First digital SLR.
Discussion
My wife and I are getting more and more into photography. We've got a pair of digital compacts that are loaded with features but we feel we've outgrown them already.
One thing we're really after is the ability to focus manually through the viewfinder - the LCD display on our compact makes it impossible to do see if the photo will be in focus or not (why do they offer manual focus if its useless?!)
So we're after an entry level digital SLR that will allow us to learn a little more without breaking the bank yet be expandable enough to grow with our knowledge.
I would imaginE 5 MP would be sufficient and a second hand camera would be an option.
Have been considering the Canon EOS 300D
One thing we're really after is the ability to focus manually through the viewfinder - the LCD display on our compact makes it impossible to do see if the photo will be in focus or not (why do they offer manual focus if its useless?!)
So we're after an entry level digital SLR that will allow us to learn a little more without breaking the bank yet be expandable enough to grow with our knowledge.
I would imaginE 5 MP would be sufficient and a second hand camera would be an option.
Have been considering the Canon EOS 300D
Edited by goochie on Friday 20th April 15:05
Edited by goochie on Friday 20th April 15:50
Budget is variable depending on what we need to spend to be honest.
Though I work on the theory that you wont get rich by spending money
hence the 300D which, because of its age seems to be a good £100 cheaper than newer models.
If we can avoid the slow shutter response time of the digital compacts that would be nice too.
Though I work on the theory that you wont get rich by spending money
hence the 300D which, because of its age seems to be a good £100 cheaper than newer models. If we can avoid the slow shutter response time of the digital compacts that would be nice too.
Edited by goochie on Friday 20th April 15:13
I always give the same advice to this question s/h EOS 10D c/w battery grip and lens should be able to get one for £500-£600 depending on the lens.
Cracking 1st DSLR and although I intend to upgrade later this year I have been using mine for a couple of years now and its great.
If you really want a budget DSLR easily capable of 12x8 prints then Canon D30's can be picked up for a couple of hundred. (Thats what I had as my 1st DSLR)
Cracking 1st DSLR and although I intend to upgrade later this year I have been using mine for a couple of years now and its great.
If you really want a budget DSLR easily capable of 12x8 prints then Canon D30's can be picked up for a couple of hundred. (Thats what I had as my 1st DSLR)
There is virtually no shuttaer lag on DSLRs.
IMO (and most on here) buy a Canon or a Nikon.
Also buy a decent sized card to store your pics - letting you experiment at highest res without getting in a state about available space.
Good luck.
Edit to add... also don't worry too much about manual focus... DSLR's will let you choose the bit of the frame you want to focus on and the autofocus zoom will do it for you (as wilh film SLRs). Only problem comes with long lenses and fast objects (or skys with very subtle contrast) when the lens will spend a while arsing about trying to work out what the hell you want to take a photo of....
...by which time the fast moving object has gone or the sun has set.
IMO (and most on here) buy a Canon or a Nikon.
Also buy a decent sized card to store your pics - letting you experiment at highest res without getting in a state about available space.
Good luck.
Edit to add... also don't worry too much about manual focus... DSLR's will let you choose the bit of the frame you want to focus on and the autofocus zoom will do it for you (as wilh film SLRs). Only problem comes with long lenses and fast objects (or skys with very subtle contrast) when the lens will spend a while arsing about trying to work out what the hell you want to take a photo of....
...by which time the fast moving object has gone or the sun has set.
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 20th April 16:49
Just a little update on my above post, checked a very well known auction site and looked at there completed auctions. Appear you can pick up and 10D for about £250 then choose your lens depending in requirements. Also there was a D30 finished a few days ago c/w 2x lenses, memory card and case £170 !!!! Bargain, even if just to try things out and use as a back up once you upgrade again (which you will do, no matter what you buy) (unless you get a 1DS of course)
and looked at there completed auctions. Appear you can pick up and 10D for about £250 then choose your lens depending in requirements. Also there was a D30 finished a few days ago c/w 2x lenses, memory card and case £170 !!!! Bargain, even if just to try things out and use as a back up once you upgrade again (which you will do, no matter what you buy) (unless you get a 1DS of course)Sorry to put a dampener on things, but I'd advise spending a like more and getting either the 10D (as suggested) or something new (Nikon D50 would be my choice). I had a 300D that has a design life of 10,000 shots. Mine failed at 9000 after two and a bit years with a knackered shutter - ca. £180 to replace, making it a write off. Therefore I'd be wary of a secondhand consumer level camera. The 10D has similar electronics, but better build (it was a semi pro camera), so has a better shutter and should be okay.
As I said I'd go new Nikon D50 or Canon 350D (old models but can still be found new) and not worry about how much use it's had.Avoid other brands if you want a decent selection of lenses, likewise the D40 - it doesn't have an AF drive motor so can only use expensive new AFS lenses.
As I said I'd go new Nikon D50 or Canon 350D (old models but can still be found new) and not worry about how much use it's had.Avoid other brands if you want a decent selection of lenses, likewise the D40 - it doesn't have an AF drive motor so can only use expensive new AFS lenses.
Meanwhile, back in the refurb department, I found these last night:
www.tecno.co.uk/Store/c3391/2001-3390-3391/Home/Refurbished-//Refurbished-Nikon-DSLR/details.aspx
Nikon REFURBISHED Silver D50 c/w 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 G ED £259:99
Nikon REFURBISHED D70S Black c/w 18-70mm f3.5/4.5 DX £349:99
(Just a thought)
www.tecno.co.uk/Store/c3391/2001-3390-3391/Home/Refurbished-//Refurbished-Nikon-DSLR/details.aspx
Nikon REFURBISHED Silver D50 c/w 18-55mm f3.5/5.6 G ED £259:99
Nikon REFURBISHED D70S Black c/w 18-70mm f3.5/4.5 DX £349:99
(Just a thought)
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