Which SLR To Buy?
Discussion
I thought this would be an easy choice...
Nikon D60 with 18-55mm VR lens works out to be £340 with a camera bag if I buy it from Jessops this week. [url=http://www.jessops.com/Store/s73580/1-136-481/Home/Cameras--and--Lenses/Digital-SLRs/Nikon/D60-%2b-AF-S-DX-Nikkor-VR-18-55mm-f-and-35-56G-Lens/details.aspx]This Package[/url]
If I buy it in store I get a further £10 off and a free camera bag so it equates to £340 which seems like a bloody bargain!
Went to have a play with it and it felt nice enough, bit small and heavy but nothing a few hours of holding wouldnt sort out (get used to it).
So then I popped to a local independant place and they told me not too bother with a DSLR as they are crap
I should get a hybrid one like [url=http://www.jessops.com/Store/s67886/1-136-236/Home/Cameras--and--Lenses/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Panasonic/LUMIX-DMC-FZ18-Digital-Camera-(Black)/details.aspx]This One[/url]
He kept going on about how the hybrid pisses all over the DSLRs. So I asked him why all the professionals use DSLR then instead of this new wonder technology. He said that people dont like to change. Which I guess is fair enough but for some reason I feel he was steering me in the direction just to sell me his product rather than helping me choose exactly what I need.
So am I right to get the D60? Is it better than the 450D? (opens can of worms...)
Nikon D60 with 18-55mm VR lens works out to be £340 with a camera bag if I buy it from Jessops this week. [url=http://www.jessops.com/Store/s73580/1-136-481/Home/Cameras--and--Lenses/Digital-SLRs/Nikon/D60-%2b-AF-S-DX-Nikkor-VR-18-55mm-f-and-35-56G-Lens/details.aspx]This Package[/url]
If I buy it in store I get a further £10 off and a free camera bag so it equates to £340 which seems like a bloody bargain!
Went to have a play with it and it felt nice enough, bit small and heavy but nothing a few hours of holding wouldnt sort out (get used to it).
So then I popped to a local independant place and they told me not too bother with a DSLR as they are crap
I should get a hybrid one like [url=http://www.jessops.com/Store/s67886/1-136-236/Home/Cameras--and--Lenses/Digital-Compact-Cameras/Panasonic/LUMIX-DMC-FZ18-Digital-Camera-(Black)/details.aspx]This One[/url]He kept going on about how the hybrid pisses all over the DSLRs. So I asked him why all the professionals use DSLR then instead of this new wonder technology. He said that people dont like to change. Which I guess is fair enough but for some reason I feel he was steering me in the direction just to sell me his product rather than helping me choose exactly what I need.
So am I right to get the D60? Is it better than the 450D? (opens can of worms...)
The Panasonic would probably be more useful to more people more of the time if you are looking for one camera to cover everything straight off the shelf. Really the answer comes down to you, the nikon with 18-55mm may be all the camera you need but that is unlikely, is there any specific type of photography that you are into?
Doug86 said:
So then I popped to a local independant place and they told me not too bother with a DSLR as they are crap I should get a hybrid one... He kept going on about how the hybrid pisses all over the DSLRs. So I asked him why all the professionals use DSLR then instead of this new wonder technology. He said that people dont like to change. Which I guess is fair enough but for some reason I feel he was steering me in the direction just to sell me his product rather than helping me choose exactly what I need.
Precisely. File him under 'cretin' and move on. From a purely sales POV he'd have done far better to sell you a DSLR system, so I can only think his advice is limited by his limited brainpower and experience. I should get a hybrid one... He kept going on about how the hybrid pisses all over the DSLRs. So I asked him why all the professionals use DSLR then instead of this new wonder technology. He said that people dont like to change. Which I guess is fair enough but for some reason I feel he was steering me in the direction just to sell me his product rather than helping me choose exactly what I need.ETA As for D60 vs 350D I can't help, but if it's your first DSLR then there will be more than enough to keep you busy whichever you get. You won't know what's important to you until you've lived with it a while. That's why the deciding factor is often ergonomics.
Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 20th July 09:40
Im wondering now if I can really justify the D60 over the D40....
D60 is 10mp as opposed to the D40's 6mp and the D60 does come with a anti-vibration lens.
But the D60 still only has 3 AF points which seems poor compared to the competition. But my little point and click only has three and some of those pictures taken are pretty good.
Hmmmmm decisions decisions.
D60 is 10mp as opposed to the D40's 6mp and the D60 does come with a anti-vibration lens.
But the D60 still only has 3 AF points which seems poor compared to the competition. But my little point and click only has three and some of those pictures taken are pretty good.
Hmmmmm decisions decisions.
One point that might possibly effect your decision..
The Nikon D40(x)/D60 range don't feature a 'focusing pin' in their lens mount - some nikon lenses won't auto-focus (such as some of their prime lenses). I.e. only AF-S and AF-I lenses will autofocus (or 3rd party lenses with their own focusing motor)
For more details check the dpreview D60 review
Whether this bothers you really depends on whether you are likely to want to use those type of lenses. For me, I use my 50mm prime lens all the time, other people seem not to use them much...your mileage may vary, etc...
The 450D doesn't have this limitation - all EF mount lenses will af.
(Not trying to do the Nikon vs. Canon thing...Imo the 40D Vs. D300 decison is a tough one !)
Cheers.
The Nikon D40(x)/D60 range don't feature a 'focusing pin' in their lens mount - some nikon lenses won't auto-focus (such as some of their prime lenses). I.e. only AF-S and AF-I lenses will autofocus (or 3rd party lenses with their own focusing motor)
For more details check the dpreview D60 review
Whether this bothers you really depends on whether you are likely to want to use those type of lenses. For me, I use my 50mm prime lens all the time, other people seem not to use them much...your mileage may vary, etc...
The 450D doesn't have this limitation - all EF mount lenses will af.
(Not trying to do the Nikon vs. Canon thing
...Imo the 40D Vs. D300 decison is a tough one !)Cheers.
Always been into Nikons personally. Got D300 now - lovely bit of kit which I cannot praise highly enough.
In my experience Nikons are better built and more reliable - I've had a couple of Canons go on the fritz - but that's not to say there are not millions of happy Canon users, because there are.
Olympus are also worth looking at. Mrs TS has a Olympus E510 and its a great little camera.
Best thing is to buy what "feels" right. I like Nikons because I have big hands and fingers and they suit my hands better.
In my experience Nikons are better built and more reliable - I've had a couple of Canons go on the fritz - but that's not to say there are not millions of happy Canon users, because there are.
Olympus are also worth looking at. Mrs TS has a Olympus E510 and its a great little camera.
Best thing is to buy what "feels" right. I like Nikons because I have big hands and fingers and they suit my hands better.
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