camera (help buying)

[barbaricacidman]

i know this has probably been gone through on numerous occassions but i need help!

at the minute i have a samsung digimax3100, i am getting fed up of cr*ppy pictures, useless battery life etc, i am seriously considering buying a digital slr or something along them lines, just wondering what peoples idea is on the subject, and what i should be looking at spending on a starter package to get me going?

cheers

[dizzy]

you can get the canon 350d for £379 and nikon D40 for £330 (£270 after cashback) from warehouse express at the moment. There's also the sony alpha that i've heard you can get a silver version from argos for about £380. All good cameras for the money and a great place to start!

[Yv]

Ok, first thing is budget. WHAT can you afford? There are some great deals out there at the moment on a number of models, but hard to point you in right direction if budget is unknown.... £400? £800? £1200.... :shrug:

[barbaricacidman]

im looking at around £400, dont wanna spend too much to start with, cos i wanna make sure its not gonna be a 5 minute fad!

[oldgit]

Dizzy has the basic details.

You need to go into town and play with each of them they all have their own look and feel

... then scurry back off home and buy it on the internet if you can get it cheaper there.

[barbaricacidman]

i have just read threads advising of jessops being expensive BUT just found this! is this what im looking for? and does it look a good price?

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s47076/1-136-481/Home/Cameras--and--Lenses/Digital-SLRs/Nikon/D40-Black-%2b-AF-S-DX-18-55mm-Lens/details.aspx

[King_Boru]

Olympus E-410 (http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/6839/groupID/8/categoryID/93/v/5f6eb687-82b5-46b9-a0b5-223f053ebe37)

Great little camera.

Or if your on a budget the slightly older model:

Olympus E-400 (http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/5205/groupID/8/categoryID/93/v/5f6eb687-82b5-46b9-a0b5-223f053ebe37)

King.

[Chillimonster]

Olympus E-410 (http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/6839/groupID/8/categoryID/93/v/5f6eb687-82b5-46b9-a0b5-223f053ebe37)





Excellent choice there!

:thumbs::thumbs:

[Ewan]

Remember though - don't buy from jessops unless you find a really good deal - you can get things loads cheaper on the internet from trusted online stores.

You could also consider second hand - it's amazing how gear drops in price even when it's hardly been used :)

[natjag]

I recommend buying from a shop. If it goes wrong you can take it back rather then send through the post etc.
Huggle for a good price (that you know you can get on the net). Tell the shop you want your local shop to have the business if the price is better. They will match, and then get them to throw other stuff in. Get the assistants name give yours. They want your business. I never used to ask for discounts, I now ask all the time and get it, even if its on a special or reduced price I still ask or I get extra stuff thrown in, filters, cards and so on. Be freindly, checky and smile.

[barbaricacidman]

I recommend buying from a shop. If it goes wrong you can take it back rather then send through the post etc.
Huggle for a good price (that you know you can get on the net). Tell the shop you want your local shop to have the business if the price is better. They will match, and then get them to throw other stuff in. Get the assistants name give yours. They want your business. I never used to ask for discounts, I now ask all the time and get it, even if its on a special or reduced price I still ask or I get extra stuff thrown in, filters, cards and so on. Be freindly, checky and smile.


so when you coming round to haggle for me? lol!

[natjag]

what part of the country you in?

[Witch]

The most important thing you can do, once you've got a short-list of cameras which might suit you, is to get into the shop and actually handle them. Think about how comfortable the thing is to use, how easy it will be to use, the reach from the outside of the camera to the shutter button is particularly vital. Too far and it's almost unusable, and too close and you'll be most uncomfortable by the end of a long days shooting. All this sounds obvious but does need serious consideration, and varies vastly from person to person also.


Good luck choosing!

[barbaricacidman]

im from peterborough!

and cheers WITCH will try that, and everyone else too!