Complete amatuer looking for a camera

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DanielBlackmore

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Hi,

I am looking for a camera for my other half. She has been using her friends Nikon D40 and she absolutely loves using a SLR. We have been using a standard point and click camera but even as a complete beginner, the shots she is taking are 100x better than that of her current camera.

The reason we are getting this is because we have a 7 month old daughter and she wants to take a lot more decent pictures.

She has already enrolled at a local collage to learn a bit more about photography so she has at least some knowledge, so I am looking for a camera for her.

I have absolutely no idea what I am looking for. I have around £400 to spend, but I will go upwards for the right camera on peoples recommendations.

If anyone could provide me with some help or even tell me what ideally I need to look for that would be great.

Thanks in advanced
 
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Is that budget just to include 1 standard lens probably in the 17-55 range. Buying secondhand will get you a higher spec camera than buying new. Think about the future and which manufacturer you want to go with when it comes to buying additional lenses in the future, there seems to be more Canon than Nikon stuff available. Either Nikon or Canon would be a good choice. Look at Canon 350D (may get a couple of lenses as well with this one as older but still a great little camera), 450D, 500D, 40D I have no experience of Nikon I'm afraid.
 
I went from Point and shoot to a D40. I then changed that for a 450D and updgraded the lens to a Tamron 18-250mm. This proved to be a great package.

Pairing it with this lens I found I had the perfect walkabout kit.

It has all the manual controls you want plus very cleaver auto mode.


Yes, I am slightly biased as Im selling mine now. However, I would recommend this combination to anyone starting off.

In balance the D40 is a great camera but I did prefer the ergonomics of the 450D and with a good walkabout lens I was very happy.

The only reason I am selling (on another forum now) is because I find I want something even smaller.
 
If shes already tried and liked a nikon I'd suggest you take her to a local camera shop and try a few different models and find one shes comfortable with, pretty much any modern DSLR will take good pictures. What you do want to consider is the extra lens/flashes etc that you might want in time, make sure you choose a system that you can build on as she develops her skill.
Don't get drawn in the Canon v Nikon debate, both have good and bad points but both will take superb images in the right hands.
 
Ok so nikon is a likely choice, but I'd say get yourself to jessops or a camera store. Say you are looking but dont buy (at least not yet!).

Try as many as you can, and for those that have the same memory card as your camera, slot it in.



As a nikon follower I'd of course recommend nikon lol...
However I also am a firm believer in not buying the entry model ;) so I'd look at a used d80 or d90. Has a motor so can use older lenses (see ebay).

As for lenses, perhaps the 50mm f1.8 (cheap but good), or if you can stretch have a look for a sigma 30mm f1.4 - but you'll need to check the quality / focus.
 
I started with this...............

Nikon D40 [smaller for small hands.]
kit lens is 18-55mm....VR version is not essential
.good walkabout and 18mm is ok for landscapes
[ tripod needed for landscapes]
35mm f1.8 AF-S £160 new - essential for indoors with f1.8 aperture
4GB memory card
52mm Circular Polariser is all you need ...dont buy a cheap one
''maybe'' a Hoya HMC 52mm UV just to protect the lens
camera bag
............................................£400 should cover

use for a year ....easy to sell and trade up as she gains experience
D5000 if you can get a good used one......:lol:
 
Yardbent said:
I started with this...............

Nikon D40 [smaller for small hands.]
kit lens is 18-55mm....VR version is not essential
.good walkabout and 18mm is ok for landscapes
[ tripod needed for landscapes]
35mm f1.8 AF-S £160 new - essential for indoors with f1.8 aperture
4GB memory card
52mm Circular Polariser is all you need ...dont buy a cheap one
''maybe'' a Hoya HMC 52mm UV just to protect the lens
camera bag
............................................£400 should cover

use for a year ....easy to sell and trade up as she gains experience
D5000 if you can get a good used one......:lol:
Click to expand...



What he said, though I'd probably just go straight to the D3100 as the D40 is now 3 or 4 generations behind. I had one and just upgraded to the D90. My D40 is living a life similar to what you describe with my brother in law. New baby, better pictures, etc. They are using the D40 plus kit lens. Great setup, only problem is low light. Add the 35 1.8 later.

Thanks,
Rick
 
Thanks for all your input

I cant really afford another lens really. So I would need a half decent kit lens. I will in time buy a better one but for now the kit lens will have to do!

I have been looking at the D5000 which seems a good camera. But I am still looking, everyone has so many recommendations, its quite daunting really. I dont really want to buy another one in the short future so I am, looking for one that will last a few years
 
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