Snowy Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 All the fantastic photos on here recently have made me realise that a little 1.2 megapixel, point and shoot digital camera just does not compare to my old Pentax SF7 for quality. Problem with film is getting rid of the 'duff' shots, waiting to get them developed (the dark room setup has long gone!), storing them and also sharing them. So I've decided to save up for a digital SLR. Any recommendations? And not necessarily new models, I'm happy to wait for an older model to turn up on ebay if it's what I really want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I've only got a little digital camera Snowy, but ask grd when he surfaces from the avalanche of work he's buried under - he's a camera buff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad house Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Try a canon d350. I have a d300 and thats fab for all sorts of shots. My advice would be to go into your nearest Jessops and just play around with a few.....what and how the camera feels like is very important. I have my eye on a d5 but hubby says 'no' will see about that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Nikon digital cameras are very good! My sister has one that her boyfriend bought her as a christmas present and the photos are really good, mind you the overall cameras are very expensive. Let us know how you get on-as I really want to buy one too, but am not very sure on what to get. I should have asked one of the people up my road's daughter! She loves photography! Didn't think of that at the time though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Try a canon d350. I have a d300 and thats fab for all sorts of shots.My advice would be to go into your nearest Jessops and just play around with a few.....what and how the camera feels like is very important. I have my eye on a d5 but hubby says 'no' will see about that I did not think OH dare say no to you Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I prefer a compact digital myself, & had a great Fuji Finepix for Christmas from The Hubby It is brilliant, has 5 million mega pixels, does everything a camera needs to,has a great zoom & trounced a lot of the bigger cameras performance wise in a recent consumer test. Its small enough for me to keep in my bag for those spur of the moment photos (if & when that happens - Liam Gallagher has just moved into the next village down & I am waiting to see him in Waitrose) All that & it comes in pink too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I bought the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H2 Digital Camera last year and I love it. It takes great photos and has all the functions I need. Both my son and I also have Fuji Finepix cameras - his is brand new, mine's about 3 years old now and they are terrific and small enough to pop in your pocket for days out. I love the Sony but for ease of use, I'd go with the Fuji everytime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 You can't really go wrong with a Nikon or a Canon DSLR or in fact any DSLR. A lot depends on how they feel in your hands - in fact this can be the deciding factor - so try before you buy. I chose Nikon just because the camera felt more solid than the Canon and the grip fitted my hand nicely. Amateur Photographer magazine have a comparison in next week's issue of the entry level Nikon D40 and Canon 400D. It should make interesting reading. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I've got a Sony Cyber Shot too Kate, and I love it. It's really easy to use, takes fab pics and movies and feels nice in my hands! I did do photography at college and I always swore by Nikon back then. Haven't used one since, but they do have a very good reccomendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 My digital camera is amazing in my view. It's slimline so can fit easily in any pocket. It comes in silver or black, I have black! I seriously reccomend that you look at this camera! SAMSUNG DIGIMAX i6! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Thanks for all your replies so far - keep 'em coming! So far I'm leaning towards the Canon 300/350/400D (1. because I already have a Canon Ixus and the software would be the same, 2. because they are slightly cheaper than the Nikon!) I definitely want something that allows me to play around with the depth of field, shutter speeds, filters etc. Not too worried about portability as I'll still use the Ixus when I want one for my pocket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Really? Where are you looking? On Amazon: Nikon D40 with 18-55 kit lens = £389.99, Canon 400D with 18-55 kit lens = £493.49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I have the Canon 400D and am very impressed I have been using a Sony Cyber shot and was not very impressed with the quality. Before digital cameras came along I had always used my trusty medium format camera, but I think the Canon matches the quality pretty well for a DSLR.......... Have fun choosing my brother went into Jessops and spent hours in there before he decided on which camera to have he even took one back after a few weeks and exchanged it for a different make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 7, 2007 Author Share Posted February 7, 2007 Really? Where are you looking? On Amazon: Nikon D40 with 18-55 kit lens = £389.99, Canon 400D with 18-55 kit lens = £493.49 Ebay! Need to look a bit wider than there I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 http://www.dpreview.com/ best review site on the net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I just replaced my old digital camera as it gave up the ghost - As I am broke in the new year it is at the more budget end of the market. A Samsung Digimax s500 - 5 megapixels. Easy to use and good quality pictures - more add ons than I will ever use. The only thing that I find a bit weird is there is no view finder - only the digital screen -I guess that's because Samsung have diversified from PCs. Pleased with my laptop though and the camera gets the thumbs up too - available from Tesco!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura007 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 ive got a little kodak digital jobby and it takes a really nice picture, cant remeber the model, so thats not really much help is it? sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Got chookiehubbie a Nikon D50 for christmas/birthday, and it's FAB - even I can use it with moderate success! I think they've stopped making the D50 now, and have replaced it with the D40 - it's well worth the money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Canon Eos 10d - huge amount of raving going on when it was released and you couldnt but one for love nor money. Now you can get them at a good price on Ebay or second hand at Jessops sometimes. Any of the Canon SLR Digitals are good but the 10D is close to semi professional. My website has a few sample pictures taken with a Canon 10d have a look at http://www.j4gjf.co.uk/photogallery/album.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 With respect, the EOS 10D line was replaced almost 3 years ago. Digital camera technology moves very fast and it's not worth spending hundreds on older technology. Newer models are always best - more responsive, better image processors, better lcd screens, longer battery life and a 12 month warranty for peace of mind. If I was considering my first DSLR and cost was a factor, I would be looking to buy new either the Nikon D40 or the Canon 400D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Your right - the technology develops fast - if your looking for new - go with the Canon - you wont regret it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beauty-Box Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 We have got a Canon, It's been great so far. I got an underwater housing and hubby takes it diving (trouble is he takes loads of pictures of the bottom of a quarry , and I have to look interested when he shows them to me!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Your right - the technology develops fast - if your looking for new - go with the Canon - you wont regret it. Exactly! Listen to this extremely well-reasoned argument from the Canon fan-boy! Go with which ever camera feels right for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted February 8, 2007 Author Share Posted February 8, 2007 Thanks guys! I must admit I didn't really consider the Nikon at first as I just assumed it would be more expensive! Having now looked at it, can you tell me whether there is a noticeable difference in quality between the 400D at 10 million pixels and the D40 at 6 million? Other than that, as has been said, I really need to get into a shop and have a play with them don't I? Looking forward to that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 If you don't plan to create prints larger than 10" x 8" then there is no difference in quality. It is possible that the Canon holds slightly more information, but you won't see it in anything up to 10" x 8". Plus the Nikon has the better kit lens out of the two, so in comparison their probably evens on detail stored. As jess said, have a read of the reviews at www.dpreview.com http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond40/ http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
