*****Thinking about upping to a DSLR*****

Maccy

Maccy

Maccy

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My girlfriend is very much into photography and is currently studying it at Brighton University and uses a Nikon D90. I've become more interested in photography recently and would like to get myself a dSLR camera, especially as I'm jetting off to Trinidad in March.

What would people recommend for someone just starting out? Not really sure on budget at the moment, but some suggestions would be great :)
 
Well entry level is looking at around £500, going new thats a D5000 (Nikon) or a 500D (Canon), 2nd hand you will get better bodies but used.

You can typically pick up a Canon 40D for about £400-450 but that will be body only, I can't comment on the Nikon side on that price point as i shoot Canon, sure a D90 is that price point and would make sense to shoot witgh Nikon as can share lenses with your girlfriend + the uni might lend out too.

If the borrowing lens thing is ok, then i would say go for the best body you can afford, can even swap bodies with your girlfriend if need be if it will benefit her!

Martin Turner from here uses a D90 and takes stunning pictures
 
I've been looking at the Canon 1000D and 450D this evening, found some for sale with IS 18-55mm lens' for about the £400-450 mark - have you any experience with either of these models?
 
Depending on your budget, i'd definitely go second hand. The 450D is a good starter camera, especially at second hand price (along with the 400D too, though). I wouldn't rule out the 30D either, especially for the low, low prices you can get them for. Nikon wise, i'd look at the D80 (or the D200, if you don't mind quite a large/heavy camera). Although depending on the lenses you want, you can easily get away with a D40 - great entry camera (not just entry overall, tbh).
 
Just been trawling through some of the reviews over at the rainforest and a lot of people seem to be pleased with the D3000. They have it with an 18-55mm VR lens for £365 which seems to be good - I'm going to have to go into town tomorrow to have a play, cheers for the help so far :)
 
sorry, I was still looking at your post where you were looking at Canon:o
However, iirc the D90 has an in body AF motor & the D3000 doesn't so the D3000 can't AF with older screw-drive Nikon lenses whereas the D90 can.
 
BUFF said:
sorry, I was still looking at your post where you were looking at Canon:o
However, iirc the D90 has an in body AF motor & the D3000 doesn't so the D3000 can't AF with older screw-drive Nikon lenses whereas the D90 can.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, so as long as I use modern lenses the there shouldn't be an issue?

Thanks for the link K.C. Leblanc :)
 
Maccy said:
Ah ok, so as long as I use modern lenses the there shouldn't be an issue?

Thanks for the link K.C. Leblanc :)
Click to expand...

It can be of an annoyance sometimes. Manufacturers or fan sites have a list of Nikon-compatible lenses with AF or not. I have bookmarked a few if you need to refer to them.

Example is my 50mm f/1.8 which I have to focus manually on my D40. In ideal conditions, it's no trouble, but if it's cold, windy and I can't steady my hands, it's annoying.
 
So I went into town yesterday and rather unexpectedly came back with a camera!

Got myself the Nikon D3000 with a 4gb card and small case for just over £400. Now I've got some manual reading to do! Signed up to Flickr and found the Overclockers group :)
 
jmcadam - there's nothing uploaded yet though - I'm still working out what everything does and how to take pictures without using the auto-mode :)
 
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