(Very) budget entry into DSLR ownership....
Discussion
I'm considering buying a 2nd hand DSLR to try and learn/improve my skills without spending a fortune. Trying to do it as cheaply as possible with a view to upgrading later, so considering some rather old 2nd hand Nikon gear like a D50 which is available for less than £100 and adding a decent 2nd hand kit lens (with a view that the lens could be used with a better body later)
Am I mad? Just how cheaply is it doable for without buying a load of old junk?
Am I mad? Just how cheaply is it doable for without buying a load of old junk?
Toaster Pilot said:
I'm considering buying a 2nd hand DSLR to try and learn/improve my skills without spending a fortune. Trying to do it as cheaply as possible with a view to upgrading later, so considering some rather old 2nd hand Nikon gear like a D50 which is available for less than £100 and adding a decent 2nd hand kit lens (with a view that the lens could be used with a better body later)
Am I mad? Just how cheaply is it doable for without buying a load of old junk?
Sounds like a great plan to me. Modern cameras have moved things on in terms of gadgety features and the sensors are certainly much better in low light and large printing but an older camera like a D50 is more than capable of producing stunning results. I don't think many people realise just how capable older DSLR's are. My mum has an old minolta DSLR (remember them?). It's worth nothing at all but paired with a 50mm 1.7 lens, it's brilliant. A D50 would be good but you could also consider a D70 which is older but will allow you to use AF-D lenses and still retain auto focus (because it has a built in motor). A 50mm 1.8 AF-D paired to a D70 is capable of stunning images and should cost less than £150. Am I mad? Just how cheaply is it doable for without buying a load of old junk?
Toaster Pilot said:
I am conscious of the fact that a D3000 kit is available for £249 from Argos brand spanking new, so at what price point does buying a beat up old body make less sense compared with these current entry level offerings?
To be honest the D3000 isn't that modern these days anyway so I don't think you'd gain a great deal other than a few mp's and a warranty. Remember as well that a D3000 is very much an entry level camera so is small, has very few external controls and will not have either a top lcd or a built in auto focus motor.If you did have a budget close to £250 though, something like a D80 or D200 might be a better bet though I acknowledge you'd still need a lens.
Just checking what's available from Grays, you could get a D300, with a 12 month guaranty, for £375. Reckon that would last you 24 months and give you a whole stretching learning curve to explore and still fetch a ton or two when you trade it in/Fleabay it. Definitely has motor in body so gives much more opportunity for secondhand lenses too!
Mpb photographic had d70's for about £80 with 6 month guarantees. Can't go wrong for the price, to get a bright pentaprism viewfinder new you're looking at £500 minimum. Also can use cheaper old af screw drive lenses, command wireless flash etc.
6mp is more than enough, only real downsides are small LCD screens and image noise over 400iso, but most people shoot under that most of the time.
Check ken Rockwell for more info, but take it all with a pinch of salt.
Well worth sticking with nikon or canon if you expect to get more into it on the future, they have the most lenses/accessories etc, although I have a soft spot for pentax too.
6mp is more than enough, only real downsides are small LCD screens and image noise over 400iso, but most people shoot under that most of the time.
Check ken Rockwell for more info, but take it all with a pinch of salt.
Well worth sticking with nikon or canon if you expect to get more into it on the future, they have the most lenses/accessories etc, although I have a soft spot for pentax too.
Toaster Pilot said:
It arrived and is exactly as described, I'm very happy. Need to get a few bits and pieces to go with it (tripod, decent bag, lens cleaning stuff) but it's all good. Ordered a couple of books which will hopefully help me get to grips with it.
Congrats - sounds like a decent bit of kit for £120! 
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