Which DSLR camera to buy?

[Louboutins]

Hey, I apologise because I bet this question has been ased a million times before. I'm getting a DSLR for my 18th birthday after taking numerous manual courses.

Basically, I don't know which to buy. £500 is probably my VERRRRY limit budget wise, including a lens. I was looking at the Sony alpha 300 which, in ENgland, is exclusive to Jessops, but a friend told me to stay away from anything Sony. I was wondering how right he is? You have to admit, Sony's prices are very attractive. Photography is mainly a hobby for me, but I will be studying it within my course at University, so it is very important to me. And I love it :)

Also any advice on lenses is very much appreciated. I like taking wildlife photography, mainly, with portraits and landscapes coming second.

Thanks all,
Sarah

[sdb123]

I just did a quick search, hopefully the link below will lead you to the results. This question is asked quite frequently - if possible, have a read through and then ask away!

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/search.php?searchid=1650945

[Louboutins]

Ah cool, thanks xD
Only, that link doesn't work?
I shall just file through old posts

[creamykiwi]

hello sarah! i'm facing the same dilemma on around the same budget and am currently hovering between a nikon d60 and canon 400d (although the 400d would have to be a second hand one as nowhere does them new anymore) - leaning towards the d60 and jessops is doing a deal at the moment where you can get a d60 and two lenses for £499... or at least they were a couple of weeks ago :)

just have to say... LOVE your username :) a pair of louboutins is one of my holy grails :lol: welcome to TP! :D

[CarolF]

Firstly Hello and Welcome!

Sony Alpha's have their own little thread if you want to pop in there for advise as well

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=107446&highlight=sony+alpha

If you're unsure of whether to go for that and you haven't handled one, the best thing to do is go into Jessop's or any other photographic store and hold one. That might decide you either way. If it doesn't FEEL right,then it's not right for you.

[Hyster]

Hi Sarah and welcome,

just a thought, a guy I met a while back was studying photography at his Uni and changed systems as they had a range of Nikon lenses they loaned out to students, might be worth asking your University if they have a similar scheme before making your mind up if you are not completely sold on one particular system.

[mastertrinity]

i have an a300 and its really good dont listen to your friend because sony are a good make.

[heidfirst]

Sony's DSLRs are basically Minoltas in a new skin (Sony bought Konica Minolta's DSLR division a few years ago & most of the staff moved with it).
They are very good.

[Welsh Dan]

I started with a 400D before moving on, and its a good body to start with. If you hunt around now you'll get one for £200-250 in used condition with the kit lens, leaving you enough cash to buy more glass or toys with, such as the EFS 55-250mm IS for your wildlife pics, and if you're really lucky a nifty fifty aswell :thumb:.

[Tylersladen]

nikon d60

[nigpd]

Hi and welcome Sarah .... another MK togger in the making wooohoooo

I'd agree with Welsh Dan, look for a second hand 400D and then go for the 55-250mm IS. I have one and it's a cracking lens for the money. A great starter kit :thumbs:

[Slipper-one]

Hi Sarah, Best go to a tog shop and try a few models from Sony,Canon,Nikon,Pentax etc within your budget, buy what you feel right with.
Canon & Nikon are probably the most popular so lens and accessories should be aplenty on the s/h market.

[Dogfish_magnet]

There's a used D80 on here with a memory card which would leave you enough for a Nikon 18-55mm VR or a 18-105mm VR lens.

[frostbear]

There's a used D80 on here with a memory card which would leave you enough for a Nikon 18-55mm VR or a 18-105mm VR lens.

That's a cracking bit of kit at a reasonable price.

[kimo]

Hello Sarah
I started on a 400d and then moved up. The 400d is a good starting camera.
I found this earlier could be of interest to you "Canon EOS 400D & 18-55 EF-S Refurbished" £300 http://www.cameraworld.co.uk/

kimo

[Louboutins]

Ah, so many choices! It sounds like most of the one's i've been looking at our popular choices, though. Which is reassuring. I'm slightly bias towards Canon because i've used them before and never been let down. I'll have a hunt around anyway.

Thanks everyone!

[Louboutins]

Great news, i'm going to my local Jessops tomorrow to try some cameras out (:

I've been looking around and online, and the refurbished 400ds kimo found REALLY interest me. What are the best sites to buy SH lenses? The confuse me, quite a lot.
Quite different from the manuals, as far as I can tell =/

[Bumph GB]

Try having a look around on here http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/ from my own experience i can highly recommend a second hand nikon d80 and then have a look around for the right lens for you.

[SimonTALM]

Welcome to TP Sarah :thumbs:

Everyone is likely to recommend their own camera to you because it suits them. I personally think they are all about the same when it comes to the output so it really comes down to a number of other factors.

- The "Borrower Factor" - nope, not a talent show for little people but what system(s) do your friends have that you could borrow each others kit (included in this is the system used by your university as often they'll have loan lenses)
- The Hire Factor - As you've said your interest is wildlife the lenses for this are frightenly expensive (doubly so if you are only 18). Consider in your choice that hiring a lens for a special event is possible but AFIK only available for Nikon and Canon.
- The Comfort Factor - How does the camera feel in your hand - it will all look complicated to start with (also check out the model up from the one you are intending to buy as this likely to be you're next camera)

Just my 2p

[Photo_T]

Hey, I apologise because I bet this question has been ased a million times before. I'm getting a DSLR for my 18th birthday after taking numerous manual courses.

Basically, I don't know which to buy. £500 is probably my VERRRRY limit budget wise, including a lens. I was looking at the Sony alpha 300 which, in ENgland, is exclusive to Jessops, but a friend told me to stay away from anything Sony. I was wondering how right he is? You have to admit, Sony's prices are very attractive. Photography is mainly a hobby for me, but I will be studying it within my course at University, so it is very important to me. And I love it :)

Also any advice on lenses is very much appreciated. I like taking wildlife photography, mainly, with portraits and landscapes coming second.

Thanks all,
Sarah


Exactly the same position as me only im turning 17!

I have also looked at a300 i agree about the prices but i still wasnt to keen i have my eyes on the 450d at the moment dont know if you have considered it seems pretty good still have the big decision to make though :lol:

Going into a local shop having a look/feel of a few really helps so my advice... get yourself into town :thumbs:

[Louboutins]

Just a little update - I headed down to Jessops today and they reluctantly let me get my teenage mitts on a few cameras.

Sony wise, I checked out the a200 and a300. It looked really nice, but it didn't really do it for me. It just felt... basic. I'm sure it's a great camera, but not for me.

The Nikon d60 really impressed me, and I honestly thought it was the one for me. UNTIL.

I got handed the 450d. I AM IN LOVE. I absolutely adored it. Everything. But unfortunately, I went in knowing I can't afford that one. Especially not new. Even if one came on the s/h market for the cheaps, I would be more concerned to why it was cheap than excited.

There was also an Olympus that wasn't in. If i'm passing I will pop in to see if it's around.

So i'm torn between the 400d, which I have not tried out, but is in my budget and if I were ever lucky enough to upgrade to the 450 I could carry any lenses/equipment up with me or the d60, which I did like, a lot, but didn't fall in love with.

I'm thinking Canon, but the search continues.

Thanks for all your kind words and welcomes! :D

[GlasgowGunner]

There is a company on ebay that sell new 400D's with the kit lens for well under your budget, infact i think for £500 you get the body, 18-55, 55-250 and the battery grip.

The compant is clearance bargains if i my mind serves me right they are a clearance section of Argos.

[Louboutins]

Clearance and bargains in the same sentence is always good news. I will go and check out right away, thanks!

[EDIT]: There's no 400Ds on there at the moment, but thanks for the heads up and I will definately keep my eyes open.

[stretchy25]

Hi All - Might be worth checking out the 'Canon Outlet' shop on ebay, I think it's username's canon_uk1. I've not used it personally but I've seen in mentioned on here and people have been happy. I wish I'd known about it before I bought mine ...

