Looking to buy a DSLR camera.

[Littlepeahead]

While I agree about speed of cards and cameras the Sandisk Extreme Pro are more durable. I've dropped them, splashed them, left them in a pocket of my bag all out of the case and they survive. I've had and known cheaper cards corrupt. I'd also advise buying 2 x 8gb rather than 1 x 16gb. That way if you put one in the camera while the other one is in your card reader you never accidentally go out with a camera and no card, which is easily done.

If you get into it and want a bag I can recommend the Lowepro stuff. Go on ebay and find the bag you want. It's usually half the price from hong kong, which is where I got mine from.

[keith_d]

Q. Should I buy Nikon or Canon?

A. Yes.


If you're dipping your toe in the water and aren't sure what you want to shoot, I'd look for a used body from either of the big manufacturers, and add a mid-range zoom.

I'm a Nikon user, so I'd suggest something like a used D90 with an 18-70mm zoom. The D90 has an auto everything mode to get you started, and the important P,A,S & M modes for when you want to take more control. It will also work well with the vast majority of Nikon lenses.

I'm sure the Canon users can recommend something equivalent from their range.

Agree with the d90, i love it, it just fits, a 6-8 gig card will be fine, and i find on the d90 the battery lasts for ages, ie 500 pics guaranteed, I used mine on holls a couple of weks ago, charged battery once in two weeks and took close to a thousand pics including some video, so no need for an extra battery straight away, if ever.

I've got the D90 as well, I bought an extra battery when I first got it and I've never taken it out the packaging, the original lasts ages and you can leave it in the camera dormant for weeks and it's still got charge.

[G]

I've had an 1100D and now a 600D, so I obviously prefer canon. Much easier to learn with I felt but all you can do is play with different brands and make you own opinion.

One thing is for sure, unless you plan on buying different lenses and learning to shoot in manual and RAW then I wouldn't bother getting a DSLR. You would be much better investing your £300 in a very very good point and shoot. A £300 SLR with a kit lens that never leaves auto is worse than a good point and shoot camera.

The number of people I see walking around with a £600+ camera, with a kit lens and always leaving it in auto is depressing.

It's very quick and easy to pick up how to shoot in manual, and once you start shooting in RAW and processing the photos yourself you'll be blown away.

Thanks for all the comments so far everyone.

Originally Posted by G

It's very quick and easy to pick up how to shoot in manual, and once you start shooting in RAW and processing the photos yourself you'll be blown away.

That's what I'm hoping to achieve. If I had any thought that I'd be leaving it in auto I know a DSLR is the wrong camera to buy. But I've had a point 'n shoot for ages and it's so frustrating when you cannot get the pictures to come out how you want them to.

There doesn't seem to be much saving to be had by buying used unless I'm missing a trick? For example...

This used body: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...n-eos-1100d-2/
This random used lens: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/use...5mm-f/3.5-5.6/

Comes to ~£250. Yet if buy brand new http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...0181/show.html it's only £30 more. I take it camera equipment holds it's value well?

[kaivalagi]

May be better buying 600d+ S/H when comparing to new prices...not sure on the prices of those S/H though, you may find them within budget too though

I would go to a store and compare the quality/options/feel of the 1100d with something next up on the range such as a 650d etc...then look at what's available S/H

[Kenzie]

LCE seems to have good used stock

http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand-Search/

For Canon: http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand...n=&Results=100

For Nikon: http://www.lcegroup.co.uk/Secondhand...n=&Results=100

Right I've just been out and played with the Cannon 1100D and the Nikon D3100 (both at similar prices) and I much prefer the look and feel of the Cannon. Now on to the shopping list...

Cannon 1100D £280: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/camera...19591-pdt.html (PC World are doing 2 year warranty on it)

2x 8GB 30 MB/s Memory Cards £17.50: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SANDISK-8G...item43bdcb4b0e

Camera Bag £10: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/camera...46101-pdt.html

Tripod £12: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/camera...77353-pdt.html

Spare Battery £6: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-...item4d0d7e2517

Total: ~£325

Anything I should change, add or remove from that little lot?