Advice on buying a new SLR

DadaKopf

Yo,

I'm thinking og going up in the world. Trading in my Canon EOS 1000 for something better - a Nikon hopefully.

What I will need:

2+ fps/multiple exp
25 zone min Matrix and spot metering (even down to 1%)
Flash that would work in daylight (beyond 1/90sec)
DX and manual ISO setting
Fast focusing (perhaps with focusing priority options)
CABLE release (not electronic cable release)

Reason I want a new one is because the lens is ****, the focusing is slow and unreliable on certain surfaces, it's about .75fps, the sharpness is crap and, most importantly, the Evaluative metering (3 zone) is awful. Any auto-exposure is just horrible so I always have to switch to partial metering.

I'm talking in the €5-600 price range.

havok*

Personally I'd recon the eos 30 is one step up from the 3000 and 300 series (both are really considered to be entry level SLR's). U should be able to pick up the body for about 500 odd quid (last years prices). It's the camera i wanted to get at to get last summer, ended up going for the 300 only on the money issue.
I'm assuming owning a 1000 already u'll want to stay with the cannon eos series so can use all the lenses / accessories u already have.

http://www.canon.co.uk/eoscameras/index.html

DadaKopf

I dunno. I have an Ultrasonic 35-80mm lens and a Quantaray 80-300mm lens (not aspherical). I was thinking maybe Nikons are just better. Also... the EOS 1000 only has one focusing beam thingy and it's straignt through the lens while the 300, for example, has 5 or something. Would that work with old lenses and all - I mean, I don't even know where the focusing thingy is on cameras.

Samson

Originally posted by DadaKopf
I have an Ultrasonic 35-80mm lens and a Quantaray 80-300mm lens (not aspherical)...
...Would that work with old lenses and all - I mean, I don't even know where the focusing thingy is on cameras.

The Canon lens will work with any of the new Canon bodies, you may have a problem getting auto-focus to work on that Quantaray lens.

As far as recommending a new SLR, the EOS 30 is, by all accounts that I've read, a great body.
If you would consider buying second hand, Ffordes (www.ffordes.com) have 3 currently listed for between £250.00 sterling and £300 sterling (approx. €355.00 to €425.00).

Originally posted by DadaKopf
I was thinking maybe Nikons are just better.

No Canon versus Nikon debates here please.

DadaKopf

You wouldn't have a problem buying second hand, no?

havok*

The 300 has 7 focusing points, tbh this can be more hassle then good at times, esp when using marco. I genrally try AF and fine tune manually from there.

Personally i would'nd buy a 2nd hand camera unless i knew the person. Droped cameras can work for a while then stop for good.

Btw Ultrasonic eos are sh1t lenses. I'm assuming that came with the kit ? I've a 28-90mm Ultrasonic, its a peice of crap, i only use it when i need a wide angle shot or as a paper weight.

Btw be sure to pick up a eos 50mm f1.8 (I or II) if your staying with canon. Its about the cheapest priced canon eos lens and takes excellent photos.

Samson

Originally posted by DadaKopf
You wouldn't have a problem buying second hand, no?

Would not have a problem buying second-hand from a shop, as most will give you a 3 or 6 month warranty.
Ffordes do anyway.
If there is anything wrong with the camera, it should manifest itself during that period, provided you use the camera a fair bit.

However, in this particular case having checked, I actually think you would be better off buying new, as New York Camera (in Germany) actually have it new for €497.00, so at less than €100.00 in the difference, you would be mad to buy second-hand.