Budget DSLR - Advice

[Chris Green]

Hello all!

I am considering getting a DSLR, on a budget of about £300.

Looking on ebay, I think I could get a D40 (new), or D70, or a EOS 300D, 350D or possibly a 400D.

I know nothing about any of these models, could someone give me some advice?

Also, I've noticed this Sony model, http://www.jessops.com/Store/s73443/...y=False&comp=y

Which seems reasonable. What do you think?

Thanks!

Chris.

[glypo]

The new Canon (1000D) will be out end of July and no doubt will be dirt cheap. Something to consider.

[Chris Green]

Hi Jason, thanks for the reply. the 1000D will be £499 for the body only by the looks of things.

i've just been speaking to a good friend of mine, who has recomended the canon 20D, or 30D. So at the moment, i'm considering one of those.

Out of interest, what camera do you use?

[glypo]

I've recently got myself a 40D, and it's great. But I've used compact cameras before to get shots for my site.... so goes to show you don't need to spend the dosh.

I used a 20D when I covered the 1/8th Euro Indoor race for Neobuggy and again when I done the Neo08 for Neo and Racer..... it's a superb camera and no doubt some bargains available. Really the age seemed of little relevance, it handles the low light conditions of both events excellently. Downside is the smaller LCD screen for looking back at the photos, and the speed of operation is a little slower. Apart from that very good camera, nice solid metal body rather then the plastic you get from the 400D/450D etc. 30D sees relatively little change over the 20D, so if there is a big price difference I'd look at the 20D, if it's a smaller difference the 30D is newer so a better option.

As for the 1000D price, the rrp is always misleading. When it hits the market it will go in below the price of the 400D/450D. It's a competitor for the Nikon D40 and Sony A200, so I'd expect prices to be in the £299 range with a basic lens.

If you don't mind a second hand camera the 20D or 30D are better then the budget cams. They have better low light handling, nice solid magnesium alloy bodies and generally quicker inside. For example 5 photos a second with 30D and 3 with a 400D, so lots going for it.

Good luck with whatever you chose Chris, all cameras are fun.

[Chris Green]

Thanks very much Jason. Appreciate it.

Looking at the 1000D, it seems to fit in between the 400 and the 450D, so the price will have to reflect that I guess. I'll keep an eye on some sites and see what its going to sell at.

I'll look out for a 20D. I'm a bit concerned about buying a 2nd hand one. If anything goes wrong, can they be repaired? Potentially a 20d could be 4 years old.

I'm also considering a Nikon D70, as there seems to be some proper bargains around for those.

Or if I go for a new one, I believe I'm limited to the following...

Nikon D40
Canon 350 / 400
Sony A200

[DAVIDZX5]

Ive gota 400D and i think it does the job realy good....

im very very happy with it....

[Chris Green]

I'm seriously considering the 400D now too, a few of my mates at work have got them, and they are both really pleased with them.

Has anyone else got anything to add at all? I'd appreciate some help.

[losixxx]

wait a while the current cashback on canon is soon to be extended to cover the 450d as well

[Chris Green]

Cheers for that.

I've been struggling to justify the £100 difference between the 400 and 450D, but maybe with Cashback, I might go for a 450d instead.

At the moment though, the cashback on the 400 expires at the end of June? Do you know when the cashback will be available on the 450?

Thanks.

[losixxx]

chris just been told about this offer!

http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/conten...400D-18-55.htm

canon 400d for £299.99 plus £45 cash back, thats a mega price and empire direct are good!

[AndyM]

Has anyone considered the Olympus cameras?? Such as the Olympus E-510?

Empire Direct have a good offer on them, and they look like they have some good features.

Does anyone have one? pros and cons??

cheers,
(sorry for high-jacking the thread a bit)

[Chris Green]

Originally Posted by losixxx

chris just been told about this offer!

http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/conten...400D-18-55.htm

canon 400d for £299.99 plus £45 cash back, thats a mega price and empire direct are good!

Thanks mate, thats an awesome deal!

I was pretty sure about getting a 20D, until I saw how cheap that 400D is.

All round, I think the 20D will be a better camera for me though. I think.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by AndyM

Has anyone considered the Olympus cameras?? Such as the Olympus E-510?

Empire Direct have a good offer on them, and they look like they have some good features.

Does anyone have one? pros and cons??

cheers,
(sorry for high-jacking the thread a bit)

All the major brands will take good pictures - just look at Pete's (P_B_) stuff for the best evidence - thats Pentax.

Canon & Nikon seem to have the most developed range of lenses. Good photography is all about lenses.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Chris Green

Thanks mate, thats an awesome deal!

I was pretty sure about getting a 20D, until I saw how cheap that 400D is.

All round, I think the 20D will be a better camera for me though. I think.

Just remember the 20d is physically large & heavy compared to the 400d.
It depends on what you want to do. The 20d is more like a proper photographers camera, but you may not want to take it out for, say, a days walking.

[V-Rossi]

I'd go for the Nikon D40(X), quite cheap and I'm really happy with it, easy to use and an awesome grip, it suits me a lot better than Canon cameras (but that is something you have to find out yourself), I think it is very important to buy the camera that suits you most.

[glypo]

Very good point Stu.

400D/450D is plastic, 20D/30D/40D are magnesium alloy. Although the weight difference isn't massive, it certainly is noticeable and as you say after a day carrying it around it will feel heavier.

Personally I prefer the extra weight, camera feels stronger (has stronger body against impact etc) and also I feel the weight helps stabilise the shot, and balance the camera better to reduce the "shake" blur.

So I suppose as usual, advantages and disadvantages to both sides.

[Chris Green]

I've gone for a 20D!

Now, I've got about £140 to spend on lenses.

I was thinking about a kit 18-55canon lens, for about £35, and then a 70-200 or something?

So, can anyone recommend a 200 or 300mm canon fit lens for £100 ish?

Thanks.

[glypo]

18-55 doesn't have the best rep of all lenses. It's not bad, just not great. The 17-85 IS isn't a whole lot more (I think) and is nicer.

Both Sigma and Tamron do 70-300 mm lenses for around £100. Obviously the quality and speed will be less then something like a Canon L series, but they are nice and cheap at least.

[losixxx]

http://www.onestop-digital.com/catal...roducts_id=275

this is what ive been looking at until i can get the funds together for a canon L

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Chris Green

I've gone for a 20D!

Now, I've got about £140 to spend on lenses.

I was thinking about a kit 18-55canon lens, for about £35, and then a 70-200 or something?

So, can anyone recommend a 200 or 300mm canon fit lens for £100 ish?

Thanks.

To do the 20d justice you'll need to spend more than that on lenses - the 18-55 would be like using a set of Morpy-Richards speakers on a Marantz sterio.

You should get at least the 17-85 lense - as Jason says - then start saving up for longer lens that will do justice to your body.