Spec my dad a SLR please

Messiah Khan · 24 Nov 2006 at 21:13

My dads after a new camera. At the moment he has a Dimage Z3, which isn't bad but its ot really as good as he needs. He's used some nice film SLRs in the past but now he's after a good DSLR. His max price is about £500ish. That will need to include at least a basic lens to get him started. So what suggestions do you have? I don't know a huge amount about cameras, but ive pointed him towards the Canon 350d as I use a few at work, and they seem very nice.

Raymond Lin · 24 Nov 2006 at 21:19

messiah khan said:
My dads after a new camera. At the moment he has a Dimage Z3, which isn't bad but its ot really as good as he needs. He's used some nice film SLRs in the past but now he's after a good DSLR. His max price is about £500ish. That will need to include at least a basic lens to get him started. So what suggestions do you have? I don't know a huge amount about cameras, but ive pointed him towards the Canon 350d as I use a few at work, and they seem very nice.

£500 ish can get him a Canon 400D with kit lens, the 30D is the next one up but sadly that's another £100 more at least (with rebate).

Or you can get a Nikon D50. :eek:

Messiah Khan · 24 Nov 2006 at 21:25

Whats with the;

Raymond Lin said:
Nikon D50.

I take it, that means stay away from it?

Raymond Lin · 24 Nov 2006 at 21:28

messiah khan said:
Whats with the;

I take it, that means stay away from it?

LOL, because I like Canon

Check out the D70, D50, 400D and may be even a 20D.

Messiah Khan · 24 Nov 2006 at 21:46

i know I said the budget was about £500, but would it be worth cnsidering a slightly cheaper camera like a 350d, and spend more on a lens?

Edit; And what does the 400d have over the 350d?

Raymond Lin · 24 Nov 2006 at 21:50

messiah khan said:
i know I said the budget was about £500, but would it be worth cnsidering a slightly cheaper camera like a 350d, and spend more on a lens?

Edit; And what does the 400d have over the 350d?

New CCD (or is it CMOS ?) and more mega pixels, anti dust feature, 9 point focusing, bigger LCD to name a few.

danza · 24 Nov 2006 at 23:06

For either Canon or Nikon at this price point, look at the Nikon D70(s) or a second hand Canon 20D.

Either would be excellent bodies.

Some people rate the 350D better than the 400D, so bare in mind that newer isn't necessarily better. That way your dad could save some £££. :cool:

Mohain · 24 Nov 2006 at 23:16

danza said:
Some people rate the 350D better than the 400D, so bare in mind that newer isn't necessarily better. That way your dad could save some £££.

I think IQ is considered slightly better on the 350D, the extra MP in the 400D has increased the noise slightly but overall the 400D is a better camera with a spanking AF system and better handling. I'd rather the 400D over the 350D.

Mattw · 25 Nov 2006 at 09:43

i chose the 350d over the 400d recently, but its just personal preference really