Which DSLR

daggy

Hi guys and gals

I'm considering buying a DSLR, but I'm looknig for some advice as to that is good.

I've used them before, but I'm far from an expert; although, I do have a reasonable understanding of the relationship between megapixels, lenses and image processors... all that

Mainly looking for advice/recommendations on a good starter camera... I've used a nikon before and that was good.

I dont intend on making this a business, so don't want to spend loads - just a good, steady dslr

cheers

Marty999

I have always preferred Canon myself but I have friends who prefer Nikon etc, so it's a bit of a personal thing really. I don't think there's much to choose between the brands these days, and would recommend going to a camera shop to handle a few different models for yourself before deciding.

electrodent

Marty999 wrote: »

I have always preferred Canon myself but I have friends who prefer Nikon etc, so it's a bit of a personal thing really. I don't think there's much to choose between the brands these days, and would recommend going to a camera shop to handle a few different models for yourself before deciding.

Agreed on the advice. The one thing I would add is buy nikon or Canon. You're investing in a brand not buying a single camera. Ie If you buy nikon now it means in the future you'll be buying (mostly) nikon lenses and accessories.

photodgm

There is probably no 'right' answer. It would help if you knew what type of photography you were interested in, portrait, landscape, sports/action, macro for example. Going into a shop and playing with a camera to get the feel of it is a good idea. Remember once you choose a system and buy a few lenses you are unlikely to change to a different make of camera because of the size of investment you have have made. http://www.dpreview.com is worth looking at for reviews, as is http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html for prices. DSLRs are not very money saving there is always a 'better' lens/flash/tripod/camera/filter/bag just calling out to be bought. Great hobby though.

Mrs_Arcanum

The only proviso I would make is Canon are having issues with shutter activations. Some are not lasting as long as should be expected for the price.

per1sher

Due to the constant churn of new models, a second hand DSLR is often very good value.
Both Canon and Nikon have excellent models from a generation or two ago which should be bargains. Get used to one of these, then when you've worked out what exactly you need from your DSLR, sell it for around what you paid.
The Nikon D80 or D200 or Canon 5D are good examples - not the latest but still excellent cameras.

wba31

i would back up the "buy second hand first" advice. I wanted a DSLR last year and was saving to buy, when a friend offered me his Canon 10D with a lens and some other kit for £250. Ive used it a year, and have learnt enough to know i want to invest more. Have bought another lens and am not far off buying a 3rd. I would ideally like a new, lighter body in time for my holiday to New York/Chicago in April, however i know that with decent lenses, the old 10D will still take some great photos, even if it will hurt my neck by the end of the 10 days!

andygb

electrodent wrote: »

Agreed on the advice. The one thing I would add is buy nikon or Canon. You're investing in a brand not buying a single camera. Ie If you buy nikon now it means in the future you'll be buying (mostly) nikon lenses and accessories.

There is absolutely no need to do this nowadays, because the quality of kit is so good, that most top manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus) are as good as each other.
One good reason for NOT buying a Canon, might be the fact that image stabilisation is done in the lens rather than the body, and consequently the lenses are very expensive.
You could choose a make such as Sony (in body stabilisation), and take advantage of a huge range of Sony, Minolta, Zeiss or other lenses at a fraction of the cost.
It should be noted that Sony make sensors which other manufacturers use - Nikon and Canon included.

InsideInsurance

It is actually a very difficult question to answer as you have two competing considerations.

1) The camera you're going to use today. The challenge with most of the more "budget" end models is they tend to be fairly small and those of us with larger hands can find them a little ackward to hold and operate properly in comparison to the more semi-pro type models. So one argument is to go down to a decent camera store and actually try holding them

2) The brand you buy today locks you in. As others have said, camera bodies tend to be used for a few years by people where as lenses tend to be used for a decade or more. When you buy a dSLR its not a one off event and you'll soon invest a small fortune in lenses, flash etc. When it then comes to the time to replace the body you either have to stay in brand so you can continue using all the rest of your kit or if you switch you take a hit in having to sell all your other kit


Personally I am a canon user and have been for many years, started off at the bottom and now in their semi-pro bodies and resisting temptation to move up the model line.

Dave_C_2

andygb wrote: »

There is absolutely no need to do this nowadays, because the quality of kit is so good, that most top manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus) are as good as each other.
One good reason for NOT buying a Canon, might be the fact that image stabilisation is done in the lens rather than the body, and consequently the lenses are very expensive.

The same can be said about some Nikon lenses.
However, on short zooms and wide angle lenses you don't need image stabilisation as hand held is normally adequate.

My mistake was buying a camera kit with a short zoom when my main shooting style is "up close and personal" with a long zoom. This meant buying another lens more or less straight away.

Dave

ukcarper

I’d second marty999 go into a shop and try them. I was intending to buy a Canon but when I tried it I found in very uncomfortable to hold and bought a Nikon. As has been said there is not that much between them.