Digital SLR cameras_which one?

[goingtobefree]

I would like to buy a digital SLR camera but don't know much about cameras. Which one to buy and where do I buy it?

If we know why you want a DSLR, we might be able to help a bit more.

My wife has a Canon EOS and the entry level cameras are good starter DSLRS at around £500.

I have had two Canon DSLRs and love them.. you need a couple of decent lenses and you are set! However if you don't know much about cameras then a DSLR is a massive learning curve (you can use point and shoot mode all the time but that is a bit of a shame as it is capable of a lot)

Talk to a camera shop, as it very much depends on what you want to do with it. There are some pretty decent 'bridge' cameras out there too.. more like DSLR but without interchangeable lenses.. one lens usually with a mahoosive optical zoom. I have one (a panasonic lumix) that I keep in my bag for sudden opportunities as my full kit is too big to keep around me on a daily basis.

Thanks for the replies. I would like to do photography as a hobby but don't have any experience. I am prepared to spend upto 500 pounds. The plan is read books about photography or go to some evening classes.

Try ''yophotographer'' a photo forum, everybody is friendly there......introduce yourself and tell them jols sent you.

Do not worry about your levels we welcome anyone who likes photography.

I've recently bought a Nikon D3100 and it's fantastic. I've had photo envy for a while and wanted to get an entry level DSLR. This one has a guide facility on it which makes it very simple to use, although the auto function is more than ample. There is also a book, specific for the camera which I have found invaluable.

If you do decide to get it, I would highly recommend buying the body only and going for the Nikon 200mm or 300mm lens. The lens that comes as part of the package is ample but I can see that it has it's limitations. I knew nothing about DSLR's or the importance of the lens before buying the camera but the book has assisted my learning greatly.

There is a newly updated version of this camera which has just been released, I think it's the D2000, however it's quite a bit more expensive and for my needs the D3100 is more than ample. It's primary use for us is taking family pictures.

I paid for £400 for the camera and lens package. It seems to be the same price in the usual places, John Lewis, Amazon, Jessops etc. There is currently a cash back offer on which brings it down to about £368 I think.

I've got a Canon EOS. DH bought it for me as I was interested in taking better photos. He went to Jessops for advice as well as googling and Which reports.

I went on a Jessops Canon beginners one day course. Glad I did because it taught me firstly how to use the camera! And what all the buttons did. Also got lots of tips on how to take better photos. Think if I hadn't gone on a course I'd still be using the little dial with the pictures on!!!!

Keep meaning to do follow up course but I'm happy experimenting by myself for now.

I would go for a Nikon d range. DH has the D70 and DS the D3000
DH is taking a photography class at the moment and he is finding his Nikon is much easier to use and more flexible compared to the Canons some of the other students have.

another good forum is

ds's photos taken on the D3000

dh's photos taken with Nikon D70

the D3100 is the updated version of D3000
and D80/D90 are updated versions of DHs D70

The main two camps are Canon & Nikon.

Personally I'm a fan of Nikon even though I have Sony stuff myself.

I'd say if you have a budget of £500 then if you can eek a tiny bit more out then you could do a lot worse than look at the Nikon D5100.

Personally I prefer this over the D3100 because the LCD is much higher quality. I find the photos are not as nice to review when looking on the D3100. Plus crucially the 5100 will produce better quality photos at lower light.

If your budget is flexible and you are patient then I'd suggest waiting a little while and getting the Nikon D3200. I think this camera will be a game changer at the bottom end of the market in terms of the features and specification it crams in.

Then once you have your shiny camera I suggest you save for the following probably in this order (IMO):

1. External Flash. This will make a MASSIVE difference to the quality of your photos. You can get a cheapo one like this to start off with. Jessops 360AFD
2. A longer range zoom lens. Most ppl go for the 70-300 but personally I think you'd be better off with something like a Tamron 18-270 which will probably cover 99% of your daily needs to begin with.
3. Portrait Lens Nikon 50mm

Photography is a crazily expensive hobby. My last lens is about £800. And that's cheap for what it is. The Nikon equivalent is > £1500!