[LouiseP]

Hello,

I am relatively new here at Pixalo, but not new to photography as a whole..but I was wondering if everyone can give me some advice on what dslr camera I should buy? I don’t have a lot of money, as I am 17, but my dad has promised to go half with me on whatever camera I want to get, when I eventually decide! I basically want a good quality, high speck, all-round camera (by which I mean is good at most types of photography, not just mediocre at everything), which will be able to “grow” with me, as I want to take photography further than my photography A level (in which I use a Pentax 35mm)! So I want a camera with a wide range of good, but not too expensive lenses which I can buy later.

I have been looking at Canon 400D, Canon 450D, Nikon D60, Nikon D80 as well as others. Does anyone have any idea of what cameras would be good to invest in and are the ones I have looked at any good?

Thanks!

[silkstone]

Canon fans will say go for Canon, Nikon fans.... well, that's the way of the world.

All the ones you mention are good. Beware the Nikon D60 as that doesn't have an internal motor for focusing and therefore is restricted in the choice of lenses.

In the Canon stable I'd chose between the 450D and the 40D which you don't include in the list, but the price difference is not that great. The best Nikon choice without breaking the bank is the D80.

Once you buy into a system it's expensive to change horses. Lenses and accessories end up costing a lot more than the camera body. Generally, Canon lenses are less expensive than Nikon.

Whatever body you buy will be superseded within 18 months by something better and probably cheaper, so unless you really need extra features right now I'd put the money into lenses. In your position, my choice would probably be the 450D as long as it's not too small for you to handle comfortably. The 40D has better build quality but won't take better pictures.

[Markulous]

Any of those cameras would do what you're after, Louise, so it really comes down to how much you want to pay.

I'd also recommend something like the kit lenses - they're not the greatest lenses but are perfectly adequate - and at least will allow you to get the shots.

[JMitchell]

Nikon (you did say, Silky....)

If he's going half with you then go as high as your personal budget will allow the D80 is a very good camera, but there are very cheap D200 bodies around now that the D300 has come out. What's your highest price?
And for a kit lens for Nikon I'd look at the 18-70mm, which is around £120 I think now

(Ms Gresty )

[Dabhand16]

Don't just rely on prices to make your choice. Handle the cameras and see how the settings are selected and changed. Go for the one that feels best for you in the handling - all of the camears mentioned here will give good images. Also you will find a difference in the physical size of the cameras.

You will be buying into a system, and as has been said, once you are committed to one make, it is expensive to change as the lenses, which will be the most expensive element of the system after you have got a few, will not fit another make (with a very few exceptions). Ask Dave .

Personally, I don't like small cameras, but you might find the opposite.

[WOODY]

AS HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID PREVIOUSLY NIKON D200 ARE COMING DOWN IN PRICE NOW. GRAYS OF WESTMINSTER ARE EVEN SELLING D200 BODIES FOR £575 NOW.

[OLYCOM]

I'm an avid Olympus fan personally, so I'll put an Olympus flavour in my recommendation.

I'd go for the Olympus E-410, a wonderful entry camera for their DSLR range. A nice kit is available from Park Cameras, I've never shopped wth them myself, but have heard good things from other photography people.

Anyway, the bundle they're offering is an E-410 body, 14-42mm ED Lens, 40-150mm ED Lens and an FL-36R wireless flash for £568.99 all in.

And in case you work in 35mm terms, the lenses equate to 28-84mm and 80-300mm , so a very good coverage in focal lengths.

On a related note, good luck with the A-Level. I loved doing mine, although I spent far too much time in the darkroom and not enough time studying for my other subjects.

[VinnyP]

The 450D looks very good value it is getting mixed reviews but it would leave you a little extra to spend on lenses which is usually the way to go. As has been said Canon lenses are often cheaper so that is worth bearing in mind, You will find people (usually me) pointing out the Nikon lenses perform better but the real world difference won't matter for most applications. The current budget Canon cameras will perfom better in low light than the equivalent Nikon bodies.

Sony are making a play for the DSLR market and they will probably do very well but at the moment they don't have the range in their system, the lenses cost too much and they can't match the big 2 in performance ... Yet.

Lot's of people look after their cameras really well and with new models coming out there are some very good second hand bargains to be had. The D200 is a great camera and 2nd hand is available cheaper than a new D80 if you are comfortable around ebay. Often you'll get a few extras when you buy this way which can help your budget. All the cameras on your list will take great pictures and the differences are only when you are very critical.

The more expensive cameras in the range usually are better built, tougher, handle better, work faster and have more features. The difference in picture quality is very small. Of course sometimes the features or performance can mean you get a picture that the lower models might not be able to capture. You need to decide what kind of photography you will be doing. Least demanding on the camera in order are scenic work like landscapes, macro and portraits. Most demanding are nature and sport with all other photography somewhere in the middle. If you think you'll be doing little demanding fast moving stuff then don't pay for uber focusing and high frame rates you won't need.

The best thing to do is read the reviews (The ones on this site are all from genuine users) and go into some camera stores and try them. The one that you find easiest to use will be the best one for you. Once you have decided shop around you can save a lot of money if you do.

[hoffy]

Only one person has said the most important point.

Go handle the camera's, if they don't feel good in the hand you are not going to get on with it.

D200 is a great camera, quite heavy.
D40 is also a great camera.

But no one has mensioned the Sony range. this has an advantage as it has the stabalizer built in, this means when you get better you will want the better lenses, you can then use the high spec Sigma, Tamron and Tokina lenses without having to worry about VR or IS lenses which cost the earth.

The Alpha 350 is a spectacular camera for the price. The A700 is the only camera that has in test beaten the Nikon D300.

But they all do what it says on the packet so find one that you like the feel of and find the controls easy to use. Have fun.

[Larne]

I would also advise the 'go and try' approach. Not only are is there a big difference and layout between cameras within a particular range there are big differences between the manufacturers. One of the reasons why I am a Canon user is that in the beginning I tried out bodies from both Canon and Nikon. I found the controls on the Canon body intuitive and easy to use and find whereas the Nikon bodies I just could not come to grips with.

I'm not saying this to push you towards Canon - I know many Nikon users who find their cameras obvious and Canon bodies incomprehensible. The point is that one or the other (or one of the other manufacturers mentioned above) may 'feel' more right than another and you will not know unless you actually spend some time with the various cameras in your hands. You are going to be buying into a system to the last thing you want is to make that investment and then wish you had gone with a different option.

[LouiseP]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone, it has been very helpful! I now think that I really should try out the cameras before I buy for it to be worthwhile.

On this note, does anyone happen to know a good shop for me to go look at, to try out most of the above cameras? I live in Wimbledon (in Wimbledon Park to be exact) in London, so does anyone know anywhere near there?

Thanks a million

[AQ]

I know hoffy has already mentioned it but you do not have to stick to Canon or Nikon lenses if you buy one of these. Sigma and Tameron both make very good lenses that will fit these cameras. You do need to read the reviews though as some of these lenese are better than others.

Whatever you finally decide on from the above you will be able to take good pictures. God luck.