starting a fresh

bloater · 20 Oct 2013

I had a 20d sold it whilst out of work and have slowly built up the funds to start over again now I'm back in work and was looking at a 70d which I planned to buy in the next couple of months.
All was going to plan until I was given notice of redundancy, at least the wife is now working.
Now I have several events where I really want to have a decent camera for including a city break, several trampoline competitions and some firework displays. When the summer comes back around I will be taking a few cycling photos and video wouldn't go amiss.
So with the looming redundancy I don't want to shell out the cost of the 70d.
So with a budget of £400 what dslr would you recommend? Ideally Cannon or Nikon and I'd need a lens for normal use but am happy to hire lenses when required.
More than happy to look at used.

Ivan S · 20 Oct 2013

I'd look at a second hand D7000

tijuana taxi · 20 Oct 2013

Canon 550D, great little camera and can be got for an excellent price s/hand now

Lens wise I would opt for a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 with or without VC depending how steady your hold is

Joeturner11 · 20 Oct 2013

Used Nikon D300 Body is a good Pro body for a cheap price used

cambsno · 20 Oct 2013

Joeturner11 said:
Used Nikon D300 Body is a good Pro body for a cheap price used

This. £350 or less I believe, bargain price IMO.

Joeturner11 · 20 Oct 2013

cambsno said:
This. £350 or less I believe, bargain price IMO.

+1

tijuana taxi · 21 Oct 2013

Used Nikon D300 Body is a good Pro body for a cheap price used

OP did say video wouldn't go amiss

macs · 21 Oct 2013

Secondhand D7000 would have my vote. That's where my money will be going once i've saved up enough to make the switch myself.

bloater · 21 Oct 2013

I've been thinking about it a little more and video really isn't a deal breaker.

dougdarter · 21 Oct 2013

I think that you'd be hard priced to find anything better than an EOS60D for that price, full HD video, articulated screen, and most of the functionality of the 7D.

I have one, and I think it's possibly the best camera I've used. The 550D is very capable too!.

Chriscooke · 23 Oct 2013

Was going to suggest a 60d but you may be hard pushed to get one with a lens within budget. 550d is a good camera as mentioned above also.

modchild · 23 Oct 2013

I started out with a 550D and found it was an excellent buy. With an 18-55 IS and a 55-250 IS pair of lenses you should be able to get what you're wanting to shoot. There's a few 550D's come up for sale in the classifieds at very good prices. As for Nikon I can't help as I've never had one and only ever taken around 15-20 shots on a friends camera.

Alastair · 23 Oct 2013

Used 40D and a used mid-range walkabout lens. The 60D might be better, but as pointed out you'll struggle to get a lens as well within that budget.