New to SLR - which one to get?

mobius1

mobius1

mobius1

Associate
Joined
18 Oct 2009
Posts
135
Location
Liverpool
Hey, I'm new to dslr cameras so I'm looking for one at max £370ish at a push.

I've done some research and found 3 that I like

Sony A390
Canon EOS 1000D
Nikkon D3000

all seem to be in a nice price range for me and so far the Sony seems the best
(cheapest, highest mp, more choice of outputs and storage solutions and a nice tilty screen ;D)

still struggling to choose though so any help or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
I know someone selling a 40D....COUGH :p


On a more serious note, don't get a Sony. Go for Nikon or Canon, they are the main players in this game, it's best to stick with them.

Also goto a store and try out each one and decide what you like then go from there :)
 
Was in the same situation as you and went for a 1000D over the D3000 mainly due to having access to a moderate amount of Canon gear through school, although having got used to the 1000D and comparing to a D5000, I preferred the use of the 1000D due to a few factors;

Dedicated ISO button (This is within menus on the D5000)
Shutter release being in a slight groove feels a LOT better to me for some reason
Everything seems a lot more logically laid out, not just the buttons but the menus too.

I know I'm talking about the D5000 and not the D3000, but as the D5000 is essentially the step up, I assume most of the points still stand :).



Ultimately, do what Phate said; go to a store and play with both, see what you like best, only let your decision be swayed by others if it's due to being able to loan gear from them xD.
 
ah cheers, I'll go try a few anyway and see what I fancy. Tried the Canon 1000D the other day in a shop and it seemed like a great camera. Felt pretty sturdy too considering everyone says it's 'plasticky'.
 
You might want to look at Pentax? It's something different, there's loads of old, quality glass out there (how much of that is being sold I'm not sure), and they're pretty cheap :)
 
mobius1 said:
I was assuming sony would get somewhat of a bad reputation in comparison :') thanks
Click to expand...

Bad rep only come from people who haven't actually used a Sony DSLR. It would be very small minded to rule them out. I've had a Sony DSLR before and wouldn't think twice about getting another.

People will usually advise you to buy whatever they themselves use. Be careful.

I'm currently using a D3000 but wouldn't advise anyone else to get one mainly due to the poor ISO performance. I'm a bit out of touch with the Sony market at the moment.

edit//
Wouldn't get the A390 either though. :)
 
Last edited:
I disagree. I honestly (unless there is a specific reason) don't see why people would chose other than Canon or Nikon.

They are the 2 big players in this game, release more updates than anyone and have the best online support etc. Seriously, get one or t'other :)

And before anyone says it, I haven't said other ones like Sony or Pentax are bad cameras, just stick the main players :)
 
Last edited:
That's a logical enough opinion Phate, but there are plenty of reasons to chose either Sony or Pentax:

Sony:
Translucent Mirrors: Still the only ones with these out at the moment, and if you're looking at sports photography on a smaller budget there really is no alternative to either the a33 or a55.
They are also perfectly good cameras, at least from my short experience of them, yes they are a little closed off in terms of proprietary connections/equipment, but if you're starting afresh that's no real problem.

Pentax:
Well, my opinion isn't that relevant on Pentax, so these are probably a better read
http://www.digitalrev.com/en/5-reasons-why-pentax-dslrs-are-not-that-rubbish-7090-article.html
http://www.digitalrev.com/en/nikon-...rious-look-for-d7000-buyers-6894-article.html
 
My main point is a lot of people buy a DSLR camera due to an initial interest in them & photography itself, agreed?

Right, so when you have saved some more money your going to want more lenses, the 2nd hand market for these is much much smaller than Nikon or Canonononon, so your limited there. You stick at it though, and find something, then you want another lens, and it all starts over again.

Get a mainstream from the beginning and you have plenty of options from the word go :) - And photography is known to be expensive anyway, people should know this when the enter the world of DSLRs.

I'm not saying you need to be minted to do photography, far from it, but buy the right brand once and not pay out more in the long run buy switching brands later on.
 
There's plenty of lenses for Sony DSLR's though. The old Minolta lenses, Sony, Tamron and Sigma. Plenty of bargains available if you look in the right places.

There's also a great Sony DSLR online community at Dyxum.
 
Having not used the D3000 I cant comment but im more than happy with my 1000D as a first DSLR. No point turning another "what first DSLR" thread into a Canon Vs. Nikon battle, they are wearing thin with my a little now.

If you feel for you the Nikon ticks more of your boxes then go for it, of course usually if you start with one brand you rarely switch once you buy accessories and lenses for whatever brand you have.... unless your filthy rich like Gord :p

I heard there were offers around last weekend where you could get the 1000D with the 18-55mm lens for £299 after canon cashback? Well within budget. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom