What DSLR??

Hey guys,

well i am interested in stepping up and getting a DSLR so i can take some
nice shots

i was just after your guys opinions on what is a good camera and what do you use personally?

looking at the lower end of the market so not thousands of dollars please haha

Also, if anyone has one they are wanting to sell let me know

Cheers

[Bear]

Do you have a max $$ value in mind?

max probably around 1000

[fats212]

I looked into a cheap DSLR for someones chrissy present. At the time the Canon 1000D was a little bit too much for them, but now it can definitely be had within your price range. I certainly thought it was the pick of the bunch though.

They ended up going with a Sony Alpha300. I tried talking them out of it, but once I had a play with it I was really impressed. It feels solid, seems to take nice photos, has in body stabilisation and came with what, at first glance, seems like a decent kit lens (plus all the other gizmos). Whether in body stabilisation is as good as in the lens I dont know, but its sure as hell cheaper. Plus you can use any Minolta lens (so I am told) on the Sony's.

I think the Pentax K200D is also worth a look, it seems to get pretty good reviews and it also has in body stabilisation.

I dont really like the cheap Nikon's (on paper at least), and they don't seem to fare too well in reviews either. I am not just being brand loyal either (just wait till GTX gets on here for that). I am a massive fan of the D300, but it is a very long way out of your budget (and mine).

Also, its worth remembering that a good lens is probably more important than a good body. It will be hard to find a camera for less than a grand with a good kit lens, but I know you can get the K200D (pentax) with a fairly reasonable Sigma lens from some places.

Hope that helps a bit.

[ruski]

Or you could look at a quality compact like the Canon G10

Picked one up for $623 last week

[Mark M]

Originally Posted by Fishyman

max probably around 1000

This one is my pick:
http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/canon450d.htm
review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos450d/

Second pick for less $$$$
http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/canoneos1000d.htm
review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1000d/

This gets a great review too:
http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/nikond60.htm
review here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond60/


Some background prices here:
http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/index.htm

thanks guys ill look into it

[gtxrally]

Not really going to get into this one, but would either buy a Nikon or a canon, more for down the track when you upgrade your gear you want to be with one of these brands, their glass is far superior to any other brands on the market.
If you buy anything other than these you will be forever upgrading.
Just my Nikon's worth
Dale.

[Ozzy1]

I have the Nikon D40x and twin lense kit , got a great writeup on dpreview.com and was equal to the Canon 400D which it was pitted against , the writer more or less saying brand loyalty to as which one to buy. Mine is now superseded by the Nikon D60 twin lens VR kit VR standing for Vibration Reduction. This can be had for a grand at the moment and if you can talk the talk you may get them down a bit more. When I was looking I looked at the Canon and the Nikon and the Pentax and decided on the Nikon purely as it felt right in my hand , the Canon didn't feel right and the Pentax really didn't have what I was after. I am useless when it comes to electronics and how they work but the Nikon I find very easy to learn and the functions easy to understand. Either Canon or Nikon for a grand will get you a good camera , the final decision is which one feels right to you.

Cheers
Ozzy

[fats212]

I will second the 450D. I didn't realise they were going that cheap. Not sure about the cheap 18-55 lens though.

[Bear]

Also, hunt around when it comes to $$$. I use http://www.praimaging.com.au in WA and they sell online. All the guys in the shop are photographers and know their stuff.

Happy hunting.

Canon for me

[splashy]

I'm looking at the Pentax as it is the only brand that comes standard with a splash-proof, dust-proof, sand-proof seals on the body..... works for me

[Justin Boyle]

Definately canon or nikon. Ur better off buying a decent lens then a huge MP camera so that counts the 6mp nikon's in. I've seen bodies new for $500. Don't play with pentax or any of the other smaller brands. I don't think their prices are any better and lens choice is a lot smaller. In the event that one day you decide to buy a good DSLR it won't be a pentax or an olympus which renders all your lenses useless if you happen to go down that road. My preference is nikon. I feel that their cheaper cameras feel and look better. Haven't held a canon for a while but their original bottom of the line DSLRS were very plastic and light. I also prefer nikon lenses. Probably get flamed for that but hey.

If you buy a nikon this lens would have to be part of a budget kit I believe. It is a sweet piece of glass for the dollars.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NEW-NIKON-AF-...QQcmdZViewItem
Justin

[Piscateur]

Stick with nikon or canon, for future insurance, as when you do upgrade from your first and you most probably will, it will be to either one of these brands and then you can still use your old lenses.
With the Nikons the D40 & D60 does not have the auto focus mechanism on the body which means you will need to buy lenses with autofocus if you get frustrated doing it manually. Some Effect Lenses without AF can be quite cheap under $200 tha will give you pictures that cant really be achieved by compacts. With the AF they will generally be above $400.

[DJC2]

I saw the Nikon D80 on sale a few days ago for just over a grand. the model is a couple of years old but this is a quality 10MP camera and comes with a much better standard lens than the ones you get with the Canons (I currently have the Canon 400D).

I dont think it has dust removal tho from memory but worth a look given the price range and perhaps compare stats/ features with the newer Canons.

Cheers