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Rob Barron · 01-11-2006, 19:48

I think you need to think carefully about this and definitely not let our brand biases sway you one way or the other. May I suggest a couple of other factors you might want to consider....

Are you going to get good pictures out of a Canon, a Nikon, an Olympus, a Sony....? Of course you are. So which brand you end up with is not going to be a big problem. However, if you already use a particular brand, you might well want to stick with that because you are used to their software, etc.

If you have a Canon DSLR then you are used to using, and have probably got two or three, compact flash memory cards. In that case, it makes sense to buy your wife a camera that uses the same format of card. It will save money because you already have spares and you already have a system set up for transferring photos to your computer etc.

Your wife wants a 'better than point n shoot without being too complicated' camera. Ok, but you knoe your wife better than us so you know whether this interest is likely to last. Has she just suddenly decided she wants to get a camera because she is fed up of standing around waiting for you to get 'just one more shot darling!' or has she already been using a point n shoot digital camera and feels she wants to take the next step up?

If she wants a 'better than.... (you know the rest!)' then what is she going to want when she gets that one and is used to it after a few months? Will she then feel ready to go up to a DSLR? Bearing in mind that all DSLRs are at their easiest point and shoot cameras. You can set it to P or the green box (on a Canon) and she can shoot away just as easily as with a compact. As she feels ready, you can feed in further knowledge so that she gets used to focusing manually, using Av mode, Tv mode, etc. Logically, if this is the case, you should definitely get her a Canon as you already have some lenses so it would be crazy to switch systems and lose a bundle. What do you gain? No brand is so much better that it is worth losing hundreds of pounds if not more and starting all over again. Sure the Nikonites on here will insist their lenses are best and the Canonites will counter that you can't beat an L series. But this is not for us, it's for your wife. We don't count!

Would it really be so wrong to give your wife the 300D? There is nothing to stop you spending some money on an accessory like a lens, a flashgun, or whatever. My wife would think I was mad if I went out and bought a new camera for her when we had a perfectly good one that she could have already. Sure you might need to do some smooth talking to get that 400D you are after but in my experience, partners don't insist on being treated extravagantly, just fairly!

If she got your 300D, she has a fully experienced expert on hand to give her tuition anytime she likes. You know the camera well and can help her with hints and tips whilst also giving her the space and freedom to find things out for herself.

Go ahead and think carefully about this. A new 400D is only £450. A new Canon Powershot might only be half that but is that really going to meet your wife's needs, not just over the Christmas holiday but right through the year? Only you can answer that but remember, this is a hobby that draws couples together and gives you something you can share together. It makes sense to stick with one system that you both know so you can use hers, she can use yours, etc.

I wish you well with your decision making and hope your wife enjoys this wonderful hobby.... and I look forward to that mince pie :o)

Cheers,
Rob

01-11-2006, 19:48	#9 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,384	Re: Christmas present advice. I think you need to think carefully about this and definitely not let our brand biases sway you one way or the other. May I suggest a couple of other factors you might want to consider.... Are you going to get good pictures out of a Canon, a Nikon, an Olympus, a Sony....? Of course you are. So which brand you end up with is not going to be a big problem. However, if you already use a particular brand, you might well want to stick with that because you are used to their software, etc. If you have a Canon DSLR then you are used to using, and have probably got two or three, compact flash memory cards. In that case, it makes sense to buy your wife a camera that uses the same format of card. It will save money because you already have spares and you already have a system set up for transferring photos to your computer etc. Your wife wants a 'better than point n shoot without being too complicated' camera. Ok, but you knoe your wife better than us so you know whether this interest is likely to last. Has she just suddenly decided she wants to get a camera because she is fed up of standing around waiting for you to get 'just one more shot darling!' or has she already been using a point n shoot digital camera and feels she wants to take the next step up? If she wants a 'better than.... (you know the rest!)' then what is she going to want when she gets that one and is used to it after a few months? Will she then feel ready to go up to a DSLR? Bearing in mind that all DSLRs are at their easiest point and shoot cameras. You can set it to P or the green box (on a Canon) and she can shoot away just as easily as with a compact. As she feels ready, you can feed in further knowledge so that she gets used to focusing manually, using Av mode, Tv mode, etc. Logically, if this is the case, you should definitely get her a Canon as you already have some lenses so it would be crazy to switch systems and lose a bundle. What do you gain? No brand is so much better that it is worth losing hundreds of pounds if not more and starting all over again. Sure the Nikonites on here will insist their lenses are best and the Canonites will counter that you can't beat an L series. But this is not for us, it's for your wife. We don't count! Would it really be so wrong to give your wife the 300D? There is nothing to stop you spending some money on an accessory like a lens, a flashgun, or whatever. My wife would think I was mad if I went out and bought a new camera for her when we had a perfectly good one that she could have already. Sure you might need to do some smooth talking to get that 400D you are after but in my experience, partners don't insist on being treated extravagantly, just fairly! If she got your 300D, she has a fully experienced expert on hand to give her tuition anytime she likes. You know the camera well and can help her with hints and tips whilst also giving her the space and freedom to find things out for herself. Go ahead and think carefully about this. A new 400D is only £450. A new Canon Powershot might only be half that but is that really going to meet your wife's needs, not just over the Christmas holiday but right through the year? Only you can answer that but remember, this is a hobby that draws couples together and gives you something you can share together. It makes sense to stick with one system that you both know so you can use hers, she can use yours, etc. I wish you well with your decision making and hope your wife enjoys this wonderful hobby.... and I look forward to that mince pie :o) Cheers, Rob __________________ Rob Barron robbarron@aol.com If you look down on other people, don't expect them to look up to you!