spec me dslr pleaseeee

[adbp1]

Hi all, been thinking about getting another dslr after selling my alpha 100 a year ago. been using sony hx1 which is great for quick snaps and advance quick snaps!

been looking but not sure canon or nikon as everyone talks about these 2 mainly.

id say ive got around £1,000 budget depending on what kit i can buy for it.
dont need super zoom so would prefer shorter distance like 50mm or wide angle/fisheye.

hope im not being to vague

thanks Ali

 

[Flare]

D90 because i love mine so much

*edit* £548 body only is the cheapest or Nikon D90 Lens Kit (18-105 VR lens) £679, leaves money left over for for the 50mm/35mm.

 

[bigredshark]

You could stretch to a D7000 kit for a shade over £1000, which is a fairly exceptional camera. Though a Canon 60D could also be a very nice option at around £650 for the body giving you loads left over for glass, it's also a very nice option for video.

 

[ElDude]

You could stretch to a D7000 kit for a shade over £1000, which is a fairly exceptional camera. Though a Canon 60D could also be a very nice option at around £650 for the body giving you loads left over for glass, it's also a very nice option for video.

60D and Sigma 50mm 1.4. Ooo that'd be nice.

 

[AtticusFinch]

You've got a relatively modest budget for a DSLR and lens there, so you could go for the Canon 60D with 50mm f1.4 of 85mm f1.8 for around a grand. You could go for the D7000 with a 50mm lens for around the same price. You could get a Pentax K5 with lens for the same kind of money.

They're all pretty similar and no one of them is inherently better - definitely read-up and decide what features are more important to you, have a play with them and decide.

You could always get a cheaper body D3100 or Canon 550D and spend the difference on much better glass - it's all relative and depends on what features you place a premium on.

 

[bigredshark]

They're all pretty similar and no one of them is inherently better - definitely read-up and decide what features are more important to you, have a play with them and decide.

That's not really true, there are very definitely better choices there if you have specific requirements. If you want video then the 60D is obviously better. The D7000 is a cut above in AF performance and build quality. Both are excellent but they aren't interchangeably brilliant, decide what you want what suits.

At the base end of the market having a play to decide which feels better is a legitimate move, when you're spending more than that it's because you need something those base models don't offer and then it's about performance and features because otherwise why not buy a 550D or D3100 depending which feels better?

 

[ElDude]

That's not really true, there are very definitely better choices there if you have specific requirements. If you want video then the 60D is obviously better. The D7000 is a cut above in AF performance and build quality. Both are excellent but they aren't interchangeably brilliant, decide what you want what suits.

At the base end of the market having a play to decide which feels better is a legitimate move, when you're spending more than that it's because you need something those base models don't offer and then it's about performance and features because otherwise why not buy a 550D or D3100 depending which feels better?

Definitely true. The feel of the camera is very important. I don't really have any reference for the newer entry level Canon cameras, but when I started the 300D was a nice size for my hands, and I used cheapo lenses to get started. If I was to start again, I'd still get an entry camera but better lenses as it was effectively money wasted. The 30D I use now has a much better menu system and is easier to access things, making taking photos and changing settings quickly, much easier. For this reason alone I'd recommend getting the 60D and the Sigma 50mm 1.4, or you could get the nifty 50 to start, which would allow another lens too, which would probably make more sense.

I have no input for Nikon stuff as I've never used them, although (and I don't know if this is still the case) but their bodies used to be smaller than the Canon equivalent.

 

[bigredshark]

Definitely true. The feel of the camera is very important. I don't really have any reference for the newer entry level Canon cameras, but when I started the 300D was a nice size for my hands, and I used cheapo lenses to get started. If I was to start again, I'd still get an entry camera but better lenses as it was effectively money wasted. The 30D I use now has a much better menu system and is easier to access things, making taking photos and changing settings quickly, much easier. For this reason alone I'd recommend getting the 60D and the Sigma 50mm 1.4, or you could get the nifty 50 to start, which would allow another lens too, which would probably make more sense.

I have no input for Nikon stuff as I've never used them, although (and I don't know if this is still the case) but their bodies used to be smaller than the Canon equivalent.

Indeed, I ended up with Nikon because I tried a D70 and a 300D and the Nikon was a bigger, better built camera which felt better in the hand back then. That's not so true of entry level Nikon's any more (and more is the pity). Point being, it led me to buy into the Nikon system. Now if I was buying into a semi-pro system today from scratch - I'd likely go for Canon despite my handling preference for Nikon because I need to consider value and feature set over handling. That's not so true when you're spending £500, but when you're spending £1000+ you're doing it for features at the end of the day.

 

[adbp1]

thanks for input guys, i will have a closer read/look/handle with the 60d. looks very nice.
im thinking in about a month or so i will spend out once i save a few pennys and sell my HX1.

a friend of mine who is a photographer in london has always said go canon. looked at my HX1 and said "thats a toy"

 

[AtticusFinch]

That's exactly the point I was making

That's not really true, there are very definitely better choices there if you have specific requirements. If you want video then the 60D is obviously better. The D7000 is a cut above in AF performance and build quality. Both are excellent but they aren't interchangeably brilliant, decide what you want what suits.

At the base end of the market having a play to decide which feels better is a legitimate move, when you're spending more than that it's because you need something those base models don't offer and then it's about performance and features because otherwise why not buy a 550D or D3100 depending which feels better?

