Kind of a newbie...ish.

[MKH9130]

Hi folks,

I have an active interest in photography which 'peaked' in 2002 when I did a local photography course at the college which I had to buy an EOS 300 for.

After the course, I wanted to go back to digital as it is so much more flexible (for me). Not being able to justify the expense of a good digital SLR in 2003 I went back to point and shoot digital cameras, but ones with manual override facilities. (Kodak DX4900 & Fuji E550).

In the last year I've been in the final year of University, and haven't had much time to persue my interest in photography, but with my course finishing in about a month, I'm intending to spend some time abroad over the summer before I start working in September. A great chance to get back into photography and take some decent pics on some road trips.

Now, I'm trying to choose a camera and it's hard. I have about £500 to spend tops, but I don't really want it to become too much of an 'ongoing' cost (Spare money is being put aside for a DB7 at the moment!), and because of this I'm slightly put off dSLR cameras as I know I'll keep wanting new lenses and accessories (Been there and done that with the Eos 300!).

So, I have a few options as I see it... would appreciate advice from others!

1. Buy Canon EOS 400D or Nikon D40 kit for about £400-500, hope I won't want lots of lenses!
2. Buy a good P&S digital camera (Fuji S6500fd or S9600 looks good) for £190-£250
3. Buy a used EOS 300D / 350D etc for about £250-£300.

One of the factors that put me off using an SLR before was the size of them, to take them out on a walk became a bit of a mission compared to the reletive compact size of a P&S camera and at the moment I'm leaning towards a 'good' P&S, the two Fuji cameras listed above seem to offer a lot for not that much money.

I'm in no rush to decide, but am starting to look around

[CarMac]

The Fuji S9600 is bigger and heavier than a lot of DSLRs. The S6500fd is lighter and smaller but still has a reasonable zoom etc.

[Furyous]

If you have *any* aspirations to do motorsport pics, you *will* want the dslr.Went down that route myself, had an S5500, couldnt get on with it at all.Bought a D70S now and am loving it.

Have you got your old Canon lenses still ?

F

[DJ_AS]

I was in the same conundrum about a month ago - whether to get a top p&s like the Fuji's you mentioned / Canon Powershot G7 or basic dSLR. I decided against the Fuji's cos I thought the size was so close to an SLR as to make them pointless.

So I borrowed a Canon G7 and took a load of images...

...none of which get close to the quality of the dSLR I eventually bought! If you enjoy your photography get a dSLR.

I didn't really fancy carrying around a bag of stuff (used to a pocked sized p&s) but you quickly get used to it and the increase in quality and ultimate enjoyment of photography makes this small sacrifice more than worthhile IMO.

p.s. I give my thumbs up to the Pentax K100D (and an additional Sigma 55-200 lens).

[haggle]

if your going for budget get the cannon 400D over the nikon D40 (this is coming form a nikon man) as the D40 isnt compatible with a large ammount of the atuofocus lenses on the market

[VxDuncan]

Apart from the benefits of a wider range of better optics and less noisy sensros of an SLR one of the main advantage is a proper throught the lens viewfinder. For that reason alone I'd never consider a compact for proper phtography.

A DSLR might cost more, but you'll simply end up upgrading it and spending the same amount of pmoney in the long run!

[GetCarter]

Buy a Canon or a Nikon (IMHO)

[Rednut05]

GetCarter said:

Buy a Canon not a Nikon (IMHO)

The man has wise words.

[GetCarter]

Rednut05 said:

GetCarter said:

Buy a Canon or a Nikon (IMHO)

The man has wise words.

Yep. And I own them.

[elderly]

GetCarter said:

said:

GetCarter said:

Buy a Canon or a Nikon (IMHO)

Yep. And I own them.

" I liked them so much I bought the companies "

[Rednut05]

elderly said:

GetCarter said:

said:

GetCarter said:

Buy a Canon or a Nikon (IMHO)

Yep. And I own them.

" I liked them so much I bought the companies "

That's just willy waving

[MKH9130]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the comments.

I'm erring towards a dSLR now, despite the size and variety of lenses I'll need (read want) to carry!

The options as I see them are:-

New

- Nikon D40 (Advised against)
- Nikon D40X (Whats the X stand for?)
- Pentax K110D
- Pentax K100D (Recommended)
- Canon 400D (Recommended)

Used

- Canon 300D
- Canon 350D


Help.

[bulb763]

Add a Nikon D50 to both lists

www.camerapricebuster.co.uk is very useful for price, erm... busting

[Furyous]

Should be able to get a good deal on a D70S if you can find a dealer with one left on the shelf.