DSLR Newbie Buyer

[2 5HAN]

Hi Guys

As the thread suggests i am looking to buy a New Digital SLR

I have until now only ever used a Sony CyberShot for ease of size and use but having seen some photo's from a recent party we went to taken with a "Proper" camera feel i would like to get something a bit more substantial especially with a young family growing up, i'd like some nice memories.

I have been looking at the Cannon EOS 450d and the Nikon D40 D60 and D90

I read some reviews on dpreview but they seem to contradict themselves slightly when you get to the conclusions, basically leaving me none the wiser when it comes to a decision.

Being realistic i very much doubt that i will end up playing with all the settings and fully understanding the camera, i guess it will end up staying in Auto mode for 99% of its life.

So come on guys which camera will be best for me?
Also any recommendations for buying? I see Jessops seem to have a fairly good rep?
Thanks in Advance.
Shan

[Ordinary Bloke]

Where's Rob D when you need him

Canon or Nikon, either is ok. I think lenses for Canon are better value for money. Jessops are ok but not the cheapest, buy a couple of photo magazines and look at the adverts.

[RobDickinson]

Hahah have a search. IMO 450D or D90.

The D40/60 arnt bad but lack a few toys.

[stevejh]

I've got a D40 which I love so I am a bit biased. However if you are going to leave it in Auto (which I have hardly ever done) then you'll get great results but you can always start playing with the settings later as the D40 menus provide good guides as to what everything does.

If I were you I would get down to somewhere like Jessops and just see how each camera feels and which feels right for you. You can't go too wrong by sticking to either Nikon or Canon - Nikon just felt right for me.

[StupitHeed]

Have a look at dpreview.com at the "comparison" tests and stuff as well. You'll learn a lot about how the "entry level" DSLR cameras stack up quite closely under the microscope in terms of image quality.

Steve's right. Get down to a camera store and feel / handle the cameras. When I was starting out it was D50 v 350D and I just preferred the D50 feel. One of the most important aspects of a camera is how natural it feels to you.

Then buy whatever you want from warehouseexpress as it's usually cheaper.

Edited by StupitHeed on Wednesday 17th December 09:23

[Superhoop]

I was in the exact same position as you a few months back. Decided on the Canon Eos, which ahs been a joy to use, and takes some lovely pictures.

The deal breaker for me was that lenses were definitely cheaper for the Canon, and also I have a few friends that all also use Canon, so borrowing lenses, getting advice was going to be possible.

I bought mine from Curry's.... Probably seems like an odd choice, but i managed to save over £180 when buying the camera, lenses, a bag etc. I was really suprised at how willing they were to haggle, and eventually got it cheaper than I could find anywhere else, including the internet.

One thing though, i'd be suprised if you really do leave it on Auto as much as you think, DSLR's are fantastic, and can do so much, you'll want to explore it's capabilities.

So, Buy one, you won't regret it..

[2 5HAN]

Cheers guys, sorry meant to post to say i'm off to Jessops and Currys tommorrow to see what deal i can get
Will let you know how i get on

[Superhoop]

2 5HAN said:

Cheers guys, sorry meant to post to say i'm off to Jessops and Currys tommorrow to see what deal i can get
Will let you know how i get on

So how did it go? What did you buy, and how good a deal did you get?

[2 5HAN]

Ok Guys

Ended up checking out Currys, a local independent and Jessops

Basically had a good play and look at the Nikkon and Cannon range and ended up with the Cannon

Unfortunately the independent didnt have half the stuff in stock which was a bit dissapointing seeing as i had to drive to them in the opposite direction to the other two.

Deal i got from Jessops was:

Canon EOS 450D with Canon 18-55mm IS lens
Tamron 70-300mm, f4-5.6 DI lens
Sandisk Ultra II 8GB SDHC card
Jessops 300AFD Digital Flashgun
Centon DSLR Camera Bag
Total Cost was £602

They also included in that price:
8GB Cruzer Micro Stick
20 Free Prints
£25 Jessops Voucher
and of course the Cannon £50 cash back Voucher that i have to send off.

Currys had a similar deal on but smaller Memory Card and no free Memory Stick or prints, the other annoying thing was that the guy in Currys was blagging his way through the info on the cameras and just trying to make the sale, in comparison the Jessops guy was actually not pushy at all.

Bad news is the wife has decided it should be wrapped up for xmas now hahaha

Thanks for your advise, looking forward to asking lots of questions once i get my hands on it.

[Ordinary Bloke]

Good choice... now you'd better be a good boy until the 25th!

[uriel]

Another one here that's gone with the Jessops 450D kit and Tamron lens deal. Should be delivered on Tuesday.

Off now to Ebay to look for a bag and maybe this 50mm F/1.8 cheap lens that everyone seems to talk about.

[4hero]

Nice choice on the 450's folks Start saving now to save bankrupting yourself when you decide you need more lenses 'n stuff

[LukeBird]

4hero said:

Start saving now to save bankrupting yourself when you decide you need more lenses 'n stuff

Yeah that's a downward spiral!!
I'm not nearly as bad as you 4hero, but my credit card is still feeling the pain!

I'd quite like the 50mm f1.8 oh and a nice wide prime would be nice, then a decent macro, a nice fisheeye oh and...

[4hero]

LukeBird said:

4hero said:

Start saving now to save bankrupting yourself when you decide you need more lenses 'n stuff

Yeah that's a downward spiral!!
I'm not nearly as bad as you 4hero, but my credit card is still feeling the pain!

I'd quite like the 50mm f1.8 oh and a nice wide prime would be nice, then a decent macro, a nice fisheeye oh and...

I'm just glad I don't have a credit card

[LukeBird]

4hero said:

I'm just glad I don't have a credit card

I'm not as bad as some on it (it isn't loaded to the hilt with plasma TVs for instance! ) but the 70-200F4 has just been lumped on it; although it was a steal that lens! I couldn't miss out...!
What next!?

[4hero]

What next? Do you mean for you or me?

Me, it's got to be a 5D MkII, and a couple more lenses. Canon 10-20 and 24-105 (will be selling the minted 17-40L, and a couple of other bits which should slightly part-fund)

[LukeBird]

Ooooh I'd like the Canon 10-22
I'm torn over the 17-40, I can't work out if it's just a little short and I'd find myself changing to my 28-135 (which I'd like to replace with the 24-105)...

[4hero]

The 17-40 is a lovely lens to be honest, it's just that I'm missing some range and the 17-40 will overlap with the new stuff.

Edited by 4hero on Sunday 21st December 18:14

[LukeBird]

4hero said:

The 17-40 is a lovely lens to be honest, it's just that I'm missing some range and the 17-40 will overlap with the new stuff.

I don't really plan to have anything short enough to overlap significantly with a 17-40 (reckon the most I'd get would be with the 10-22 I want and the 28-135 I have) so it may well be worth looking out for one!

[Podie]

LukeBird said:

4hero said:

The 17-40 is a lovely lens to be honest, it's just that I'm missing some range and the 17-40 will overlap with the new stuff.

I don't really plan to have anything short enough to overlap significantly with a 17-40 (reckon the most I'd get would be with the 10-22 I want and the 28-135 I have) so it may well be worth looking out for one!

We've got a 17-40... nice lens, and we're very happy with it. Picked it up secondhand for a song.