Advice needed, RE DSLR type camera for starter

[skip_1]

I have been looking to pick up a decent camera with lens for use as a starter to introduce myself to SLR type photography. My budget is max £200.

I have seen Sony A200's on Ebay at reasonable prices but these are body only. How much are standard 17-70mm type lenses (there appear to be lots of cheap unbranded lenses on Ebay - are these any good?).

I have also seen Fuji Finepix S9600 cameras at very reasonable prices. These do not have interchangeable lenses but the standard lens is 28-300mm. Does anyone have any experience with these.

Thanks in advance.

[tinman0]

You might want to look at Canon 350D. Slightly lower on megapixels, but more room for expansion in the future if running a DSLR is something you like. I'm sure there are s/h Nikons around as well, someone here will suggest one I'm sure.

Trouble with the Fuji is that it's a bridge camera and if you want an SLR and you buy a bridge, you will never quite scratch that itch.

[skip_1]

Thanks for the advice.

If I was to buy a camera body where is the best source for lenses - prob 2nd hand to keep costs down, As mentioned above there appear to be lots of cheap lenses on ebay, I assume these are poor quality?

[dibbly dobbler]

skip_1 said:

Thanks for the advice.

If I was to buy a camera body where is the best source for lenses - prob 2nd hand to keep costs down, As mentioned above there appear to be lots of cheap lenses on ebay, I assume these are poor quality?

For £200 you'd be looking at getting body + lens second hand I'd have thought.

eBay should be ok if you follow the usual precautions

(If you go for a Canon body I've a 18-55mm which you could have for a nominal fee )

[wattsie_2004]

I've recently been trying out a Canon 500d (I am a complete novice so it's the first DSLR camera I've tried mind)

These are currently in Currys for £465 (using discount code) then a further £30 cash back is available from Canon's website.

HTH

Edit: Sorry I missed "£200" in the first post

Edited by wattsie_2004 on Sunday 5th December 20:44

[RobDickinson]

Try get a canon 350D or 20D and an 18-55IS kit lens (note note the non IS one those bodies came with).

That will do you fine.

[PedantLosesGrip]

Try Mifsuds: http://www.mifsuds.com/acatalog/Used_Canon_EOS_Bod...

Great shop, nice people, good advice and you can avoid the ebay.... (oh, and warranty as well)

[skip_1]

Thanks guys. I have seen the following at a good price. It is a US (assume no compatibility probs) Canon 350d. A few issues:

The included lens is in good cosmetic condition and the glass has no scratches, Unfortunately, the auto-focus is not working and can only be used manually. ----Assume that if I took up the offer of the lens above then the auto focus would work?

There are some marks visible in the viewfinder. These are near the top edge and do not affect the operation of the camera - I believe they were made when the previous owner (my father) attempted to clean dust from the camera. I have removed most of them and a professional clean (around £20) would get rid of the rest. There is also a small mark (scratch) visible in the viewfinder.
- No major issues with this?

The seller also mentions the CF eject lever is broken but cards can still be ejected and replaced manually.

The price is very good, but is it worth it over say paying 50 or 60 more for a UK camera in tip top condition?

[RobDickinson]

A 350D will be a little long in the tooth if used at all.

Autofocus is something your going to want on the lens, its not unpossible to manual focus but not something you want to be doing realy.

Viewfinder dust isnt an issue, totaly different optical path to the sensor ( mirror, focus screen etc, all possible to clean yourself if you've the skill).

Memory card, I very rarely remove the memory card, buy an 8gig one and leave it in the camera? Tho one reason to remove it is speed of pic transfer, the 350D is USB2 but isnt very quick reading or writing to the card - so little point buying an expensive fast one.

[skip_1]

RobDickinson said:

A 350D will be a little long in the tooth if used at all.

Autofocus is something your going to want on the lens, its not unpossible to manual focus but not something you want to be doing realy.

Viewfinder dust isnt an issue, totaly different optical path to the sensor ( mirror, focus screen etc, all possible to clean yourself if you've the skill).

Memory card, I very rarely remove the memory card, buy an 8gig one and leave it in the camera? Tho one reason to remove it is speed of pic transfer, the 350D is USB2 but isnt very quick reading or writing to the card - so little point buying an expensive fast one.

Cheers. I have also looked at the Mifsuds link above. With regards the D30, D20 and D10 it appears the lower the number the newer the camera. The prices for body only there are pretty good. Anyone have advice as to which would be the best camera out of those three?

[RobDickinson]

skip_1 said:

Cheers. I have also looked at the Mifsuds link above. With regards the D30, D20 and D10 it appears the lower the number the newer the camera. The prices for body only there are pretty good. Anyone have advice as to which would be the best camera out of those three?

For canon the D30 is very very old (circa 2000) the 30D is much newer (circa 2006) - so dont confuse the two.

I wouldnt get a D30, D60, 10D or 300D, anything newer, 3560D on, 20D on I would recomend.

[skip_1]

Thanks for the prompt responses. Think I'm gonna do a good google research session.

[PedantLosesGrip]

Use http://www.dpreview.com/ as your baseline...

Oh, and ignore megapixels as a general argument for "better"...

[Simpo Two]

skip_1 said:

Cheers. I have also looked at the Mifsuds link above. With regards the D30, D20 and D10 it appears the lower the number the newer the camera.

Get the 'D' on the right end or you could end up with a Nikon!

Canon: 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D
Nikon: D50, D60, D70, D80 etc.

[lestag]

Have a look at the fujifilm HS10 at top end of your budget and maybe slightly over
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10020206fujifine...
24-720mm equivilent

I have used fuji products for years and they have been reliable.

[RobDickinson]

Simpo Two said:

Get the 'D' on the right end or you could end up with a Nikon!

Or a very old canon! ( D30, D60, DCS1,DCS3, D2000, D6000)