£300 approx best second hand digital SLR
Discussion
Shortly will be looking for a camera upgrade - happy enough with my Olympus waterproof compact for holiday snaps etc. but a bit frustrating loosing quality in Photoshop and some photos that would have been even better if there was a faster shutter speed or a better zoom etc.
Open to you all in here as the best source of camera knowledge (rather than reading all the magazines on the subject), probably be used on auto point and shoot type modes most of the time though done some macro stuff previously and might want to start playing with manual settings.
What is the best bet for an approx £300-£350 spend, safe choice seems to be a used Nikon D60 with a decent lense or a Canon EOS 550D, any opinions or other suggestions?
Open to you all in here as the best source of camera knowledge (rather than reading all the magazines on the subject), probably be used on auto point and shoot type modes most of the time though done some macro stuff previously and might want to start playing with manual settings.
What is the best bet for an approx £300-£350 spend, safe choice seems to be a used Nikon D60 with a decent lense or a Canon EOS 550D, any opinions or other suggestions?
+1 for MPB.
Have bought used items from them twice now and been very happy - would much prefer to give them my money than take my chances on Ebay.
I only know about Canon - but I'd have a 550d if it fell within budget - has the most recent sensor and the incremental benefits the latest xx0d offer are marginal.
Have bought used items from them twice now and been very happy - would much prefer to give them my money than take my chances on Ebay.
I only know about Canon - but I'd have a 550d if it fell within budget - has the most recent sensor and the incremental benefits the latest xx0d offer are marginal.
The 18-55mm is the standard lens that Canon supply with the 550d. I've just upgraded to the 17mm-85mm USM which whilst pricier is much better. An absolute must for many people is to get the 50mm f1.8 lens. It's cheap (£80 ish) and small but can produce some cracking photos.
I intend to use my 17-85mm as my walkaround lens, until I can afford a nice shiny 24-105mm f4 L.
I intend to use my 17-85mm as my walkaround lens, until I can afford a nice shiny 24-105mm f4 L.
You can actually email MPB and ask them to keep a look out for what you're after, and what price range, and they'll let you know if something suitable comes in before they put it online for general viewing. Well, they offered that service for me when I was after a 500mm lens.
As for the Canon kit lens, I've always found it to be very good (the IS version). But I don't do huge amounts of scenic work. The shots on my website of the Lakes were using it.
As for the Canon kit lens, I've always found it to be very good (the IS version). But I don't do huge amounts of scenic work. The shots on my website of the Lakes were using it.
Pentax k10d - an excellent, weather sealed dSLR with in body SR that gives you access to a vast choice of Pentax lenses.
The AF isn't that fast, but it's accurate, and it doesn't have the high ISO performance of a more modern camera, but it's built to last (magnesium body) and has two dials, so you can change aperture and shutter speed without taking it from your eye.
And you can get a body for £150, so you have £200 or so to get some lovely lenses for it.
The AF isn't that fast, but it's accurate, and it doesn't have the high ISO performance of a more modern camera, but it's built to last (magnesium body) and has two dials, so you can change aperture and shutter speed without taking it from your eye.
And you can get a body for £150, so you have £200 or so to get some lovely lenses for it.
Podie said:
Have you looked at http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk ?
Not sure about the lenses but the newer bodies seem expensive, a used D5100 Nikon body at £399 plus postage for example when you can get a brand new body for less elsewhere, or with the 18-55 lens for £450-460.Edited by LocoBlade on Wednesday 11th July 21:08
Have you considered a Sony NEX or any 4/3 system? That would give you a chance to use some of the old and great manual focus lenses, including Canon FD. A Sony NEX3 can be had used for about £150.
I use quite a lot of my old MF lenses, including Canon FD on my EOS 450D, but better results can be had with a mirror-less camera.
I use quite a lot of my old MF lenses, including Canon FD on my EOS 450D, but better results can be had with a mirror-less camera.
Killwilly said:
Have you considered a Sony NEX or any 4/3 system? That would give you a chance to use some of the old and great manual focus lenses, including Canon FD. A Sony NEX3 can be had used for about £150.
I use quite a lot of my old MF lenses, including Canon FD on my EOS 450D, but better results can be had with a mirror-less camera.
Mirrorless isn't great for action wouldn't have thought as there is no proper, live viewfinder?I use quite a lot of my old MF lenses, including Canon FD on my EOS 450D, but better results can be had with a mirror-less camera.
I'd spend more on lenses than the body. You can use the lenses forever but the body you may upgrade later.
Just a quick suggestion - this looks to be a very good deal:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-450D-DSLR-Came...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-450D-DSLR-Came...
Mr Kitten said:
Just a quick suggestion - this looks to be a very good deal:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-450D-DSLR-Came...
But read the reviews of the non IS EF-S 18-55 and EF 75-300 and make sure you're happy with what people say about them before you buy, not after.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Canon-EOS-450D-DSLR-Came...
Crusoe said:
she's here 
Need to see if I can nip out at lunch time and get a memory card then I'm all set I think. Scandisk ultra SDHC with the faster 30mb/sec seem to get the best reviews, worth the extra over slower speed cards?
excuse the phone camera and paint use to block the background
Re: cards - yes, it's worth it. My fast one failed, so I now have the one I bought in an emergency. It's annoying when the card slows the camera down if you take a burst (or just two shots RAW on mine - avoid a class 4 one!)Need to see if I can nip out at lunch time and get a memory card then I'm all set I think. Scandisk ultra SDHC with the faster 30mb/sec seem to get the best reviews, worth the extra over slower speed cards?
excuse the phone camera and paint use to block the background
Easiest option at lunch was a nip into argos (pencils instead of small pens now) and tried to get a 45mb/sec sandisk card - but they had mis labled them and only had 30mb/sec ones in stock (someting about a new catelogue mistake) so picked up a 4Gb one of those to get me started. Second hand manfrotto tripod should arrive tomorrow too
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff