€400ish budget for DSLR & Accessories - help!

Rowley Birkin QC

Hey, we want to get a DSLR for my dad for Christmas and have set the budget at €400ish. I've been around to a few photography shops and am feeling a bit bamboozled as it's an area I know very little about.

What I do see is that they value their memory cards and cases quite highly when they are part of a bundle, similar products can be got cheaper separately.

Basically, he has always been interested in taking pictures but has never had a decent camera with which to do so. I've been told that you should buy the best camera you can afford. He doesn't have any specific targets in mind, perhaps a lean towards nature photography if that makes any difference.

Can anyone recommend a camera/bundle from either a bricks and mortar option in Dublin or a reputable online retailer who will deliver before xmas?

Thanks in advance!

Rowley Birkin QC

So I've gone off again and looked at camera's and I am getting the impression that our budget might be a bit shy. All that seems to be available is the 1100D which gets grand reviews but is firmly at the entry level.

dharn

Nikon 3100 is a fine entry level camera it is more or less being replaced by the 3200 which excells at hd video but the 3100 is a fine starter ,its very verscatile can have filters lenses etc added as you farher becomes more proficient, should be gotten at bargain price they are a year talking about phasing it out but it is so popular they keep making it

dharn

dharn wrote: »

Nikon 3100 is a fine entry level camera it is more or less being replaced by the 3200 which excells at hd video but the 3100 is a fine starter ,its very verscatile can have filters lenses etc added as you farher becomes more proficient, should be gotten at bargain price they are a year talking about phasing it out but it is so popular they keep making it

429 inc standard lens conns cameras

Rowley Birkin QC

dharn wrote: »

429 inc standard lens conns cameras

Thanks. Will check it out. Had been told to go with canon but seeing as it's a first camera it's a level playing field I guess?

MarkN

The Canon 600D is now under 500 quid. Harvey Norman had it for about 467 yesterday. It has a lot more features than the 1000D and if your dad likes taking pictures and you reckon he'll pick up using a DSLR quickly chances are he'll appreciate the extra features the 600 has over the 1000. That's IF you want to go Canon.

Rowley Birkin QC

MarkN wrote: »

The Canon 600D is now under 500 quid. Harvey Norman had it for about 467 yesterday. It has a lot more features than the 1000D and if your dad likes taking pictures and you reckon he'll pick up using a DSLR quickly chances are he'll appreciate the extra features the 600 has over the 1000. That's IF you want to go Canon.

Thanks Mark. Do you know if that's a one off or is that about the go of them now?

I'm seeing them on Curries and Camera.ie for around the €500-550 mark. The Camera.ie one seems to include bag, memory card and tripod, though it's hard to tell. It's a pretty horrible website.

Canon isn't so much of a necessity to be honest, I'm open to suggestions as long as it's a quality brand that won't give trouble. Value for money is the key aim here.

Budget is flexible but not by too much as he genuinely wouldn't want that much spent on him!

Rowley Birkin QC

dharn wrote: »

429 inc standard lens conns cameras

Also spotted this on that site; Nikon D5100 factory refurb with lense for €450. Seems to be very high spec though I'm not sure about giving a refurb for xmas.

dharn

Good value there, is your father a keen photographer ?

Rowley Birkin QC

dharn wrote: »

Good value there, is your father a keen photographer ?

I'm hoping he will be.

He's always said that he'd like to get into it but wouldn't spend the money on himself, yknow? Has bought a few cheapo cameras in the past but I think it's something he could really get into.


I'm really liking the look of that D5100. Specs seem great in comparison to a few other options around that mark.


Anyone dealt with Conns Cameras? I'm hoping a factory refurb would come sealed in a new box etc.

Tiriel

Heya Sir!

One thing I would mention, is that if anyone else in the house/family etc. has an SLR, it would be best to try stick to the same make - so that lenses can be shared.. and cut down on expense.

For €400 you are looking at entry level if you buy new, but.. you could get something of a higher spec if you go second hand and adverts is a great spot to keep an eye out.

If it was me, I'd get the best body I could for the money and have that as the gift, for now. A 50mm 1.8 lense is €100 - let that be a present from another unsuspecting sibling!

That is a nice bundle for the moment. Check out flashcamera.co.uk - I've purchased from Ian before and price/delivery has always been excellent. His range varies - so he doesn't always have what you are looking for. I haven't bought from Conn's personally. Gunn's is another option in Dublin.

Maybe amazon combined with parcel motel is an option also!

Rowley Birkin QC

Cork_girl wrote: »

Heya Sir!

One thing I would mention, is that if anyone else in the house/family etc. has an SLR, it would be best to try stick to the same make - so that lenses can be shared.. and cut down on expense.

For €400 you are looking at entry level if you buy new, but.. you could get something of a higher spec if you go second hand and adverts is a great spot to keep an eye out.

If it was me, I'd get the best body I could for the money and have that as the gift, for now. A 50mm 1.8 lense is €100 - let that be a present from another unsuspecting sibling!

That is a nice bundle for the moment. Check out flashcamera.co.uk - I've purchased from Ian before and price/delivery has always been excellent. His range varies - so he doesn't always have what you are looking for. I haven't bought from Conn's personally. Gunn's is another option in Dublin.

Maybe amazon combined with parcel motel is an option also!

You were just about to get a phone call.

Keeping to the same brand isn't a bad shout at all. I bought a 2nd hand EOS 450D lately but there seems to be better value in Nikon, from research so far.

