Wanting to buy a Digital SLR camera...

Akenyon

Hello,
I have recently been looking into buying a digital SLR camera as i am doing graphic design at university and i would like to do some more photo based work.

Currently i have only really looked at Canon DSLR's because i currently have a Canon Ixus 750.

Iv looked at the new Canon EOS 450D which looks great to me but i dont know that much about DSLR's to tell if its worth getting.

Here is a link to it on Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00131Z6YA/pricerunner-21/ref=nosim

I have read some reviews and alot of ppl dont seem to like the camera, prefering the EOS 400D.
(http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B000IKVOE8/ref=pd_sbs_ce_img_1)

Can someone who knows there stuff about DSLR's give me some advice as to whats best?

Thank you in advance,

Alex

fishing-girl

have a look here.
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html
i used this site alot before getting my nikon
the best way to choose is look at the above reviews choose a selection of cameras and go to a good camera shop and have agood look and hold them. i didnt buy my first choice as when i held it it didnt feel comfortable to grip,try them with other lenses as this will change the feel, due to weight of lense, a good camera shop should encourage you to do this . also have a look at the lense prices, im not sure what you might need to do on your course, but you might need a few (these are expensive items) prices vary alot depending on make,
ps dont make your decission based on megapixels ,more megapixels doesnt always mean better photos.

windym_2

Use this website to find the best prices.

I have just bought a 400d. I love it. I think you have to remember that when you buy a DSLR you are buying a 'body' and will spend the next half of your life buying lenses to go with it.

Edit - at the moment Tesco are doing the 400d with lens kit (not great but ok) for 359 (plus quidco) and Canon are doing 45 cashback. A great deal for a little over 300.

Akenyon

I have found this on the jessops website.
Im completely new to the world of DSLR's and i havent got a clue what lenses do what etc.
Is this bundle any good? and is it better than the 450D?
http://www.jessops.com/Store/s73811/0/Digital-SLRs/Canon/EOS-400D-(Black)-Ultimate-Bundle/details.aspx

Please let me know! thanks!

-TangleFoot-

Akenyon wrote: »

I have found this on the jessops website.

Jessops stock is hideously overpriced - the shop I bought my last two cameras from lists the EOS 400D at £429, and Play.com charge even less!

Ask yourself this: are a macro lens, flash unit, bag, CF card and spare battery really worth more than £200 to you?

Akenyon

-TangleFoot- wrote: »

Jessops stock is hideously overpriced - the shop I bought my last two cameras from lists the EOS 400D at £429, and Play.com charge even less!

Ask yourself this: are a macro lens, flash unit, bag, CF card and spare battery really worth more than £200?

Very true,
Can you recommend A lens to buy aswell as the Body with lens kit?

-TangleFoot-

Akenyon wrote: »

Can you recommend A lens to buy[?]

Not really; It all depends on what you want to shoot.

unrich

If you are happy with Canon interfaces then go with a Canon. Pretty much all the DSLR vendors produce similar products that appeal to different people in different ways (I chose Samsung and Pentax).

I would go for the D400 and Lens package from Tesco at £360 at the moment.
You can then claim £45 cash back from Canon (as the range is changing they want rid of the old stock). This takes the cost of the pack to £315. Which is a steal for a half decent 10Mpixel DSLR.

With the money you save you can have a squint on ebay for other lenses if you have the money. Canon have quite good compatibility. A longer zoom e.g. 50-250 might help but with longer lenses you need a tripod to keep the shot clean.

The 18-55 is equivalent to about 28-80mm in 35mm format terms. Its a bog standard zoom lens and will sort you out to start.

You will quite quickly find you want a tripod, a bag, a flash, lots of memory, A UV filter, A skylight filter, a ND filter another ND filter, a sensor cleaning system, a bigger flash, a smaller tripod, cleaning cloths, more batteries, more memory, a bigger backpack etc etc

Once you have learned all you can about it then go out and spend £1000's on something better.

Akenyon

unrich wrote: »

A longer zoom e.g. 50-250 might help but with longer lenses you need a tripod to keep the shot clean.
The 18-55 is equivalent to about 28-80mm in 35mm format terms. Its a bog standard zoom lens and will sort you out to start.

Cool, i just looked at the EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS from canon, looks expensive on there but im guessing i can get it cheaper on ebay (already seen some decent looking ones on there).
Trouble is im not a lens wiz and i dont really know whats a good deal and whats not.
Can you maybe give me a list of recommended lenses for different types of photography, that are within a students budget?
Thanks!

JoeA81

The best advice I can give, is to walk into Jessops and ask to have a go with a couple of different makes of camera. One of my friends was dead set on getting a canon 350D, but when he actually held it in his hands he found it really uncomfortable to hold, as it is rather small, and he has quite large hands. When he held the equivalent Nikon, he said it felt much more comfortable, and ended up gettign a D70. Have a play around with them, as really they are all pretty equivalent and will all produce decent photos - when compared to a digital compact camera anyway.

unrich

My experience was to start with a film SLR. After A while I bought a DSLR. The lenses I chose are interchangeable between bodies. All the old Pentax lenses fit the Samsung digital bodies so I have access to all the 2nd hand lenses on ebay.

Depending on your photography you will end up with lenses in addition to the 18-55mm.

A wide angle lens. 10-20mm in digital terms. Great for perspectives, big noses, depth of focus.

A long zoom. 50-300mm. For getting things closes that you can't physically reach. Wildlife, candid shots.

After this you will probably start looking for APO lenses, fast/prime F1.4/F1.8 lenses, a 100mm portrait lens(70mm digital) and 500mm tele lenses etc etc.

Stick with the 18-55mm and see where your photography takes you, unless you have unlimited funds then pop into your local camera shop and get them serving you.

The 18-55 lens will do 90% of things you require. I advise you to keep the money in your pocket until you have learned a bit and know what kit will help you most.

Like a copy of Photoshop for £600 or so.