Recommend my first DSLR

[thekirbyfake]

Looking to buy a DSLR and frankly it's a huge minefield for a beginner such as myself.

I've read various online reviews and got various friends' recommendations and thought I'd throw it out to PH to give some more.

Budget <£500
Upgradable
Simple point and click functions (for the Mrs) as well as clever stuff
Robust
I'd prefer a ready made kit but I'm not averse to buying a body and build my own

One friend has an EOS 400D which takes some brilliant shots and it's still available with some very reasonable prices. What else should I be looking at?

How about buying 2nd hand? Risky? What can go wrong with a camera?

[rustyspit]

I wouldn't bother buying 2nd hand unless you're very short of cash or want something specific - new DSLRs are getting pretty cheap these days. Kit lenses will be good enough to get started with. Maybe have a look at the Nikon D40 and D60, Canon 400/450D, Sony A200/300/350.

Don't get too hung up on individual features - any of the entry-level cameras from the big manufacturers will take amazing pictures in the right hands, and much of the differences between them will be in the handling, menus systems etc. Try to play with them in a shop if possible - the different systems will probably feel quite different to use.

[GetCarter]

Stick to either of the two market leaders IMO - Either Nikon or Canon.

ETAS - This thread might be of interest http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by GetCarter on Saturday 26th July 12:40

[alfasudqv]

If you are not adverse to building your own kit, then dont forget Pentax. It seems as if everybody thinks that well known photocopier manufacturer rules the roost. They are good and Nikon even better, but have always used Pentax gear and it has been reliable. 50% of my lenses are Pentax 'K' mount gear from the 80's and Pentax lenses were often only second to some of the heavyweight names in glass manufacture (for example Zeiss). Worth considering anyway. Good luck.

[DKMsport]

Go for a canon 400d, I cant coment on nikons but I think the 400d is very easy to pick up and use and Im slowly learning to master using its functions. I bought mine as a kit with the 18-55mm kit lens and a 55-200mm USM lens aswell as battery pack/grip. As mentioned above its always a good idea to go to a store and have a play first.

[Stigmundfreud]

go to jessops, try out as many of the different brands there are and see which feels best. Canon and Nikkon gives you the widest upgrade paath in the future so you can keep your lenses etc but simply try whichever feels best in your hand

then buy a canon because child murderers buy nikkon

[DKMsport]

Stigmundfreud said:

then buy a canon because child murderers buy nikkon

[GetCarter]

DKMsport said:

Stigmundfreud said:

then buy a canon because child murderers buy nikkon

Hey - we only cull a few!

[Stigmundfreud]

GetCarter said:

DKMsport said:

Stigmundfreud said:

then buy a canon because child murderers buy nikkon

Hey - we only cull a few!

I always had my doubts about you

[slartibartfast]

DKMsport said:

Stigmundfreud said:

then buy a canon because child murderers buy nikkon

WTF?
good job i bought canon.

hey my kids, go hide cos i think that bloke over there's got a nikkon.

Paul

[Stigmundfreud]

slartibartfast said:

DKMsport said:

Stigmundfreud said:

then buy a canon because child murderers buy nikkon

WTF?
good job i bought canon.

hey my kids, go hide cos i think that bloke over there's got a nikkon.

Paul

tbh thats a good warning too

[thekirbyfake]

Thanks for the tips.

Went into Jessops and it looks like 400D does everything I need (including the lack of infanticide, it seems).

Also going for a zoom lens and a 1.8 for shots of the soon to arrive baby tkf.

[Stigmundfreud]

thekirbyfake said:

Thanks for the tips.

Went into Jessops and it looks like 400D does everything I need (including the lack of infanticide, it seems).

Also going for a zoom lens and a 1.8 for shots of the soon to arrive baby tkf.

the 1.8 50mm is an aces lens

i never use mine as its in the house lost somewhere

[slartibartfast]

Stigmundfreud said:

thekirbyfake said:

Thanks for the tips.

Went into Jessops and it looks like 400D does everything I need (including the lack of infanticide, it seems).

Also going for a zoom lens and a 1.8 for shots of the soon to arrive baby tkf.

the 1.8 50mm is an aces lens

Paul nods LOTS in agreement!

i bought mine for £46 off ebay and use it always, the focus is always pin sharp where as the 18-55mm kit lense is $h1T with a captical S.

actually i could do with a pin sharp cheap wide angle lense so while we're on the subject if anyones got any ideas please post.

sorry to take over the thread.

Paul

[Stigmundfreud]

how wide? 24mm? Sigma 24-135 is aces for 99 quid

[Zad]

400D? Strange choice. 450D is the current model and 1000D is the marginally upgraded 400D, sitting at a price point that nobody can work out. If you do go for a 400D, check the prices from the Ebay Canon refurb outlet first:

http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet_400D_...

But do check their feedback, despite being official Canon guaranteed refurbs, there are complaints.

I got my Canon 450D + stabilised kit lens for £380 including cash back from a major Internet retailer, but Canon wholesale prices went up 3 days later. I'm not going to sg off equivalent Nikons, because as you can see they also produce stonking photos!

I was strongly considering a Pentax at one time, as I have Pentax K manual lenses for my film SLR. Then I did a search for adaptors, and it seems you can get them for £19.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

I haven't bought it yet (too many bills come in this month) but it retains full focus to infinity (some adaptors don't). It has focus confirmation too (press button on camera, focus manually, camera beeps when in focus).

If useless idiots like me can take photos like this with their third ever press of a new camera's trigger, then that'll do for me:



Sorry if that confuses you further. I got mine because the right deal came along at the right time.

P.S. S-L-A-G is the detritus that forms on molten metal, why is it a banned word?

[RobDickinson]

Zad said:

400D? Strange choice. 450D is the current model and 1000D is the marginally upgraded 400D, sitting at a price point that nobody can work out. If you do go for a 400D, check the prices from the Ebay Canon refurb outlet first:

In some ways the 1000d is a downgrade (af etc) back to the 350d.

[slartibartfast]

Stigmundfreud said:

how wide? 24mm? Sigma 24-135 is aces for 99 quid

hmmm, i'll have to consider that.

Zad, what lense was that taken with? and is it pin sharp at 100% crop?

Thanks

Paul

[thekirbyfake]

Zad said:

400D? Strange choice. 450D is the current model and 1000D is the marginally upgraded 400D, sitting at a price point that nobody can work out. If you do go for a 400D, check the prices from the Ebay Canon refurb outlet first:

http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/Canon-Outlet_400D_...

Firstly 400D because it does everything I need and the deals to be had with a newer model on the horizon make for a great buy. For my first foray into the higher end camera world I don't mind buying last year's (or even older?) technology. If I can save a bob or two there I can put it towards some lessons which will be far more useful to me.

Secondly many thanks for the ebay tip. Just won a refurb 400D with 18-55 lens for £271 which is ridiculous value. I paid more than that for my old Ixus 400 a few years back and that was duty free!

I feel safe enough getting it from Canon as it can be returned if no good plus it comes with 1yrs warranty.

[DKMsport]

Great purchase, although as Im sure many will agree the money you saved could be well spent on a new lens as the 18-55 kit lens Isnt that good. Hope you find the 400d a pleasure to use and make sure you post some of you pictures up on here for all to see.