Buying a new camera

[mikechandler]

I fancy treating myself for Christmas and have been looking at SLR cameras, now I am not an experienced photographer by any stretch of the imagination but I would like a fairly decent piece of kit to have a good play with and see what I can do. However, looking in Jessops it seems to be a bit of minefield and looking at this page ( http://www.jessops.com/Store/c481/1-136-481/Home/C... ) of their website brings up some nice cameras but which one would be best? Also, is the 18-55mm lens any good for a novice?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

[hawkaye]

hi Mike,

I don't know much about Nikon's so can't help you there. What I will say is that I started with a Canon 350D back in February this year and it was fantastic for getting to grips with DSLR's. The 18-55 was pretty good and is a pretty decent all rounder for the price. The 400D has since replaced the 350D, and what I hear is a great improvement. I'm not sure how much you want to spend, but after owning my 350D for around 6 months I stupidly had a go with the 40D and opted for that too. Vast difference between the 350/400D and 40D, but depends on budget I suppose.

[TheCaseAce]

Try them both in a shop to see which one feels best in hand/is most intuitive...

if it were me I would get on ebay and buy...

Nikon D40x with kit lens
SB600 flash

and then if your budget could stretch, a Nikkor AF-S telephoto lens, like a 70-200? So you have a bit of zoooom to play with.

[DanH]

TheCaseAce said:

Try them both in a shop to see which one feels best in hand/is most intuitive...

if it were me I would get on ebay and buy...

Nikon D40x with kit lens
SB600 flash

and then if your budget could stretch, a Nikkor AF-S telephoto lens, like a 70-200? So you have a bit of zoooom to play with.

So 500 quid of camera and 1400 quid of lens 70-200? lol!

[mikechandler]

[quote=Quinny]

Also don't dismiss second hand, loads of people are upgrading all the time, and the kit their selling is often in fantastic condition and in a lot of cases hardly used.

[quote=Quinny]

Never considered this actually but probably a good time to look with people upgrading for Christmas etc... will keep an eye on eBay over the next week or so.

Merry Christmas all!

Edited by mikechandler on Tuesday 25th December 14:12

[toothlessjim]

Mine is a 400d with the basic 18-55mm lens which is very good. I also have a EF 55-200mm USM which is excellent for what i use my camera for. IMO the 400d is an excellent base to start with and as an amatuer it more than meets my needs. I have also played with a canon 40d but for me thered be no need to upgrade until my 400d dies. Considering i jumped staight into photography with this (i had a cybershot but wasnt reallly into photography) i landed on my feet, in a matter of 6 months ive learnt alot and would recomend a 400d to anyone buyin there first DSLR.

Some of my pictures here, www.dankemp.co.uk