1st DSLR

[angelanna2]

Hi im new here and would love some advice about which DSLR to buy.
Ive been into photography for 5 years so i wouldnt say im a beginner but i do still have a lot to learn about using a camera in manual rather than auto. I already have 2 bridge cameras and 1 compact but im now wanting my 1st DSLR. This will be my last camera (according to boyfriend anyway) so i would like an higher end 1 rather than a beginner's 1.

Can anyone recommend a good DSLR and lenses? I will be mainly using it to take photos of animals, my daughter and macro photos of flowers and bugs. My budget is £1000 for the camera and the lenses i will need to be able to take photos of the subjects as above.

I have been looking around online and the canon 40D looks good to me but will be going into a shop at some point to have a hold of some cameras to see which feels right for me.

Thanx
Anna

 

[MilanoChris]

The 40D is excellent and has already been earmarked as my next upgrade.

 

[Snap_Happy]

Two forums to read.

First, and most informative:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=82464

Secondly, this question has just been asked, although you will likely find you want a different answer from what you've said:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=145169

As a personal note, my bro has the 40D and he loves it.

 

[Frenzied Dwarf]

You could pickup the 40d second hand and then you have some more money for some nice second hand glass as well, some of the nikon models are pretty nice as well (I recently picked up a d200 from a member of this forum for 400) which would leave around 600 to spend on lenses

 

[heidfirst]

1st there is no bad current production DSLR.
They do however vary in their ergonomics & user interface & what suits 1 person may not another so go & handle some in a shop or 2.

From a Sony users pov given that you want to go straight to an advanced body I would suggest looking at the A700. Like the Canon 40D this is approaching retirement/replacement but because of that is extremely good value (both the 40D & the A700 debuted at ~£1000 2 years ago but now sell for ~£550 body only). It's a great body & I've never regretted getting one instead of a 40D (& I have plenty of friends with 40Ds).

There are plenty of lenses both new & s/h available as the mount goes back to 1985 (it's the Minolta AF system) & your macro lenses will benefit from image stabilisation (something not available on Canon afaik) if shooting handheld.