Digi SLR for slr beginner?

ash_scotland88

ash_scotland88

ash_scotland88

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Basically for my 21st thinking about getting a digital slr.
My dad txted me tonight saying "olypmus f410-282-97-??"

which iam guessing is this with a typo http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1294

My birthday aint till May so I havn't been looking at all, got other things on my mind. So looking for suggestions and where to begin?


If any-one wants to know my current camera is a casio ex-z120
 
Hrmm I don't hold anything against olypmus but I know a mate that got one as a first DSLR and quickly got rid of it due to NOT being totally happy with the camera body interface and accessories that can be had for it.

I have a 400D and I would recommend it but take a look around, I would suggest you look at what Nikon and Canon have to offer and get yourself down to a shop and pick them up and have a play, see how they feel in your hands and how you like the button placement and user interface.
 
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"being totally happy with the camera body interface and accessories that can be had for it."

he was over-come with joy that he thought in no way on earth he derserved something that made him hapy he had to get rid of it? :P
 
Ive just recently got into SLR photography (been using a bridge for a while now) and i chose the 1000D, and I cant fault it! with a brilliant line up of lenses to choose from, Im also happy in the fact that If I decide to upgrade, I can carry along the canon route sell the body and not have to worry about lenses for a new body!
 
Stev said:
Ive just recently got into SLR photography (been using a bridge for a while now) and i chose the 1000D, and I cant fault it! with a brilliant line up of lenses to choose from, Im also happy in the fact that If I decide to upgrade, I can carry along the canon route sell the body and not have to worry about lenses for a new body!
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Another vote for the 1000D here.

Or if you are willing to buy second hand then a Canon 350D. With the 18-55 kit lens it can be picked up for around £200.
 
if you are waiting until May then there will probably be some new ones announced at PMA in March.
handling is very important & what suits 1 doesn't always suit another so it is important to physically handle before choosing.

Mulder, the A200 is a good choice (tbh there isn't a bad current production DSLR though).
 
Go to a shop and play with them all. See which fits in your hand.

All of the cameras will take good pictures and do much the same things.
The real difference comes down line the line when you want to buy more lenses or other accessories. For this reason I would reccpomend Canon or Nikon.
 
D.P. said:
Go to a shop and play with them all. See which fits in your hand.

All of the cameras will take good pictures and do much the same things.
The real difference comes down line the line when you want to buy more lenses or other accessories. For this reason I would reccpomend Canon or Nikon.
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This is the best advice in the thread really. I was after a Canon 350D, tried it and a Nikon D40X and the Nikon fitted better in my hands and overall I preferred it, so got it. :)
 
InvaderGIR said:
This is the best advice in the thread really. I was after a Canon 350D, tried it and a Nikon D40X and the Nikon fitted better in my hands and overall I preferred it, so got it. :)
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I had my heart set on a Canon 20D, ended up with Nikon D70.
I've played with other cameras, Canons seemed to have improved a little but you really have to go a model up compared to Nikon to get close to the Nikons handling, even then the Nikon is often better, e.g. the D300 feels much better than the 40D/50D, the D700 feels better than 5dmkII, etc.
 
Simple answer is Nikon or Canon always.

I started with a D70 which my son now uses. I now have a Nikon D2X.

The only problem (and this really does affect me me) is that Nikon's give a blue tinge to pictures. Canon's dont.

I shoot a lot of aircraft, they are generally white and the sky is generally blue :) Makes the whites look a little blue'er and the blue more blue'er. Most of this can be rectified in PS.

My advice would be Canon TBH.

the camera is only one half of the story. The thing that makes your pictures great are the glass you use (DO NOT SCRIMP ON THE LENS) and your creativity.
 
I would also have a read of this: http://www.bythom.com/2009predictions.htm

" The rumor mill has it that the DSLR group at Sony has been given some numbers to hit in order to get continued corporate support. 2009 is an execution year for Sony's DSLR team then: execute or be executed. Look for a lot more sales and marketing activity from Sony than new product."

The global recession will likely result in a reduction of many DSLR producers. Nikon and Canon are safe, but the likes of olympus, pentax, Fuji are very uncertain. Sony sits somewhere in between, backup by one of the largest electronics producers in the world they may be able to ride out the storm and claim 3rd place. PI reckon robably one of the small players will survive for some time as a 4th place with a minor share (5-8%), slowly dieing. Sony's problem will be that it will be reluctant to invest in lenses during this economic period. Nikon and Canon may reduce development somewhat but have the means to carry on producing new lens. Indeed, Nikon will have to focus on expanding and improving the lens collection to guarantee all the pros are happy. Slowly they will produce new f/4 zooms, new af-s nano primes, update older zooms.
 
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From my research into buying a 1st DSLR I came to the following conclusion:

The camera body itself is the cheapest part of the purchase, the lenses and accessories are what really cost the money. So I have decided to go with one of the main players i.e. Canon or Nikon, who's lenses and accessories seem plentyfull both new and second hand.

You also need to decide if you want features such as live view or an AF motor in the camera body, the lower end Nikon's D40-60 require the AF motor to be in the lens which limits you options for lenses a little.

I still haven't decided, but I'm currently swinging between the Canon EOS 450d and the Nikon D90.

Good luck deciding.
 
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Get a canon or a nikon. Just because as time passes you WILL want to upgrade.

I started off with a 350D + 18-55.

Then got a 70-300 USM IS, then a 10-20, then a 40D, then a 17-55 USM IS, then a 10-22... now want a 300mm F4 IS, 100-400, 100mm Macro, 70-200 F2.8...

The list is endless :p

Get a 450D IMO.
 
And I think the goverment have actually recently passed a law making it illegal to consider any make other than CaNikon. I think there is a minimum 6 year jail term.
 
D.P. said:
" The rumor mill has it that the DSLR group at Sony has been given some numbers to hit in order to get continued corporate support. 2009 is an execution year for Sony's DSLR team then: execute or be executed. "
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that's actually a slight mis-translation of something that a Sony manager said last year & it's not as black & white as that.
They achieved in 2008 what they had targetted for with Alpha & the imaging division is 1 of their core divisions.

The global recession will likely result in a reduction of many DSLR producers. Nikon and Canon are safe, but the likes of olympus, pentax, Fuji are very uncertain. Sony sits somewhere in between, backup by one of the largest electronics producers in the world they may be able to ride out the storm and claim 3rd place. PI reckon robably one of the small players will survive for some time as a 4th place with a minor share (5-8%), slowly dieing. Sony's problem will be that it will be reluctant to invest in lenses during this economic period.
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possibly but it ignores the fact that they have been investing so that there are several new lenses imminent - any pause would affect what is due to market in 2,3 or 4 years time not 2009.
& remember that Sony (& Pentax & Oly) only have to produce 1/2 as many lenses as they don't have to develop IS & non-IS versions as Canon & Nikon do.
Sony's lens range for your average user is pretty well sorted e.g. there are more lenses available for Sony users that function fully than for Nikon D40/D40X/D60 users.
Similarly, the top end is starting to fill out nicely for pros- where Sony are weak is in the middle with things like constant f4 zooms for enthusiasts/semi-pros.
Thom will admit that exotics that Sony currently lack like PC lenses & 600/4s ship in miniscule nos.
 
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