chelsea Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 OH has a birthday in two weeks time and he's been hinting about a digital SLR camera. Any recommendations? Tips or hints? He's seen a Sony A450 but to be honest I really don't know what I am buying...they all look the same to me. Oh, and also what shop is best to buy from? (preferably online). Ta muchly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I would buy online its always cheapest shops like Jessops always rip you off Canon EOS slrs are the most popular SLRs http://www.dpreview.com/ this is the best site to get reviews of cameras off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 There are a lot of good SLR's out there and to be honest you probably can't go wrong with any of them. However, if he is a keen photographer and knows a lot about photography, he might want one that offers him a good deal of manual control over the exposure and focus as well as all the automatic features that come with all the good cameras. I have a Canon EOS50D which is a semi-pro model and probably a bit OTT. However, the other Canons e.g. EOS450D are also good. If you go with Canon or Nikon you will get a much better choice of lenses from independent lens-makers than with a Sony or Panasonic. Some of the Sigma and Tamron lenses, for example, are very good value and score higher than manufacturers' own in tests. Canon also do a lot to ensure compatability with previous systems - I can actually use my old Canon lenses from my old A1 SLR with my new EOS if I want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 The Gadget show always does good reviews of stuff like that. Does this help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 Thanks for the info folks. We have been looking at the links (with really helpful reviews) and the Canon camera so should be ordering one tomorrow for OH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyknickers Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 I have a Nikon D40 and love it. I got it as was advised my a pro-photographer as its what he uses when taking snaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I'm a Nikon girl too and as well as a couple of DSLRs I have an old F2,F4,and an F100. My first DSLR was a D100 and it cost a fortune when it first came out. I think it's wonderful how digital has improved to be as good as film and has become so much cheaper. What I DO HATE is that none of the new compacts are made with a viewfinder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 My sister has a Canon one and it's lovely! Also, pricewise have a look on the London Camera exchange website, they do some good deals occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 My brother has a Canon EOS 50D with loads of lenses (Some can be quite pricy) but the end result looks so good it's worth it... talented chap eh? (You can see his flickr account here if you like). He got his camera and lenses from here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 Those pictures are stunning especially the flowers. I think the Canon one is too expensive at the mo as nice as it is, I think we will go for a cheaper make for the time being as he's only just starting in photography. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 I think that is a good idea. The Canon EOS50D is a fantastic camera, but I have been doing SLR photography for *cough* years - more than 35 at any rate! It has so many settings on it that I can get confused at times, so it is better to go for something simpler to start out with as you can't really go wrong with them. Canon do much simpler models - the EOS450D is a very good starting point. They also take fantastic photos - here's a couple from the EOS50D, but you will get similar quality from the 450D or any of the Nikons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 when i borrow it i set it to auto! (Not that technically minded either! LOL) I'd say whatever model you go for, you can't go wrong with a Canon or a Nikon. Canon cameras can use Nikon lenses, but Nikon cameras can't use Canon lenses, so you have some flexibility there when your skills increase and want to treat yourself to a new lens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Lovely photo. Docsquid what type of lense do you need to take photos like that, I have just started out with a digital SLR and was thinking of asking for another lense when it is my birthday. I have a Nikon D3000 I think, I like it but do not know enough to know if it is a good camera or not yet. Thanks Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarrensWorld Posted February 18, 2010 Share Posted February 18, 2010 Try the Fujifilm S5 pro or the Nikon D200. They are the same camera, the only slight difference is the battery packs. Fuji electronics and Nikon lenses, best of both worlds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Lovely photo. Docsquid what type of lense do you need to take photos like that, I have just started out with a digital SLR and was thinking of asking for another lense when it is my birthday. I have a Nikon D3000 I think, I like it but do not know enough to know if it is a good camera or not yet. Thanks Chrissie The Nikon D3000 is a good camera! I would definitely go with either Nikon or Canon because of the compatability of their lenses and the wide range of accessories available. Other makes are great cameras, but the independent lens-makers don't make many lenses for them. At the moment, I am using a wide-range Tamron 18-270 macro zoom lens. The first photo is taken using the macro focus setting and the second is taken using the extreme end of the zoom setting. However, this is for convenience, as I am usually using the camera as well as working, and haven't got time to faff around changing lenses with mucky hands. I would like a full macro (1:1 - the one I have is 1:3 which means the object is recorded at 1/3 size on the CCD), and a very big zoom (500mm plus) for wildlife, but these are expensive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 19, 2010 Author Share Posted February 19, 2010 We have looked at both Nikon and Canon but he really wants the Sony one. Me - I can't tell the difference but the Sony one is cheaper (£319 with lense, memory card, bag & tripod). I suggested the other makes and he said he read up that the Sony one was idiot proof for a beginner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Perhaps buy him a good photography book too. It improves photo taking skills no end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I got my brother this for Christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I bought a Canon 1000D SLR in 2008 and love it. Idiot proof is an understatement Point and click Would really recommend it. But if he likes the Sony....... I will do a photography course at the local college one day. Or read the instruction manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
