...and hopefully my last.

Well, I've found out that I do not need the best of everything, and am enjoying it. I'm perfectly happy with my custom DR150 being the last (in the foreseeable future, anyhow) headphone I buy. Now I want to move on an "average" SLR camera.

Due to being 16, I have other things to buy and my job goes 100% into my hobbies = no bills expect for the GF.

I'm not hugely sure of what budget I need to enter this hobby. I've been reading some threads (well, the past 5 pages of the gear-fi section) and saw no threads considered both Nikon and Canon (I'm sure there are other brands as well) so decided to make my own.

Regarding which camera I want. I don't care about size really. I don't want it to be too outlandishly priced and doubt I will want to upgrade it after I buy it. I'm happy waiting some time but I do get fairly impatient.

What are my options? I love buying used, so I can save money there. What would you headphoney folk recommend for my camera needs?

Cheers

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Nikon D40 and D40x Review by Thom Hogan <- Good review of D40


Above are good sites to take a look at, also I sometimes like to browse Flickr and search pictures taken by certain cameras I am looking at.

If photography will be just a hobby than I would highly recommend the D40 kit lens and the Nikon 55-200 mm with Vibration Reduction. That should keep all your bases covered, you just have to deal with carrying a lens with you. This setup will cost you about $650

My other suggestion if you really plan on using many different types of lenses is the Nikon D80. For the same setup (18-55 and 55-200 VR) above the D80 will be over $1,000.

I personally like the image and the build quality of the Nikon over the canon entry level models. Its about personal taste IMO, check them out at a Wolf Camera or a Ritz (if they have them in the UK...)

Good luck.

Go Nikon or Canon as they have the best support and largest selection of available lenses and accessories.

Pick a couple of models from each brand in your price point, go to a camera store, and hold them. Buy the one that feels best in your hand. They all take excellent pictures and have more features than you'll probably use, so pick the one that feels the best.

Quote:



Nick, if you buy a digital SLR, I can guarantee that it will not be your last. You'll be chasing MPs from here until whenever. In the past 5 years I've gone thru two and was contemplating a third until some of you young-uns persuaded me to go back to film. Also more folks on your side of the pond don't think film is dead, matter of fact the old Pentax K1000 is quite popular on the continent. You can get a K1000 on epray for 50 to 100USD. If you want to go Nikon try the FM for 100 to 200USD.

FILM.

Nikon digital has the cheapest cameras for a consumer. I would never buy a d40 as you are required to buy the AFS lenses to get auto focus. I would go with a d50/d70 if I had to choose again. I'd take a d1x or a d1h also. I don't know much about the d80 its too small for me though in my hands.

Quote:



good advice

At a big Christmas gathering, I had the chance to play with a bunch of people's DSLRs... both Canon and Nikon. They're both great brands, and all of the cameras I looked at were well built and great quality. The D40 is an excellent camera. I'm happy with my D200, but I'm sure I would be just as happy with one of the lower models.

See ya
Steve

between hi-fi,computers and photo i am hobbied out and near broke.

I am a Canon fan just because that is what I have always grown up using. If you are going to go film and don't mind buying used I would recommend picking up a Canon AE-1 Program. It is a great SLR and is built like a brick. The A-1 is basically the same without the automatic feature.

If you got film the nikon f5 is one of the better cameras out there.

My first digital SLR was the D50 which I passed on to mom when I upgraded. It is a nice little camera easy to use and takes good pictures. But then the upgradeitus hit. I had to have the D200 now I am a happy camper just need to learn how to use it.

Thanks for all the help guys.

I am definitely going digital due to going to Africa again for ages so want to have lots of space and not have to keep buying film which is hard to get out there.

I shall go into a shop and see which I prefer from canon and nikon. At the moment I am thinking either the D40, the D40x or the EOS-400D

Out of those, which would you choose and why?

Regarding lenses, I don't really want to carry around two. If I was going to buy just one, which one would it be and why?

eos-400d by a long shot. One lens to use 24,28-70 depending on camera

I wouldn't recommend a d40[x] for anyone with any interest in actually learning how to photograph, it's a bit too crippled in that sense IMHO. But, for people that just want a big P&S camera, it might the best choice.

If you try the 400D, be sure to test with battery grip as well, made a huge difference to the handling of my 350D when I had that. Otherwise, maybe a second hand 20D or 30D, depending on how much you are willing to spend?
Another option is the Pentax K10D, which is a lot of camera for the money I think, but you do lose the huge choice of lenses the Canon/Nikon camps have.

If you are going to Africa, you'll probably want two sorts of lenses - one wide angle for the scenery, and one tele lens for wild life.


For Canon I would recommend this...

One lens: Sigma 18-200mm OS
Not a bad lens at all, for being a super zoom. Make sure you get the one with image stabilization though (hence the OS), it's really worth the extra money. 200mm isn't that long though, but if you only want one lens, the choices are rather limited.

Two lenses: Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 + Canon 70-300 IS USM or Sigma 170-500mm
A lot more expensive, but you do get a lot better image quality as well, coupled with the hassle of changing lens.

Another way to go would be to get the Sigma 50-500mm, coupled with the kit lens (18-55mm) to get that extra width. The kit lens is no wonder of sharpness, but it's better then not having a lens that is wide enough at all


Anyway, there are a lot of options, you shouldn't buy anything without asking people here first, to make sure you don't buy the wrong things.