What DSLR?

[Chill Winston]

Hello chaps,

Having searched about on the internet and on the forum here, I've found many different opinions, read loads of reviews and all I've got to show for it is that I'm still confused as to what to actually go for when I buy my 1st DSLR for my 21st birthday.

I've got a budget of up to £500 to play with and have been looking around at various different offerings from Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax. I would prefer to go with either Nikon or Canon due to the 2nd hand parts market for lenses etc. During my searches I've found refurbished bodies with kit lenses such as this D5000: Linky

Are refurbs any good? Is it better I start of with a brand new one?

Also, I would rather it be a DSLR as opposed to a Bridge as I don't particularly want to buy a Bridge and then go out and buy a DSLR a few months later as I'd rather build up my collection of bits for my camera as I get better at taking photographs.

So, what is the best DSLR camera and lens to go for with my budget of £500 and why?

[14-7]

I think the first thing is go in to a shop and hold both the Canon's and Nikon's. See which fits your hands better and which feels intuitive to you.

[RobDickinson]

^ Check how they feel and operate.

Also what do you want to take pics of?

[Chill Winston]

I'm doing this tomorrow, forgot to put it in my OP.

RobDickinson said:

Also what do you want to take pics of?

Everything really, I've been fecking about with compacts and my father's old SLR for a while, I've taken quite a few pictures of cars (Goodwood) but landscapes, people, my dog and close up subjects have all had a go as well.

I'm going to NY in September time so there'll be plenty to do there.

Edited by Chill Winston on Tuesday 3rd August 00:24

[Simpo Two]

'Best' is down to you, not the name on the pentamirror housing

Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 3rd August 00:19