1000D, 450D or D60

[pitch3110]

Chaps,

I have been wanting to buy a DSLR for some time.

I have a wedding this weekend & have decided to jump in this week.

I have borrowed a pals 400D in the past & it is great.

1000D I fancy, but do I push to a 450? I have had Nikon SLR's of old & they have always been great.

The D60 does not have live veiw though is this something I would miss.

My budget was £400 but now I am looking at £500. This is the absolute tops

Any advise would be greatly

ta

[Simpo Two]

I can't advise you which model to choose, but IMHO live view is usually more of a handicap than an advantage. One big point of getting a DSLR is speed of response, both in autofocus and shutter release. Live view sends you back to compact-land.

[jon-]

http://www.photolectic.com/reviews/dslr/canon-1000...

Might help. Personally I'd try and find a new or nearly new 400d.

Edited: Just to justify that, the 400d would be a lot cheaper. The 450 is meant to have better high ISO performance. The 1000d is meant to have the AF chipset from the 350d.

If you're on a budget you're better off getting as cheap as body as possible and a nifty 50 lens. If you're lucky you might find a 400d+kit lens+ 50mm f1.8 for circa your budget.

Edited by jon- on Monday 18th May 11:02

[gj88]

I bought a D60 about a month ago. So far I'm very very happy. For the money I paid I think its a bargain. Very easy to use and gives great results.

[VxDuncan]

Wot jon said. Would add though that live view is largely a waste of money - you certainly shouldn't be using it for general shots like you would a compact - it will simply introduce monumental camera shake and general laggyness. I've used mine three times in 18 mths, two of those were when there were big spiders involved in Papua!

[craig_s]

I've noticed that when I've taken my compact out for some snaps I keep lifting it right up to my eye expecting there to be a viewfinder. Must look a bit stupid. I still haven't wished I had live view on the D40, I just haven't been in a situation where it would be useful to me. It's probably quite a personal thing though, some people will use it loads because they have the option there.

[Kermit power]

I am very happy with my 450D.

With regards to the live-view, ask yourself this - are you likely to be using your camera a lot in one of the following situations:

1. Very close up macro shots. I use it quite frequently for this, and it can really help with getting manual focusing absolutely spot on.

2. Where for whatever reason (over the top of a crowd, through railings etc) you cannot physically get your eye to the viewfinder.

If the answer to both of the above is no, then I doubt you would ever use the Live View. If the answer to the above is yes, then it's a useful feature.

[kit80]

I am very happy with my D60 but I cant campare with the others mentioned. I know what you mean about live view I was lost at first but you get used to it and for the better I think.

[Rob13]

Keeping my eye on this thread as Im looking to get one myself within the next 3 months. Same options, I want also to get the nifty 50 lens and a 300mm lens for some motorsport (cant afford higher!)

[RobDickinson]

In order of competence the 450D is by far the best, 1000D isnt too far behind ( slighlty poorer AF system and slower RAW shooting). D60 is a poor 3rd place.

Friends just bought a 1000D with the IS kit lens (the one to go for) and its an ace camera, all round better piece of kit than my 350d (apart from the AF, which is still consideably better than the D60's)

But if your used to Nikon then Canon tend to work quite differently. Controls, mount everything is changed (suspiciously so...)

[RobDickinson]

Rob13 said:

Keeping my eye on this thread as Im looking to get one myself within the next 3 months. Same options, I want also to get the nifty 50 lens and a 300mm lens for some motorsport (cant afford higher!)

In which case the D60 is quite unsuited if you want any kind of autofocus, the 450D is better and a used xxD much better still.

[cone]

I bought myself a 450d about a month or so ago and so far very pleased . After years of compacts and bridge cameras using live view , strangely i haven't needed or wanted to use it on the 450 I would even go to say the viewfinder helps to frame your shot better and seems very natural. Personally I'm glad I saved a bit longer for the 450 then also got the must have 50mm 1.8 lens which give some fantastic results (from a beginner). I took advice from the PH collective and tried nikon and canon in a shop but the canon seemed nicer in the hand and to the touch.

Hope that helps

[Simpo Two]

RobDickinson said:

Rob13 said:

Keeping my eye on this thread as Im looking to get one myself within the next 3 months. Same options, I want also to get the nifty 50 lens and a 300mm lens for some motorsport (cant afford higher!)

In which case the D60 is quite unsuited if you want any kind of autofocus

Rather a sweeping statement Rob. The majority of Nikon lenses are AF-S these days. It's true there isn't currently a 50mm f1.8 AF-S (yet) but there's a 50mm f1.4 AF-S and also a 35mm f1.8 AF-S, which will give about the same field of view on a DX sensor as a 50mm lens does on full frame.

[pitch3110]

All very useful info chaps & after review swatting as well its the 450D for me.

£486 at Argos but now going to beat Currys & Jessops up in town to see if I can get a deal.

Thanks again all

[Rob13]

Yeah, I saw a deal at Jessops £1089 for the 450d with 18-55 kit lens and a 70-300 IS lens also.

Next thing to ask is, would I be better off going for the Canon IS lenses or are the Sigma/Tamron lenses any good?

[RobDickinson]

Simpo Two said:

RobDickinson said:

Rob13 said:

Keeping my eye on this thread as Im looking to get one myself within the next 3 months. Same options, I want also to get the nifty 50 lens and a 300mm lens for some motorsport (cant afford higher!)

In which case the D60 is quite unsuited if you want any kind of autofocus

Rather a sweeping statement Rob.

No its not. For sports the 450D and especilay a xxD (or even D80) will kick the crap out of a D60. Even ignoring the AF-S issue.

[Simpo Two]

RobDickinson said:

Simpo Two said:

RobDickinson said:

Rob13 said:

Keeping my eye on this thread as Im looking to get one myself within the next 3 months. Same options, I want also to get the nifty 50 lens and a 300mm lens for some motorsport (cant afford higher!)

In which case the D60 is quite unsuited if you want any kind of autofocus

Rather a sweeping statement Rob.

No its not. For sports the 450D and especilay a xxD (or even D80) will kick the crap out of a D60. Even ignoring the AF-S issue.

You said 'unsuited if you want any kind of autofocus', which is a sweeping statement.

[RobDickinson]

Simpo Two said:

RobDickinson said:

Simpo Two said:

RobDickinson said:

Rob13 said:

Keeping my eye on this thread as Im looking to get one myself within the next 3 months. Same options, I want also to get the nifty 50 lens and a 300mm lens for some motorsport (cant afford higher!)

In which case the D60 is quite unsuited if you want any kind of autofocus

Rather a sweeping statement Rob.

No its not. For sports the 450D and especilay a xxD (or even D80) will kick the crap out of a D60. Even ignoring the AF-S issue.

You said 'unsuited if you want any kind of autofocus', which is a sweeping statement.

About the 'nifty fifty'? No I dont think so sweeping..? How much is a 300mm AF-S prime too...?

[Rob13]

what about the different make of lenses guys?

[RobDickinson]

Rob13 said:

what about the different make of lenses guys?

What between canon and nikon or in general?

They all make good and bad lens's 1st party makers tend to make more good than bad and have better quality control.

Between nikon and canon they both have lens's the other doesnt worth looking at whats lacking to see if you'd notice.

Nikon dont have a good pro f4 range or something to compete with canons 100-400L or MPE-65
Canon's 200/2 is hugely expensive(in comparison) dont have a 200-400 etc...