DSLR for £600

tchan_4 said:
I think I'll go for a second hand 450D for around £350 and spend the difference on a better lens.
The 40D is probably the better camera but it's around £500 body only which I think it's overkill for me.
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2nd hand 40D goes for around £400-£450. I managed to get one for £420. Do some searching, I just got a 40D and the build quality and feel of the camera really beats the XXXD cameras.
 
have you tried any of the cameras out in a shop yet? I wouldn't get a camera which doesn't 'feel right' in your hands
 
tchan_4 said:
I wouldn't say photography is one of my hobbies but I would like to be able to take some decent photos while I'm on holiday.
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Here's a thought; you want good quality images, liveview, as it's not a hobby, the possibility of upgrading might not be that high up the agenda, and you want a feature packed camera that you can use when on holiday?

I'd strongly suggest an Olympus E620 (with either the very worthy 14-43mm kit lens out the double kit if you require telephoto ranges - don't forget, Olympus is 2x cropped, so all focal length stated are 2x in 35mm equiv.)
The IS in built in body (so IF you do upgrade, any lens attached to it will have up to 3 stop IS). The camera comes with a very impressive array of ART filters, easy to use and to top it off, small, light and easy to bring around when on holiday. (I travelled around Malaysia, HK and Macau with the E420, a light camera REALLY pays off when on holiday).
By the way, until the end of the month (possibly extending till mid-March), any E620 camera purchased, is entitled to a free batter grip and a spare battery.

www.cameralabs.com
Have a look at the reviews, and reviews of other cameras you might be interested. I know most of us will suggest the best camera you can have for you money but it'll be much wasted if you are only using it for holiday and no intention for say e.g. Sports photography (which the 40D is great when paired with a fast lens).

Again, as suggested, head out to a local camera store and play with all the cameras suggested and see which suits you best.
 
My flickr (link in sig) all the shots there are using the kit lens. PP has been done so they aren't the straight out of camera. And flickr seems to increase sharpness of the pictures so that's not the actual sharpness from the camera but it's still good. Bear in my mind i was trying to get as close shots as possible so for that matter it probably isn't as sharp as what it normally is.
But i would go into a store and see which you like the feel of more.
Going 2nd hand and saving a bit more for lens is a good option. In the process of buying 55-250mm and 50mm myself, and it's not cheap! :eek:
 
If you're looking at the Olympus, make sure you also have a look at the Sonys. Like the Olympus cameras, they have IS built into the body so every single lens you use gets IS, unlike Nikon or Canon, and on top of this, you can use all of the old Minolta lenses, dating back to the early 90s, so the 2nd hand market is huge. Sony really do offer a fantastic package.

An A200 can be had for around 200 second hand with the kit lens. If you want live view you can get an A350 for around 250-300 with the kit lens. I have the A200 and I love it and to me, it feels a lot better than a 450D and is just as good. If you'd like, I'll post some sample images taken with my A200?
 
ghop said:
If you're looking at the Olympus, make sure you also have a look at the Sonys. Like the Olympus cameras, they have IS built into the body so every single lens you use gets IS, unlike Nikon or Canon, and on top of this, you can use all of the old Minolta lenses, dating back to the early 90s, so the 2nd hand market is huge. Sony really do offer a fantastic package.

An A200 can be had for around 200 second hand with the kit lens. If you want live view you can get an A350 for around 250-300 with the kit lens. I have the A200 and I love it and to me, it feels a lot better than a 450D and is just as good. If you'd like, I'll post some sample images taken with my A200?
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Thanks for all your help ghop but I'll be meeting up with a guy on Gumtree today to see his 450D that he's selling.

Cheers for your help and advice, much appreciated.
 
Good choice on the 450D, I think it's an excellent camera, though I'm selling mine (with additional lens) as it simply doesn't get the use it deserves. You won't go wrong with it :)
 
OK, I managed to pick one up for £375 second hand (couple of months old), probably still on the expensive side...

Just been playing around with it for a bit and will need to learn what all the settings do in manual mode :p but that will have to wait till end of this week (exams).

After playing around with it I can already see the kit lens zoom is pretty weak, I'm looking to sell the kit lens and buy something with more zoom.
What good all rounder/or general use can I get for around the £350 mark? I currently have my eye on the Canon EF-S 15-85mm. I will be using it as my main lens so I don't want something too heavy or something that extends too much.
I won't be buying the lens straight away but it'll leave me with something to keep an eye on for a bargain.

Thanks
 
Where are you going on Holiday? HK?
Anyway, might be wise to buy your lens when abroad if the exchange rate is good.
Sigma or Tamron f2.8 between the range of 17-55mm is a good start if you want something bright for indoors and outdoors. Both within your budget.
 
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