Which SLR?

[hertstopper]

Haven't been on here for a long while but I am hoping you can help me as you all seem the right people to ask.

I am after buying an SLR but cannot decide what is best to buy. I want one that is fairly easy to use and reasonably priced - up to £500 or so. I have heard the choices are between a Nikon or a Canon but I have no idea where to start.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
HS

[SpydieNut]

hi - this has been asked frequently and you could do worse than searching for past posts like this and also have a look on www.dpreview.com

HTH and good luck

david

[GetCarter]

At the top end Canon are regarded as the best at present (to my disgust), at the low end Nikon may just clinch it, not because of build/picture quality (which are about the same), but of how it looks, feels and operates in your hand.

These are however, the two brands from which to choose.

Good luck. If you can stretch then the D80 is a great camera:

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?photo/digicameras...

Edited by GetCarter on Wednesday 18th July 15:40

[hertstopper]

Thank you for your replies. I will take a look at the links and search for similar posts too.

I do like the Nikon D80 though!

[DavidY]

hertstopper

I reckon it's down to the following:-

1) If you have any existing lenses from a film SLR will they work on any of the current DLSRs from that manufacturer?

If answer to 1 is yes then that manufacturers camera may be the solution for you.

If answer to 1 is no, then get to a camera shop and handle some of the entry level DSLRs, select the the one that you like best. Note this may overide the first option if lenses you have already are not up to much.

But if you thing you're going to get hooked and are likely to upgrade, then Canon or Nikon are your friends.

For pricing look here :- http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/ and don't forget to budget for a case/bag and some memory cards.

But be warned it's a slippery slope, I bought a Canon 350D last October and reckon I've spent a further £1,500 since!

davidy

[TonyHetherington]

I really feel like I'm harassing the forum with this, but they're all genuine responses and the question's come up a few times, BUT...

I'm selling my 6000 image old Canon 20D if you're interested (will be under your budget for sure)

[Liveaxlebladder]

I'm delighted with my new Nikon D40 and can agree with the comments regarding handling,feel etc. Picture quality's pretty damn good as well. The only gripe I've got is about trying to get my £60 cashback.

[Furyous]

TonyHetherington said:

I'm selling my 6000 image old Canon 20D if you're interested....

Does that come with service history ?

Seems a bit leggy for its age..........

[TonyHetherington]

at only 6000 images it comes with a comb so you can do your hair in the still mirror-like screen

[spitfire-ian]

Liveaxlebladder said:

I'm delighted with my new Nikon D40 and can agree with the comments regarding handling,feel etc. Picture quality's pretty damn good as well. The only gripe I've got is about trying to get my £60 cashback.

Isn't it right though that you can only put the expensive Nikon lenses on it as it doesn't have an autofocus motor built in?

[flat-planedCrank]

Hi,

I had to make a similar decision to this a few months ago
(i ended up spending a fair bit more then i originally intended but that seems to be common )

From advice i got on this forum people very correctly pointed out that when you are making the Canon Vs Nikon decision you are buying into the avaliable lenses as much as you are buying the camera body. In short, camera bodies tend to come and go (more megapixels/ better ISO performance/ etc), but a quality lens stays a quality lens So take a look at the lenses that you want to gain access to (bearing in mind that 3rd party companies such as Sigma, Tamron, etc. make lenses to suit both Canon + Nikon mounts).


As has been suggested, i'd take a proper look at the cameras at your local store. Make sure you are happy with the general build quality, ease of use (some require you to go into menu's to change common settings like ISO speed), and crucially how comfortable they are to handle.


Another vote for http://www.dpreview.com/ . Very comprehensive reviews.


Hope this helps.

[Byker28i]

also http://www.fredmiranda.com/ for lens reviews

[gumballer]

go to a shop have a play, see which seems most logical to use in your eyes, then get it of the internet cheap as chips!

i just bought a 400D with a 18-55 lense + 55-200 + a battery grip for £480 off the canon refurbished store on Ebay, all the goods come with the 1 year warranty!

alternatively, i think someone on here is selling a 20D?

good luck



Edited for poor sleepy spelling

Edited by gumballer on Thursday 19th July 03:02

[sidaorb]

I think Tony's 20D is seriously worth considering, both the 10d & 20D are cracking cameras and nearly bomb proof, bearing in mind they cost well in excess of £1K when they were released.

Finally selling my 10D too after buying a 1D MkII, but as said earlier beware, this will be the start of some big spending. You soon lose track of what you've spent (probably a good thing)

[TonyHetherington]

I agree entirely with that - it's a bloody superb camera, and I wrestled with the decision to sell it as I love it so much (my first proper camera)...however, a 30D came calling and I couldn't justify two bodies; so, it has to go.

[Liveaxlebladder]

spitfire-ian said:

Liveaxlebladder said:

I'm delighted with my new Nikon D40 and can agree with the comments regarding handling,feel etc. Picture quality's pretty damn good as well. The only gripe I've got is about trying to get my £60 cashback.

Isn't it right though that you can only put the expensive Nikon lenses on it as it doesn't have an autofocus motor built in?

I would say if you were going to get into the hobby deep and were looking at having a variety of lenses then think about the D80 or similar (or that D20!) but if you are somebody like me who will only want to stick with probably the 2 lens setup (for me the 'standard 18-55 and the 55-200) then something like the D40 0r D40x would be fine, as regards 'expensive' the new 55-200 AF-S dx VR is £150-£200 or the non VR version £120-£150 which I don't think is to bad for a dedicated lens.

[spitfire-ian]

Liveaxlebladder said:

spitfire-ian said:

Liveaxlebladder said:

I'm delighted with my new Nikon D40 and can agree with the comments regarding handling,feel etc. Picture quality's pretty damn good as well. The only gripe I've got is about trying to get my £60 cashback.

Isn't it right though that you can only put the expensive Nikon lenses on it as it doesn't have an autofocus motor built in?

I would say if you were going to get into the hobby deep and were looking at having a variety of lenses then think about the D80 or similar (or that D20!) but if you are somebody like me who will only want to stick with probably the 2 lens setup (for me the 'standard 18-55 and the 55-200) then something like the D40 0r D40x would be fine, as regards 'expensive' the new 55-200 AF-S dx VR is £150-£200 or the non VR version £120-£150 which I don't think is to bad for a dedicated lens.

My apologies, I have a D70 anyway but I was lead to believe that the AF-S lenses were more expensive than the figures you've quoted. That's what I get for listening to people and not checking the facts out. Not that it matters to me anyway as mine can take both types

[woogie]

What happened to the D50 ? I have this one have they stopped making it?

[GetCarter]

Still flogging them

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-Digital-Camera-Black...

[pikey]

Came up against the same decision last year and opted for a Sony a100.

...evidently not that this forum seems to agree it was right!



PS. I'm quite happy with my decision though!


Nice little micro site here: http://www.sony.co.uk/nextlevel