Suggestions for a first DSLR

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stevie_b

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Steve
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Oh no, not another "What camera shall I buy?" thread! :) I'm afraid it is.

I've been thinking about getting a DSLR for a while now. I've currently got a Canon Powershot A620 compact camera, and an Olympus OM30 35mm SLR lurking in a cupboard somewhere that I've had for many years.

What I loved about the OM30 was the relative simplicity of it whilst still allowing you to compose shots exactly how you want, leaving the photographer in control. I only owned a single 50mm lens for the OM30 so maybe I missed out on a big part of what using an SLR offers, but I found that lens did me nicely.

The A620 is a good "snaps" camera but things like a slow response to pressing the shutter, and a menu-driven way of setting shutter speed/aperture means that it doesn't quite satisfy me when I want to get more creative.

My budget is approx £500 tops, less if possible. The cameras I'm currently thinking about are:
Canon 1000D, 450D, 500D, 550D (not sure if all of these are still available)
Nikon 5000

Any thoughts on the pros/cons of these? Are there any others you think I should consider? Regarding make, I lean towards Canon or Nikon mainly because a lot of serious photographers have their kit, and they've both been in the DSLR game for a long time now. Olympus with their Four Thirds system is interesting, but I wouldn't want to be stuck with a system that doesn't last the distance (the Betamax of photography).

I'm certainly not against buying 2nd hand. My OM30 was 2nd hand from a camera shop and I've always been very pleased with it. Are there any particular places recommended to buy a 2nd hand camera from, or is it mainly eBay etc?

I don't intend to buy loads of kit for the camera. I'll start with a sensible all-rounder lens and see how the hobby progresses. My main interests are architecture and macro photography.

Sorry for the rambling post. Any views/advice is welcome.
 
Hi, I always say I am no expert but I would suggest a Canon 40D it is what I have and you can pick them up around £350/£400 used, on this forum I have seen a few offered at good prices, that would probably be body only so £350 body leaves £150 for a start lens of course then you get hooked and start looking at tripod (a must IMO)not a cheap one they don't last long, a cable release maybe for the macro side of things and the list goes on but it's worth it.
Merry Christmas
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I think you've covered most of what you want in your original post, and most of the real requirements comes down to how it feels in the hand.

Of course you may well get all of the bodies etc as mentioned on here in the classifieds but it is well worth a trip out to get a Nikon and a Canon in your hands. They both certainly have a different feel to them.
 
Not a single DSLR on the market feels like an Olympus OM, even the biggest viewfinder on a DSLR is smaller than the OM's, and EVERY DSLR is larger. (although usually lighter as they're usually plastic!).

I think you're looking at brand for all the wrong reasons there, best off getting in a shop and havin ga feel of the budget models, see what fits you best, they all offer prtty much the same image wise, but for features you get a LOT more for your money by avoiding Canon and Nikon.

On that budget you could get an Oly E30 which is a great camera, with a nice big viewfinder, get a split prism focus screen put in and an OM lens adapter and you'll be on your way to a great vinatge SLR experience but with digital output.
 
500D is a great camera. I use one at moment and I am very happy with the results. would have to be a 7D if I was upgrading from this. Buying second hand is fine. Use the classifieds here as they have a good reputation and you get quality well looked after items, whereas eBay is a bit more of a lottery
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. Another feature I'd really like is an articulating LCD screen: my compact has one and it's proven very useful on several occasions.

Recently I've been thinking about a compact system camera (because they're a bit smaller), but I'm suspicious that it would be a bad compromise. A visit to Jessops may be in order...
 
I can't speak from personal experience, but I too am thinking about a DSLR, so have been reading lots of reviews.

Another one that seems well liked is the Pentax K-r

Dave
 
I bought Digital Camera magazine the other day and it reviews 5 entry level cameras - they came out in this order:

1st - Nikon D3100
2nd - Pentax K-X
3rd - Olympus E-450
4th - Canon 1000D
5th - Sony A290

Their verdict was that the Nikon was "Clearly the best entry level camera on the market" although apparently the Pentax "Punches well above it's weight"...

To be honest I think it is quite difficult to buy a really carp DSLR these days and a lot of it comes downto personal preference. The second hand market for Nikon / Canon are bigger and that was a big factor for me when I chose my Nikon D60. My other reasons were more specific though - I've got tiny hands so the Sony's were too big etc. The best thing to do is get to a camera shop and handle a few different options.

Second hand wise - I can heartily recommend MPB.
 
I'll also suggest the Canon 500D. I have had the 40D (Too Heavy for me) 450D - great camera and a Nikon D5000 -not great for me!

The 500D is nice and light with a great sensor, Digic 4 processor, high res rear screen, it's light and very easy to use.

Don't forget that the secret to great photography isn't so much the camera but mainly the lens and you! I have seen some stunning images from outfits that are way under £1000.
 
Not normally my place to recommend or advise on cameras . . . however, you have touched a few points that I have experience with . . .

The Nikon D3100 is said to be the dogs swingers in the entry level race, as I am a 'died in the wool' Nikon man, thats my 'biased' recommendation . . .

You like the idea of an animated screen . . . I had a D5000 for 6 months, I liked the idea of a 'flippy floppy screen' . . . A super camera from the image quality point of view, but the 'f/f screen' was made redundant 'for me' by its sloooow focus and the hinge position is wrong for hand held shots, requiring the camera to be held away from the body!

Which brings me onto the Panasonic 4/3 G2, (I have the G1). I love it, small light, animated screen hinged correctly to the left side, and focusing accurately at a reasonable speed, however, still not fast enough for spots photography, so they tell me? Great picture quality, its my 'car glove box camera'! The down side . . . an 'electronic view finder', you either love em or hate em, the the G1/2 has the best available:thumbs: I use the f/f screen so much, EVF is not an issue . . . :thinking: . . . it works well enough for me any way :thumbs:

Lenses are limited, although they do do a macro as well as an excellent general purpose walk about and 3 reasonably priced (?) longer lenses. And of course there is the wide range of 'Heritage lenses' made possible with simple adaptors.

Give the Panasonic a look . . . I am fortunate, I have a full DSLR as well, if I were restricted to just one body, I would have to scratch the head and think hard, but I think the D3100 would win out by a short head, just on system flexibility. If I was told, the Panasonic was the only camera I could use, I would not be so disapointed, it has a lot going for it, for me all the advantages of a DSLR with the practicality of an A620 snapper (my partner uses an A640 :lol:) . . . :thumbs:

CJS
 
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