Upgrade to DSLR

Dean Wil

Dean Wil

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Im planning on upgrading to a DSLR from my bridge camera pretty soon, but im not going to break the bank, only going for basics at the moment.

Im looking at getting either a Nikon D3000 or a Cannon EOS 1000D.

Im looking for the opinions of fellow photographers here, im looking to photograph mostly wildlife.

People who have used both of these cameras in the past would be good, if you could give me your opinions, otherwise just let me know what you think, and why!

Also, lets try and keep the old Canon is better than Nikon just because (or vice versa) argument out of this thread if we can, im looking for which is the better camera, not which manufacturer people support.

Thanks!
 
I'd suggest perhaps get an older nikon/canon than a brand new entry level? I expect you can get a Nikon D80 or Canon 40D with a lens for the same price as a D3000 or 1000D. In my humble opinion, slightly dated pro-sumer body > extreme budget modern D-SLR.

That's just me however!

EDIT: For example, look at all the kit being sold here, bargains!
 
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Boopop said:
I'd suggest perhaps get an older nikon/canon than a brand new entry level? I expect you can get a Nikon D80 or Canon 40D with a lens for the same price as a D3000 or 1000D. In my humble opinion, slightly dated pro-sumer body > extreme budget modern D-SLR.

That's just me however!

EDIT: For example, look at all the kit being sold here, bargains!
Click to expand...

Your suggestion has been taken into account, paying less for a camera i could get a better lens.
 
If you're into wildlife then you should definately go Canon. Canon do a very good 55-250mm lens, the nearest Nikon equivalent is only 200mm at the long end, which is rather too short for stalking anything smaller than an elephant or a rhino.
 
There is very little difference between entry level Canon and Nikons so either is good!

Do you have any lenses or are you starting from scratch, if so, what budget? I did have the D40 which the D3000 replaced and it was a fine camera, and see no reason why the d3000 should be any different.

Regarding new basic model or older 'more pro' model... A D80 used would be between £250 and £300, a D3000 New would be around £330. So £50 is not going to go far on lenses. New, you get a mint camera with warranty etc... The older d80 may be better to hold (only you can tell, it is a bigger camera), same resolution but personally, I would go for the D3000, as I do prefer to buy new if I can and for me, I see no reason to go for a D80, A D90 though used at around £500 would be a good buy! A good Nikon lens for wildlife would be the 70-300VR and that would be £300 second hand.
 
Quotes from Digital Camera Review:

"The D3000 may not have all the latest bells and whistles feature-wise, but what it does it does extremely well. If you can live without live view and movie modes it's the perfect beginner's camera".

"The D3000, like the D60, has a more screen-driven GUI. Canon's EOS 1000D features a significantly more button-driven interface, which may appeal more to traditionalists."

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1000d/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3000/

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5000/


Pays yer money etc . . . I'm trying no to be biased, but if you have the extra cash a D5000 will knock spots of most up to this level and a few above as well . . . :thumbs: Its basically a D90 in sheep's clothing, with a few adjustments and tweaks here and there that seem to me not to detract from its performance in any way, even adding I might say? A D5000 is a D90 where it matters:shrug: IMHO

CJS
 
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My 2p is, I've had a few bodies (ooo eerr) they've all produced good shots, it's all about the glass, a D3000 with a 70-200mm VR will produce a better picture than a D700 with a £40 lens on it.
 
wack61 said:
My 2p is, I've had a few bodies (ooo eerr) they've all produced good shots, it's all about the glass, a D3000 with a 70-200mm VR will produce a better picture than a D700 with a £40 lens on it.
Click to expand...

Sensible comment, and true, I personal leave the 'glass advise' to them that know best . . . I have recently back tracked to carrying one lens on the body and thats it. My selection would not do to well as a wild life lens but as a general purpose and street lens its the business :shrug: IMHO

Bodies at this entry level are all very capable, but, there is the odd one or two stand head and shoulders above the rest, one I had omitted to mention, is the new
Pentax K-x, very able piece of kit it would seem? See here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxkx/page3.asp

CJS
 
I think im going to go with the D3000, simply with gut instinct. I like the look of the body, i like the sound of the camera.

Lets price the body at £300, lets say my budgets £400, maybe a bit over. Whats the best lens i could get, im looking for not bad zoom, and good image quality.
 
Boopop said:
I'd suggest perhaps get an older nikon/canon than a brand new entry level? I expect you can get a Nikon D80 or Canon 40D with a lens for the same price as a D3000 or 1000D. In my humble opinion, slightly dated pro-sumer body > extreme budget modern D-SLR.

That's just me however!

EDIT: For example, look at all the kit being sold here, bargains!
Click to expand...

I agree ! While I'm a Canon man, I can't beleive there's really that much difference between the Nikon and Canon offerings that this level.

If you do opt for a new body, do still look at second hand lens options (hundreds of listings in the back of Amateur Photographer, plus of course on this site)
 
Dean Wil said:
Im planning on upgrading to a DSLR from my bridge camera pretty soon, but im not going to break the bank, only going for basics at the moment.

Im looking at getting either a Nikon D3000 or a Cannon EOS 1000D.

Im looking for the opinions of fellow photographers here, im looking to photograph mostly wildlife.

People who have used both of these cameras in the past would be good, if you could give me your opinions, otherwise just let me know what you think, and why!

Also, lets try and keep the old Canon is better than Nikon just because (or vice versa) argument out of this thread if we can, im looking for which is the better camera, not which manufacturer people support.



Thanks!
Click to expand...

The problem with opinions is they are personal. However what someone like about a camera someone else will hate.

This only works if you go into the shops and try them all, don't forget tehre are more than just Nikon and Canon.

All of them are perfectly capable of taking good photos, you however make them great.

So whether new or secondhand:

Buy the camera that fits your needs and wants with a system to follow up with on lenses, flash etc.
 
How it feels in your hands will have a major impact on how much you use/enjoy the camera. Go and handle a few or even rent/borrow a couple to try out.
 
dan d said:
How it feels in your hands will have a major impact on how much you use/enjoy the camera. Go and handle a few or even rent/borrow a couple to try out.
Click to expand...

true. I went into Jessops the other day and handled the 1000D, Sony a330 and D3000. Out of the 3, the D3000 was the nicest and had a really nice user interface. The Sony had the best features and slickness. And personally I hated the 1000D, it felt really poorly made :thumbsdown: but that's just me
 
Hi.
Do you have any equipment for your bridge camera that you may be able to use with your DSLR? If so it may be more cost effective to stay with that brand rather than build up a complete new system.
When I upgraded from digital point and shoot around six years ago I had a budget of around £650. I really did want a Nikon, Canon or Pentax but after trying various models in my local camera stores and doing a lot of research of reviews and forums I opted for the Olympus E500 followed by an E520 and then to my current E620 each complete with two lenses.
Get your hands on as many different cameras as you possibly can. Read as many reviews as you can find on them. Then work out exactly what you want from your camera as all have strengths and weaknesses. The Olympus Four Thirds system for instance is praised for the very high quality kit lenses but often criticised for being noisy at high ISO settings. I knew this before I bought into the system and I have never regretted my choice. Everyone has their opinions on which is best and everyone likes to think their kit is the best. Take your time, do the research and make your own choice;)
 
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