Which DSLR for a beginner?

[Rav]

Hi All,

New to DSLRs and thought i might trade up from my SLR (Pentax MZ-50 with Sigma 28-105mm lens)in the Xmas sales.

I really like some of the photos seen on here, the quality is fantastic.

I want results like this and so far have seen the following DSLRs:

1) Canon D series
2) Nikon D series

I dont want to spend over £300 preferably around £200.

a) Any recomendations?
b) How much will i get for my Pentax if traded in?

Cheers
Rav

[CivicMan]

Time for a sticky on this subject??

[Joe911]

I've got a D70 I'd happily move on for a sensible offer (I've upgraded to a D200).

[NewNameNeeded]

As a starter camera, and with a relatively tight budget I'd very strongly recommend the Nikon D50. It's a really great camera, and one a lot of people seem to want to keep hold of, even when they upgrade to something else.

It is a few years old now, so not massive on the megapixels but it's very well featured (in my view better than the D40 you can buy today) and produces some cracking shots.

Happy shopping!
Matt

Edited to add: http://www.dpreview.com/ is a great site with very thorough reviews on camera past and present!

As for checking out the price of your camera - best bet is to look for some on ebay and watch them to see what they fetch.

Edited by NewNameNeeded on Monday 1st December 22:13

[Simpo Two]

Rav said:

I dont want to spend over £300 preferably around £200.

Seeing as you'll need a lens as well, that's really pushing it I think. A D70 body at maybe £130 is about as cheap as you'll get, and that only leaves £70 for the bit the light goes through... not enough IMHO.

[andy-xr]

Simpo Two said:

Rav said:

I dont want to spend over £300 preferably around £200.

Seeing as you'll need a lens as well, that's really pushing it I think. A D70 body at maybe £130 is about as cheap as you'll get, and that only leaves £70 for the bit the light goes through... not enough IMHO.

50mm 1.8 for another £19 on top? Maybe £17 now the VAT's come down

[Simpo Two]

andy-xr said:

50mm 1.8 for another £19 on top? Maybe £17 now the VAT's come down

It's a good lens and great value, but for practicality I think you'd need a bit more than that (unless you're Cartier-Bresson, who I heard used only a 50mm lens. I can almost hear him saying 'bks, it's DX, should have got a 35mm...')

[RobDickinson]

Simpo Two said:

andy-xr said:

50mm 1.8 for another £19 on top? Maybe £17 now the VAT's come down

It's a good lens and great value, but for practicality I think you'd need a bit more than that (unless you're Cartier-Bresson, who I heard used only a 50mm lens. I can almost hear him saying 'bks, it's DX, should have got a 35mm...')

I can hear him saying bks to that buy the Leica....

IMO any dSLR is a good bit of kit, I used the 50 prime as my only lens for a while and it was fine.

[GetCarter]

Rav said:

b) How much will i get for my Pentax if traded in?

There is one on E bay for £15

[Rav]

Gulp - I paid a small fortune for that back in the day........

Ok, so if trade ins are that worthless, i might keep it for posterity..

[Stu247]

At that budget, how about about a Sony A200 ??

Or a refurb'd 400D from the Canon ebay store if they have any left !

[Zad]

The EOS 1000D is now £260 from Argos if you are cunning: http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/285327/canon-eos-10...

[BigAlinEmbra]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000KIX65...

£215 for a Nikon D40 plus lens if you're patient.

[RobDickinson]

Which one depends realy on what you shoot.

I wouldnt get the 1000D if you want to shoot rapidly in RAW.

The D40 if you fancy using primes , doing HDR etc.

[Rav]

Thanks everyone for your input.
I am new to DSLRs and want to learn. Main uses for the camera will be for photos of my family, cars and landscape. I am interested in learning how to use my PC to alter the images making them look perfect.

I have seen a Nikon D40 in Argos for £299 with £20 cash back plus a voucher for £10..

[Zad]

That is about £80 too much for a D40 (e.g. see the posting above)

[Rav]

Zad, thanks just seen the error (schoolboy) that i made. I will get onto Amazon asap.

[Stang]

Hi all,

Just hyjacking this thread as I am also looking for a new camera this year. Has anyone heard of this bunch?

http://www.buyacamera.co.uk/xsearch.asp?RecId=NIKC...

I have the same budget as the OP. I am also looking to start out and ditch my cheap kodak

[Joe911]

Stang said:

Just hyjacking this thread as I am also looking for a new camera this year. Has anyone heard of this bunch?

http://www.buyacamera.co.uk/xsearch.asp?RecId=NIKC...

I have the same budget as the OP. I am also looking to start out and ditch my cheap kodak

I just bought a lens from them - good price, quick delivery, no problems.

[Stang]

I knew I should never have gone looking for camera info on PH. Only costs me in the long run. I "only" went shopping for the Nikon D40 this afternoon £240ish from Argos.... and ended up with a complete package Having to wait till charged up now but chomping at the bit to get to play with it.