[GlasgowGunner]

Or how about this.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-UK-EOS-400D-Digital-SLR-Camera-18-55-Warranty_W0QQitemZ120392128267QQcmdZViewItemQQptZU K_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN?ha sh=item120392128267&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1690%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318

[chris321]

If you're looking at used equipment, the classified section is a great place to look. Also, MPB Photographic are specialised dealers, and one of the few companies allowed to advertise here. They've got a 400D (http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/index.php?id=23&product_uid=1144) and 450D (http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/index.php?id=23&product_uid=1182) on sale at the moment. Both would leave you some spare cash for another lens and a few bits!

Chris

[DavePaliwoda]

Having found myself in a similar situation Uni and camera wise (having thankfully made the right choice -my Uni has Nikons, and getting a camera on my 18th [just hit 19 last week]), your best bet really is to ask them the gear they use and get similar, that way any technical info you learn from there will be most likely quite easily transferable to your camera of choice! (and if it goes a bit loopy then whoever's tasked with equipment rental will probably have an inkling of what it may be, has saved my ass before!)

Just out of curiosity where will you be studying?

[Louboutins]

They've got a 400D and 450D on sale at the moment.

The 400D really interests me on there. But do you think the kit lens really worth having? Obviously that doesn't come with it and it would leave me some extra cash to get the 55-250 and ideally another nice lens.

[Louboutins]

Just out of curiosity where will you be studying?

Hey, hopefully Loughborough. But I had my portfolio interview last week and.. It could have gone better. I'm taking a year to study foundation art and design first, though :)

[oldestswinger]

As there isn't one on the classifieds here and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say this, but there's a 450d on sale at AVForums. (http://www.avforums.com/forums/digital-camera-camcorder-classifieds/956837-sale-canon-eos-450d-goodies-hardly-used.html):shrug:

[Louboutins]

but there's a 450d on sale at AVForums.
:eek: That's like, the perfect starter set. But it is at the VERRRY top of my budget and I don't know if I can get that kinda money right away. Working a Saturday at the Post Office doesn't fill my pockets xD

I shall beg the parentals. It is my job, after all :P

[oldestswinger]

As that sale, in addition to the standard kit lens, includes a 90-300mm lens you could probably move that on very quickly (about £75 I think is the going rate) so think of it as a £425 package?:shrug:

[Strolls]

The 400D really interests me on there. But do you think the kit lens really worth having?
The kit lens is quite well regarded for the money (not sure about the IS version, but this certainly used to be the case for the original one). It's no "L" and it has a "sweet spot" around f8, but it does the job quite well enough and if you're new to SLR then it's better than your photography skills. When your talent exceeds the lens you'll be able to sell it for about what you paid.

Stroller.

[heidfirst]

I got handed the 450d. I AM IN LOVE. I absolutely adored it. Everything. But unfortunately, I went in knowing I can't afford that one. Especially not new. Even if one came on the s/h market for the cheaps, I would be more concerned to why it was cheap than excited.

There was also an Olympus that wasn't in. If i'm passing I will pop in to see if it's around.

So i'm torn between the 400d, which I have not tried out, but is in my budget and if I were ever lucky enough to upgrade to the 450 I could carry any lenses/equipment up with me or the d60, which I did like, a lot, but didn't fall in love with.

I'm thinking Canon, but the search continues.
How about the 1000D if you are thinking Canon but can't stretch to a 450D?

[candlestick]

If you were going Canon, I'd go 2nd hand, and I'd buy a 400D, body only 2nd hand for around the £250 mark, a 18-55 IS lens for about £85 or a standard kit lens for £35ish, a 55-250 IS for £180, and a 50mm 1.8 for £65ish if you go for the cheap kit lens! :D

[jammy_c]

I started a thread for a friend of mine with a similar predicament, hope this helps;

Best DSLR Package for £500? (http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=114546)

[Maccas]

About to buy my first dslr,hope im right.The CANON 450 D felt good when i held her in Jessops today.Ive seen the camera with double zoom kit 18-55 and 55-250 on Amazon for £600.Is this a good deal and is this the way to go or should i buy body and buy different lenses,such as the 18- 200mm.I have about £800 tops to spend so any ideas and advice on choosing my set up would be grateful.Thankyou.

