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Beginner DSLR?



matt|H

matt|H

  133, 182, Kangoo 182
I'm looking to replace my point and shoot Panasonic Lumix FX55 with a "proper camera" but I have no idea about good brands or anything!

I want to spend around £200-£300 and will be using it for everything.. Stabilisation would be a bonus, but if not then I'll make do with a tripod.

Reason I want to make the switch is because I'd like to take some quality photos and try all the cool effects. :)

I've been told to stay clear of Sony, and to try and get a Nikon.

So... Any advise for a starter DSLR?
 
J

JJ!

D40 can be had for an absolute steal and you can prob add the the 55-200 VR to the package for just over £300.

Entry level Nikon/Canon do not have built in stabilsation, but you can get lenses with it built it. VR for Nikon, IS for Canon and OS for sigma.
 
oneseventwo

oneseventwo

I wouldn't completely discount Sony - they seem to get an undeserved bad press from some people (and yes, I've got one). Can't really go wrong with a Canon and Nikon though, as there's so much relatively cheap kit available for them if you go on eBay.
 
matt|H

matt|H

  133, 182, Kangoo 182
From all he other topics it seems to be the D40 that's recommended for a first.

Would I be ok without the stabilisation? I think I'd get a tripod anyway so it's not vital.

Thanks guys. Can't wait for pay day now. :D
 
matt|H

matt|H

  133, 182, Kangoo 182
Well, being a beginner I don't plan on switching any time soon and with no previous experience with DSLR's I won't know whether I want a different brand. :)
 
theduck

theduck

entry level dslr's are all so far above the capabilities of the user that I would say just buy the one that feels nicest in your hand and fits your budget.
 
K

kissmyrs

I just bought a Olympus E510 recently. I read pretty much ALL reviews on entry level DSLR's... it had the best features and got the best reviews.

Can be picked up from Dixons with 2 lens 14-42mm and 40-150mm for only £399.

Its one of the only DSLR's to have Liveview, Image Stablisation and an Anti dust feature. You only get these when you start spending £800+ with other cameras. :)
 
theduck

theduck

Olympus has the best anti-dust though ;)
Quality of 'kit lenses' on the olympus is what makes it a MUCH better deal though
 
shuffle

shuffle

  RB Clio 182
Don't listen to people who say stay clear of sony!!. I was in your position a month ago looking for a DSLR that was good for beginners and good on price. The sony A200 was the DSLR i went for. I read a lot of reviews before buying a DSLR and done a lot of research, and many of the reviews by top magazines and websites say the sony A200 was one of the best starter cameras on the market, it also won the award for best budget SLR in Digital Photo Mag. Iv found them for £260-£300 online as well which is in your price bracket. Iv had the camera for about a month now and i'm very happy for the results.
 
matt|H

matt|H

  133, 182, Kangoo 182
TBH.. I quite like the features of the A200.

I'll find a load of reviews tonight..
 
theduck

theduck

shuffle said:
Don't listen to people who say stay clear of sony!!. I was in your position a month ago looking for a DSLR that was good for beginners and good on price. The sony A200 was the DSLR i went for. I read a lot of reviews before buying a DSLR and done a lot of research, and many of the reviews by top magazines and websites say the sony A200 was one of the best starter cameras on the market, it also won the award for best budget SLR in Digital Photo Mag. Iv found them for £260-£300 online as well which is in your price bracket. Iv had the camera for about a month now and i'm very happy for the results.
Click to expand...


I'm sorry shuffle but my 5 year old 5mp camera would piss all over the A200, as would a modern Canon, Nikon or Olympus at the same level and all for one very simple reason. They are cameras made by a Photography Specialist.

You wouldnt goto McDonalds and expect Michelin Star quality food!
 
D

dk

  911 GTS Cab
sorry, but if I was buying into a DSLR now I would certainly not discount the Sony either, they have some great features and loads of lenses already.

I went with Canon as it was the start of the revolution with the 350d but its a different market now for entrants, lots more choice and a lot more competition.
 
oneseventwo

oneseventwo

theduckeatspork said:
I'm sorry shuffle but my 5 year old 5mp camera would piss all over the A200, as would a modern Canon, Nikon or Olympus at the same level and all for one very simple reason. They are cameras made by a Photography Specialist.

