What DSLR camera should I get?

[ilabstudios]

Hey guys,

Received my University loan finally :)

and want to get a SLR still camera, mostly for studio portrait photography but might want to shoot the occational landscape and use the macro mode on flowers, insects etc.

I have at most £1,200 to spend, so what I've been told is buy a decent cheap Canon camera with a cheap lense for about £900 but not sure :S

I'm also never going to spend £2,000 on a lense so what is my best option?

[Arkady]

There a plenty of entry level semi-pro DSLR's to be had for a under 500 pounds and these would come fitted with a quite reasonable lower middle range zoom lens, which would cover most of the focal lengths you need - for studio portraits on a 35mm equivalency camera you need something around 100 - 120mm. I personally favour Canon but Nikon Fuji and Olympus are also good choices. I would look for something along the lines of the Canon 400D

[Conteo]

Got got a Nikon D40 with my student loan, its amazing. Cost me £360 in total, thats with a stand bad mem card etc.

[Andy1982]

I bought a Canon 400D Twin Lens Pack at the start of the year. Its a fantastic camera, I'm still learning how to use it. The Nikon D80 is a fantastic camera as well, a friend of mine bought one and she loves the thing. Produces good quality images as well! It was a it out of my price range but it could be well worth considering. Also, go to a camera store and tell them what your after and ask to hold them as well so you can feel what its like in your hand. You don't want something that is going to feel awkward in and will fall out of your hand.