Advice please on buying Digital SLR

[taposh]

Morning all,
Here goes. I;ve posted on the other forums before, but first post here for digital cameras.

I've always thought about getting a digital slr camera, as I'm not that bad when coming to take photos. I;ve got an old sony digital camera (cant remember model) from about 4 years ago.

My impetus now for getting an digital SLR is that the normal digital camera is not good enough for the photos I'm taking. I have an 11 month old running round at home, and the camera is either too slow in actually taking the photo (missing the 'moment'), the flash is too harsh (eyes closed), can;t get enough detail (no zoom) etc etc.

I;m after a bit of advice in getting an SLR. My budget is about £500; maybe a little bit higher (possibly 700 max). I probably wont be buying a variety of lenses (famous last words) so I;m after an all purpose package which will last me for taking good photos for a few years.

Any pointers ? are there any good online reviews ?

My current camera is a sony, and my wife has got a tiny sony camera, and our camcorder is a sony (none of this was intentional, each just happened to fit our needs when we were buying). I have briefly thought about getting a sony slr, simply so i have the compatibility of the memory cards annd chargers between them. Any thoughts on sony;s ??

Thanks in advance.

[iGiDK]

Instead of a D-SLR have you considered a compact zoom?

Going from your post I think that may suit your requirements slightly better as the attached zoom lens will offer a broader range (this eliminates the need for multiple lenses, to get the most out of a D-SLR you'll probably need more than one lens arguably)

Best site out there IMO for reviews and news is www.dpreview.com

e.g. check out the Panasonic Lumix FZ30, Sony DSC H1, H2 or H5, Canon S3 IS, Fuji S9500 these are all great cameras, some even look like SLRs - each will offer a good zoom range, will act as a good point and shoot camera, however importantly they will also be loaded with all the features you need to learn to take photographs without having to rely on the 'Auto' function

You'll also be able to get information on this site regarding the more popular D-SLR's e.g. Nikon D50, D80, Canon 400D and the Sony Alpha

[taposh]

Thanks for that. I haven't really looked into getting another compact, mainly cause when I do eventually need to replace the one we have now, I;d like something to be able slip into wifes handbag, or my pocket.

Basically if the camera I need is getting physically large, I might as well go the whole hog and get an SLR.

Having spoken to a couple of friemds who are still on film SLR, they started out with similar intentions, and once SLR'd up, they were glad they had the possibilites SLR allowed.

[mallidiv]

well... noone with the slightest intention and joy in taking pictures will ever regret taking an slr... but it is an expensive habbit...
the greatest advantage is quality and the speed of capturing... the disadvantage lens cost, and bulky size...

the super zooms r not THAT tiny and might get you... I have been searching through canon s3 to panny fz30 (40-50 now) and finally I am going to get an srl this spring...

just check em. you have directions... the good thing is that you know what you want. stick to that

a good choice I think in low budget slr is the olympus pack with the two lenses... not?

[h4rri]

Have a look at the Nikon D50 & D80, the Canon 350D & 400D or the Pentax iSD*

All good SLR's with enough spec to keep you going for a long time, if you want to dip your toe in more gently then consider an older dSLR such as the Canon 300D.

Have a wander into a large retailler and handle the cameras to get a feel for the size etc. Once you have a shortlist start comparing specs and reviews at http://www.dpreview.com.


Happy hunting fella

[JohnG]

At one stage I was going to buy a Canon S3IS or the Panasonic FZ40 (or similar top line model) but am so glad I went with the Canon 350D as it's not much larger and has lots more potential and quality. I just love the proper viewfinders you get with dSLR and can't go back to using an LCD screen or an electronic viewfinder now.

[taposh]

Thanks for the responses. I popped into my local Jessops during lunch and harrassed one of the staff. He did recommend the Canon 350D & 400D, saying in his opinion he would have gone for the Nikon D70 for the extra manual configuration it gives over the Canon, and also in his opinion the easier access to change controls.

He did try and recommend the Nikon 80DD, but I have a feeling i might have trouble getting the D50 past the missus let alone the D80.

[Monty1977]

How about buying 2 cameras?

...a modern compact for the purse and keeping to hand and an older DSLR to get you started?

I bought a 2nd hand 300D to start me off and it was an excellent purchase, decent ones on Ebay for £250ish with a kit lense, leaves you plenty of cash for a good compact and 1 reasonable 2nd lense for the SLR.

Just an idea... 2 toys > 1 toy too :D

Adam

[h4rri]

Originally Posted by Monty1977

I bought a 2nd hand 300D to start me off and it was an excellent purchase, decent ones on Ebay for £250ish with a kit lense

taposh: If you fancy a 300d let me know, I will have one for sale fairly soon around that money

[taposh]

Originally Posted by h4rri

taposh: If you fancy a 300d let me know, I will have one for sale fairly soon around that money

Thanks very much for offer. I'm probaly leaning towards a Nikon though.

[chrisbaker42]

Only a personal opinion but I certainly wouldn't take the Nikon rather than either the Canon 350D or more expensive 400D I really don't think they compare at all favourably.

[dan536]

I have a Nikon D70s which I am very happy with - still getting to grips with some of the finer settings.

However, I have found it very easy to use and it takes some very good pictures.

The lens that came with my 'standard' package doesn't exactly blow you away - and I'm on the lookout for something more powerful.

[Yandros]

The D50 is a superb camera, and offers stupidly good value for money.

Be aware that the megapixel wars are largely irrelevant to most users. Unless you're printing at poster size, you'll not tell the difference between 6 and 10MP. All the entry level DSLRs would serve you well, and will all be stuffed with features that you'll probably never use! For the record, the only feature that the D80 has over the D50 that might be of interest to you is a bigger brighter viewfinder - most of the rest is not going to help you very much in taking better photos.

I'd suggest...

D50 two lens kit (18-55mm, 55-200mm) (£528 from www.warehouseexpress.com)

Buying these lenses later costs a fortune, whereas they practically give them away as part of the kit.

I'd also add a Nikon 50mm 1.8 AF D (£79 from www.microglobe.co.uk) This is one of the sharpest lenses Nikon make, and dirt cheap. The advantage this has over the kit zoom lens is that it's 'fast' in all respects. The focussing is quick, and it let's in more light than the kit lens. This means two things - the D50 focussing system will be far less prone to hunt, and you can shoot at faster shutter speeds. For example indoors you might have 15th second without flash at 50mm on the kit lens, vs 125th second with the 50 1.8. This should help a lot with your current problems with missed shots, and you may not need to use flash at all!

Don't forget to budget for a memory card, and don't buy them on the high street (I tend to use Amazon).