Which First SLR?

[crazygeordiegirl]

Hi all, sorry about asking this (guess it will have been asked tons of times before) but I am looking at buying my first SLR. I am currently using a Fuji S9600 (which, dont get me wrong is a fab bridge camera) but would like to get into the world of SLR.
My budget really is £250 pushing it so I know I will be limited to choice, I have been looking at the Nikon D40 but have read a few places new lenses will be more expensive than a canon? Also, what kind of images will be achievable with the kit 18-55mm lense?

All advice appreciated.:)

[Jonmurgie]

Are you wanting to buy NEW or are you happy to buy USED? You'll obviously get move value for money with used...

Kit lenses are OK, but don't expect it to blow your socks off out of the box, you'll need to work on it a little more that a point-and-shoot.

Not sure about the prices of Nikon lenses, but generally they all seem to be a similar price and you can also go for Simga/Tamron etc. lenses if your budget is tight.

Hope that helps a bit!
Cheers
Jon

[Flash In The Pan]

You'll still just get a D40 for £250, after the recent price rises and a wee bit more should get you a Canon 1000D.

Lenswise, there's really nothing in it at the end of the market you are talking about, so don't make the mistake of buying a camera based on price, a £250 camera you don't feel comfortable using is ultimately worthless - try both the Nikon and the Canon (and the wee Sony A200) and see which camera feels right - in the end that's all that really matters, they all take excellent pictures.

[marcusp13]

i think there should be a sticky thread on this subject as there have been about 5 new threads today started that i've seen

[frostbear]

The kit lens on the D40 really is pretty decent.

[Loopy]

Hi, I'm assuming that you are close to Newcastle. Why not pop into Bonsers. They have quite a good second hand stock and are happy to let you weigh the cameras up.
I've always had a positive experience in there.

[Outlaw]

A Nikon D40x here, at a very good price

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NIKON-D40x-10MP-DIGITAL-SLR-CAMERA-18-55MM-LENS-NEW_W0QQitemZ360123116102QQihZ023QQcategoryZ31388Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Two reviews here.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/digital-cameras/review/2007/04/18/Nikon-D40x/p1

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40x/

[heidfirst]

Lenswise, there's really nothing in it at the end of the market you are talking about, so don't make the mistake of buying a camera based on price, a £250 camera you don't feel comfortable using is ultimately worthless - try both the Nikon and the Canon (and the wee Sony A200) and see which camera feels right - in the end that's all that really matters, they all take excellent pictures.
top answer, +1.

[crazygeordiegirl]

Thank you for the advice. Yes I live near to newcastle and hadn't heard of bonsers. May have to pop into there for a look.

I understand that I aint going to get anything super with the money, I just dont want to fork out hundred's on a camera when I might decide photography aint for me!

[crazygeordiegirl]

Well, I have picked up a 2nd hand D40 with 2 spare batteries, ir remote release, and bag for £200 which I thought was quite good. It still has a year of the manufacturers warranty left too which is a plus. Just need to wait for it to come to start playing :-)