Please help...

daydreambeliever

daydreambeliever

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I am in the process of choosing a camera courtesy of my other half for Christmas but the market is mind boggling. Having done some extensive research online I seem to be going round in circles, can anyone recommend a good decent camera for a beginner within my price range which is ideally around £300 but I'm willing to stretch to £400? And if I do this it has to be through Argos due to a credit option!:|

So...at the moment I am very much a beginner and photography is simply a hobbie of mine, I enjoy editing pictures as well as experimenting in general. I only have a very basic 7.2 megapixel camera at the moment, as you can imagine it's frustrating. I am currently on a waiting list to do my NC in Photography at my local College next year as I am very passionate about photography and obviously look forward to developing my knowledge and skills. However, this seems to be what's causing the trouble as I don't know whether I should go for a DSLR or stick to something more basic with my course in mind?:thinking:

I have looked at the following cameras so far with the first two being firm faves:
Pentax KM 10MP Digital SLR
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 / DMC-FZ38
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX1
Nikon Coolpix P90
Nikon D3000

Any help would be very much appreciated!:shrug: Thanks:thumbs:
 
A DSLR is a good start. Might I suggest you go for something second hand to push the budget even further? If your getting it on credit, have you throught about getting a 0% credit card, else you will be forced to buy new at argos/jessops/jacobs etc.
 
aligibbs said:
A DSLR is a good start. Might I suggest you go for something second hand to push the budget even further? If your getting it on credit, have you throught about getting a 0% credit card, else you will be forced to buy new at argos/jessops/jacobs etc.
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Yes, I thought a DSLR is the best way to go with my course in mind. And I have suggested the second hand option but wouldn't have a clue where to start there. Credit card is also an option as well! Any recommendations welcome!

Oh, and welcome to the forums
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Thank you for the warm welcome!:)
 
Jessops are currently doing 0% Finance,

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=183160

Buying another compact camera is unlikely to satisfy you, cameras like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Are essentially Big compact cameras, they have a large zoom but will offer no more image quality than any other compact camera, although they do tend to have manual controls.
But the controls on these cameras are quite limiting as effects such as Selective focus (blurred backgrounds) can generally only be achieved using DSLR Cameras.

As had already been suggested, buying a second hand camera would be the ideal situation. But the Nikon D3000 is within your Price Range new from Jessops with the Kit lens http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Digital%20SLRs/products/Nikon/D3000%20with%2018-55mm%20Lens-76461/Show.html The only issue with this is, the D3000 can only autofocus with AF-S lenses

A Canon 450D can be had for around 400 second hand with kit lens. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANON-EOS-450D-DIGITAL-SLR-CAMERA-18-55mm-EXC-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ150393100343QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item2304209837

Sony A200 Kit Can be had for around 300 second hand,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-A200-Alpha-DSLR-10-2-mp-18-70mm-lens-included_W0QQitemZ220517766786QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item3357e21682

I would be very tempted by the Sony.
 
Just note that its an extra £25-£35 to get credit from Jessops/Jacobs etc "application fee". Then if you don't pay the full amount at the end of the time, they sting you with high interest rates.
 
Thmaga said:
Jessops are currently doing 0% Finance,

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=183160

Buying another compact camera is unlikely to satisfy you, cameras like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Are essentially Big compact cameras, they have a large zoom but will offer no more image quality than any other compact camera, although they do tend to have manual controls.
But the controls on these cameras are quite limiting as effects such as Selective focus (blurred backgrounds) can generally only be achieved using DSLR Cameras.

As had already been suggested, buying a second hand camera would be the ideal situation. But the Nikon D3000 is within your Price Range new from Jessops with the Kit lens http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Digital%20SLRs/products/Nikon/D3000%20with%2018-55mm%20Lens-76461/Show.html The only issue with this is, the D3000 can only autofocus with AF-S lenses

A Canon 450D can be had for around 400 second hand with kit lens. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANON-EOS-450D-DIGITAL-SLR-CAMERA-18-55mm-EXC-CONDITION_W0QQitemZ150393100343QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item2304209837

Sony A200 Kit Can be had for around 300 second hand,

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-A200-Alpha-DSLR-10-2-mp-18-70mm-lens-included_W0QQitemZ220517766786QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item3357e21682

I would be very tempted by the Sony.
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Thanks a lot, the Sony is very tempting and I had already looked at the Canon which was my dream option but outside the price range, I'll follow up on these links, take it the Sony is decent?

My only worry with second hand is no breakdown cover, I have no idea how long a camera should last with some good old TLC?
 
Nobody can really answer that question, and it also depends on the camera that you buy. If you buy a good condition camera, for example 20/30D, I would expect it to last 100,000 total exposures. So I guess it also depends on how many pictures you take !!
 
aligibbs said:
I would expect it to last 100,000 total exposures. So I guess it also depends on how many pictures you take !!
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Ouch:lol: I'm in for an expensive ride then...just joking. I wouldn't say I would reach that milestone in too much of a hurry...

Thanks, I've learned loads already in one thread, didn't think of the ebay option either.
 
I would personally look through the For Sale on this Forum, going Ebay can be dodgy, you dont always get what you see in the pics, and the sellers on here are generally better that the Ebay ones.

2nd hand Canon 20D or 30D would be within your budget, and are a good first buy.

Just my 2pence worth.



Dave.
 
I bought a 40D for my daughter in the for Sale forum here and it was a lot less stressful than buying through ebay. It's a shame that the rules don't allow you to post in the Wanted section until you have established yourself on here.

If you are thinking about continuing with your photography studies then Canon or Nikon would be a better bet in the long run as it's easier to upgrade. Not that there is anything wrong with the Sony
 
kickstart said:
It's a shame that the rules don't allow you to post in the Wanted section until you have established yourself on here.
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Hi there, yeah I just looked into that option, it is unfortunate. I think I may have stumbled across a wee bargain in this listing on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sony-Alpha-A2...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN?hash=item1c0d8dcdb7

I have to admit I've yet to come across any problems on ebay and at least the above comes with a years warranty. Think it may be ideal. Just out of interest when you say it would be easier to upgrade...in what sense? Sorry as you can tell I'm a tad uneducated in this area.:bonk:

Also, how did your daughter find the 40d as there are some good deals going on ebay there as well?
 
i use the sony a350 and find it to be a good capable dslr, the only thing that bugs me is that i cant hire any sony fit lenses, so if i wanted to try before i buy or needed an extra lens for a job, i cant do it. other than that, its spot on :thumbs:
 
Hi again,

Had a scan thro the classifieds...I would take care before using fleabay! Although there is a lot of good gear sold on there there is also some tat. I would agree with others on this thread that you would benefit greatly from a DSLR but don't be too concerned about going s/h. My previous thread is one example, but scan thro the classifieds on here or you could put an ad in the wanted section [not sure about how long you have to be on here/forum rules on this.
I would see if you can buy something on here, often cheaper than fleabay and in my experience much more reliable. I have not had a bad experience.

Cheers,

Dunc
 
You could go on forever looking but the Nikon D3000 looks like an ideal solution
 
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