Getting my first DSLR? Looking at a second hand Sony Alpha A100. Any opinions?

Spooter · 22 Mar 2011 at 19:32

Hi all,

Im looking at getting a DSLR and posted on here a week or so ago about it. Im on a small budget so im looking second hand around the £200 for camera with lens.

At the moment im Looking at a second hand Sony Alpha A100.

Any opinions?

the shadow · 22 Mar 2011 at 21:17

That model is too old now lot's of better bodys around

Rizo-UK · 22 Mar 2011 at 21:18

look for a canon 350d with kit lens, should be easy enough to find, i use a 350d with a range of lenses and it takes good sharp pictures with plenty of control over how it looks.

Spooter · 22 Mar 2011 at 21:32

Ok gents thanks for the reply.

Probably a silly question but the 350d looks a older camera than the Sony A100?

It looks like I can pickup a 350d body for about £150 leaving £50 for a lens.

What about the Olympus E-420? I no some body who has so I guess we could share lens. I had little play with the camera and it seemed nice to use but I dont really know what im looking for.

Rizo-UK · 22 Mar 2011 at 22:08

maybe , around 2006 but its semi pro vs amateur .

UberTiger · 23 Mar 2011 at 00:23

You should be able to get an A200 with a lens for £200 or less at auction depending on accessories included, might be worth looking at.

robertgilbert86 · 23 Mar 2011 at 07:08

I'd avoid a 350D, that is also very old and spending a little more can get you a lot better features. The Alpha 100 is more capable but I found the handling and layout pretty awful. The Olympus is likely to be a fine camera but sticking with the bigger brands gives you easier access to lenses.

A Canon 400D would be my budget-bet.

Spooter · 23 Mar 2011 at 13:29

What about a Nikon D60?

Alpherah · 23 Mar 2011 at 13:54

Spooter said:
What about a Nikon D60?

Might as well save a little and go for a D40 or D40x imo.

Spooter · 24 Mar 2011 at 16:22

Might as well save a little and go for a D40 or D40x imo.

Over my budget unfortunatly. Even the D60 will be a stretch.

At the moment my budget is looking like.

Sony A100
Sony A200
Sony A300 (Maybe some have gone for just over £220 with a lens
Canon 350D
Olympus E-410
Olympus E-420

So hard choosing.

bigredshark · 24 Mar 2011 at 16:39

Question why you're getting a DSLR? I think you'll likely want to move on so quickly (you can buy compacts for the same money today which have better low light performance etc than those DSLRs) that it'll end up being wasted money. Better to save and buy something that'll last you a while.

DiCe! · 24 Mar 2011 at 16:53

robertgilbert86 said:
I'd avoid a 350D, that is also very old and spending a little more can get you a lot better features. The Alpha 100 is more capable but I found the handling and layout pretty awful. The Olympus is likely to be a fine camera but sticking with the bigger brands gives you easier access to lenses.

A Canon 400D would be my budget-bet.

dont say that i got one last week

lol

Spooter · 24 Mar 2011 at 17:22

Question why you're getting a DSLR? I think you'll likely want to move on so quickly (you can buy compacts for the same money today which have better low light performance etc than those DSLRs) that it'll end up being wasted money. Better to save and buy something that'll last you a while.

Thanks for reply. Ok my budget started at £200 when I made the first post how much more and what camera should I be looking to get.

£250 - £300 im guessing its more like £350 - £450.

This will be my first DSLR so I shouldnt need anything to special? I have a lot to learn.

Canon 450d is probably out my range.

Spooter · 24 Mar 2011 at 17:24

dont say that i got one last week lol

How are you finding the 350d?

DiCe! · 24 Mar 2011 at 18:20

Spooter said:
How are you finding the 350d?

i havnt really had a chance to play so i wouldnt like to give you any duff info, waiting for the weekend to go on some snap happy outings!

Alpherah · 24 Mar 2011 at 20:27

Spooter said:
Over my budget unfortunatly. Even the D60 will be a stretch.

At the moment my budget is looking like.

Sony A100
Sony A200
Sony A300 (Maybe some have gone for just over £220 with a lens
Canon 350D
Olympus E-410
Olympus E-420

So hard choosing.

Surely a D40 will be cheaper then a D60 :confused:

whitecrook · 24 Mar 2011 at 20:32

If I was buying again now, knowing what I know now (i got a D40 3 years ago) I'd get a D200 or maybe a canon x0D of some sort. You can get them around 200 ish.

Spooter · 24 Mar 2011 at 20:57

Right this where im at.

Sony Alpha a230
18-55mm lens

£220

I will be honest. I like the look of the camera, I have read that it has fairly basic features but I new to the DSLR world so I may be a good way to learn. I also like that its slightly newer than some of the other models in my price range.

Nikon D60

£189.99

This is without the lens but I can pickup the below lens and still be in my price range.

Nikon 35-80mm F4-5.6D Telephoto Autofocus Zoom Lens £37.99

Nikon 35-70mm F3.3-4.5 Telephoto Autofocus Zoom Lens £39.99

Olympus E-420 4/3rds Digital DSLR Camera & 14-42mm Lens
£224

Sony A100 Digital SLR Camera
Sony 18-70mm AF Zoom Lens
Minolta 75-300 AF Zoom Lens

£240

Alpherah · 24 Mar 2011 at 21:07

a230 for me, out of those

Spooter · 24 Mar 2011 at 23:31

a230 for me, out of those

Thanks

Anyone on this forum with experience of the Sony Alpha A230?

My only concern is a few reviews say its not to nice to hold. I have held and A100 and liked it but this is the newer design.

I'm close to ordering.