Entry level DSLR???

[Andy1982]

I've got a Canon 400D. Its awesome, I couldn't have asked for anything better!

[ianm]

Originally Posted by ACuity

quick question to the two of you, are the batteries rechargeable? or AA etc, cos i know some ppl still insist on designin cameras without rechargeable batteries

yeah the nikon has a lithium ion battery, with charger

[Cwilk]

My husband has the 40D. I would recommend the Canon over most of them because the analog and digital camera lenses are interchangeable.

[LeadMagnet]

I believe that applies to the Nikons too though Cwilk.

[Cwilk]

Nikon still doesn't fit every lenses to every camera. I have lenses from the 80s that work on our all our new Canon cameras. Nikon has yet to do this. It's not a huge amount, but it sure was a help when I didn't want to go out and buy new lenses.

[LeadMagnet]

I stand corrected.

[philjohns]

or the cannon (don't recall the letter) 40 seem popular

a Canon 40d for £300? You;d be lucky!! I think you mean the 400d, or as said above, the 450d - however these are both out of your price range.

I've just done this for a friend so I may as well post it up here too - their budget was around £500 but that included an extra lense.




For £500 you seem to be able tog et a real good kit now. The shop that I've been checking prices on is mostly www.warehousexpress.com as it tends to be fairly cheap (a lot cheaper than jessops) but also has a good reputation across the photographic business - it's in relation to the website I;m a member of - Digital Camera Reviews and Digital Photography Techniques
>
> Anyway, the kit lenses are pretty much all an 18-55mm lense - a standard lens of a wide angle, typically, wider than this will cost more as your getting into whats known as a fisheye lens.
>
>
> NIKON
>
> Nikon D40 - Only 6.1mp and has been upgraded to the D40x - £299 with kit lens - Nikon D40 Digital SLR with 18-55mm Lens (VBA150KU01) - Warehouse Express
>
> Nikon D40x - 10.2mp, a good camera and the cheapest of its kind on the market. Only downside is the motor for auto-focuss is built into the lens not the body - making lenses slightly more expensive. - £356 with kit lens - Nikon D40X Kit (with 18-55mm DX Lens)
>
> Nikon D60 - Next model up from the Nikon D40x, motor for auto-focus is built into the body of the camera. Pretty much all of budget spent - £449 - Nikon D60 with 18-55 ED II Lens Digital SLR Camera (VBA210KU01) - Warehouse Express
>
> Lenses for the Nikon cameras:
>
> Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens - A good lens for its price, I got mine second hand and its perfect; fairly fast auto-focusing and good quality images - £155 - Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens - Nikon fit (508944) - Warehouse Express
>
> Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DL Macro Super DG Lens - Pretty much the same lens as above but with a slightly lower optical quality - £96 - Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DL Macro Super DG Lens - Nikon fit (509944) - Warehouse Express
>
> Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens - Havent used it myself but is very similar to the above two. Has a fairly good review for its price - £96 - Tamron 70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD Macro Lens - Nikon Fit (5527) - Warehouse Express
>
> Best buy for Nikon? In my opinion if your budget is £500 then I would go for:
>
> - Nikon D40x with kit lens - £356
> - Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DL Macro Super DG Lens - £96
> - Leaves £48 for memory card/bag/tripod etc
>
>
> CANON
>
> Canon 350d - I have it and love it. It's been discontinued now though by the Canon 400d and the Canon 450d would still be a great buy if you can get it - £324 with kit lens - Porta Gadgets UK :: Digital Camera :: Canon Digital Camera :: EOS Series :: Canon EOS 350D Kit (18-55mm) Digital Camera
>
> Canon 400d - Good camera, good build, similar to Nikon D40x but lens motor is built into body. - £398 with kit lens - Canon EOS 400D Digital SLR with 18-55mm Lens (1237B004AA) - Warehouse Express
>
> Canon 450d - Next camera up from the Canon 400d therefore is slightly better. However is over budget. - £599 body only (no lens) - Canon EOS 450D Body (2758B009AA) - Warehouse Express
>
>
> Lenses for the Nikon Cameras - pretty much the same as above but with a different mount.
>
> Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6 DC Lens - Shorter reach than the lense below but with just as good a build quality - £84 - Sigma 55-200mm f4-5.6 DC Lens - Canon fit (684927) - Warehouse Express
>
> Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens - See Nikon Version - £155 - Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO Macro Super DG Lens - Canon Fit (508927) - Warehouse Express
>
> Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DL Macro Super DG Lens - Pretty much the same lens as above but with a slightly lower optical quality - £96 - Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 Macro DG Lens - Canon Fit (509927) - Warehouse Express
>
> Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III Lens - Canon version of the above lense but a lot more money as it's Canon - £150 - Canon EF 75-300mm f4-5.6 III Lens (6473A002AA) - Warehouse Express
>
> Best buy for Canon? Is hard to say, it depends on how many accesories you want i.e. mem. cards, a tripod, a bag...
>
> - either Canon 350d or 400d - £324/£398
> - Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 DL Macro Super DG Lens - £96
> - with the 400d your not left much for accesories - and a memory is a must ;) With the 350d you are left with around £50
>
>
> Lense choice really depends on what he wants to shoot. If you or Russ' mum knows what that he wants to shoot something imparticular, let me know as if he wants to shoot macro - plants, insects etc then he'll want a macro lense, for birds/wildlife a longer lense is best but for landscape a wide angle is sometimes preferred.
>
> A memory card normally needs to be brought seperately, mines 2GB and I rarely fill it up on one shoot. DONT BUY FROM EBAY
> A tripod can also be handy for night shoots, landscapes etc - mines this and its a brilliant buy! - Giottos VT 809 3-Section Tripod with 3 Way Head and Quick Release : Tripods : Tripod Kits : Buy a Giottos VT 809 3-Section Tripod with 3 Way Head and Quick Release:Fotosense

[Acuity]

^brilliant mate, have a sift thru all that today!

[Acuity]

Originally Posted by Andy1982

I've got a Canon 400D. Its awesome, I couldn't have asked for anything better!

Do you just use the bog standard 18-25mm lens or did you buy the 22 one?

[philjohns]

Correct me if Im wrong but the standard lens isnt 18-25mm , its 18-55mm.

I've got the Canon 350d and also love it, it also came with the same lens that the 400d does, the Canon 18-55mm.

Theres not a lot to say about it really - its a standard lens. Does the job and, to be honest, it does it really well. However there are a lot better lenses out there...unless your looking for something specific, I'de go for this lens and a 70-300mm tos tart with. Tehn decide what you wanna shoot and chose your lenses accordingly.