Entry level Digital SLR, and lenses

[james12345]

Hi all - I'm looking for a good basic set up for my wife as a birthday present. A digital SLR with the ability to manually adjust shutter speed, etc, focus, as well as take standard lenses.

As you may be aware, I have no idea where to start on something like this!! Budget wise, I would be looking at around £300, up to may be £400 - but I am open to all and any suggections. Perhaps somewhere does a good starter kit with the camera and a couple of different lenses (standard / telephoto) perhaps?

[Harry Flashman]

I'd recommend what I have. Nikon D5100. I got mine for £240, and paid another £130 for a lens. So slightly beyond budget, but it is a great camera. Not too bulky either for carrying around, being a crop sensor job.

It's a very good camera and great for learning on. Its capabilities are far beyond mine, and it is a joy to use. Decent lenses available for it too. Cheap too, as it has just been replaced by the D5200.

[GetCarter]

At that price, Nikon or Canon. IMO.

[james12345]

Well I've had a goood hunt around - the Nikon D5100 was beynd budget, I've no idea where you got one for £240 as I could only see them way more than that.

I found a good set of reviews on Tech Radar, which went through a group of beginner DSLR's, and have opted for the Nikon D3100 which I have just purchased from dabs.com, along with an 18-55mm VR Lens, SLR Bag, Tripod & 8GB SDHC all for the princely sum of £349.99 delivered

Thanks for the replies

[marcosgt]

Don't automatically discount Pentax (as most do).

They are harder to find, but their latest entry level models are at least a match for the 'Niknon' defaults.

M.

[Harry Flashman]

james12345 said:

Well I've had a goood hunt around - the Nikon D5100 was beynd budget, I've no idea where you got one for £240 as I could only see them way more than that.

It was an e-bay job: ex Jessops stock (and that price was body only - had to buy a lens on top of that). Must be sold out now. Hope she likes the D3100 - meant to be decent!

[Mutley]

My Nikon D300 has just broke its shutterbox and over the weekend I was given a D80.

A great little camera. If it's just for occasional use, it should fit your budget, and you'll be able to get one or two reasonable priced lenses

[oobster]

I see you've already bought a Nikon but if anyone else reads this thread in the near future it might be worth considering the new Canon 100D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BG5wq-CXyQ

[johnymac]

marcosgt said:

Don't automatically discount Pentax (as most do).

They are harder to find, but their latest entry level models are at least a match for the 'Niknon' defaults.

M.

Ding to that!
I'm very glad I chose to stay with Pentax.

[Harry Flashman]

oobster said:

I see you've already bought a Nikon but if anyone else reads this thread in the near future it might be worth considering the new Canon 100D.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BG5wq-CXyQ

Expensive...

[james12345]

One other thing that swung the Nikon is the £30 cashback that's running until the end of the month with Nikon, so the kit I bought comes in at £329.99, which makes it even better