Which DSLR and lens to buy for my first DSLR for under £350

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rasmusrok1

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Jonny
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Hi

I am wanting to buy my first DSLR and have been doing a lot of research however there are so many choices. i dont know whether to go down the canon EOS route or the nikon route.

i need a camera lens and bag befor the end of the summer holiday as i am off to china and want to take a lot of shots out there.

i am looking for one for under £350 and am happy buying off ebay or people on this forum.

thanks for your help

Jonny
 
Remember that buying your first DSLR is more than just getting a body, you're buying into a system.
Before making a decision look at the type of lenses available from different manufacturers for different systems and relate that to the type of shooting you expect to do because, as people will tell you, the lens makes a huge difference to the shot.
Also try and think about where your photography might take you and buy smart with future purchases in mind.
Hope that's of some help!
 
Remember that buying your first DSLR is more than just getting a body, you're buying into a system.
Before making a decision look at the type of lenses available from different manufacturers for different systems and relate that to the type of shooting you expect to do because, as people will tell you, the lens makes a huge difference to the shot.
Also try and think about where your photography might take you and buy smart with future purchases in mind.
Hope that's of some help!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice i will probably be doing mostly landscapes and city photos if that helps. AAAAHHHH so much to consider!
 
For me this is a no brainer, the sony alpha a200, a superb camera with plenty of reasonably priced lens for all your needs, have a look at them, you'll not be dissapointed.
 
You will probably get a 400D, 18-55 kit lens and a decent bag for under £300 used. Spend the extra £50 on a shutter release cable and a polarizing filter.

Just my opinion of course!
 
in-body IS
heavier (could be an advantage to it wont wobble:shrug:)
newer technology


if i was you i would probably get an a300 as you get even newer technology, liveview (which i never use), an in built teleconverter, tilting LCD
 
As has already been said your buying into a system that potentially will keep you with that system for many many years to come you want to be able to invest in glass that you will be able to keep as you upgrade your body, personally i would either go with Nikon or Canon as this will give you access to the largest amount of used equipment and give you a wider audience when you want to sell something also . Sticking with Canon or Nikon will also give you access to a lot bigger range of kit both OEM & 3rd Party. Also itsd not all about specs you need to get something that feel right in your hands with a menu / button system that works for you.
 
We just need someone to chime in in favour of Olympus and Pentax and then our OP is right back were he/she started :lol:!

Just to stress what's already been said twice - unless you never plan to upgrade, or add extra lenses, remember that you will be limiting your choice of accessories to those compatible with whichever brand you go with :|.

I started on an Olympus (E420) and (like several others on this forum), quickly realised that there were few decent options for upgrading. So, I put it back in it's box and bought two Nikons, one of which is the utterly brilliant D40 :naughty:.

This camera costs less than 250 quid new (delivered) and has a great 18-55mm kit lens. I'm sure that Canon have a comparable model and those are the two that I'd be looking at, if I were on your budget ;). There are so many high quality photos posted on this forum from these two cameras, that you can easily see the results for yourself.

Of course, if you want a more powerful zoom lens (55mm is not "far enough" to magnify a lot of subjects) then you will need to spend at least a couple of hundered there, too. Hence, the 100GBP that you save on the purchase price, could be spent elsewhere :naughty:.

Good luck with whatever you decide. DSLRs are a funny breed these days - almost every make & model at entry-intermediate level is nearly as good as the next and they can all produce stunning pictures, when used correctly :).
 
Dogfish_magnet said:
Sticking with Canon or Nikon will also give you access to a lot bigger range of kit both OEM & 3rd Party.
Click to expand...
as far as Minolta/Sony fit it's actually not that much bigger (in fact there are more lenses that will AF available for the A200 than for the Nikon D40/D40X/D60). The ones that aren't available are generally niche lenses that only a very minority need & can afford & tbh given time I expect even those to become available.
Also itsd not all about specs you need to get something that feel right in your hands with a menu / button system that works for you.
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I do very much agree with this though.
 
I think i will decide to go for a canon or nikon due to what a few have said about future upgrade prospects as i will definitely be purchasing new glasses as i become more competant with a DSLR. Thanks for the advice guys...

So i have narrowed it down to canon or nikon entry levels so i am guessing its the D40 or better (for nikon) OR canon EOS 350/400d.

These seem like the sensible options. I know both have menus i can happily interaface with as i have ahad a play but NOW WHAT??!?!

