Spec me a DSLR around £300 if possible?

juno_first · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:00

Ive finally given up on my Nikon f601, yes this took those canisters that contained something called 'film'. :eek:

Well actually, my dodgy cheap digital compact just broke & im looking to get back into proper photography. God I miss my CanonA1.

Anyway, ideally Id like spend £200, but looking at the prices it looks like at least £300 is required (why didnt I do that overtime, lol).

Im a bit old-school & not bothered about fancy crap, just so long as it has a good lens & manual overide. Err RAW capture too.
Actually, manual focus + a fixed standard focal length lens would do, but I think im dreaming to not get a zoom lens

Anyone have any recommendations as Ive been out the game for a while, thanks.

Dokinator · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:02

I bought a Sony A350 but since then a newer model has been bought out.

Check this out:
Link

juno_first · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:22

From what im learning so far, a CCD sensor is better like the Sony A350 & A390 has.

Ksanti · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:48

juno_first said:
From what im learning so far, a CCD sensor is better like the Sony A350 & A390 has.

Umm... Not really? Everyone's moved over to CMOS now. CCD is slightly more sensitive but from what I remember they have appalling low-light performance and use a lot more power.

OP: See if you can find an old Canon (20D/30D/400D) and a 50mm f/1.8?

Broken Hope · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:53

You can get the Nikon D3000 for just under your budget if you look around.

DJ_Switch · 22 Apr 2011 at 12:56

What lenses do you still have for your old Nikon?

juno_first · 22 Apr 2011 at 13:53

My old Nikon has 50, 28-80, 35-200 lenses if I remember, a shame not to be used anymore.

Yeah, Id prefer a standard focal length lens & have always liked Canon, so the 20D/30D/400D are ok then.. A Nikon D3000 too. I dont mind s/h either, hmm will get looking.

DJ_Switch · 22 Apr 2011 at 14:17

A D80 would be in your price bracket and would enable you to keep and use your old lenses. A D90 would come in at around 450 second hand but is a significant upgrade from the D80. It's worth considering if you already have some glass that could be used. I still use a few lenses from my old F401s. Can't really go wrong with Canon either...if you don't mind buying some new glass straight away.

Ksanti · 22 Apr 2011 at 14:54

Yep either a D80 or the Canon's, you'll want to avoid the cheapo Nikons as you won't be able to use autofocus on your old lenses (and you'll want to, the viewfinder is miniscule on the crop bodies, especially in comparison to 35mm film cameras)

pinkpotato · 22 Apr 2011 at 14:56

You could probably get a canon eos 30d or 40d if your lucky

juno_first · 22 Apr 2011 at 15:03

Wow, I didnt know I could use my old Nikon lenses.
I just nipped up Jessops to have a nosy & was shocked at how small these DSLR's are.
The expensive Nikons looked nice and rugged though.

DB_SamX · 22 Apr 2011 at 15:37

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/nik...-18-55mm-lens-now-299-99-10-voucher-ar/923913

£290 effectively.

Broken Hope · 22 Apr 2011 at 15:47

DB_SamX said:
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/nik...-18-55mm-lens-now-299-99-10-voucher-ar/923913

£290 effectively.

Yeah that's where I had seen it, just wasn't sure if it was okay to link it..

juno_first · 22 Apr 2011 at 16:56

Hey that D3000 is nice & cheap & at Argos too

Ahh, apparantly it has a VR lens too. I used be able hand-hold a camera at 1/8th sec, hmm.
Only up2 1600 ISO, 10mp & CCD. I wonder if thats why its going cheap, but thats ok.
It looks like a beginners camera to learn about photography with the guide feature thingy.
I usually find all this auto stuff takes longer to sort out & usually shoot on manual & take a reading away from the sun every half hour.
Anyway, if you cant guess a situation needs 1/125th at f8 then its time pack in.

Ksanti · 22 Apr 2011 at 17:03

Avoid the bottom end Nikons if you plan to shoot primes. The old zooms can be replaced but having the focus motor is the difference between only needing £300 for an autofocusing 85mm and £1000 (or £600 for the Sigma 1.4).

juno_first · 22 Apr 2011 at 17:15

I never found auto-focus good enough on my f601 & usually shoot landscapes anyway.
I presume you still focus the lens by turning the lens barrel, or is that a dumb question?
Drool at the Sigma..
A depth of field scale would be nice, rather than remembering hyper focal distances. Guess I need learn how things work on digital if its any different.
Ideally Id prefer a half capable camera with a good standard lens.

Broken Hope · 22 Apr 2011 at 18:00

juno_first said:
I never found auto-focus good enough on my f601 & usually shoot landscapes anyway.
I presume you still focus the lens by turning the lens barrel, or is that a dumb question?
Drool at the Sigma..
A depth of field scale would be nice, rather than remembering hyper focal distances. Guess I need learn how things work on digital if its any different.
Ideally Id prefer a half capable camera with a good standard lens.

You turn the barrel to zoom and the focus ring on the end to focus.

juno_first · 25 Apr 2011 at 10:38

Maybe I should have mentioned in my first post what the camera will be used for:

Landscapes.

Specs needed:
up2 30sec shutter
good fixed focal length glass
basic light meter / live preview
all the fancy auto electro stuff is just garbage to me & will never be used

Heres an example of the type of shots I like to take, though moving water does present its own opportunities with regards to shutter times

CanonA1, agfa 50, forgot exposure but hand-held/50mm

CanonA1, agfa 50, 30sec/f22/50mm, meter gave 2sec but I guessed at 30sec because of reciprocity failure

juno_first · 30 Apr 2011 at 00:42

Id luv a Leica M9 but err dont wanna take out a 2nd mortgage so ATM im settling on the Nikon D3100 with its 23.6x15.7 sensor.