Which Digital SLR to buy?

maishyburger7

Hi,

I'm a video cameraman with a few years of experience. I've worked with a variety of different video and film cameras but apart from basic point and shoot digital cameras i've very little experience with still photography.

I'm heading away to thailand this summer and I'm looking to buy a really good camera that offers it all, but here's the catch I don't want to spend lot's of money!

I'd take the advice of posters on what the correct amount to spend is, and I'd love to hear the recommendations of other users. The key things I'm looking for are iris/shutter control, manual & auto focus (preferably with a focus ring as opposed to a digital in-camera type), and possibly the option of interchangeable lenses (again cost is a factor here i presume).

Any advice would be really welcome.

Cheers everyone!!

kensutz

Have you read the FAQ/Sticky?

maishyburger7

yep, that's the reason i posted! I knew that kind of stuff already, now i kind of looking for specifics and individuals opinions.

thanks

kensutz

What's your budget and we can suggest a few cameras

quilmore

A Nikon D40 with memory and a pair of 18-55 and 55-200 VR lenses will set you back about 700 euro
that's about all you need
focus ring and in-camera full manual control (you dial in the values rather than setting them up in a dedicated knob/ring)
canon will have a similar setup for about the same price

Duchovny

Canon 400D, 450D or 40D

maishyburger7

would i be able to pick up a second one of these type cameras for about 500?

TelePaul

maishyburger7 wrote: »

would i be able to pick up a second one of these type cameras for about 500?

Maybe the 400D. Now that the 450D has been launched I'd expect prices will drop.

Cabaal

400D for 520e on komplett, another 20e for shipping or so
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=324991

About 100-200e cheaper then buying in shops around Ireland

ThOnda

Pentax K200D or K20D if you want something a little bit "better".
Weather sealed, antishake built-in body, not expensive if you buy them branded SAMSUNG.

Hugh_C

I'd suggest you pick up something second-hand, that way you won't be quite so precious about it getting dirty/knocked/full of sand. A new camera will depreciate very quickly and there's good value to be had on the second-hand market.

Personally I'm a Nikon man, I find some of the lesser Canons just too small in my hand - maybe a Nikon D70 or D70s. You should be able to pick one up on eBay reasonably cheaply. As far as lenses are concerned, being a cameraman you're probably used to a pretty hefty zoom, so I'm going to suggest a prime! Maybe a fast 50mm which will force you to think about composition and move your ass rather than the zoom! You can get a 50mm f/1.8 for about 110 quid or less from Kea photo on eBay, or locally. Depends what sort of pictures you want to take, and the light in Thailand at that time of year can be pretty variable - i.e. rainy/overcast to bright sunshine. The problem with zooms is that they're prone to getting dust inside them which is a pain, and they're always a little less sharp at the tight end.

You there for work or recreation?

Hugh

melekalikimaka

Hugh_C wrote: »

I'd suggest you pick up something second-hand, that way you won't be quite so precious about it getting dirty/knocked/full of sand. A new camera will depreciate very quickly and there's good value to be had on the second-hand market.

Personally I'm a Nikon man, I find some of the lesser Canons just too small in my hand - maybe a Nikon D70 or D70s. You should be able to pick one up on eBay reasonably cheaply. As far as lenses are concerned, being a cameraman you're probably used to a pretty hefty zoom, so I'm going to suggest a prime! Maybe a fast 50mm which will force you to think about composition and move your ass rather than the zoom! You can get a 50mm f/1.8 for about 110 quid or less from Kea photo on eBay, or locally. Depends what sort of pictures you want to take, and the light in Thailand at that time of year can be pretty variable - i.e. rainy/overcast to bright sunshine. The problem with zooms is that they're prone to getting dust inside them which is a pain, and they're always a little less sharp at the tight end.

You there for work or recreation?

Hugh

+1

maishyburger7

would i be better buying a camera in thailand? has anybody any experience of this? cheers