Thanks for the advice so far it has been fantastic.

Jonny
 
What I would say in relation to the availability of lenses is that Canon and Nikon absolutely swamp the second-hand market which, so long as you're not overly fussed about always going new, is the best way of getting up a good collection of lenses.

If it helps, I'm using a D40 and have been for the past year though looking to upgrade in a year to a D90 possibly. I made my choice somewhat on impulse. Having played with the cameras extensively in Jessops, I just walked in a week before my holiday and pointed at one and said "that one". Keep thinking and you might end up never choosing. :thumbs:
 
rasmusrok1 said:
I think i will decide to go for a canon or nikon due to what a few have said about future upgrade prospects as i will definitely be purchasing new glasses as i become more competant with a DSLR. Thanks for the advice guys...

So i have narrowed it down to canon or nikon entry levels so i am guessing its the D40 or better (for nikon) OR canon EOS 350/400d.

These seem like the sensible options. I know both have menus i can happily interaface with as i have ahad a play but NOW WHAT??!?!

Thanks for the advice so far it has been fantastic.

Jonny
Click to expand...

Flip a coin :lol:

Or see if a shop will knock off some money off a D40 as its discontinued.

Either camera will wow you like it has me, going form a crappy 7 year old Kodak point and shoot.
 
I'd go for a 2nd hand Canon 400d with a 18-55mm kit lens or a 50mm one, and then get a bag and memory card... That's what I did and I never regretted it... Good luck finding what's right for you! :thumbs:
 
If it helps I've just bought a used Canon 30D, a nifty fifty and a CF card for £335? All as seperate deals on amazon too - imagine the price if they were as a bundle...

Keep checking the classifieds, some real bargains to be had.
 
i have been very tempted toward the 400d it seems like a good entry/intermediate camera and not ridiculously expensive!

Thanks for the help guys...i'll keep looking!
 
pchidell said:
I'd go for a 2nd hand Canon 400d with a 18-55mm kit lens or a 50mm one, and then get a bag and memory card... That's what I did and I never regretted it... Good luck finding what's right for you! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

:agree:

I got a secondhand 400D with the 18-55mm kit lens (have since added to and upgraded) in January and love it. I decided on the Canon as it felt better in my hands, but if you are happy with both then I think you will be happy with either the Nikon or Canon. Both camps have similar lenses available and so you aren't missing out on anything going one way or the other. Going secondhand also leaves more room for other stuff that you will find yourself needing/wanting - memory card, bag, cleaning supplies, etc.
 
I started with a used 30D and 18-55 IS, which you could probably squeeze in your £350 budget. The better build quality and comfort of the bigger 30D was worth it for me.

If you're travelling though, a smaller, lighter (but less robust) 350/450D might be a better trade-off.
 
ye i think i am gonna go for a smaller one as i will be travelling...FIRST TO CHINA. I think i am goint to try an look for a good deal on the 400D on ebay. But i am in no rish to buy as i have to go through my end-of-year exams first!!!!

thanks for the advice guys so much!
 
My advice would be to go for a 400D with 18-55 kit lens, battery grip and 3 batteries, coincedentally thats what I'll have on the For Sale thread later this week once my new 40D arrives. lmao
 
I'm biased as I'm a newbie who has used Sony only. I'd recommend the following setup:

Sony A200 w/ 18-70mm kit lens
Amazon - £259

Lowepro Rezo 160 Shoulder Bag
Amazon - £26

SanDisk CompactFlash 4GB Extreme III x 2
Amazon - £20 x 2

Which would total £325, with a bag and 2 memory cards. The bag has space for your charger, is waterproof and also can take another lens. The 18-70mm kit lens will suit for lots of shots but will be limited for other shots, so I'd echo other peoples recommendation of the Tamron 55-200mm lens. It is an excellent lens for the price, and would give you a lot more range. It seems quite expensive at the moment, but of the last month I've seen a couple of places that had it for £55 + delivery, I've listed a couple but they are all high at the moment, but you could wait for it to come down again. It would put you about £40 over budget, but would give you everything you needed.

Tamron 55-200mm f4.0-5.6 Di II LD Macro Lens
£65
http://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-tamron-lens-55-200mm-f4-0-5-6-di-ii-ld-macro.htm
http://www.collegecameras.co.uk/Products.asp?PrdID=373&Name=Tamron-55-200mm-f/4-5.6-AF-Di-II-Macro
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1011874
 
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