Spec me a Camera!

The Badger · 6 May 2011 at 14:48

Hello,

I am looking to buy a new camera. I'd probably like to spent no more than say £200?

Which camera would you recommend? I've hear that the Sony DSLR's have good reviews.

Help?

An Exception · 6 May 2011 at 15:20

Your going to struggle at £200, I think you would be better off waiting, and adding at least another £100 to that budget for a DSLR.

The Badger · 6 May 2011 at 19:42

I'm travelling to America shortly, so i might be able to pick a cheaper one up over there. Just currently after base level recommendations.

suj87 · 6 May 2011 at 20:21

like said you might struggle, still possible, just keep eyes peeled on ebay, mate got a 400D body with battery grip and batteries (box etc) for £120, so bargains can be had

have a look on talkphotography forum too, can get some good cams/lenses there

SDK^ · 6 May 2011 at 20:43

Prices in the US are not that much cheaper, you'll probably save £20.

The Badger · 6 May 2011 at 22:47

okay, which "starter" camera would you recommend then?

An Exception · 6 May 2011 at 23:11

30 or 40D

suj87 · 7 May 2011 at 16:17

Ejizz said:
30 or 40D

I got a 40D and love it
But for £200, you will struggle.

The 400D/450D is a good camera tbh, I was looking for one, but I got the 40D for a stupidly cheap price

The Badger · 7 May 2011 at 16:30

There is a used one on ebay;

- Canon eos 400d Body
- battery grip bg - e3
- orginal bag
- two batteries
- two batteries holders

£235 and £15 delivery.

K.C. Leblanc · 7 May 2011 at 16:37

suj87 said:
The 400D/450D is a good camera tbh, I was looking for one, but I got the 40D for a stupidly cheap price

Or come on over to the dark side and try a Nikon D40.

You mention buying in the US. Bare in mind the cameras you're being recommended are all second hand. In the UK you won't find a new DSLR under about £300. If you're looking for a new camera there are some Nikon D3000s about.

Make wise start by looking at the two biggest players, Canon & Nikon. You'll find them easier to buy used and there's a better range of lenses. Also if you ask for advice on a forum you're more likely to get advice from someone with that particular camera. Sony are the next biggest player, they're not as new in the market as it appears, they bought Minolta.

Make sure you try before you buy, buying a DSLR isn't like buying a graphics card of a CPU. There isn't a 'best' camera, it's about finding the one that's right for you.

Also bare in mind a basic DSLR with a kit lens will have less features and a much smaller zoom range then a cheaper bridge camera.

K.C. Leblanc · 7 May 2011 at 16:40

Pauliee said:
There is a used one on ebay;

- Canon eos 400d Body
- battery grip bg - e3
- orginal bag
- two batteries
- two batteries holders

£235 and £15 delivery.

Sounds like there's no lens included, some thing basic like an 18-55 (the lens that's often bundled with this camera) might be another £50-80.

The Badger · 7 May 2011 at 18:10

No good then ;p.

Thanks.

I've been looking at the SONY DSLR-A230 which is around my price range at a place i can buy it from. Is it worth spending a bit more to get a "better" camera?

I've been reading some reviews and they are leading me towards the sony camera's

Spooter · 7 May 2011 at 18:24

I recently bought a Sony A200 and couldnt be happier. Cost £175 and I have others go for around that price on the bay!

The Badger · 7 May 2011 at 18:26

I shall have to keep my eye out for one. Just placed a bid on a 350D but i didnt win it.

suj87 · 7 May 2011 at 22:35

K.C. Leblanc said:
Or come on over to the dark side and try a Nikon D40.

tbh I am not too keen on Nikon's, but I have been grown around Canon cameras, so kinda biased, my mates have Nikons and they are as good as Canon tbh

I would suggest going to Jessops and trying both out, to find which one fits you best

K.C. Leblanc · 8 May 2011 at 00:04

Pauliee said:
No good then ;p.

Thanks.

I've been looking at the SONY DSLR-A230 which is around my price range at a place i can buy it from. Is it worth spending a bit more to get a "better" camera?

I've been reading some reviews and they are leading me towards the sony camera's

Try to find one in a shop you can try, I personally found the grip very uncomfortable. Shame because otherwise it was a nice camera.

As for as the should I buy a better camera question, that's a catch 22 situation. You really need to have one to know weather or not it's not good enough. Also depending on what you're doing lenses can be more important then the actual camera.

Do you have a particular area of interest?

The Badger · 8 May 2011 at 00:53

I'd like to take scenery / landscape shots.

I've just been speaking to my friend and he has recommended a Lumix FZ45?!

Simply due to the fact that i wont be spending a fortune on buying lenses for the camera.

suj87 · 8 May 2011 at 09:47

But the whole point of a DSLR over that Lumix would be that you can get different lenses, so then you can do motorsport shots/animals, macro shooting etc.

You don't have to get the best lenses now, its something that can be done over time.

As I originally got mine to do car shots/graduation (after my point and shoot broke).
But I then started getting into scenary/landscapes, and started enjoying it, so I got different lenses and then got quite good at them so enjoyed them more, I will be going to track days with my friends so will then do panning shots too.