Beginner's slr camera

[cordwood]

There seem's to be a few photographer's on here, any one recommend a good digital slr camera? Been looking at Nikon d60 or Canon 1000d probably wait till the new year for the sale's before deciding.

[swe#kipp]

I got a Canon eos 40D that i'm very happy with, fast and accurate autofocus they sell them to very good prices now since the eos 50D hit the market.

If you like the 1000D think about the 450D instead it's a bit more camera for not so much more money !!

[Jason James Gairn]

First thing is how much money are you prepared to spend? I use Nikon D3 bodies which are a bout £3000. Nikon's flagship camera. I doubt you want to spend that much. Lower down the range (and I only know Nikon really) the D300 is brilliant. At the consumer level, The D90 has had good reviews and is affordable. Out side of Nikon, Canon have a good pedigree of lower end cameras, someone else may have a working knowledge of Canons. Either way, lens choice makes the biggest difference to image quality, The more light down the tube the better. Look for lens's with lower f-stop ranges, unless you buy apro lens with F2.8 throughout the zoom range, you'll be looking at 3.5 to 4.5. These numbers are very important as they affect the focus aesthetics of any image and determine how much light is required to take a picture. Second hand lenses on Ebay is agood place for cheap quality lenses. For a standard mid ranges zoom (35-70mm) expect to pay about £250. Spending as much as you can afford on the lens is something you wont regret. Good luck, Happy shooting. If you go the Nikon route, PM me and I can give more advice on selection.

[Buzz]

I'd agree with James, lens choice is often overlooked by novices. A good lens will make all the difference. I've had various Cannon bodies but my latest is a 450D which does everything i need it to do. Mainly Landscapes.

[cordwood]

Thank's lad's for the suggestion's , but i have a smaller budget more £350 ish than £3000. Spend any more than that and the wife will go mental!!

[Jason James Gairn]

Indeed I'd like to emphasize the point. Generally people buy into a system, typically Canon or Nikon. If you buy good quality lenses, either second hand or new, they will last as you upgrade your camera. If you buy a budget lens, firstly you'll be unhappy with the results, resulting in you not using the camera much.

Best to buy an F2.8 pro lens at a standard focal length (50mm on 35mm system or wider for sensors that are smaller) Oh and while I'm spouting, don't get fixated on mega pixels, to a certain extent a red herring to market cameras.

[Jason James Gairn]

Thank's lad's for the suggestion's , but i have a smaller budget more £350 ish than £3000. Spend any more than that and the wife will go mental!!

 

Sorry for parading exotic ideas in front of you. If i had £350, i'd buy a top end compact, or go the second hand market on ebay or try magazines for second hand dealers. Do not buy second hand from Jessops!!! Good luck chap.

[cordwood]

Thank's lad's for the suggestion's , but i have a smaller budget more £350 ish than £3000. Spend any more than that and the wife will go mental!!

[cordwood]

Sorry for the double post there don't know how i managed that!

[cordwood]

What would you suggest in top end compact's ? And are bridge camera's any good, again any suggestion's ? Thank's.