Recomend me a Digital SLR

[Mr Gearchange]

Hello camera people,

My wife wants a Digital SLR for Christmas - I know nothing about them and won't pretend to.

She isn't an expert - but has a fantastic eye for a picture and takes a lot of photo's.

I don't want to spend more than 600-700 quid (is that reasonable?)

Is this one any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55...

What advice can you offer me?

Edited by Mr Gearchange on Monday 2nd December 15:37

[Monty Python]

Is your O/H likely to start buying extra lenses, because if not you don't need a DSLR - something like the Panasonic Lumix FZ72 would be ideal.

Otherwise, the Canon one you indicate would be ideal. Alternatives include the Nikon D3200 and Sony a57.

[nellyleelephant]

There's much more to DSLR's than just the ability to change lenses.

What do you think she will want to shoot?

[Janesy B]

If you want something that lasts and will stand up to a reasonable amount of use I would recommend hopping up to the xxD range, something like a 60D would be ideal.

If you don't mind grey stock... http://panamoz.com/index.php/canon-eos-60d-digital...

This would also be a good choice: http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-d5200-red...

Edited by Janesy B on Monday 2nd December 16:21

[V8A*ndy]

Mr Gearchange said:

Hello camera people,

My wife wants a Digital SLR for Christmas - I know nothing about them and won't pretend to.

She isn't an expert - but has a fantastic eye for a picture and takes a lot of photo's.

I don't want to spend more than 600-700 quid (is that reasonable?)

Is this one any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55...

What advice can you offer me?

Edited by Mr Gearchange on Monday 2nd December 15:37

If you want a few extra features, dig a little deeper into the pocket.....

These seem to be grey imports but the shop is a long standing UK firm. I'll be buying the wife a full frame from them next year.

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-700d-with-1...

Having said all that the lenses and operator are what gets results. Get her one of the more detailed books on how to use the features as well.

You can always get her some better glass in the future.

A 60d would be nice though.

Edited by V8A*ndy on Monday 2nd December 16:35

[Mr Gearchange]

Monty Python said:

Is your O/H likely to start buying extra lenses, because if not you don't need a DSLR - something like the Panasonic Lumix FZ72 would be ideal.

Otherwise, the Canon one you indicate would be ideal. Alternatives include the Nikon D3200 and Sony a57.

Yes she will want to buy extra lenses. She has an old film SLR with 3 different lenses.
She also has an extensive range of point and shoots and an Olympus Pen which she really likes. She loves her old SLR - but now wants a digital

nellyleelephant said:

There's much more to DSLR's than just the ability to change lenses.
What do you think she will want to shoot?

Nothing exciting - Kids at play mainly - along with scenic shots, and portraits.

[Mr Will]

Mr Gearchange said:

Monty Python said:

Is your O/H likely to start buying extra lenses, because if not you don't need a DSLR - something like the Panasonic Lumix FZ72 would be ideal.

Otherwise, the Canon one you indicate would be ideal. Alternatives include the Nikon D3200 and Sony a57.

Yes she will want to buy extra lenses. She has an old film SLR with 3 different lenses.
She also has an extensive range of point and shoots and an Olympus Pen which she really likes. She loves her old SLR - but now wants a digital

nellyleelephant said:

There's much more to DSLR's than just the ability to change lenses.
What do you think she will want to shoot?

Nothing exciting - Kids at play mainly - along with scenic shots, and portraits.

What is the old SLR? There is a fair chance that the lenses could be usable on a modern camera if you choose carefully...

[fido]

If she doesn't mind starting from scratch with lenses and wants a compact/small DSLR .. I'd take a look at the 100D. £400 or less, so plenty of change for lenses (2nd hand?)

[GetCarter]

Nikon or Canon - you can't go wrong.

[davepoth]

Mr Will said:

What is the old SLR? There is a fair chance that the lenses could be usable on a modern camera if you choose carefully...

Indeed. I have an 11 year old Canon film SLR and that's still directly compatible with all of the current lenses (including the autofocus) so it's certainly a sensible (cheap!) way to go, especially if the lenses are decent ones.

[Simpo Two]

If she has experience with film SLRs and is going to be buying extra lenses why not spend the whole budget on a better body? http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-nikon-d7000-dig...

Mind you if I was in her position I'd want to choose what I was getting...

[GetCarter]

Simpo Two said:

Mind you if I was in her position I'd want to choose what I was getting...

I was thinking that... a trip to the shops so she could hold different models... then hide it till Christmas.

[The_Jackal]

Yes, it sounds like she is way more than a beginner, and will definitely have some preferences on how she uses/holds a camera.

[onomatopoeia]

Mr Gearchange said:

She has an old film SLR with 3 different lenses.

If the SLR autofocuses then the lenses may well work on a DSLR from the same manufacturer, leaving your budget free just to buy a body.

What is the SLR?

[Simpo Two]

'old SLR' - I'm not hopeful.

I generally think it's a false econmy to try to re-use old lenses and let them dictate/compromise your new system. Remember too that she will be moving from 35mm to crop sensor so all the focal lengths will be thrown out anyway. This alone can be a good reason to eBay the lot and start from fresh.

[Mr Gearchange]

Old SLR is a Cannon - but it's really quite old - as are the lenses - mid 90's I think.

Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated.

[nellyleelephant]

Mr Gearchange said:

Old SLR is a Cannon - but it's really quite old - as are the lenses - mid 90's I think.

Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated.

Mid 90's is fine. Pretty sure the EOS line started late 80's, so her lenses should work ok.

[Mr Will]

Mr Gearchange said:

Old SLR is a Cannon - but it's really quite old - as are the lenses - mid 90's I think.

Thanks for the advice everyone - much appreciated.

Every Canon SLR since 1987 is fully compatible - if it says "EOS" on the front then all her current lenses will work perfectly on an modern Canon SLR. (The reverse is also true, any modern lens will work on her film SLR as well)

The only issue is that they will all seem slightly more "zoomed in" on anything less than a 6D as most SLRs use a sensor which is slightly smaller than 35mm film. For this reason I'd probably choose a body+lens combo to make sure she has a versatile lens that will cover the normal range. A 60D would be idea, but there is nothing at all wrong with the XXXD series either.

[Mr Gearchange]

Perfect - thanks