Hi all Advise on first dslr please

heliguy

Hi all
I was an enthusiastic amateur years back mostly b&w with my own darkroom and Minolta equip. At present I have a maxxum 7000 and 18-70mm + 70-300mm and a 500si + 2000xi.
I have about €500 to spend (online) and am lost in the maze of new products.
so far I have narrowed it down to Sony a100, Canon's 400D or Nikon's D40x.
I am really only considering the Sony because It will work with the Minolta stuff but I am not a fan of Sony so don't really want to go that way.
The Canon seems to be the popular choice, but Nikon seems to offer more for my buck.
Now I'm just confused and don't know which way to go.
I have also considered just getting the 7D used but they still command a high price and at 6.1Mp I'm not sure if I will be satisfied with the picture quality.
All opinions welcome.

elven

If you don't have a load of great glass with minolta, you're as well striking the sony off the list... nobody I've met has raved about it as an excellent dslr. Between the big 2 - canon and nikon - the main differences are:

ergonomics: the 400d is rather dinky which is good for some with small hands or want something portable, can be bulked up by buying a battery grip later but initially the nikon seems more natural to hold for blokes with blokey hands.

useability: nikons have buttons for EVERYTHING on the body somewhere. canon tend to make you go through the process of pushing multiple buttons or going through menus to reach a lot of functions - but this all depends on how you use the camera. i use a canon and don't find it awkward to change any settings i regularly use, but others swear by the nikons and their extra buttons.

There's also an olympus, I think it's the E500, at the same sort of level which some people round here rave about in an evangelistic way - indeed it has body image stabilisation (instead of in the lens), and we are regularly reminded that it can be held under a tap :rolleyes:... although the oly users also seem to moan about the price of lenses, so that may be a consideration. There are a million reviews out there comparing different combinations of these three that you can probably google quite easily, but when it comes down to it, I can't see you buying any of them and being disappointed, if you visit a shop and hold it in your hands and it feels comfortable that's the biggest hurdle.

It's also worth considering what you want to use it for, and what sort of lenses you're going to want in the future. Even so, there won't be one that stands out from the rest.

Have a look at the ultimate sticky for the 'where to buy' thread too, it's very helpful.

heliguy

OK I'm swinging toward the Nikon D40x but the reviews say it does not have a built in focus motor do you think this is a big consideration.
Of course it may all become clear when I compare them in real life.

My main interests in the past were faces and close ups of nature. Should that effect my choice?

ThOnda

Don't forget about Pentax, their K10D is not expensive, but can offer a lot.

Don't mention this sign ":)", please.

sumo12

Hi
I bought a 400D a few months ago as my first DSLR - I am hugely happy with it, getting some stunning pictures. One word of warning though, the kit lens is very average and you won't start nailing good pictures until you upgrade the lens. My advice is buy the body only and then spend a few quid on a decent lens too.
I bought the Canon 17-85 F/4-5.6 IS lens and it is a big improvement on the kit lens and a nice "walk about" lens. I also bought a second hand 70-200 F/4 L which is just awesome. I got a 430EX flash too, very versatile and much, much better than the pop up flash on the camera

Hope all this helps!

SUMO12

Calina

I'm really tired of listening to people complain about the Canon basic kitlens. It is actually nowhere near as bad as people make out. I use it and at f8 in particular it takes beauties.

This came off my kitlens.



It always - but always - boils down to what you do with it.

My general advice to people starting off with a new SLR is to take the kitlens and experiment with it because only then will you have any idea of what you want. Yes, you could go and get a 50mm prime immediately but realistically, the modicum of zoom and width that you get from the kit is educational in its own right.

Chunky Monkey

I likes my new Nikon D40 (not x). I've read reviews that it may be cheaper than the D40x but it's better. Here's one: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm Okay all he says is that he prefers it, but it's still a good guide to the D40 Here's another one: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=2712069 Apparently professional photographers say that six megapixels is more than enough for SLRs. I got my camera from Currys for less than 500 quid before Xmas and I can get €50 cash back on it

These are the only differences apparently:

Differences compared to the D40

* 10 megapixel sensor
* Lower base sensitivity (ISO 100 vs ISO 200)
* Auto ISO option includes ISO 200
* Faster continuous shooting (3 fps vs. 2.5 fps)*

* Slower with noise reduction enabled

Well whichever one you decide to get, good luck, hope you enjoy it

duffarama

elven wrote: »

There's also an olympus, I think it's the E500, at the same sort of level which some people round here rave about in an evangelistic way - indeed it has body image stabilisation (instead of in the lens), and we are regularly reminded that it can be held under a tap :rolleyes:... although the oly users also seem to moan about the price of lenses, so that may be a consideration.

WHOA!!!! Don't put any Olympus DSLR under a tap, unless it's an E1 or an E3. They are the 2 weather sealed cameras, the rest will not work if put under a tap!

The E-510 is the camera you speak of in this bracket with in body IS though, and the lenses seem expensive but are all top quality optically so it's never money wasted and they're sharp right across the frame.

Try out your options in the shop and check online reviews if you can would be my advice though.

pete4130

Why not get something 2nd hand like a D50, D70s if your looking to go down the Nikon route. If you're not going to have top notch glass to go with the camera (as in 2.8 lenses) then anything from 6mp-10mp is fine. They are well within your budget and you wont go wrong with them.

Masada

yeah thats good advice, go for second hand and you'll get a lot more camera for your money. if you go for some of the lower ones you'll probably end up getting a D70 or D80 later on anyway, Just like me.,lol

Borderfox

Yeah go for a second hand one (wink wink)

projectmayhem

i plan on buying a dslr this year (probably the 400d). go to currys or similar stores, get to the camera section and ask to play with some of their stuff. you'll get a feel for the software there and get to see how the camera works in your hands too.

i'm sure you can probably do this in "real" camera stores, but knowing the guy behind the counter knows far too much about the camera might freak you out. numbers and letters you can only nod and smile about, etc.

heliguy

Thanks for all the help guys but I'm afraid I'm lost in all the choice now.
The k10d looks like best bang for buck, but is over budget, I could be sensible and wait a couple of months and get that or I can get the a100 now and use the glass I have.
Or I can start looking at used 6-8 Mp camera's.
My problem is I don't want to going looking again in 6 months.
Ok my problem is I don't know jack S**t about Digital SLR's.
Who said opportunity is a good thing.:)

p.s. I have read reviews on all the afore mentioned and still not heard a bad word about any of them, can they just all be great or do the reviewers just get paid to much?

elven

If you're trying to sum up the amount of megapixels you get or other specs on the web, don't do it. None of that stuff makes one of them better than the others, really. just go to a shop and see which one feels best. You'll see a big difference in the build quality between the entry levels like the 400D and the next one up like the 40D, and that's why you might want to consider second hand. Other than that, again, if you stick to the main contenders you really won't be left wanting.

You may, however, end up wanting more lenses

heliguy

Borderfox wrote: »

Yeah go for a second hand one (wink wink)

Why does this cost about the same as the range of new 10mp on the market I'm not attacking the price I genuinely don't know the difference?

heliguy

Ok I think I need to make my way to a shop and do some real life comparisons before I go any further.
Would most any camera shop carry all of the options or can you recommend one that would, I'm living in Navan and assuming I'll need to travel.

Chunky Monkey

You know that camera shop on Watergate Street? Don't shop there, apparently the guy is really rude

tnkrbell

heliguy i was like yourself debating between the canon 400d and the nikon d40x and have now decided that it's going to be the canon 400d.Purchasing it tomorrow so I can't wait
If you live in dublin heliguy take a trip into Conn's and ask them about the two cameras.I did it the other day and found the sales guy really helpful.He took the camera out and went through loads of stuff on the camera with me and he's doing me a pretty good deal as well on the canon
Happy debating on which one to buy...

Chunky Monkey

Where's Conns? Do they sell accessories like SLR bags?

tnkrbell

its just off grafton street around the corner from Brown Thomas.They sell loads of stuff

elven

Eh, check the prices in Conns compared to Gunns before you buy... there can be a fair whack of a difference. Gunns is on Wexford St, a family business, hugely helpful and not one person who has been there has had a bad thing to say about them. Unfortunately they were closed yesterday when i went to buy me a tripod, grrr

Masada

They dont have that many backbacks though, i was in there about a week ago.,

pansyflower

Just a thought - check out camping-type shops for suitable bags.

fly_agaric

heliguy wrote: »

Hi all
... I have a maxxum 7000 and 18-70mm + 70-300mm and a 500si + 2000xi.
I have about €500 to spend (online) ...
so far I have narrowed it down to Sony a100, Canon's 400D or Nikon's D40x.
I am really only considering the Sony because It will work with the Minolta stuff but I am not a fan of Sony so don't really want to go that way.

heliguy wrote:

I can get the a100 now and use the glass I have.

If the lenses which you already have will work fully (do they?) with the Sony is that not a good option?

The other options will obviously blow your budget by quite a lot if you want some other lenses for them.

Borderfox

heliguy wrote: »

Why does this cost about the same as the range of new 10mp on the market I'm not attacking the price I genuinely don't know the difference?

When you pick it up you realise where the money is gone, solid body with great features and still under warranty..

Ricky91t

Dont know if someones posted this Argos have a sony for €580 with 18-70 lense.....
Sorry i would check a few places for price but im abit busy:o
Hope you get the right cam anywayhttp://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500000801&productId=1500127525&Trail=C%24Brand%3DSony.Sony%3EC%24cip%3D1500010501.Digital%2BSLR%2Bcameras&categoryId=1500010501&clickfrom=name

Chunky Monkey

tnkrbell wrote: »

its just off grafton street around the corner from Brown Thomas.They sell loads of stuff

Wicklow Street? I went down that road three times yesterday, I've never noticed it!

pansyflower

It's on Clarendon St. just under the pedestrian bridge at the back of Brown Thomas.

heliguy

Well I made the plunge and bought the A100.
Here's the best bit Argos UK have them on sale @ £329.99, all in that was €465 using their over the counter exchange rate.
Once I seen that, the decision was made.
What a night to drive to Newry and back.
Now I'm sitting here admiring its beauty (cough) waiting for the battery to charge.

Thanks for all the advice.

How long do these things take to charge? come on come on

Billie May

And, how is your first Sony day?

Never thought about a Sony. I am about to buy a Canon D400 with 17-85 lens for approx 800 euro on Ebay.

Any experiences so far with the Sony? any - or + ?

Thanks

heliguy

love it. Its very intuitive, feels nice in the hand and the pic quality is outstanding.