new dslr

Mikebellows

Try this forum for info...

http://www.avforums.com/forums/digital-photography/

Chewbumpkin

I have small hands and started with a Canon 450d 4 years ago and took some fantastic pictures with it and a kit lens. One is of an osprey with a fish in its claws that I took through a car windscreen at 50mph (I wasn't driving by the way).
I went up to a 7D two years ago and haven't looked back. I take one of my cameras nearly everywhere I go and love both of them. I wouldn't go back to a compact now and am now well used to carting the camera and a spare lens around with me. I just decide in advance what sort of pictures I am taking and limit myself to what I may need. The only fault I can find is that the strap that comes with the camera is very wide and stiff and cut the back of my neck. I changed to a neoprene lined strap and problem solved.
I am definitely a Canon fan, but would say that there is nothing wrong with Nikon, it is just what you feel you prefer when you handle them.
Have you thought of going to a camera club? You would be able to see what other people have, discuss their choices and reasoning behind their preferences, and also get to handle a pretty fair range of cameras. Someone may also be able to put you in touch with a good used bargain in the process!
Good luck with whatever you choose and may you have as much fun and enjoyment from your purchase as I have.

catoutthebag

Glad you ^ mentioned this as I was re thinking a bridge again due to portability

But after what you've said I'm set on a dslr.

Will try handle the 5100 this weekend

daveyjp

If you want a high quality and very robust body you need to look at metal bodies, they will also be better weatherproofed.

They are expensive when new, but pro photographers trade gear often and second hand bargains are there for the true MSE fan!

Nikon d200, original cost well into 4 figures, now less than £300.

Mr_Toad

Have you considered a second hand camera?

I have a Canon 450D that I bought when they first came out and every so often I think about changing it but the truth is it's a fantastic camera which I'll probably never get the best out of. Buying a better camera isn't going to improve my skill, or lack of it.

I have a couple of decent lenses for it and I've taken some superb shots with it but I know all the limitations are mine and not the cameras.

We have a photographic club at work who run regular monthly competitions and the guy who wins most often uses the even older Canon 350D.

There are some really expensive cameras and Canon L lenses costing thousands that don't help their owners one bit. The simple fact is that the 350D owner is a fantastically skilled photographer and gets results with his 'old' camera that the rest of us can only dream about. People have asked him why he doesn't buy a more professional Canon camera body and his reply is that he's tried them and his pictures are no better than with the 350D so he's going to keep it.

I bet you could pick up the brand of your choice and save yourself some money for your first lens purchase.

cootuk

www.mpbphotographic.com sell a good range of used kit and come highly recommended.

catoutthebag

I had considered second hand or refurb and still will. But I'm
Anal on condition (scuffs, scratch etc) & have always bought electronics new (but cheap via sales, discount codes etc)

So I'm happy to get an older model camera new

But what is the general condition of a second hand or refurb dslr?
Are these best bought from a physical shop ?

Agree re: skill of the photographer. I saw sample pics from the s90. Awesome dslr quality virtually. I couldn't achieve these

That's why I hope whatever camera I get, I'll look after it for many years, ignoring the newer model temptations and just buying good glass

daveyjp

My second hand camera looked brand new. Some of the cables hadn't been out of the packet, the instruction book was untouched and the strap was unused, the lens was the same.

Battery status was very healthy indicating a low number of recharge cycles.

Pinkypants

I bet all the great artists in the world used the best paints and brushes money could buy?

Get a cheap 2nd hand DSLR and invest the rest of the money in good lens or lenses and learn how to use the camera properly. The most important part of taking a picture is the 12 inches behind the camera, your brain, then the lens and finally the camera itself. You could always upgrade the body at a later date.

Shimrod

catoutthebag wrote: »

I had considered second hand or refurb and still will. But I'm
Anal on condition (scuffs, scratch etc) & have always bought electronics new (but cheap via sales, discount codes etc)

If you're happy with a refurb, have a look at the Canon outlet on ebay. This is the official Canon shop, and you'll get a 12 month Canon warranty. I've bought both cameras, lenses and printers from them and they've all been as new. There's a couple of cameras there in your price range at the moment - A 550d at £330 and a 600d at £380, both with a kit lens. The 600d is about £100 off new price. There isn't much to choose from between the 550d and 600d in terms of specification, so you may prefer the older model and have a bit more cash to spend on memory cards etc.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/canon_uk1/m.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=eos&_sop=15