[Welsh Dan]

The 450D with 18-55IS and 55-250IS for £600 is a good deal, spend some of the rest on cards, batteries and accessories :).

[MarkEvan]

You could also consider a secondhand 30d or similar.

[Maccas]

Thanks Dan,what about just having the 18-200 covers both other lenses?

[mid_gen]

I got my first DSLR, a used Canon 30D for £275, and a 18-55 IS for ~£100 at the beginning of the year. No complaints at all, in fact after handling my parent's 350D I'm glad I went for a used 'bigger' 30D than a new 'lesser' XXXD. Personal preference mind, I've got big hands and the 350 felt a bit fiddly. 30D just feels like it'll last for years and years.

[Maccas]

Hadnt really thought about second hand.

[Welsh Dan]

Lenses with a wide coverage like that 18-200 tend to give a lesser image quality than ones with a more specific range like the 18-55 and 55-200. Think Jack of all trades, master of none :).

[Maccas]

Nice one Dan seems to make sense.Can i ask what you have in your kit.

[Welsh Dan]

Between the mrs and myself we have a 40D, 400D, Canon 18-55 f/3.5-5.6 USM, Canon 55-250 f/4-5.6 IS, Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6, Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO, Canon 50mm f/1.8 II, and a Canon 430EX II flash. I'm in the process of buying accessories at the moment because we've got enough glass to cover the focal lengths we need but can't afford to move up in the world yet, so next on my list is a manfrotto 222 or 322 ballhead, 190 legs, and a battery grip for the 40D. My better half prefers the 400D because its smaller :).

Oddly, shooting like for like on manual mode, the Sigma 18-50 lets more light in than the Canon 18-55 USM, and the non-USM version I gave away before we had the USM one.

[Maccas]

I will need a bag first i suppose,so many to choose from,i can see me asking some more questions::help:

[Icey]

I bought a Canon 450d with a 18-55 lense a few weeks back for £470 brand new including delivery. So i'm sure if you hunt around you could get a similar if not better deal! And that according to my maths comes into your budget.

Okay fair enough if you splash out on a 55-200 lense for your wildlife photography you might be completely smashing that budget but is it really worth compromising on your camera to splash out on that lense? Other people on this forum would probably be able to tell you more than I can about the real differences between the 400 and 450D.

Personally I love the 450d! Its my first DSLR and its everything i want and need (oops that sounded a bit like a cheesy RnB song).

[xeno]

Try 2nd hand, I only reason I can think to avoid the D60 is the lack of an AF motor in the Body, so you need special lenses for it (and there seem to be a lack of such lenses... i think).

the 400d is a good camera also. However check out 2nd hand, I don't know about Milton Keynes but theres a load of good camera shops in London selling 2nd hand gear. Theres a load of Tottenham Court Rd selling D80's, and 90's, I think the D80 I saw was around £500 with the lens. Not sure about Canon as I dont own one, but I've seen a 400d and a 450d in these shops.

[MarkEvan]

As said, head down to the shops and try out all models you are looking at, try some of the bigger ones as well (40D, D80 etc) if you prefer the likes of the 40D then as stated you can get the 30D (same size and mostly identicle features) for 300-350 leaving 200-150 for a lens or two.

[Louboutins]

Hi everyone, this is (hopefully) the last update!
Big_bill is selling is 400D and kit lens on here, and i'm on my parents getting it now!

Hopefully all will run smoothly and i'll be able to post some pictures on here soon!

Thanks again for all the advice!

[EDIT]: It fell through already. I'm really gutted but ah well. Shame.

[creamykiwi]

Hey, hopefully Loughborough. But I had my portfolio interview last week and.. It could have gone better. I'm taking a year to study foundation art and design first, though :)


Eeeeee, I'm a Loughborough graduate - it's wonderful, go there :D :P