Help with first SLR camera

[Steve H]

Hi all, usually post on other forums but thought you all might be able to give a novice some help and advice. I am really keen to trade up from my Konika Minolta digital 3 mga pixel camera to a SLR. Being the proud father of 2 beautiful girls the current camera just doesnt take the best photos and it takes too long for the actual photo to be taken and by that time the moment has gone. I will need a camera that I can print out myself or at boots and as I am a novice it doesnt need too many fancy features. I have a budget of £300/£400 and any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Steve

[andyps]

I guess it may be the obvious choice, but I recently bought a Canon EOS400D which fits in the price bracket and produces some nice results. One report I read prior to purchase suggested the Nikon at the same price was maybe slightly better due to the kit lens being better but I already had Canon lenses so it made sense to stick with that.

[mikechandler]

Look at the 400D. Got mine yesterday and I love it. Can't wait for the weekend to get out and about with it.

[ssray]

Tesco`s were doing a deal on 400d with kit lens(18-55) with cashback,
http://direct.tesco.com/promo/?id=S00005741 I have a 400d with the kit lens and while its built down to a price at about £350 you cant go wrong.
really good camera for kid photos aswell and very light.
Ray

[jon-]

Another vote for the 400d

[Steve H]

Ill pop to Jessops and take a look, what about storage, what sort of card should I get?
Steve

[andyps]

The 400D takes a compact flash card - I have a 2gb and a 4gb. So far having taken 330 shots on highest resolution with quite a few on RAW (which are very large files) as well as jpeg I have not filled the 2gb card. Jessops are not cheap for cards though.

[jon-]

Sandisk Extreme III is the card of choice at the moment.

[Steve H]

Just been to Jessops and spoke to quite a helpful fella, he shwed me the 400d, which is £349 after cashback and as an alternative a Sony A200 @ £349 (no cashback) both looked to be nice camera's but the Sony seemed to be a bit more "robust". As a newbie which one do you guys recommend? And am I being a bit overzealous by getting one of these when all I would be using it for would be holidays and taking pics of the family. I have seen some of teh work posted on here and thinks its good but I dont see myself doing the same. What I am trying to say is, would a really good digital camera be better for me (and save me some money?)
Steve

[millband]

Can I just be the voice of dissent on here? I have a Canon 400D and also a Canon Ixus 860IS.

I use the SLR for motorsport photography mainly and some landscapes while hill-walking etc. The Ixus is my snapshot and video camera. I've found that the Ixus is very fast in operation, it's small and light so I carry it everywhere, and the pics on full auto are absolutely excellent.

I'd say it takes better pics than the SLR on full-auto, definately when it's things like people indoors.

Basically I use the SLR when I want control and/or I'm going to process the shot. I don't do much (hardly any) post processing so in my non-expert eyes the Ixus is very good.

Hope that's not confused things!

Steve

[Steve H]

you havent confused things, thats the advice I need. The SLR cameras are big and I just want a good holiday, birthday etc camera. The thing with my one at the moment is that by the time the picture is taken my kids have got bored and wandered off or Ive missed the shot. I need a point, click and take camera which is not too bulky to take on days out etc. Maybe SLR is not for me.......WOW this is confusing
Steve

[Simpo Two]

You can get faster results on a compact by semi-depressing the shutter release, thus allowing the camera to find focus and exposure first, then waiting until your subject has the expression/pose you want. Then press the button the rest of the way and it should be almost instant.

[jon-]

I agree with the others. I find the 400d quite poor on full auto compared to a good quality point and shoot camera. If you don't want to dive into the more complex art of photography and don't want to be messing around with lenses I'd probably go with the point and shoot.

[Steve H]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate the advice. If point and shoot is the way forward does anyone have any suggestions as well as the IXUS I could look at?
Steve

[jon-]

www.dpreview.com has PAS reviews, I've always been a Sony fan myself.

[millband]

+1 for DPReview, it's an excellent site.

This is the review for my Ixus