Best Digital SLR Camera for beginner

[AdamW]

I'm going to make a bit more of an effort with my photography so I'm looking for a good digital SLR camera.

I don't really know much about cameras - what am I looking for as a beginner. I want manual control (that much I do know!) and I don't want to sell a kidney to pay for it!

Any other budding photographers out there that can point me in the right direction? Good places to buy and for reviews etc?

Thanks,

Adam

[B_Cal]

Adam,

Firstly I'd say go to Jessops / local camera store and try a number of options in your hands and see what feels right for you.

I was a Olympus SLR user for the best part of two decades, but elected to go down the Nikon route for a number of reasons.

Firstly do not get suckered into the Mega pixel game - I have two Nikon Digital now a D100 with is only 6M pixels and a more recent D80 which is 10.2M pixels.

I can print A4 pictures from my D100 6M pixel absolutely fine.

On that personal basis I'd see if you can still find somewhere selling the Nikon D40 - which is a fine starting point and can be had with a kit zoom lens to get you started for around £250 where sold.

Other solutions exist from Canon, Sony, Panasonic and Olympus - the thing that makes the most difference is the person behind the lens.

Unlike film at least you have no excuse not to take lots of pictures.

I picked up one of my Cameras in Nov08 and it's already taken over 3,000 shots.

Have fun, plenty of places on the web with good info - quite like photo.net

Rgds

Roy

[AdamW]

Thanks Roy. I've been looking at Nikon and Canon and will definitely be popping down to Jessop to have a feel.

I came across the D40 when googling and that might be worth a shot as it's also a little cheaper!

[Kay]

Hi Adam

I agree with Roy that Jessops is a pretty good place to start looking.

Having used a Canon AE1 for a couple of decades, when I wanted to upgrade to a DSLR, I only ever considered buying another Canon. Yeah, I really am that brand loyal!

I got a Canon EOS D60, which seemed like the bees knees at the time (about six or seven years ago). Admittedly it was an expensive piece of kit then but I believe the price dropped, especially after it was superseded by new Canon offerings.

There's a review of it here, it looks like this guy bought his D60 around the same time as I got mine.

Review: Canon EOS D60 digital camera

My recommendation would be to also consider the second hand market. You get gadget freaks and semi-pros who like to upgrade quite frequently and they often sell off some of their older kit. The D60 would most likely do everything you want and plenty more, and at the age it is now it could well be something you could find in the second hand market. There again, it's a great camera. I'll be hanging on to mine for a few more years yet.

Good luck and, as Roy says, have fun!

Kay

[Kay]

I was thinking a bit more about the second hand market and that if you did buy via a reputable dealer you'd at least have some guarantee. I guess I would be wary of buying second hand from a private seller.

I thought that Jessops dealt in second hand cameras, but unfortunately it appears that they don't any more.
Jessops axes used equipment service news - Amateur Photographer - news, camera reviews, lens reviews, camera equipment guides, photography courses, competitions, photography forums

You might find that your local independent camera shops do it, though. And if there was anything needing attention they'd most likely fix it before selling.

[Kay]

Or you could try to win one!

Competitions to Win a Camera

[Lasting Designs]

I'd say the D40 or the similar D60 (functionality wise) and there's the added bonus of Nikon D40 User's Guide a tailored guide for the D40, an impressive read. I have nothing to do with Ken Rockwell, but if you are going to download it, pay the suggested 5 bucks donation. A lot of work has gone into this and will help you earn far more than that if you use your camera in your work.

[AdamW]

I've never been good at buying used things. I'm a bit odd like that .. but if the saving is good enough I'll have to swallow my strangeness!

[AdamW]

What about a D50? I'm looking through Ebay and have to be honest, the price that most of the D40 and D60 SLRs are going for it might be worth shelling out the little bit extra to get new and guarantee, etc.

[Sandcastle]

I bought a Canon EOS 350D about 3 years ago as I'd started with Pentax Optio, but got fed up with just taking 'snaps'. Love it! Just starting to put photos on Picasa with it - here are few of my albums to demonstrate the quality Picasa Web Albums - Sandcastle - Blue Poppies Picasa Web Albums - Sandcastle - Edinburghs-To... and Picasa Web Albums - Sandcastle - Crail, Fife, ... (some of these ones are with the Pentax).
I bought in Jessops in Edinburgh. It was around £600 then, but I'm sure the prices have come down since - I just couldn't wait that long to get back to having an SLR.
Good luck with your search.
Susan

[AdamW]

I think I'll be going with either the Canon EOS 100D or the Nikon D60

Going to pop to Jessops tomorrow to have a feel

[Kay]

It might be worth noting that Jessops have an affiliate programme via TradeDoubler. As far as I can see they don't prevent you buying using your own links (as Amazon does).

Therefore you could go to the local shop, decide what model you want, go home, join the aff prog. Stick a link on your website and buy via your link. They pay 2% commission, so effectively you've just got yourself a 2% discount. Just a thought... unless, of course, you can negotiate a better deal in the shop.

Don't forget that with TD programmes you have to apply and wait for approval before you can earn. It only usually takes a few days, so it might be worth doing just to cut your costs that extra little bit more.

If you're not a member of TD, or the Jessops aff programme, and have no intention of joining just to get a discount, then you could consider buying via a UKBL member's link - which would let someone benefit, at no extra cost to you. I'm sure you'll find several who could supply the links.

[AdamW]

Good spot Kay - I'll take a look at TD

[trevorwood]

Second hand Canon EOS 400 - available from eBay. I bought one just before they were discontinued and I love it. I learned a lot about photography from my dad who was of semi-professional standard (could have made a living at it but had no business head)