What dslr should I buy.

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hydra

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Apart from saying hello, this is my 1st post so please go gentle :nuts:

My OH asked if I'd like a decent camera for my birthday? WOULD I?????

I love photography but this will be the first dslr that I'll own. I know a little about the subject. (Years ago I did work for a photographer and film production company and have had photo's I've taken on semi automatics used professionally)

So I've looked at a few reviews and went to a couple of shops - the Nikon D80, then the Canon D400. The guy in one Camera shop said get the Olympus E510 and another website said the Pentax xxx was 5*. I feel :bonk:

So please, can you give some advice? OH will spend £500 - £600, but if I can get something decent for less then all the more towards the next holiday - we're not rich! I'm not into Sport's, but more nature, landscapes and capturing the places I travel too.
 
Personally I would sway towards a Canon or Nikon body as it will open up more opportunities for buying decent used lenses and/or kit sharing on outings with other togs. There's nothing particularly wrong with Pentax or Olympus equipment but if you are more serious it's prob better to stick with the big two. Not going to open up the Canon/Nikon debate but I made my decision for good reasons.
 
Welcome :thumbs:
Personally I would stick to Canon, (Nikon if you must :p :D)
The 400D is resonabley priced within your budget leaving some change for a reasonable lens addition, if you want.
The 40D is a good up grade from the 400D but will be right at the top end, price wise maybe a few quid more.
The 450D I think is due out shortly and is supposed to be a good compromise between the two, but I know nothing of this.
I can only speak from experiance of the 400D, and the 40D There are a lot of people here that use them and produce excellent results.
 
Iv recently bought the Nikon D80 and being new to dslr's, was very impressed with how easy it was to use. But have a play with afew again in the shop.
 
When you come to buying a new lens, you will be MUCH more likely to find someone on here selling Canon or Nikon gear. Something to think about.
 
You'll also find far more people who have used, and can give you advice on Canon and Nikons, they're popular for a reason (well, Canons are ;) )

Go into a shop and pick the things up, see what feels good.
 
I'm looking for my first DSLR also, been to Jessops and handled a Nikon D40x and a Canon 400D, also tried a Nikon D80 which was a mistake as I really liked the feel of that, but my budget is £400 so can't afford a new one :bang:
There is a new Nikon D60 and Canon 450D due for release anytime soon so I'm saving hard in the hope I may be able to afford a D60 in the next month or find a secondhand D80 at the right price or buy a D80 from Jessops with their buy now pay next year scheme :shrug:
The Canon 400D looked a nice camera just felt smaller and not quite so comfortable as the Nikon in my hands.

Darren
 
Don't forget the Pentax / Samsung range, damn fine camera's and stock lenses for the money !! Samsung GX10 or Pentax K10D for around £400 with lenses !!
 
I would agree with the sentiment of go down to your local camera store and pick up a few different bodies to see how they fit, it the camera is comfortable in your hand then you will take better pictures with it, regardless of Canon or Nikon.

Something like a Canon 400D or even the new 450D with a kit lens would be a good start. Since I am a Canon shooter I don't know too much about Nikon. Either way though, either of the low range Canon/Nikon/Olympus models will be fine for what you are looking for.
 
Some good pointers here, although you may feel you've been recommended everything !

Canon & Nikon will have a bigger range of 'add-ons' (including 3rd party) lenses/flash/remote triggers/grips, etc. etc. and if you intend to get any of these then stick with the big two.

If however, you don't intend to get many add-ins, some of the other makes offer fantastic value for money and i would think all dslrs offer great quality within their respective price ranges.

But, when you've narrowed it down on paper go and try them out, the one that feels right is the one for you.
 
What ever you choose should feel comfortable in your hand. Go to Jessops or the like and try them all. Nikon and Canon have the biggest range of lenses and accessories. Consider second hand as well as you may get a bargain...... The main point is hold it first!

David.
 
I'm starting out in DSLR after my bridge camera fz20.
I went for the second user option of D50 having internal focus motor and more focus points that its replacements.
I really wanted a D80 but money dictated otherwise.
especially with 5 kids.
I hope to get more accustomed to the D50 over the year and possibly well hope to go upto a D300 with saving and price falls as it gets older.
If you can afford what you want go for it.
However the desire for lenses will certainly bite hard.
Mine came with 18-50 and 55-200.
I want the Sigma 10-20 as my only landscape Len's.
You list nature and I'm afraid if its more the wildlife then as with motor sport and aircraft the big lenses are needed, unless its large beasties your after.
The Insects would need macro Len's.
So the slippery slope beckons.
All the best
Welcome aboard
 
Thank you for all your comments. I'll be spending some time looking around and having a feel of each one as you suggest.

I know I WILL want lenses and add ons.
 
