[DPB1]

Can anybody recommend the Sony A100 as a first time DSLR ?

I have seen a deal for the A100 + 2 lenses - (18-70mm + 75-300mm) for £519.95 at Purelygadgets.co.uk.

Please feel free to post pictures taken with the camera. I was considering either a D80 or D200 but am not sure I can afford both body and lenses for these Nikon models.

Thanks

[Yandros]

Pirate will be along shortly to sing the praises of the A100 Yeah it's looking very tempting with that twin lens offer and in the many 'what DSLR' threads recently (take a look), you'll see it's always mentioned as a very strong contender.

The main issue with the D80/D200 is that you don't get image stabilisation in the camera body, so if this is important to you, it bumps the price up even more. The Nikon 70-300VR image stabilised lens is great, but you're looking at a big jump from the A100 price point if you went for a D80+70-300VR. As for the D200, that's a serious bit of kit (try one in a shop and you'll see), in a different league build quality-wise, but not necessarily newbie friendly. For a start it's really optimised for RAW shooting - the jpg results are very neutral and 'flat'.

If you're budget is at the £500-600 mark, also take a look at the K10D and the Samsung equivalent if you need image stabilisation, and add the Nikon D40/D40x or Canon 400D into the mix if you're not so fussed about having everything stabilised.

[mij]

I got my A100 earlier this year and am very happy with it (my first DSLR).

Currys are selling it on-line for £380 with the 18-70mm kit lens, you may prefer this option and use Ebay for a cheap second-hand lens.

Pirate posted earlier showing a decent SIGMA 55-200mm that sells for around the £30 pound mark second-hand, the Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO DG Macro Lens can also be got for £110 new or less second-hand. There are many other cheap Minolta/Sigma/Tamron etc. lenses on ebay.

A good site for more info is here: http://www.dyxum.com/index.asp

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by Yandros

Pirate will be along shortly to sing the praises of the A100 Yeah it's looking very tempting with that twin lens offer and in the many 'what DSLR' threads recently (take a look), you'll see it's always mentioned as a very strong contender.

The main issue with the D80/D200 is that you don't get image stabilisation in the camera body, so if this is important to you, it bumps the price up even more. The Nikon 70-300VR image stabilised lens is great, but you're looking at a big jump from the A100 price point if you went for a D80+70-300VR. As for the D200, that's a serious bit of kit (try one in a shop and you'll see), in a different league build quality-wise, but not necessarily newbie friendly. For a start it's really optimised for RAW shooting - the jpg results are very neutral and 'flat'.

If you're budget is at the £500-600 mark, also take a look at the K10D and the Samsung equivalent if you need image stabilisation, and add the Nikon D40/D40x or Canon 400D into the mix if you're not so fussed about having everything stabilised.

Ahoy! Did someone mention my name?

At the price, it looks like a good deal. Which lenses are on offer? I'll take questions, but I would like to know the price of body only too. It'll depend on what you want to shoot as to best advice to offer.

There are a whole array of variants, but that 2 lens kit would be fine for starters. I've been buying lenses off eBay . . and got a bargain new one (another post) for sub £30.00. Anyhoo, tell me more . . .

EDIT: Both lenses are Sony brand. Read-up on the SAL 70-300mm on Dyxum. Average 80/100 (ish). As a bundle . . excellent . . you'll be OK. For the money, you won't beat it even if you buy body only or single lens kit . . . the sums won't add up.

Advice. Go get it. Oh . . and you'll need a spare battery, card reader, CF card and preferably UV and CPL filters (minimum). Nice find by the way.

[DPB1]

Ahoy there PIRATE !!!

Lenses that come with the package are -

18-70mm (F3.5-5.6)

75-300mm (F4.5-5.6)

All for £519.95 (Not bad deal heh !!)

Cheers

PIRATE - Have you got a A100 then (Have you sent in pics ???)

[Pirate!!]

Originally Posted by DPB1

Ahoy there PIRATE !!!

Lenses that come with the package are -

18-70mm (F3.5-5.6)

75-300mm (F4.5-5.6)

All for £519.95 (Not bad deal heh !!)

Cheers

PIRATE - Have you got a A100 then (Have you sent in pics ???)

Yes and yes. See my signature (click on hyperlinks for online images).

Here's some I prepared earlier: Only 2 of the 4 are with the Alpha

[Pirate!!]

Ahoy!

I had a scan on the interweb and the PurelyGadgets price is the best for the 2 lens kit. I've found A100 bodies on Amazon for £250+, so you could get one of those and make up your own lens kit, but as a package, you aint gonna beat it.

EDIT:

If you do decide to procure aforementioned optical image gathering device, then send me a PM and I'll crank out a list of must-have website favourites so you can glean all relevant info, settings, reviews etc you'll need. But above all, whatever you get, charge up the battery and (ha ha harr)!

[DPB1]

Just been on website :- purelygadgets.co.uk and by using Voucher Code -

PGOOTDDEC10 will get you another tenner off thus paying £509.95 for the package.

Cheers

[Pirate!!]

Nice find.

Also free delivery on orders over £200.00 @ PG. Use code: FDPG2