Should I buy body only but what lens

DayDreamer

DayDreamer

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I have previously posted about my quest to buy a camera. My budget, thanks to a small (yes small) lottery win, is £400 but without was at a maximum £250. I ain't got a lot of cash :'(

So shortlisted down to Canon 1100D or Nikon D3100. The latter better with LCD size, video quality and feel in the hand. The Canon, I am told by shop salesman (bull**** it could be I know) and confirmed by DPreview tests, has better low light IQ.

I am coming from having owned big zoom bridge cameras and part of me is still pulled towards the latest version of a past camera (Canon SX10) I broke as its replacement SX30 seems to have significant improvements.

So now thinking if I went for DLSR Canon or Nikon should I buy body only and lens separate.

Eeeeeek, Eeeeeek and Eeeeeek again as to what lens should I then be considering? Usually I take landscapes, street scenes (the architecture) and inside places like churches. So I use wide and telephoto.

So advice will be good and what is the least I would now need to spend? On the lens.
 
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DayDreamer said:
So now thinking if I went for DLSR Canon or Nikon should I buy body only and lens separate.

Eeeeeek, Eeeeeek and Eeeeeek again as to what lens should I then be considering? Usually I take landscapes, street scenes (the architecture) and inside places like churches. So I use wide and telephoto.

So advice will be good and what is the least I would now need to spend? On the lens.
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Hi

Not sure if you are aware of this site, but it's a good referrrance point for prices

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat5.html

If you have no SLR lenses, then it would make sense to buy the body and kit lens - on the Canon, the 18-55IS is a good lens (not the best by any means, but for price is good).

Sticking on the Canon theme, the 50mm F1.8 is a cracker and can be had for about £75-80 presently - could be an alternative to the kit lens (although you wouldn't have the wide angle or a zoom with this option).

For a telephoto lens, the 55-250IS is an absolute belter, esp for the price and can be got for around £150 - £170 (the mark I, the very recent mark II is around £230).

Obviously these are for new prices and would stretch your budget initially, but you don't have to buy other lenses straight away, you could get the body / kit lens and save some for the 55-250 etc

Hope this is of help...
 
I believe this is the point where a canon/nikon owner tells them they'll die a painful fiery death if they even think of not buying a canon/nikon...
 
I believe this is the point where a canon/nikon owner tells them they'll die a painful fiery death if they even think of not buying a canon/nikon
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Quite the contrary, If I were buying a first DSLR the Pentax K-r would be my number one choice

Use this code TD-PGPY at Tesco Direct for an extra £20 off the price http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.211-9231.aspx
 
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DayDreamer said:
The latter better ... feel in the hand.
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That would sell it for me, after all, you're the one that'll be holding it, and using it, you want it to feel as nice as possible.

As for what lens, it'll depend what your wanting to take photos of, but as it's your first DSLR, the kit lens is a good one to start with :)
 
Thanks all so much for the most informative replies.

Just to thoroughly confuse myself I was looking at Four Thirds cameras this afternoon and very impressed with the bright Panasonic G2 viewfinder. The camera felt good to hold but I haven't even started looking at this range of Four Thirds - eeeeek!!!!!! I had thought none had a viewfinder so had dismissed them at the outset.

But between Canon 1100D and Nikon D3100 the latter felt much better in the hand. But no batteries in the DSLRs so couldn't try them and see through their viewfinders.

I was still partially looking at replacing my broken Canon SX20 bridge camera but after trying the SX30 felt it was a bad move.

Again thanks:clap::clap:
 
Panasonic are doing an excellent deal until the end of October, copy of Lightroom 3 and 50 quid cashback on many of their cameras
 
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