First SLR camera
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Discussion

chevronb37

Original Poster:

6,472 posts

216 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Chaps,

I have been using an Olympus compact digital camera for 5 years now for motorsport photos and am really stretched by what I can do with it. I have been extremely fortunate to have been given some money for my birthday to put towards an SLR. I have been using my dad's Olympus E510 quite a bit and get on OK with it, but want to get the right camera for motorsport, as that is the main subject of my photos. Any advice on what SLR might be suitable for a budget of about £500 would be massively appreciated. A pal of mine works at Jessops so would probably look to buy through him using staff discount if that makes any difference...

Many thanks,

Andy

Woza

1,253 posts

266 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Do a quick search on the forum, there have been loads of similar threads recently.

I myself have started a couple, the knowledge and help on PH as always is brilliant!

I'm sure what most people will say is head to the shop and see which feels and suits you best, if its within your budget then go for it!

If you have a friend that works in Jessops then you have an advantage!

Woza.

KarlosFandango

361 posts

284 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
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Don't dismiss buying second hand. Just bought a 20D for the wife for less than £200 which would do most anything I would want it to do, let alone a newcomer to SLR's. You could then free up more money for the holiest of holy, your lenses.

andy-xr

13,204 posts

234 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
One other thing to consider is that you'll be tied into a system, or a lens mount so it wont be too easy to swap out at a later date without paying for it quite heavily. Depends how serious you take it to be fair, you could get this: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Dig...

and depending on how much discount you get via you mate, this would be worth a look as well: http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/pro...

I dont know anything about Canons, sorry and havent the inclination to go looking at Sony

Gold

1,998 posts

235 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Used 40d and Canon 55-250mm IS. wink

Great value for money lens and a fantastic body.

chevronb37

Original Poster:

6,472 posts

216 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Many thanks for the help chaps. I am sure this is a very common request - I am often amazed how many people at race meetings these days have massive photography se-ups compared to the old days of film!

I will have a wander down to see my pal on Friday and definitely check out the Nikon D5000, that looks sweet.

SamHH

5,078 posts

246 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
Usually I'd say buy a Nikon or Canon because they are the market leaders and have the best selection of kit but if it's practical to share lenses with your dad, it might make more sense to get an Olympus. Lenses are usually the greater expense.

sidaorb

5,595 posts

236 months

Wednesday 23rd September 2009
quotequote all
KarlosFandango said:
Don't dismiss buying second hand. Just bought a 20D for the wife for less than £200 which would do most anything I would want it to do, let alone a newcomer to SLR's. You could then free up more money for the holiest of holy, your lenses.
+1 for a 1st time DSLR look at 10D (£150ish) / 20D (£200ish) or if you want to push the boat out a 1D Mk1 (£400ish)

chevronb37

Original Poster:

6,472 posts

216 months

Thursday 24th September 2009
quotequote all
SamHH said:
Usually I'd say buy a Nikon or Canon because they are the market leaders and have the best selection of kit but if it's practical to share lenses with your dad, it might make more sense to get an Olympus. Lenses are usually the greater expense.
That is something we've been discussing. He is currently looking at getting a higher apperture/zoom lens so it'd be awesome to share that with him.

I'm off to Jessops on Friday so I'll post up my findings in due course. I wonder if they stock second hand bodies from p/ex...

Felters

618 posts

229 months

Thursday 24th September 2009
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eBay is best for second hand stuff IMHO.

These guys are usually fairly honest if you want to get clued up before hitting Jessops

http://www.dpreview.com/

clonmult

10,529 posts

239 months

Friday 25th September 2009
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chevronb37 said:
SamHH said:
Usually I'd say buy a Nikon or Canon because they are the market leaders and have the best selection of kit but if it's practical to share lenses with your dad, it might make more sense to get an Olympus. Lenses are usually the greater expense.
That is something we've been discussing. He is currently looking at getting a higher apperture/zoom lens so it'd be awesome to share that with him.

I'm off to Jessops on Friday so I'll post up my findings in due course. I wonder if they stock second hand bodies from p/ex...
Jessops haven't done p/ex in years. If you want to go that route, try to find a local independent - and you'll get considerably more knowledgeable staff there as well. I part ex'd an old SLR and a few lenses at one of the indies in Reading, and it was quite nice chatting to the old chap in the store about the old Canon SLRs (AE1, AV1, A1, etc.).

KarlosFandango

361 posts

284 months

Friday 25th September 2009
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TalkPhotography for sale forum is all you need

onomatopoeia

3,526 posts

247 months

Friday 25th September 2009
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chevronb37 said:
I'm off to Jessops on Friday so I'll post up my findings in due course. I wonder if they stock second hand bodies from p/ex...
Jessops stopped doing s/h stuff a few years ago.


chevronb37

Original Poster:

6,472 posts

216 months

Saturday 26th September 2009
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Ended up with a Canon 450D which seemed the best option for what I'm going to use it for. Cheers for the advice chaps. I know the camera's decent so now need to work on improving the operator...

These are my first couple of photos with it using our troublesome cat as my subject. Really enjoying getting to use manual focus.