Don't discount a Canon such as a s/h 350D because if the small size though. I bought one as my first dslr in preference to a Nikon (which felt better) because it was £200 from a friend virtually unused. The size would have put me off a new one but after trying a friends with the battery grip, I bought one of these in New York, and haven't looked back (due in part to the extra strain placed on my neck from the battery grip).

The extra room for your pinkie and the extra weight to help steady the camera, along with the "3 year to a single charge" battery life and the added bonus of the extra controls on the end of the grip (I actually take shots in portrait now !) transform an already excellent (albeit small) camera.
 
Nikon D80 all the way. It was my first camera. You'll become addicted to it. Then you'll want to buy nice glass and more toys and.....and.....and.
Just do it.
 
Canon 400D :clap:, just bought this as my first DSLR and its fantastic. I dont have big hands and the size of this camera is spot on. The potential of this great entry level camera will really surprise you and as everyone has said, the lenses and bits and bobs all fit. I cant speak for any other camera but I love this one. Buy whatever you think feels right because its you after all who will have to live with it.:thumbs:
 
the D60 doesn't have an auto focus motor in the body
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No camera should have an autofocus motor in the body. The whole idea is just horrid, nikon don't really still do that do they????

I'm pretty sure my Mamiya works that way and i've always thought it was a large reason why it's unusably bad.
 
Cobra said:
Welcome :thumbs:
Personally I would stick to Canon, (Nikon if you must :p :D)
The 400D is resonabley priced within your budget leaving some change for a reasonable lens addition, if you want.
The 40D is a good up grade from the 400D but will be right at the top end, price wise maybe a few quid more.
The 450D I think is due out shortly and is supposed to be a good compromise between the two, but I know nothing of this.
I can only speak from experiance of the 400D, and the 40D There are a lot of people here that use them and produce excellent results.
Click to expand...

I agree I have reccomended a Canon 400D to friends and family who have got the camera bug and they are really happy with it
I,m not familiar with Nikons but the 350D and 400D take amazing pictures.
 
Just my input here... I've just bought myself a used (obviously) 20D. I went for this as its a metal body as opposed to the 350/400D's. This was because i'm a mechanic and throw things around quite often! I'm really enjoying using the camera, the only problem i';m having is i can't stop buying stuff to go with it! Things that never crossed my mind that all add up! So, my advice would be go S/H and save some cash for add-ons!
 
john-oh said:
Some good pointers here, although you may feel you've been recommended everything !

Canon & Nikon will have a bigger range of 'add-ons' (including 3rd party) lenses/flash/remote triggers/grips, etc. etc. and if you intend to get any of these then stick with the big two.

If however, you don't intend to get many add-ins, some of the other makes offer fantastic value for money and i would think all dslrs offer great quality within their respective price ranges.

But, when you've narrowed it down on paper go and try them out, the one that feels right is the one for you.
Click to expand...
This ought to be a 'sticky'. Very sensible advice.
 
Spent some time looking today and really liked the feel of the Canon 40D. Although it's a 'better' camera than I need right now I'm wondering if they can be found s/h and if so, what would I need to look out for?

I liked the 400D better when it had the grip attached as it had more weight.
 
Get a s/h 350D instead. Nothing about the 400D that makes it better tbh. Forget the sensor cleaning business, just buy a Giottos blower. Buy a BG-E3 grip with the money you save.
 
go canon or ull be branded for life with the brand "nikon" and be an outcast for ever... but seriously canon 400D is brill its the dogs danglies
 
If it was my choice, i'd be looking at a Canon 30D Kit, with the 18-55. They can be had for £500 new, leaving a bit of change for cards and a case.

from there you can upgrade lenses as and when you need to.
 
Fancy a D50 with 3 batteries(2 generic),remote,hand strap, sigma 18-125mm,Nikon 50mm 1.8 ? £395 Plus p&P? All lenses will Auto focus unlike D40/x

Let me know
 
Chickadee said:
Fancy a D50 with 3 batteries(2 generic),remote,hand strap, sigma 18-125mm,Nikon 50mm 1.8 ? £395 Plus p&P? All lenses will Auto focus unlike D40/x

Let me know
Click to expand...

Will do a bit of research and have a look into it. Can you pm me some usage details?
 
Hi Hydra - welcome aboard!

Seriously, the best advice you've been given in the thread is from those saying "buy the camera that feels right, and disregard the make". Although the ease of obtaining lenses etc is a factor, it's becoming less of a factor now as buying online is so easy. The key thing is that the body feels comfortable, the buttons are where your fingers expect to find them, and the whole thing feels like it belongs in YOUR hand.

You mention having tried and liked the 40D - if that's the sort of line you decide to pursue then I'd shop around for a S/H 30D if I were you. Do some research on the balance of buying the camera "body only" rather than with the kit lens - the kit lenses can be picked up for next to nothing on eBay these days - and it might be cheaper bought that way than with a body.

Whatever you choose, enjoy it!
 
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