Which DSLR for beginner?

[chicoelnino]

Taking a plunge from pocket digital camera to DSLR photography.
So far I've done a little bit of research on the topic and I came up with a few models that have got alot of good reviews.....Nikon D40, Nikon D40x, Cannon EOS 440D and the Pentax K10D

Now straight off I like the sound of the D40(I know there's no motorised AF)...which means i'll have to manually focus i presume. The D40x just seems to me to be the same camera but with 10Mp instead of 6?

I know very little about SLR's and photography in general, but I have an interest in persueing my desire to at least try it.

If anyone could lend my some usefull advice on any area of photography...where to look for tips etc...I would like that very much.

Also your expert opinions on the above models would be great also. My budget would be €1000.

Thanks.

[Fozzybear]

The D40 is a good camera (all the ones you list are*) so you can't go far wrong. The lack of an AF motor in the D40 will only affect lenses that don't have a motor themselves so if you stick with "AF-S" lenses then you'll be able to autofocus.

Really I'd say just go to a camera shop and have a go with them all. None are clunkers and really it comes down to the handling. See which one feels best to use, what feels comfortable and has the controls where you want them.

If you're coming into photography with little knowledge of it then keep things simple and avoid the desire to buy lots of lenses and trinkets. Stick to the basic camera with one lens (and a bag to carry it in...) and get to know that before you add complications. Using an SLR can be a point-and-shoot experience but the cameras can still be a little daunting when you start using them so just spend time snapping away around the house and garden to get used to the way the camera works.

I'd advise buying a decent quality memory card as the difference in price to a cheap one is minimal, but I'd avoid places like Jessops for the card as they are very expensive.

*it's a Canon EOS 400D by the way, not a Cannon EOS 440D

[solidamber]

If you buy the D40X there is a £60 cashback from Nikon at moment

http://www.europe-nikon.com/home/en_...oad/329/1.html

Also the lens that comes with the Nikon kit is reported to be of better optical quality than the Canon Kit lens.

Though I do own a Canon 400D myself.

[samhain]

Originally Posted by Fozzybear

The D40 is a good camera (all the ones you list are*) so you can't go far wrong. The lack of an AF motor in the D40 will only affect lenses that don't have a motor themselves so if you stick with "AF-S" lenses then you'll be able to autofocus.

Really I'd say just go to a camera shop and have a go with them all. None are clunkers and really it comes down to the handling. See which one feels best to use, what feels comfortable and has the controls where you want them.

If you're coming into photography with little knowledge of it then keep things simple and avoid the desire to buy lots of lenses and trinkets. Stick to the basic camera with one lens (and a bag to carry it in...) and get to know that before you add complications. Using an SLR can be a point-and-shoot experience but the cameras can still be a little daunting when you start using them so just spend time snapping away around the house and garden to get used to the way the camera works.

I'd advise buying a decent quality memory card as the difference in price to a cheap one is minimal, but I'd avoid places like Jessops for the card as they are very expensive.

*it's a Canon EOS 400D by the way, not a Cannon EOS 440D

Great post and fantastic advice

[Pirate!!]

This is an interesting post from various viewpoints. So chicoelnino has a healthy budget, but appears to want to learn the craft with decent hardware.

There is mention of certain Nikon models in the opening thread, as is the Pentax K10D. On a personal note, if I had a 1000 Euro budget, I would want all the bang for my buck as I could get. If funds allow for the all singing, all dancing option, then that's where I would be looking to invest my hard-earned. And why not?

Whilst I'm sure there are certain biases towards one's own 'brand', there are a number of other options open for suggestion. That said, it would only be right for owners/users of them to input their qualified opinions.

I would ask the poster to supply a more detailed list of camera requirements in the kit he wants. That said, having checked out the K10D reviews, pretty much all of the points highlighted have been corrected by firmware updates.

It's a feature packed package for sure. Is it worth considering a bridge camera . . I'm not so sure.

Just my 2 doubloons worth, though I hope the OP will update us.

[Yandros]

You've specified a fairly generous budget, which gives you a number of options.

Some general advice...

Anything from 6-10 megapixels will be fine. The extra pixels are there mostly for camera firm marketing departments

With DSLRS, the initial kit purchase is usually only the start of the slippery slope into the money pit The 'kit lens' supplied with most models is moderate wide angle to short telephoto. This will be no good for extreme closeup (macro) work, or sports, wildlife etc. Extra lenses can be as little as 60 quid, but depending on the type of lens, you can usually expect to pay £150-£350 (or a LOT more in some cases) per lens to add extra capabilities to your camera. If your 1000 Euro budget is IN TOTAL, then consider carefully if you might want to save some cash for extras.

With your budget you could either blow the whole lot on a midrange camera+kit lens, or opt for an entry level camera and set aside some cash for expansion.

