Which to buy out of these DSLR's?

Retromatic

Retromatic

Retromatic

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Just looking at a DSLR cameras and was wondering what you guys thought of these, if anyone's used any of them etc and would recommend any of them?

Sony Alpha A390L
Sony Nex-5A
Pentax KR
Nikon D5000

New to DSLR's, I've always bought sub £100 digital cameras and been mostly unhappy with how my photo's turn out. I've got a family holiday coming up soon and wanted to get some decent photo's while I'm away.

Particulary got my eye on the Sony Nex-5A for (what looks like) pretty decent pictures and video (720p,1080i) from youtubing it.

Any help appreciated as always.
 
What's your budget? Would probably be a better idea to go used, get better value and have enough left for a few decent lenses too.

Out of those i would have said the Nikon.
 
D5000!!!!!!!!! Can't recommend it enough, it's brill. Versatile and light weight, and the flick out screen actually comes in handy.

Best advice would be to go somewhere and handle them and see what you think.

I noticed in a certain well regarded department store the other day that they'd stopped selling the D5000, might be different on line though.

I got mine second hand last June time, with the 18-55 lens and boxed for £335 - you should be able to pick up a bargain now with the new models out

Best move I've made going from compacts though - you won't look back!
 
If you have any friends who do photography as a hobby then I would say buy into the same system as them. If not get the Nikon, its a cracking camera.
 
Hmmm thanks for the quick responses guys. I will try to get a hands on with the D5000 if possible. I didn't even think about going second hand but it's definately a possibility.

So would you recommend the Nikon over the Sony Nex? Is it liable to take better pictures overall then?

Edit - budget is about £500
 
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Have you thought about the new d3100 which Nikon has recently released? New for around £470, or you could go up market and get a second hand D90?

Might be worth having a snoop in the Members Market as there's sometimes camera gear in there
 
Leviathon said:
Hmmm thanks for the quick responses guys. I will try to get a hands on with the D5000 if possible.
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Have a look at the D3100 first. It's newer then the 5000 and the only features it misses are support for an IR remote and the swivel screen.

You probably also want to have a look at the Canon 500D.
 
Had my D3100 for almost two weeks so far and I love using it. Its lightweight and very easy to hold and seems pretty capable. I can't say how it compares to the others but being new to photography the D3100 seems great to get to grips with it all. It also does video too if you are looking to exploit that in a dslr, although I believe clips are limited to 10 minutes.
 
Just had a read on Ken Rockwells website (some love him, others loathe him!) And it seems to be a better option than the D5000 in many ways, I think the big thing is will you use the swivel LCD? If not, better go the D3100 route...

D90 is still a better camera, with a far better clearer screen - which is better for reviewing photos when you're out and about (something I have struggled with on the D5000)
 
K.C. Leblanc said:
Have a look at the D3100 first. It's newer then the 5000 and the only features it misses are support for an IR remote and the swivel screen.

You probably also want to have a look at the Canon 500D.
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The D3100 lacks the built in AF motor I think, so if you're spending that amount of money, get the D5000 which has it. I would recommend the latter out of the 4 anyway.
 
I would go fo a Canon 550d as I have one and it's brilliant! :D

But of the four you listed, it would be Nikon all the way. Remember, your buying into a system and not just a camera. Check that the system (lenses, flash, accessories etc.) are the right spec and PRICE for what you want to do. I really wanted the Canon 10-22 (quality) and 55-250 (cheap and damn sharp), as well as superb video, which are some of my reasons for buying into my system.
 
DB_SamX said:
The D3100 lacks the built in AF motor I think, so if you're spending that amount of money, get the D5000 which has it. I would recommend the latter out of the 4 anyway.
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I'm afraid the D5000 doesn't have the in built AF motor :( I for one wish it had! It opens up a world of cheap lenses :D
 
Kamakazie! said:
If you don't have any lenses then the pentax k - r can't be beaten in its price range.
It gets high praise in every review.
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What lens does the Pentax K-R come with then?

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, bit of a minefield for a noobie like me - but read through everything you said and will try to make a descision this week. I want to get the camera asap and learn it's functions before going away.
 
Leviathon said:
What lens does the Pentax K-R come with then?

Thanks for all your comments and suggestions, bit of a minefield for a noobie like me - but read through everything you said and will try to make a descision this week. I want to get the camera asap and learn it's functions before going away.
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It comes with the standard 18-50 kit lens, which is very good for a kit lens. The advantage of Pentax is that if you don't mind manual lenses, there are a wealth of old 2nd hand lenses that can be picked up quite cheaply.
Should you become rich, then there are some very very good prime lenses as well..

Do you know anyone who has some lenses? If so, it might be worth getting the same system as them and then you can borrow some gear..
 
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