Which Digital SLR??

[panch]

Hi All...

I have been looking at buying a new camera for a while now and after seeing some of the great shots some of you take have decided to get a DSLR....Question is Which one ??

Cost aside for the moment and remember this is my first DSLR which one would you go for ??

Im looking for a package if possible with several lenses for different types of shots and also half decent movie recording but this is a bonus..

With regards to lenses, I have no idea so will again listen to your suggestions...

The camera will be used mainly for stills but will also be for pics of my lad playing footie and of course at the track testing my skills chasing cars, so I presume a fast shutter speed ??

Any help appreciated

Lee

[trf415]

i recommend the canon 500d
and for the lenses it depends on how much you want to spend.
generally i use a sigma 28-300 lens
hope this helps

[panch]

Hey...

Thanks for the response, can you explain rougly what the different lens are used for please

[trf415]

yeah sure well the "28" part is the shortest the lens will go and the "300" is the longest the lens will go
the human eye is "50" so you can work it out yourself
also if you get a "DG" lens it will digitize the lengths so it will then be able to go to "450"
it also depends on the quality of the glass on the lens
if you were to get a canon "L" lens it supposedly should make you take better pictures

[JCJC]

A lot depends on what you want to spend, cost soon add up. If you are taking pictures of RC cars then catching them at speed is the problem, the lens counts for a lot, one of the important factors is how "quick" the lens is, this is the f number, a f 1.4 50mm lens will cost more than f 2.8 because it lets twice the light in, is twice as fast. The difference makes for faster shutter speeds, you can shoot at 1000th of a second instead of 500th, sharper steadier shots. This is a broad description but if you pick a budget and look around the kit is out there.

We have used a canon 400d, the 450d is now the current model (the 1000d may be worth a look), but found a 70-200 L zoom made a lot of difference and almost cost as much as the camera again, the L glass is much better quality and you can feel it in the weight.

[Rookie]

i just got a 400d & think its better for the money than the newer models as some said the 450d wasnt that much better than it to justify the money.
But like JC says, Cameras are much of a muchness, its all in the LENS

[panch]

TRF / JC / Rookie...Thanks for your replies...

I have just been looking at this one the canon 500D which looks to have recently replaced the 450D, looks to have adifferent processer and the ability to record video in 1080P

The link below takes you through to a review of it, now on face value to an inexperienced like me this looks the business for mid range what are your thoughts on this model ??

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos500d/

Thanks also for the tips on the lenses, i have been trying to look at lenses but cant seem to find F ratings etc.. so am struggling a tad..

I need a lens that will do a god job for RC, Football and general stills, can anyone recomend a lens that may do all thee to a decent level that would fit this model camera please ?

Oh and also will any lens fit any body or do I need to use canon lens for a canon camera etc, what works best ?

Thanks again for your help

Lee

[Big G]

They listed the 450D as 100-800 ISO, but I can confirm it does 100-1600 as I have one...

The 500D looks a lot more expensive than the 450D from that review. I haven't looked into detail about everything, but I bought my 450D for £529 with a 8GB card and bag. That's with the stock 18-55 3.5-5.6 lens which is ok to learn with I fine and have got a few good shots in it's brief 1st outing.

My dad's loaned me a 70-210 f4 lens so I'll be giving that a whirl soon. I think half of shooting good pics of RC cars is practice and not so much point and press.

[showtime]

there is a very good classifieds section on the talk photography forum here - http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/index.php
good for buying as its mainly a UK forum
there is also everything you ever wanted to know by either searching or asking on there, they seem a pretty friendly bunch & happy to help

if you see anything you fancy cross reference it with http://www.dpreview.com/
where you should find listings of all specs & even detailed in depth reviews including comparisons with similar models from other makers

let us know how you get on

oh & look into getting a http://www.flickr.com/ account as its not just an image host there are all kinds of groups on there for particular cameras, styles of photography, countrys etc.... you name it............

[davidk]

I just got myself a Nikon D90, perfect all around camera with HD recording function and live view! Very good 11 points auto-focus processor too!

[Colinevan]

Have a look at the Nikon D5000.

Iv bought one and am very happy with it, has some cool features, the live view screen can be positioned and flipped around and you can even take a pic of yourself by flipping the screen around. Its also HD recording as per your previous cam choice.

Very high quality images for the price and has many features of the more expensive bigger Nikon.

PLenty of reviews about as well.

Col.

[showtime]

i wouldn't get too hung up on the video functions of a DSLR as apparently the rolling shutter makes the video pretty bad (something i keep reading in reviews all over the net) keep in mind a cameras primary function of taking good still images

if video is a big deal to you a lower model camera & a cheap camcorder would probably be your best bet