No one of them is inherently better - you should buy on the features you want - ie. some will be better at some things than others, or build quality better etc because at the end of the day at any price point they are all pretty similar - hence there will be only a few differences.

 

[fozzybear]

I've been doing a lot of reading up about the Sony A580. Looks outstanding for the money and (apparently) has similar high ISO performance to the Nikon D7000.

I've seen it for £550 (body only). The rest you could invest on a really good lens.

edit//

Or you could hang fire and see what the Sony 'A77' offers in a few months.

Rumoured specs:

A77-Specifications

- APS-C 23.6 x 15.6 mm 24.4 Mp (Effective) Exmor CMOS sensor Backlit
- 16 fps
- ISO 100-204800
- 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
- Micro Adjustment for Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta Lenses
- AVC HD Video / 24 bits (like the Panasonic GH2)
- HDR
- Panorama mode
- GPS
- 3D
- New designed by Epson OLED Super EVF
- Able Tilt LCD Display
- Building and grip similar to the “Magnesium” Alpha 700
- The CF+SD+MS cards can be used in tandem
- Newly designed battery provides up to 1,000 shots.
- The body A77 has a street price of 899 Euros. ”

 

[cochoc]

I am a happy Canon 550d user and I would recommend it to anyone. With a £1k budget, you have the camera with 18-55 kit lens and spare cash to go for another decent lens.

If I didn't have the 550d, I would seriously consider the 60d, but recall trying out the 50d and found it to be too heavy for my liking, so handling will always be an important factor to consider.

I really love the Canon 10-22 and 55-250 lenses and these are two reasons why I'm pleased with my decision to go with Canon.

Btw, imo the Sony dslr's are as ugly as sin and I think my hands would shrivel up if they held one for too long.

 

[AtticusFinch]

A good point too

I am a happy Canon 550d user and I would recommend it to anyone. With a £1k budget, you have the camera with 18-55 kit lens and spare cash to go for another decent lens.

If I didn't have the 550d, I would seriously consider the 60d, but recall trying out the 50d and found it to be too heavy for my liking, so handling will always be an important factor to consider.

I really love the Canon 10-22 and 55-250 lenses and these are two reasons why I'm pleased with my decision to go with Canon.

Btw, imo the Sony dslr's are as ugly as sin and I think my hands would shrivel up if they held one for too long.

For me the 550D is too small and light feeling for me to like using - I prefer the 50D when using a cf camera because I like that it's heavier and more solidly built - things that really mattered to me (video a non-issue when selecting a back-up body).

 

[adbp1]

as said previous i had the sony alpha 100, and sold it!
no fault with camera it self and pic quality and what it done was very good. just the lenes cost far too much back then might have changed now tho. but generally you will find s/h or cheaper lenses for canon/nikon.

ive had a look at the 550d and maybe thinking.. it does what i want it to do so i could maybe spend more on glass and battery grip extra. the body it self is slightly smaller compared to the 60d i think with battery grip it will be ok.

 

[cochoc]

ive had a look at the 550d and maybe thinking.. it does what i want it to do so i could maybe spend more on glass and battery grip extra. the body it self is slightly smaller compared to the 60d i think with battery grip it will be ok.

Only problem with the battery grip idea is that it costs about £150, which brings you to within about £100 of the 60d (although you will of course have that extra battery power to hand for longer trips/video). Mind you that is a 10% saving based on your budget, so not to be sniffed at!

 

[atmax1]

I dont know anything about it but there is a new Nikon out next mounth ( I think thats when my mate said its out). but I have a 500d and with the right lenses on it it is an amazing bit of kit so i would say anything from 500d plus with a nice lens will serve you well.

 

[fozzybear]

I am a happy Canon 550d user and I would recommend it to anyone. With a £1k budget, you have the camera with 18-55 kit lens and spare cash to go for another decent lens.

If I didn't have the 550d, I would seriously consider the 60d, but recall trying out the 50d and found it to be too heavy for my liking, so handling will always be an important factor to consider.

I really love the Canon 10-22 and 55-250 lenses and these are two reasons why I'm pleased with my decision to go with Canon.

Btw, imo the Sony dslr's are as ugly as sin and I think my hands would shrivel up if they held one for too long.

Another typical fanboy advising people to get the camera they own.

Since when has a DSLR's appearance mattered? You should try holding one before commenting. Why would your hand 'shrivel up'? The Sony A580 body is bigger than the 550D.

My Sony advice was just to throw something different into the mix. I wouldn't think twice about going Sony again. Indeed, all options are open to me for my next DSLR in the Summer. I'm open minded like that, you see!

 

[Fusion]

The first thing I'd recommend is is going into a store and getting a feel for the different bodies- see which is the most ergonomic, if you are happy with the build quality and switches etc.

Personally if I was going down the Canon route I'd go with a 550d as it is over £200 less than the 60d yet has the same sensor. You can put this cash towards extra/better glass (which is arguably more important than the body, a 550d is a quality body depsite what some may say) or a battery grip/bag/tripod/filters/whatever.

 

[adbp1]

went into store today and had a feel of both 60d and 550d, the 60d is def much nicer to hold but a lot heavier, 550 wasnt bad at all even ive got big hands, i could prob do without battery grip and put towards glass/filters.
only had 5 mins spare on lunch so need to go back and have proper play!
but now leaning towardsw 550

 

[Gun9]

I would hold on a week or so new cameras coming out.

nikon d5500

canon 1100d entry level

canon 600d swivel screen off the 60d !! i took my d5000 back as it was faulty holding out for one of these new cameras.