You wouldnt goto McDonalds and expect Michelin Star quality food!
Click to expand...

Again, I think people are a bit harsh on Sony - this isn't some dodgy brand product that you get advertised in the back of colour supplements. The Sony cameras are basically developments of Konica Minolta kit, so there is some history. I'd agree that the 'pro' brands are better than Sony, but it doesn't make it bad.

http://greg-barber.smugmug.com/gallery/5530560_kPT8X/1/338643604_oMaNa

All my pictures were taken with kit lens -there not amazin, but I think that's more to do with the photographer rather than the equipment..
 
U

unofficialPete

  ?
Sony has to offer a great/cheap entry level camera as they need to get people into the system. Sadly when you get higher up the food chain you get stung on lens prices.
 
shuffle

shuffle

  RB Clio 182
theduckeatspork said:
shuffle said:
Don't listen to people who say stay clear of sony!!. I was in your position a month ago looking for a DSLR that was good for beginners and good on price. The sony A200 was the DSLR i went for. I read a lot of reviews before buying a DSLR and done a lot of research, and many of the reviews by top magazines and websites say the sony A200 was one of the best starter cameras on the market, it also won the award for best budget SLR in Digital Photo Mag. Iv found them for £260-£300 online as well which is in your price bracket. Iv had the camera for about a month now and i'm very happy for the results.
Click to expand...


I'm sorry shuffle but my 5 year old 5mp camera would piss all over the A200, as would a modern Canon, Nikon or Olympus at the same level and all for one very simple reason. They are cameras made by a Photography
Specialist.

You wouldnt goto McDonalds and expect Michelin Star quality food!
Click to expand...


harsh words, but i listen to people that are heavily experienced in DSLR's from magazines and top photography websites. The A200 is a highly regarded DSLR for beginners
 
matt|H

matt|H

  133, 182, Kangoo 182
My Mum offered to pick me up a camera today as she's gone shopping...

Ach.. to spend £300 or not! :(
 
M

McBunny

shuffle said:
theduckeatspork said:
I'm sorry shuffle but my 5 year old 5mp camera would piss all over the A200, as would a modern Canon, Nikon or Olympus at the same level and all for one very simple reason. They are cameras made by a Photography
Specialist.

You wouldnt goto McDonalds and expect Michelin Star quality food!
Click to expand...


harsh words, but i listen to people that are heavily experienced in DSLR's from magazines and top photography websites. The A200 is a highly regarded DSLR for beginners
Click to expand...

alot get paid to right good words just like car magazines
 
theduck

theduck

shuffle said:
theduckeatspork said:
I'm sorry shuffle but my 5 year old 5mp camera would piss all over the A200, as would a modern Canon, Nikon or Olympus at the same level and all for one very simple reason. They are cameras made by a Photography
Specialist.

You wouldnt goto McDonalds and expect Michelin Star quality food!
Click to expand...


harsh words, but i listen to people that are heavily experienced in DSLR's from magazines and top photography websites. The A200 is a highly regarded DSLR for beginners
Click to expand...

Sony do a lot of advertising ;)
 
shuffle

shuffle

  RB Clio 182
maybe so but none the less it is a good budget DSLR for beginners. Its not so much about the camera its the photographer anyway. If you have used a a200 and didnt like it then fair enough, BUT if opinions are based on what you think of a brand then its not much of an opinion
 
shuffle

shuffle

  RB Clio 182
Yeh thats cool! here are a few pics iv found taken from a a200 now you cant say these aren't stunning from what iv read the girl who took them is only a beginner!! http://flickr.com/photos/noracarol/2634218050 take a look at the slide some awesome pics. One of the reasons i bought a a200 after seeing how good the pics can be.
 
theduck

theduck

The girl obviously has talent but to my eye there are parts where the camera has let her down. Especially in the shots of 'mr lonely tree'
 
shuffle

shuffle

  RB Clio 182
its an entry level camera! i think they are fantastic, if i can get photos like that i'd be well happy, im no pro tho, still learning the ropes. You must have been taking pictures a while if you can spot discrepencies in them pics.
 
Last edited:
M

McBunny

shuffle have you seen my some pics thread ?
thats an entry level canon camera the 400d that im using but with a better lens than kit even though it covers the same range basically

im not a good photographer i have only just really started my self in the last year
 
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