recommend an slr camera for me

ukcarper

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Go to a good camera shop and handle various makes. It is amazing how different how they can feel. When it comes to performance of the cameras there isn't really a great deal between them.

If you intend buying a number of additional lenses in future, I would suggest that you go for either a Nikon or Canon. These two makes have the widest range of 3rd party (cheaper !) lenses available.

This is very good advice when I bought my DSLR I intended to buy a Canon but I picked it up and found it very uncomfortable tried a Nikon and found it much better so bought the Nikon.

　

scotty1971

like the look of this one
Canon EOS 650D

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canon-eos-650d-rebel-t4i

Dave_C_2

scotty1971 wrote: »

i admit i do not know much about slr cameras,i already have a point and shoot.i would like to become more advanced regarding picture taking,if that makes sense

My advice, if you want to improve your photography then:

• The best way is to join a camera club. One of the first things you should learn is that a more expensive camera does not equal better photographs.
• Join your local library and do some research.
• Have a poke around this web site
• Google "classic photos" My favourite is this one.

Dave

buglawton

Bridge cameras let you play with Apeture or Shutter priority so you can start to learn more that way.

In my opinion, getting the tech settings of a shot right is not no so key as getting composition right. And that's something you can learn on a pinhole camera.

tberry6686

As you are looking at the consumer end of the market then there is no reason at all to consider only canon and nikon. I would suggest you look at the whole range of SLR's in your price range as well as working out what you will be taking pictures of most as not all camera bodies do everything well and remember that the lens quality is far more important than the camera body.

As you are looking for a recomendation - you may want to take a look at the Sony A37.

ukcarper

tberry6686 wrote: »

As you are looking at the consumer end of the market then there is no reason at all to consider only canon and nikon. I would suggest you look at the whole range of SLR's in your price range as well as working out what you will be taking pictures of most as not all camera bodies do everything well and remember that the lens quality is far more important than the camera body.

As you are looking for a recomendation - you may want to take a look at the Sony A37.

I agree some good second hand Minolta lenses available.

I would recommend a Nikon D5100 or D3100 but a problem with them is older Nikon Lenses will not work on them but there are plenty of lenses available that will.

I would then suggest OP goes to good camera shop and try them.

　

yangptangkipperbang

ukcarper wrote: »

I would recommend a Nikon D5100 or D3100 but a problem with them is older Nikon Lenses will not work on them but there are plenty of lenses available that will.

　

Not a "problem" - just a deliberate way of keeping the price down. If you want your camera to be compatible with just about every lens that Nikon has ever made you have to pay for it. If you are quite happy to use manual focusing on the odd lens here and there - no probs.

This is handy:

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

mr_fishbulb

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Not a "problem" - just a deliberate way of keeping the price down...

And the size too. My D40 is a lot smaller than my D7000 because it doesn't have an internal motor needed to drive the non AF-S lenses. The AF-S lenses have the motor built into the lens.

And I agree that it's not a problem - there is a wide variety of AF-S lenses out there (and non-Nikon equivalents) that you're not going to have a problem finding one that will suit your needs.

OP - For your budget I'd recommend either a Nikon D3200 with the kit lens (this is newer than the D3100). Or go for the cheaper Nikon D3100 or Canon 1100D and with the extra money you can get an additional lens (55-200 VR if you go with the Nikon, or 55-250 IS II for the Canon).

ukcarper

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

Not a "problem" - just a deliberate way of keeping the price down. If you want your camera to be compatible with just about every lens that Nikon has ever made you have to pay for it. If you are quite happy to use manual focusing on the odd lens here and there - no probs.

This is handy:

http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/slr-lens.html

I agree it's not a big problem as I said there are plenty of lenses that will work.

The D5100 is now less than £450 with 18-55vr

Rodders53

I went through this about 15 months ago... although I had previously an old Olympus film SLR and before that a Zenit B so knew a bit about what and why I wanted an SLR.

The advice to shortlist and then 'interview' the cameras is good: e.g. big hands will suit one brand while small hands another.

In the end I opted for a Pentax K-r with twin zoom lenses, as the body would also accept old Pentax k-mount lenses and had the shake reduction system built into the camera rather than the lens. {in-lens share reduction works well but adds to the lens price!} Sadly that model's just been discontinued and the better K5 is a bit pricier than your budget.

Buying second-hand may be an idea - surprisingly some camera enthusiasts will upgrade soon after making a purchase!! There are dedicated forums for all the major brands, often with 'for sale' ad areas.