Quick Poll, which DSLR?

[DJFish]

Hi folks,
I've a feeling I already know the answer but your input would be appreciated.

I use my camera occasionally at Le mans, weddings, days out, that sort of thing but I'd like the pictures I take to be fantastic images rather than poor quality snaps and I have a camera phone for everyday stuff so I've decided to splash out on some quality kit which should hopefully last me another decade. (my Panasonic compact fell to bits at Le Mans this year and I had to switch it on with a twig)

I'll be getting a bigger lense at some point for some distance motorsport piccies, but I really need a camera for a wedding this weekend.

Your informed opinons are most welcome.
Cheers
Dave

[beano500]

I've got two answers for you - neither of which is answered by the poll:

1) What lens do you want to use? (then find an SLR that fits it!)

2) Have you handled any of these? (because whatever looks good on paper will be useless if you find it handles poorly, or doesn't fit your mitt)

[RobDickinson]

Honestly as a body the 450D is so far ahead of the others - especialy for sports.

Look at what long lens you may be after too though, ultimatly the lens mount is the thing your buying into (tho if you buy carefully -and used- changing isnt that expensive).

[DJFish]

beano500 said:

I've got two answers for you - neither of which is answered by the poll:

1) What lens do you want to use? (then find an SLR that fits it!)

2) Have you handled any of these? (because whatever looks good on paper will be useless if you find it handles poorly, or doesn't fit your mitt)

1) Haven't a clue but there seems to be a great deal more choice for Nikons and Canons for when I decide what I do want to photograph.

2) I have, the G1 felt like a very compact and well made piece of electronic equipment, the Canikon felt like a well made camera.
The issue with them all is that I'll have to get used to lugging a bigger camera around again.

[_dobbo_]

I'd have to agree with Rob, to my mind the 450 is pretty much in a different league to the other two.

I'd rule out the D60 on the basis of the missing focus motor alone, but some people don't seem to mind that.

The Panny is probably a lovely bit of kit but I don't really see the point of it myself.

[furtive]

Sony A200?

[dave-therave]

I use canon stuff but that's just personal preference, there's very little difference performance wise between entry level DSLRs. As stated before the best thing you can do is try them all out as the main thing is that it feels comfortable in your hand. I started with a 350D a couple of years back and my only criticism would be that it was quite difficult to adjust the settings when shooting manually compared to their pro cameras.

[Leithen]

Sounds like you don't really need the hassle of a full sized SLR - go for a Panasonic Lumix LX3 instead.

[DJFish]

Well thanks for all the advice, you'll be pleased to hear I ignored all of it and went for the G1.
The thing that sold it for me after having another good fondle of both was the way it flipped between viewfinder and live-view(AF), plus it was that bit smaller, which is important if my wife is ever going to use it.
Most of all I'm sure that with a fair bit of practice the Canon would allow me to become a better photographer, but I really just need a camera to allow me to take better pictures (if that makes any sense at all?).
I'll probably never use half of the functions but with a 200mm stabilised zoom I'm going to get much better results than I ever would with a compact.

I just wish the bloody battery would charge so I can play with it.

Cheers all
Dave

[Simpo Two]

You'll be back

[DJFish]

Simpo Two said:

You'll be back

Don't know what you mean....

[DJFish]

Couple of snaps from the garden, seems fairly idiot proof so far....

Edited by DJFish on Wednesday 8th July 16:39