3.2mp -> something -> dslr

[rico]

I currently have a 3.2mp Canon Powershot A310.

Not a bad camera at all. I've had some great photos out of it, mainly in clubs and bars, but had some nice car stuff too.

I'm still toying with a DSLR but i don't think i can reaaally justify the expense just yet, but still fancy an upgrade to give me a bit more control and detail.

Any recommendations for cameras in the £300-£500 range that will give me a lot more control, optical zoom capability and a better quality image.

Or should i just get 0% finance on the difference and pick up a 300D?

[dcw@pr]

Save up and go for the slr

[luca brazzi]

rico said:

Or should i just get 0% finance on the difference and pick up a 300D?

Do it. warehouseexpress.com have got a great price, plus £100 cash back....quality is fantastic for the price, but then you'll start spending serious money on lenses etc., but that's why you bought an SLR.

LB

www.warehouseexpress.com/Photo/digicameras/Canon.html#300d
Canon EOS-300D plus
Canon EF-S 18-55
All options include:
£100 Cashback (claim form sent with camera).
FREE 256MB Card claimed direct from Canon.
FREE Canon CS-EH16L Case supplied by us.

The above, after cashback = £500

Now that's bl00dy good value.

[rico]

D-Slr it is then... hopefully

[dcw@pr]

luca brazzi said:

Now that's bl00dy good value.

That really is good value, but you will want a bigger memory card too, so give it an extra £100 or so

[rico]

I might pop down to my local Jessops and see if they fancy doing a price-match.

Last time i was in the salesman even recommended i go to the shops on Tottenham Court Rd then come back and they'll price match that.

They'll also probably chuck in a 1Gb compact flash card at a good price. They also do the black 300D which looks the danglies

Talking of Jessops - their 300D kit also comes with a grip... is this an additional battery holder or something? Is it worth having?

Luca - whats the battery life like on your 300D? (i think you've got one)

>> Edited by rico on Friday 5th November 22:05

[nighthawk]

I spent lots of cash upgrading from a 1.3mp click and go through to a dSLR.

I wish I could have just gone straight to the Dslr, that way i'd have saved enough money to have bought my 300d in the first place.

The extra control it gives is well worth it, and the old powershot will be ideal for those point and shoot party snaps,

[simpo two]

If you want full control and interchangeable lenses (and a bigger CCD) go straight to a DSLR. They may seem expensive but when you get one you suddenly realise they're worth it!

(and I just happen to have a brand new D70 kit sitting here with a £300 voucher offer - mail me if you're interested)

[luca brazzi]

rico said:

Luca - whats the battery life like on your 300D? (i think you've got one)

Battery is good for about 600 shots. Obviously this reduces with flash use, but its still damn impressive.

I got the vertical grip, from Hong Kong through Ebay, £150 in the UK, £68 in HK. It takes a second battery, doubling the shooting capacity (UK Canon - £55, Ebay HK £11 inc. postage). Got a 1Gb card and a 512Mb card, does me fine on a days shooting most of the time. Took some photos of JeremyC's new Aston last weekend, shooting in RAW and filled up both cards with 170 pics - stunning quality though .

Then got the 70-200 2.8IS , cable and remote release units, for new studio set up, and now I'm totally skint

Great camera, and yes Jessops do price match, though they might not match the cashback. But get it from warehouseexpress anyhow, they do a next day delivery....and give an excellent service.

Any more questions, just ask

LB

[sjg]

I've got a Fuji S602 and that (or it's replacement the S7000) seem a good inbetween camera, especially if you want some decent zoom. I picked up my S602 Pro for 300 quid in May with a 1Gb microdrive, I'd have thought the S7000 is around the same by now. Much more affordable than a 300D plus a lens with enough zoom.

Worth looking at the Nikon Coolpix 5700 and I'm sure there's a couple of similar SLR-styled ones for similar money. Or Canon G5s and the like if you don't need the zoom. All have full manual control, proper tripod mounts, many have hotshoes for external flash, etc - you just can't change lenses like you can with a DSLR. All are a very big step up in quality from an A310, and if you feel the need to upgrade later (I haven't yet) they hold their value pretty well.

Take a look at www.dcviews.com - they have specs for everything and include sample galleries and professional reviews for all the cameras that have them.

[woody]

Jessops do the Black 300D & cash back. I'm very tempted by this, but will have to wait until I come back from my holiday to Hong Kong in a couple of weeks - unless I can get it cheaper out there.... any ideas??

Chris

[pentoman]

300D can be firmware upgraded to something loosely resembling a 10D if you're prepared to forego the warranty. But it's the magnesium (?) rather than plastic build that you pay extra for with the 10D, not the features.

My 10D is lovely.. I still feel like me + the camera have more to learn, after a few thousand photos.

On the other hand, it has less features than a top-end non-SLR, though that's only 'features' like video / effects and stuff that doesn't affect your photography per se.


Russ