Like you I too was confused, went in and bought a very well know brand of DSLR and two months later traded it in for my Sony a200. It offers me all that I want and the spec is just great. The image stability is built into the body so I dont have to look forward to buying expensive IS/VR lens later on. I found the Sony much easier to use and understand, but thats just my personal feelings. Go and get what you feel happy with and good luck on your new venture:clap:
 
Reading your posts it appears to me that you're fixating on the camera. Don't IMO it's a mistake; instead look at the lenses and then get the camera that goes with them.
For example, I made the choice of my second camera, (after my first mistake,) by looking at the lenses I could afford. I want a long lens and can't afford the £*** needed, so I looked at 2nd hand narrowed down to 2 brands, guess which 2 :D and then tried them in Jessops before buying.
The camera body will give you bells and whistles which make life easier but fundamentally they expose and open the shutter, the lens does the more important bit by bending the light onto the sensor and you do the most important bit by choosing the shot.

just my 2p
Kev
 
Try this...


House--->Jessops--->try all different cameras--->house---->TP---->tell us which cameras felt best--->usual Canon/Nikon war---> Amazon (or other online seller)---> Buy Sony (or whatever you decide is best)

:)
 
Another to throw into the pot for comment.

Jessops are doing the Nikon D80 with 18-55 VR lens plus Tamron 55-200 lens for 499 all in.

A good deal?
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Try this...


House--->Jessops--->try all different cameras--->house---->TP---->tell us which cameras felt best--->usual Canon/Nikon war---> Amazon (or other online seller)---> Buy Sony (or whatever you decide is best)

:)
Click to expand...

or realise that on SLRs there is b****r all difference in pricebetween jessops and online, save the hassle of waiting for delivery etc and any problems should it be faulty and buy it there and then :p
 
GEH007 said:
Another to throw into the pot for comment.

Jessops are doing the Nikon D80 with 18-55 VR lens plus Tamron 55-200 lens for 499 all in.

A good deal?
Click to expand...


Sorry, make that 479 I can do it for. Is that as good as it seems? What is the Tamron Lens like?
 
GEH007 said:
Another to throw into the pot for comment.

Jessops are doing the Nikon D80 with 18-55 VR lens plus Tamron 55-200 lens for 499 all in.

A good deal?
Click to expand...

yea the D80 is a solid camera, very good and the deal is good. The Tamron isn't brilliant, but ok. I was so close to getting one but found a good deal on a second hand Canon 40D in the end
 
Well I think Ive discounted the D40, dont see the point against the A200 for the same money.

Likewise, I think the D90 is a little extravagant for me and upon looking further the video function isnt really worth a major tick in the box.

So I think Im at the A200 or the D80 deal, I can get into the A200 quite a bit cheaper even getting a longer zoom, perhaps second hand, but the D80 looks good despite being an older model.

Hmmm
 
Kev said:
Reading your posts it appears to me that you're fixating on the camera. Don't IMO it's a mistake; instead look at the lenses and then get the camera that goes with them.
Click to expand...
I agree.

Some people will tell you to go and handle cameras to see which one feels right in your hand. I'm not so sure about this, because in 2 years time you might well be thinking of upgrading and the next camera in the range might feel very different. (Example ... buying a Canon 400D and then upgrading to a 40D ... one suits small hands and one suits large hands.) But handling them to see whether the controls and menus seem intuitive and ergnomic to you is definitely worth doing, because those sorts of things tend to persist throughout a range. And it can be subjective; personally I find Canon's controls much more logical than Nikon's but many - I think a majority - disagree.

Whilst there's generally not much to choose between the consumer-grade DSLRs from all the major manufacturers, there can be sgnificant differences in the system capabilities. And that matters because, when you buy into a system, it can be inconvenient and expensive to switch brands.

Just looking at the two market leaders (because I know them best), I would recommend Canon if your main interest is outdoorsy things a long way away (wildlife, birds, aircraft, etc) because they offer a more expensive range of affordable telephoto lenses. On the other hand if your interest main interest is indoorsy things then Nikon might be a better bet because their flash system is better.
 
A little progress....

Spent an hour in Jessops today. Primarily to look at the A200 and D60/80.

The A200 felt much nicer in the hand and easier to use, the Nikon a better, crisper viewfinder.

Then my eye was drawn. What's this I asked?

Ah, that's a Canon 40d came the reply, great camera.

Wow!!

Build quality was incredible, made the other look like toys. A fabulous piece of kit and wonderful to use from my limited play.

So, my dilemma is now slightly different.

Its an A200 or have a blow out for a 40d.

2 questions if you would please.

1) Is the 40d too "much" for a first time dslr owner or are they easy to get to grips with ok. Would an A200 be much easier to learn and grow with?

2) The Nikon D90 seems to have more toys but the build quality was no where near. As I'd be doing this for the long haul, I feel build quality should take preference over more "toys". Is the 40d still a great buy or is it nearing the end of its life and I should be looking elsewhere?

I'm kind of hooked by the feel of the 40d, it was an amazing piece of kit, so so well built, lovely in the hand, great balance and bloody fast! I'm hooked, he says in a rather expensive voice!
 
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