[flyingfridge]

Hi,

I am looking for advice regarding my first D-SLR! I have been looking around a little and have come to the (maybe wrong) conclusion that these two cameras would suit me well at the price point.

So my first question is which of these two is the better camera and would recommend

Secondly, would I be better off buying the body only and getting a different lens? Bearing in mind I would be willing to spend about £200 on the additional lens.

Thanks,
Fred

[Spooksta]

I got a D60 last month. My biggest regret is that i didnt get body only and go for a better lens. Maybe the 55-200mm f/4-5.6 AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor

[Gingerbillc]

£200 isn't going to get you any better lenses bang for buck wise. You can get a D60 with kit lens plus the 55-200 VR for around £500. I went to the safari park today, I used the 55-200mm nikkor mostly and the VR took a hammering in a car with the engine running. Thats a £130 lens and it took some really nice shots. Used the kit lens 18-55 for up close(baboons). Just don't do what I did, turn of AF so you can focus through a chainmail fence at a tiger, then go into the lion enclosure and snap away and forget to put it on doh.

A few from today here

the kit lens are good enough for us beginners


If I had more money, I would have gone for the 70-300mm Zoom but its £200 more than the 55-200. Or if I was ready for divorse, the 18-200mm nikkor for around £500 to save the swapping of the lenses

[noidea]

Gingerbillc - would the 18-200 give as good results as the 18-55 and the 55-200? ie would you have to sacrifice quality for convenience?
btw it's more like £400

[Gingerbillc]

I couldn't say from experience, only from what I've read, its supposed to be the best all round zoom for the money out there. The quality is apparantly on par if not better. You find these things out AFTER you spend your money, well I do. Peeps on here are far more knowlegeable than I so no doubt they will let you know. I have to say though, I'm happy with my kit for what it does, although the extra zoom to 300mm would be nice, so think about getting the kit then a 70-300 as that extra reach might be more useful than the convinience for the same money.

[maxzuk]

Have never used the Nikon but for people new to DSLR the Canon is much more user friendly.

Have had the 450 for 2 weeks now and have found it a joy to use for my first time into serious cameras.

My advice to one novice to another is to stick with standard lens for now and save for a 70/300. I have the 70/300 and must admit that the standard lens comes in very usefull.

The compromise of having a lens that stops way back and zooms out to 300 is a massive dent in the wallet.

P.S. this what I achieved with my 70/300 today First shot Complete Newbie Please Insult

[dazza74]

Not really going to get to much into the Nikon v Canon Debate. Lens wise though if you don't mind buying it from one stop digital you could get the tamron 17-50 2.8 for a little over £200 which I think it's fair to say would eclipse most if not all kit lenses.

[senu]

Originally Posted by dazza74

Not really going to get to much into the Nikon v Canon Debate.

Wise man.. Nobody else has so far

Lens wise though if you don't mind buying it from one stop digital you could get the tamron 17-50 2.8 for a little over £200 which I think it's fair to say would eclipse most if not all kit lenses.

The Canon 18-55 USM IS is said to be pretty decent though and not anything like Canon kit lens of old. Im not sure if that is what comes as kit with the 450D
To the OP: Bodies wise
A seen from above most folk are going to shy away from moving you in any one direction, as the debates almost always end up in brand preference , but some might argue you arent comparing like for like
Check DP review and see what it says

[Farno]

Goto to a shop that has both in and have a good play and feel, nothing better than seeing which one has the right 'feel' to it.
Use the menu systems on both and see which you prefer.

[senu]

Originally Posted by Farno

Goto to a shop that has both in and have a good play and feel, nothing better than seeing which one has the right 'feel' to it.
Use the menu systems on both and see which you prefer.

Always good advice, that
A cursory play may not tell the whole story but it will tell you which you dont like
You may like both..
I used to take images on Auto with either of a similar subject to compare on the PC later
although the lens may matter and make a difference too
What is clear is that it will boil down to you , not the paper specifications as Canon is marketing the 450D as a level higher than entry level, While Nikon is replacing the D40/X with the D60