Need camera advice

.Kencs · 17 May 2012 at 21:10

My dad brought a Nikon D80 about 2 years ago for £720, never uses it and offered it me for £250.

Really want a camera as I'm starting photography but 1) it has no warranty and 2) I don't know if I can get a better camera 2nd hand for that price...

Advice??

theheyes · 17 May 2012 at 21:17

It's a good price. If it comes with a lens then you're shooting a barely used DSLR for £250. It's about as good as you're going to get really and it's not even like it's an obscure brand.

.Kencs · 17 May 2012 at 21:34

theheyes said:
It's a good price. If it comes with a lens then you're shooting a barely used DSLR for £250. It's about as good as you're going to get really and it's not even like it's an obscure brand.

Comes with a 18-50mm (think that's the right lens) lens.
Would it be worth buying 1 of those flash things that u angle upwards instead of the forward facing 1?

James J · 17 May 2012 at 21:51

.Kencs said:
Comes with a 18-50mm (think that's the right lens) lens.
Would it be worth buying 1 of those flash things that u angle upwards instead of the forward facing 1?

If you want to do portrait shots, definitely. The whole point of a bounce flash (which you aim upwards) is to diffuse the light to make it as natural as possible to illuminate the subject. When shooting people, you need to make sure the skin tones are perfect and not blown (highlights lost), which is a common issue with direct flash photography or poor technique.

Go with the D80 for that price as it'll be a nice starting camera, especially if its barely used. Don't worry about the lack of warranty as shutters tend to be rated to last at least 100k actuations and taking that many is a serious achievement.