DSLR shopping tomorrow.

[paul_y3k]

Have finally decided to go buy my first entry DSLR as my own compact has finally died. The compact just doesn't have the zoom, to reach the cars on track, or the planes at fairford - and I'm fed up with flying crosses. So after reading comments and reviews and talking to guys in local cam shop it seems the Cannon 1000D with a 300mm zoom lens is the way to go.

But as PH has never set me wrong so far, I thought i'd check on here for comments and advice. (and of course any place to get a bargain !)

[CVP]

In terms of cost, either Warehouse Express or ebayer "Kerso" for Canon gear. Both have been used by many folks here with good results.

Chris

[Andy M]

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/

[kybo]

If you've got 1000D kind of money, could you stretch to a 450D (about £100 more)? Digic 4 sensor, IS kit lens and 12.2 M.Pixel - very nice I have a 350D so would gladly have either, only the 450D is my preference

Nip down your local supermarket and peruse the mags - hopefully there'll be a camera review or comparison in one of them.

GL


Scott

[miniman]

Used 30D. You'll thank me for it

[Bernie-the-bolt]

miniman said:

Used 30D. You'll thank me for it

[Andy M]

miniman said:

Used 30D. You'll thank me for it

The 30D is old hat now - it should have been labelled a 20Dn as it wasn't a huge step up from the 20D.

450D is a good call IMO.

[Kermit power]

kybo said:

If you've got 1000D kind of money, could you stretch to a 450D (about £100 more)? Digic 4 sensor, IS kit lens and 12.2 M.Pixel - very nice I have a 350D so would gladly have either, only the 450D is my preference

Nip down your local supermarket and peruse the mags - hopefully there'll be a camera review or comparison in one of them.

GL


Scott

I'd agree - and I love my 450D - but just to be pedantic, it's a Digic 3 processor, not Digic 4. If you wanted Digic 4, you'd have to go for the 500D, but quite why anyone would want to do that is beyond me!

[V8Dom]

going to put a spanner in the works and say second hand Nikon D200.........

sorry but i took ages before i came to a decision and boy i dont look back

Dom

[andy-xr]

I'd go for the Fuji version of the D300 over the D200, but there doesnt appear to be much Nikon Love on this thread

[RobDickinson]

Paul doesnt seem wierd so he's quite correctly choosing canon..

As to which canon...

1000D is a pretty decent all round camera but its weak points are...
Af - 7 point 'iffy' in low light - the 350D module in fact. Still substantialy better than the cheap nikons.
1.5fps in raw constant shooting - not good for sports if you want to shoot raw.
No video , so...
3 fps in jpg - xxD and Dxxx shoot quicker.
Dont get the non IS kit lens!
The 55-250IS canon lens is the best cheap longer option.

450D and 500D are better but a lot more coin. For sport your better off with a xxD, 30D or 40D, the best 'cheap' sports cameras IMO.

[Zad]

The Canon Ebay refurb shop had some 40Ds in this week, went for £500ish which seems a bit of a bargain to me.

[Simpo Two]

Brands aside, I use a 70-300 lens for airshows - the range is ideal and the fact it isn't fast isn't important (to me at least).

[paul_y3k]

cheers guys some interesting comments. I know I'm swimming in the deep end here so all welcome.
one question ... IS Lens ??? what's that then ?

[RobDickinson]

paul_y3k said:

IS Lens ??? what's that then ?

In canon speak IS stands for Image stabalised. (VR in Nikon, OS in sigma ect).

Elements in the lens (gyro and optical elements) try and correct the image for movement of the camera.

This lets you shoot at longer shutter speeds without getting blury pics from hand shake.

Its usefull, its not on every lens. It doesnt help with subject movement.

BUT you want the IS kit lens not because it has IS primarily, but because the IS one is much better quality (opticaly).

[paul_y3k]

ok makes sense... so why would an IS lens kit be cheaper than a non IS ?

EOS 1000D Lens Kit (EF-S 18-55 IS) £342.59
EOS 1000D Lens Kit (EF-S 18-55) £399.00

[RobDickinson]

Who knows, supply?

[paul_y3k]

ok I've now been off on the lens hunt. next question .. Tamron lens ? i can't see if they have IS ?

[SamHH]

paul_y3k said:

ok I've now been off on the lens hunt. next question .. Tamron lens ? i can't see if they have IS ?

Different manufacturers have different names for their systems. With Canon it's IS; Nikon, VR; Sigma, OS; and looking on Tamron's website theirs is called VC, although it doesn't look like many of their lenses have it.

[paul_y3k]

just had a chat with the local cam store ... and the guy suggested a sony alpha 200 as it has anti shake built in ...
he didn't even want to discuss cannon etc.

I've not heard of them at all, but priced are similar for a eos1000d