DSLR Camera questions.

Stewie, the main problem I think is the image sensor. Its 1/2.5 and that didnt change with the FZ8, obviously the technology wasnt there or it couldnt be produced for their price point.

Im actually after a cokin P series kit at the moment because I want some ND Grad filters but not sure whether to get ND2 ND4 or ND8?

[Viney]

You can get the Cannon 450D or the Nikon D40x with twin lens kits for about £650. Mother are good cameras. However, Sony's Alpha 350 at 14.1mp is a good buy at the moment. Again searching around you can get a twin lens kit for about the same money.

However, as said above, there are newer models coming out from Nikon soon.

Nikon D80 was definitely worth it, I upgraded from my D70 a while back when it stopped working after being out in all weathers including snow. Sent the D70 to Nikon for a quote to fix it and they sent it back all fixed free of charge, 2 years out of guarantee period.... With that service I'll be sticking with Nikon.

+1 Canon, Have a 400 and love the thing. Came back from my holidays in Namibia and was blown away by the detail in the pics i took (only had the wee screen when i was there) using a 70-300mm lens with a couple of filters.

Battery life is excellent,
colors are phenomenal,
its simple to use but has all the detail settings for when you get more confident,
its (relatively) cheap and easy to get eos lenses.

at the end of the day it all comes down to experience and practice as a good photographer will prove with a average camera.

+1 for the cannon D400, i use it at the TT and scarborough with a 55-250 lens on and its usually enough, need 300+ for most of the bigger circuits, then youve got the damn fences,

EOS 400 can be picked up pretty cheaplyt now that the 450is out, its the lenses that will cost you though , personally i think once you get to a certain level with the body its the glass that will make the biggest difference, and knowing how to get the best out of it

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D60-Digital-SLR-Camera/dp/B00131Z1GS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221579038&sr =1-5

How good is this for the monies?

The best site on the net for digital camera info and reviews is www.dpreview.com

Either a Canon or a Nikon should be fine for you, though I wouldn't discount the new Sony's either. I've heard that the Nikons have slightly better build quality than the Canons, though the Nikon D40 felt a bit lightweight to me.

The quality of the lens is more important than the number of megapixels, so it might even make sense to buy a used camera body off Ebay and put the money saved towards some decent glass for it.

I have a Nikon D40 and I love it. Very easy to use and the photo's are brilliant. For £250 odd quid you can't go wrong.

Originally Posted by Viney

You can get the Cannon 450D or the Nikon D40x with twin lens kits for about £650. Mother are good cameras.

Maybe the 450, but I would be surprised if you paid that much on a D40x, maybe a D60.

Originally Posted by Viney

However, Sony's Alpha 350 at 14.1mp is a good buy at the moment.

Indeed it is. However, I have never used a Sony, but since they are all actually Minolta things should be ok and well sorted with them.

Originally Posted by Viney

Again searching around you can get a twin lens kit for about the same money.

Very good advice.

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-D60-Digital-SLR-Camera/dp/B00131Z1GS/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1221579038&sr =1-5

How good is this for the monies?

That is very good for the money. That is exactly the kit I bought (although £25 cheaper) and frankly I can't fault it. The camera is more than good enough for people starting out and learning to take photos with a DSLR. The only thing that you might want to buy afterwards is a telezoom lens, and there are plenty of those for a Nikon fit. For reference I saved up on the camera and then bought myself a 18-200 Nikon DX VR lens.

Originally Posted by wyrdness

The best site on the net for digital camera info and reviews is www.dpreview.com

Use the side by side comparison and camera database in dpreview to get an idea of what is out there, excellent site.

Originally Posted by wyrdness

Either a Canon or a Nikon should be fine for you, though I wouldn't discount the new Sony's either. I've heard that the Nikons have slightly better build quality than the Canons, though the Nikon D40 felt a bit lightweight to me.

An excellent piece of advice that. However, as a counter point I'd say that my D40 feels right and the 350/400d I've tried out just felt wrong and clunky.

Originally Posted by wyrdness

The quality of the lens is more important than the number of megapixels, so it might even make sense to buy a used camera body off Ebay and put the money saved towards some decent glass for it.

Listen to him very carefully, that is good advice. The camera is actually going to turn out to be the cheaper item of buy after you add up buying new lenses. And you definitely will end up buying a new lenses.

And buy the biggest, fastest memory card you can afford for you camera that it can use. I've got a single 2GB one and that didn't quite last a single morning at the goodwood festival of speed.

http://search.stores.ebay.co.uk/Glob...051580QQsofpZ0

Not sure how good they are... seller wise but DAMN they are cheap!