Pentax *ist DL2 ?

[robmiller]

I've had my Powershot A95 for almost a year now and it's served me well, but I'm looking to take the next step up and upgrade to a DSLR. However, I don't want to risk wasting loooads of cash--which I don't really have anyway--on getting something like a D50 or 350D, so I've been looking at the Pentax *ist; I've seen a bundle on a site I probably can't mention (who I believe are the only place that sell them?) for the body, a Pentax 18-55mm Lens and a Sigma 55-200mm Lens for £450, which seems pretty reasonable.

What do people reckon? Good camera for someone new to the world of DSLRs? Good value? Good lenses?

I'll probably be buying around October time, so if there's anything good expected to come out between now and then please advise me too. Thanks guys!

 

[Mister_Pister]

The d50 isnt loads of money.. with the kit 18-55 lens its around 400, and with a bit of haggling you can usually get a tamron 55-200 or something thrown in for an extra 50 quid

 

[King_Boru]

Buying a DSLR isnt about which body you can afford or what camera looks better. Your buying into a system. Needless to say Nikon and Canon offer the best systems with many lenses to choose from. You can even use lenses from 1977 onwards on a Nikon DSLR. I would stronlgy recomend you choose one of the above brands as there is nothing worse than buying something and regretting it later on.

 

[neverender]

Buying a DSLR isnt about which body you can afford or what camera looks better. Your buying into a system. Needless to say Nikon and Canon offer the best systems with many lenses to choose from. You can even use lenses from 1977 onwards on a Nikon DSLR. I would stronlgy recomend you choose one of the above brands as there is nothing worse than buying something and regretting it later on.

This really is the all important factor is money is your main concern (which, infact, it was for me when I was buying my 350D). The other big thing is of course trying things out before you part with the cash; whatever you choose is going to need to feel good and be suitably ergonomical in your own hands for it to be suitable for you.
Say you suddenly became enthrawled by the art of photography; you use your camera every day for a good few hours, you walk miles with 7KGs hanging from your neck, a tripod under your arm and thousands of pounds of kit on your back... you REALLY want to have choosen the best longterm companion you could have before do yourself a possible injustice, and find yourself kicking yourself in a years time

 

[robmiller]

Hmm, I see. I hadn't really thought of it like that.

I think I might go for the D50 with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (which is £393 on the site, although I'll look for it cheaper elsewhere), and see how I get on with just that lens for starters--reckon that'll be okay? I figure I can always buy a ~55-200mm lens later on if needs be.

It's hard to gauge how I'm going to find things when I've not had any experience with DSLRs before

 

[Mister_Pister]

Hmm, I see. I hadn't really thought of it like that.

I think I might go for the D50 with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (which is £393 on the site, although I'll look for it cheaper elsewhere), and see how I get on with just that lens for starters--reckon that'll be okay? I figure I can always buy a ~55-200mm lens later on if needs be.

It's hard to gauge how I'm going to find things when I've not had any experience with DSLRs before

that should suit you fine. when you begin shoot in aperture priority to get the hang of it and see what settings the camera recommends (you choose the aperture the cam will choose the appropriate shutter)

 

[robmiller]

that should suit you fine. when you begin shoot in aperture priority to get the hang of it and see what settings the camera recommends (you choose the aperture the cam will choose the appropriate shutter)

Cheers. Roll on my birthday then

 

[Joe T]

d50 will be fine mate.