Having 3 younger siblings, all in college/school, means that the budget is kinda fixed at a soft €400. I'll pitch in a bit extra without letting anyone else know but €460 is probably the upper end of things.

Obviously things like a memory card and bag are essential but would seem to be cheaper sourced separately. A factory refurb is one thing but I'm not so sure about private second hand sales. I simply don't know enough about cameras to make a call on getting one without a warranty. Cars are so much easier! :P

Will check out that other site.

Rowley Birkin QC

So, I had a look on that flashcamera site, nothing in budget unfortunately.

I'm leaning towards the factory refurb Nikon D5100 & 18-55 lense with 4GB card and case for €450. It seems to represent great value and a good camera to have even if he never bought another piece of kit again. Memory card is possibly a bit small but easily upgraded.

Will find out how it comes packaged tomorrow, have read good things about Nikon factory refurbs, so far anyway.

Vinz Mesrine

Not sure if this is allowed but I have a Nikon D3000 for sale if you are interested. Comes boxed, as new. Pm me if you want.

Rowley Birkin QC

Vinz Mesrine wrote: »

Not sure if this is allowed but I have a Nikon D3000 for sale if you are interested. Comes boxed, as new. Pm me if you want.

Cheers, but as I said above I just don't know enough about them to buy privately with confidence. Thanks anyway.

ForestFire

I have a d5100 and it is an excellent camera that will allow plenty of room for learning. It has an excellent sensor and loads of features. That seems a very good price and I presume it will come with at least 12 month warranty. I have not dealt with conns before but I have heard of them and they have been around for years. Not sure if they are located on the south quays close to trinity? If so may have been in the shop once.

Best of luck with you choice and hope your dad will be pleased with whatever you get.

Rowley Birkin QC

ForestFire wrote: »

I have a d5100 and it is an excellent camera that will allow plenty of room for learning. It has an excellent sensor and loads of features. That seems a very good price and I presume it will come with at least 12 month warranty. I have not dealt with conns before but I have heard of them and they have been around for years. Not sure if they are located on the south quays close to trinity? If so may have been in the shop once.

Best of luck with you choice and hope your dad will be pleased with whatever you get.

Cheers. Thanks for that input, good to hear from someone who has had one.

The shop is down on Clarendon St. I'm going to give them a bell in the morning to ask a few more questions and then hopefully pick it up during the week.

paddym1

Hi,
Just came across this thread. I have also been looking at prices in the last few weeks. I posted what I thought were the best options for that kind of money on another thread (not sure if I can do this properly, but it is post number 28 in the thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057078261&page=2

Rowley Birkin QC

paddym1 wrote: »

Hi,
Just came across this thread. I have also been looking at prices in the last few weeks. I posted what I thought were the best options for that kind of money on another thread (not sure if I can do this properly, but it is post number 28 in the thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057078261&page=2

Thanks Paddy, will check them out.

I'm leaning towards bricks and mortar shops for now as I'd like to be able fire (probably idiotic) questions at people and also I know the oul lad would be happier to know the money was spent here rather than abroad!

Rowley Birkin QC

Headwrecked.

Leaning back towards a D3100 now. I came in with a budget of €400 and it's creeping well past €500 now as I look at D5100's. I'm gone off the idea of a refurb entirely based on discussions with a few places today.

Camera.ie have pack for €430 that includes:

• D3100
• 18-55mm Lens
• 16GB Card
• Case
• Training

D3100 gets good reviews and that would look to be a good beginner pack including some help to get him up and running.

Thoughts?

Rowley Birkin QC

Alternatively, Amazon have a D3200 & 18-55 VR lens & 32GB Card & Case for €397 delivered (net of £30 cashback from Nikon). That could be a winner.

MarkN

What about this?

http://www.pixmania.ie/consumer-slr-camera/canon-eos-600d-digital-camera-ef-s-18-55mm-dc-iii-lens/21296657-a.html

I'd nearly be CERTAIN that if you go into a Harvey Norman they will match this on their price promise and you might get a memory card plus a bag thrown in. There's €40 cash back on the 600D too.

They matched a price I found online on a Canon 6D and I really couldn't have bought it cheaper online in the end.

Show them the link above as your bargaining tool, you could get it for €409 in theory!

meolwan

I will throw my 2 pence worth in to the thread. I know nothing about photography and my other half is the same. I bought her a D3100 for her birthday. She loves it and she also joined the local camera club to learn how to use it. Just a thought for you.

Rowley Birkin QC

I just ordered the D3200 & 18-55mm VR from Amazon. €397 net of cashback. I picked up a Class 10 16GB for €13, just need to find a case now!

Thanks for all the help, I'll be back when I'm trying to figure out my own SLR!

Tiriel

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

I just ordered the D3200 & 18-55mm VR from Amazon. €397 net of cashback. I picked up a Class 10 16GB for €13, just need to find a case now!

Thanks for all the help, I'll be back when I'm trying to figure out my own SLR!

I'm sure he'll love it - everyone better watch out and look their best in your house this Christmas! Snap, snap, snap

adox

Rowley Birkin QC wrote: »

I just ordered the D3200 & 18-55mm VR from Amazon. €397 net of cashback. I picked up a Class 10 16GB for €13, just need to find a case now!

Thanks for all the help, I'll be back when I'm trying to figure out my own SLR!

I`m using a D3200, my first DSLR, got it seven months ago. Its a great entrey level DSLR.
I`m sure he will love it.