SLR cameras

[jmilsom]

Looking at buying a SLR camera but not sure what to go for really.

roughly 400-500 to spend on one.

in the past i have looked at the sony NEX range.

but if any one has any advice on what to look at that would be great

[Gold]

What do you want to photograph? How important is size? How much do you want to expand in the future? Do any of your friends/family already use a system? (Being able to borrow lenses is great)

In all honesty any of modern camera systems are great. Budget £300 for the camera and another £200 for lenses and accessories.

Edited by Gold on Wednesday 24th February 14:09

[rich888]

What a question to ask! So many choices!

My initial thought was to purchase the Canon 100D which is physically smaller, though it kind of overlapped what my Sony RX100 was providing, whilst not being small enough to put in the pocket. I opted for the 700D because it had a more advanced focusing system and longer battery life plus a few other advantages. Not a lot in it really.

After much thought I ended up buying a Canon 700D plus three lenses and have been having great fun to date. Haven't regretted the purchase in any way whatsoever because the lenses offer so much potential. The 50mm prime lens has proved itself invaluable.

Now if I had a larger budget I might have opted for the 760D or the 70D, but thankfully I didn't or else I might still be going round and round with the decision making process!!!

[ExPat2B]

Second hand Nikon D7100 from ebay is unbeatable value. I got one for £260 quid as a second body, it is really, really, really good.

Stick the 35mm f1.8 DX prime on and you have a great all purpose combo.

[funinhounslow]

I am in the same position as you and recently bought my first DSLR – a Pentax K-S1 which Amazon are now selling for £250.

If you can live with the looks and flashing lights (which can be turned off) it is worth consideration. I went for it primarily for its viewfinder – pentaprism with 100% coverage – unusual at this price level. I have since discovered that the Pentax K mount dates back to the 1970s so there are a lot of second hand lenses floating around that will fit it. A quick look at ebay confirms this – if you don’t mind manual focussing there is a huge choice at very reasonable prices.

Pentax are a bit of a niche player these days, but seem to be highly regarded still.

[Simpo Two]

funinhounslow said:

Pentax are a bit of a niche player these days, but seem to be highly regarded still.

Pentax were big in the film days but didn't seem to make the jump to digital as fast/as well as Nikon and Canon. Of the other 'big 5', Minolta turned into Sony and Olympus beat their own path.

As you say the K-mount is very common so head to eBay and fill up!

[Mr Will]

funinhounslow said:

I have since discovered that the Pentax K mount dates back to the 1970s so there are a lot of second hand lenses floating around that will fit it. A quick look at ebay confirms this – if you don’t mind manual focussing there is a huge choice at very reasonable prices.

Worth mentioning that Pentax K mount, Nikon F mount and most of the other old, manual focus SLR lenses can be used on Canon DSLRs. All you need is a cheap and simple adapter.

[jmilsom]

I haven't had chance to try any cameras as of yet.

i have a point and shoot sony hx series digital camera 16mp.

with my job i use photoshop a lot swell as photo paint and the corel suite so would like to start editing my own pictures.

like i said camera and a starter lense or something along this lines to get me started with a max of around £500 would be good

[Simpo Two]

jmilsom said:

like i said camera and a starter lense or something along this lines to get me started with a max of around £500 would be good

Do want new or is s/h OK? If you're OK with s/h you'll get much more for your £500, eg an extra lens, tripod, flashgun.

[Gold]

jmilsom said:

I haven't had chance to try any cameras as of yet.

i have a point and shoot sony hx series digital camera 16mp.

with my job i use photoshop a lot swell as photo paint and the corel suite so would like to start editing my own pictures.

like i said camera and a starter lense or something along this lines to get me started with a max of around £500 would be good

Honestly there's so much choice and so many good systems it's impossible to say exactly which system to get. As above do you want new or is secondhand ok? And how important is size?

Go into a camera store and have a play, there's lots of options, £500 new should get you an entry level system camera together with a kit lens (18-55mm or similar) and either a prime (50mm 1.8 or similar) or a longer lens (55-250mm or similar), depending on what you are going to be shooting??

If you go second hand you will likely be able to get a more advanced body and both a longer and prime lens for £500.

[jmilsom]

I'm fine by going second hand.

i may pop into my local camera store and have a look at a few systems


any particular brands to stay clear off etc?

[Simpo Two]

jmilsom said:

any particular brands to stay clear off etc?

I don't think so, but if you choose one of the popular ones, ergo there will be more s/h stuff about to choose from - and that can mean lower prices too. The most common makes are Nikon and Canon - but as far as photographs go you'll get perfectly good images from all of them. The difference is in the choice of lenses and accessories, and of course ergonomics.

[ExPat2B]

jmilsom said:

I'm fine by going second hand.

i may pop into my local camera store and have a look at a few systems


any particular brands to stay clear off etc?

Stay away from Samsung ! they just announced they are getting out of the camera game. And I would avoid Sigma DSLR's, they tend to be for people who want a very certain type of image quality.