Incidentally, I'm one of the Nikon fans, so I'm biased in that direction. We've got Canon, Pentax and Sony fanboys/girls as well, so we kind of balance each other out fairly amicably

In the midrange, you've got the Canon 400D, Nikon D80, Sony A100, and Pentax K10 as obvious chocies.

Your entry level choices would be the Canon 350D, Nikon D40 or Pentax K100D.

As previously advised, go out and handle a few - DSLRS vary considerably in size, weight, build quality and ergonomics, The screens and viewfinders also vary in size and brightness. For example, if you like small and light cameras with simple controls, you'll like the Nikon D40. If you're lusting after a 'proper camera' - big, sturdy with lots of buttons - try the Nikon D80 or Pentax K10.

As Pirate says, some brands (eg Sony and Pentax) offer more bangs for the buck - particularly since they offer in-camera image stabilisation. Nikon and Canon are trading on superior body and lens quality, (and huge market shares) and insist on using the (allegedly) superior in-lens image stabilisation. Us Nikon/Canon fans (aka mugs?) pay a premium for for this but are happy in the knowledge that the extra cost is worth it

Regarding the D40 lens issue specifically(must start cutting and pasting a standard repy!)...

The D40 autofocuses with:

All Nikon Kit lenses
Nikon 55-200mm VR (VR= Vibration Reduction) £230
Nikon 70-300mm VR £320
Nikon 18-200mm VR £465
Nikon 105mm VR Macro £480
Sigma 30mm f1.4 £240
Sigma 10-20mm £280

It doesn't autofocus with the cheaper macro lenses, or the Sigma macro/zooms, which are very popular with people on a tight budget. You also miss out on the low light zooms and primes. The Nikon AFS 200mm and 300mm consumer zooms are pretty much the best on the market though, so a D40+kit lens+Nikon 70-300VR wouldn't be a bad way of spending 1000 euros

[s70rmp]

was in the same boat 2 weeks ago was going to go for a D40 abd then the 350D but I have gone for the D40X and it's brilliant

I would recommend the D40X, taken over 300 pics and the battery still indicates 3 out of 3 bars

[mjw123]

Don't feel the D40X is worth the extra money over the D40.

The D40 is perfect choice especially with the Nikon cashback. Use the money saved to buy the 50mm F1.8 lens

[samhain]

i have just bought the D40, waiting on battery charge but need SD card. What's fastest and best card for D40

[CarlukeDave]

I was in exactly the same boat myself mate in December, after much debate I opted for the Canon 350D, got it with the kit lens and a Tamron 70-300mm and a 1gb CF card, velbon tripod and Lowepro micro trekker bag. I've since bought a new 2gb memory card, lens hood, ND8 filter and battery grip, I'm saving for some new glass just now as well.

I'm very pleased with the Canon and can recommend it, got a mate who's got a D40 and he loves that as well. No right or wrong answers, go with what you feel comfortable with.

Also, don't buy memory cards from Jessops or the like, Sandisk 2Gb card from ebay for £24, £65 in Jessops

[Yandros]

I tend to agree that the D40x isn't particularly good value. For the extra £120- you get 3 frames/sec vs 2.5, a 100 ISO base vs 200, and the 10MP sensor.

I'd suggest either go the whole hog and get a D80, or put the £120 towards lenses, and upgrade to a D80 later if you get the DSLR bug in a more serious way.

[Yandros]

Originally Posted by samhain

i have just bought the D40, waiting on battery charge but need SD card. What's fastest and best card for D40

I'd suggest a 2Gb Sandisk Extreme III (about £25).

[samhain]

thanks advice taken 19.95 delivered.

Cheers

[chicoelnino]

Thanks for all the rapid relies guys. I went and viewed the D40 and Canon 400D and the D80. Have to say I'm tempted to go with the D80 now as I fear that if I catch this "bug" yer all on about then I'll want to upgrade fairly soon...so why not go and get it straight away.

Can someone tell me whats the story with the cheap D80's on ebay? here's one link...

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Nikon-D80-Digital...QQcmdZViewItem

Obviously it must be a fraud job, but I was just curious

Im gona read up abit about photography for a few weeks before I purchase anything, but as I said, Im leaning towards the D80. What lens comes as standard with it does anyone know? If I wanted to get a lens that had a decent teleporto capability..what would I go for? Im new to this so sorry if I seem a dumb bimbo Ye guys are the top dogs on the subject so I'd appreciate any info.

Carlo

[mjw123]

I personally feel you don't really need the D80 at this stage.

I've been taking pics for 20 years and the D40 is more than I need for my creative requirements.

I just feel as a beginner you will be paying for extra's on the D80 you'll never use or at least not for a long while.

The D40 will be a 'classic' and when the cashback ends you are going to be in a position that if you do turn into David Bailey within 12months then you will get most of your money back (if not all) for your D40 and the £60 discount on new purchases will have gone.

Learn to walk first