good starter dslr

[kippyboy]

Which camera would be a good introduction to dslr's and will last a while. Been looking at the Canon 500d or nikon d5000 or d80, my sister recommended the older canon 40d but it's a bit older technology. All around 400 to 600 pounds.

[flat-planedCrank]

kippyboy said:

Which camera would be a good introduction to dslr's and will last a while. Been looking at the Canon 500d or nikon d5000 or d80, my sister recommended the older canon 40d but it's a bit older technology. All around 400 to 600 pounds.

The bottom line is that any of those cameras will probably provide a decent introduction to slr photography, sticking to the 'big two' is a good idea as well imo.


The Canon 500D and Nikon D5000 are smaller physically than the Canon 40D and Nikon D80 - I would pay a visit to local shop and see the size, weight and controls of the model lineups. For some the smaller, lighter plastic body slrs provide a better 'occasional' camera to the more 'pro-sumer' level metal-bodied Nikon D80 / Canon 40D

I wouldn't discount the Canon 40D for being older tech, in fact the Nikon D80 you mention is an older design iirc. Personally, I'd take a Canon **D model over the ***D models every time - the usability differences and build quality discount any increase in megapixels that a newer ***D model might bring.

Some reviews:
Canon 500D
Canon 40D

Nikon D5000
Nikon D80

Don't forget to check what 'kit lens' each is coming with, there is some variation and arguably options to avoid (such as the older Canon 18-55, the newer 18-55 IS is much better regarded).

I wouldn't get hung up on the megapixel race either - 8-10MP is arguably enough for most peoples needs.


Hope this helps,


Cheers.

[andy-xr]

Played with a used 40D a while ago and really liked it. Not enough to tempt me away from the Nikons I have, but that was more based on the investment I've made into bodies and glass so far. That was kicking around the £400 mark with a kit lens and grip. I'd possibly maybe go for that over a D80, and I really liked my D80, but the 40D seemed to be better value for money on the used market.

[-Pete-]

Agree with all of flatplanedcrank's post, actually I'd rather have one decent lens and any Canon or Nikon 6Mpix+ body. Which lens depends on what kind of photography you have in mind.

Edited by -Pete- on Tuesday 24th August 23:30

[kippyboy]

Thanks for the advice, I did pop into a couple of camera shops but they just had the newer models. Think i'm leaning to the 40d, seems you get quite a lot of camera for the money, but all the ones ive seen on ebay have been well used, i guess they can take a bit of abuse though.

One query i have is will modern lenses fit on the older camera's, in particular the 40d?

Edited by kippyboy on Wednesday 25th August 00:16

[SamHH]

Yes, they will. The 40D is only a couple of years old; current lenses fit on cameras made in the eighties.

[RobDickinson]

40D is an excelent budget sports camera, good AF and good FPS. Good image quality too.

Downsides vs modern stuff is poor LCD and no video.

They do have a rare tendancy to have shutter button issues and arnt as weathersealed as a nikon of that level I think.

Any canon made EF or EF-S lens will fit and work on a 40D.

Most 3rd party EF mount lenses will work too, some realy old sigmas etc wont.

[flat-planedCrank]

kippyboy said:

Think i'm leaning to the 40d..

It'd be my pick of the cameras you mentioned


Cheers.