Newbie needs help!

[collins82002]

Hello everyone,
I know that you have heard this question loads of times but i need some help. I am new to photography and want to take it up as a hobby, Which is the best camera to buy for a beginner? I have a budget of £200-£300. Any suggestions would be a help as im pulling my hair out.

 

[thehitmen]

Canon 350D

One of the best camera's i have ever had

 

[Brooksy]

I started with a Sony A300, was a great learning camera. TBH I only went Nikon because I got a great camera pretty cheap.

 

[wontolla]

Canon 350D

One of the best camera's i have ever had

Yep, fully agree! Seee the 350d thread HERE

 

[collins82002]

Thankyou for some of your feed back i will have a shop around for the best prices

 

[George7]

Can't beat a Sony A200 in that price range!

The 350D I heard was good but it's getting on a bit now!

 

[collins82002]

Had a quick look around and the 350d is a bit out my price range but have seen this Sony A230 18-55mm lens kit £299. Is this a decent camera and price?

 

[collins82002]

Still looking any ideas? remember i only got £200-£300 budget

Thanks all

 

[petersmart]

I must say that if you can wait and keep checking on here for a good second hand one the 350D is a GREAT camera for a beginner!

I had mine for over 4 years before I felt the need to upgrade.

 

[collins82002]

I have just found this on ebay any comments? this is the item no: 170417848116

 

[Nikon Dave]

Nikon d40x is your friend

 

[Duffman]

I have just started photography as a hobby to and i got the Nikon d3000 with kit lens but is £400 from Jessops and if you get before February you can get £30 cash back from Nikon, but it has a guide mode which i find really helpful

 

[lawrenceots]

Nikon D50 or D70s. Great quality, inbuilt AF motor and can be had for a bargain.

 

[George7]

The A230 is ok by the way. It would be better than the 350D at least. That camera's really getting on a bit now. I'm not saying it's a bad camera, just outdated. I also like to buy new stuff

 

[Squawk]

I got a canon 400D refurb off the canon reseller on ebay for 275. It was faulty on landing, but fully covered by warranty and now repaired at no cost to me.

It's essentially brand new, not a mark on it and had 1000 or so shutter actuations when I got it, and as I say covered by the year long warranty.

 

[Andrew.P]

I was in the same position last year, I ended up buying a D40 for £225 from PC world. I am still well impressed with that price. I only brought it to take nice photos of the kids but ended up trying lots of other things with it.

I considered second hand and I think from a good dealer or source its a good way to get started, also from what I can gather you will spend more on lens and have then longer then a body as well.
Thats another reason why I am glad I brought a Nikon as all the accessories wont need to be replacing when I upgrade the body.

That said I very nearly went for the cannon and would still buy one now.

Happy Hunting

 

[xil3]

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=185375 <-- this might be of interest to you

It would be a good starter kit that falls within your budget, assuming it hasn't been sold already.