Digital Slr Cameras

[wozza]

Ok have between £500 and £600 to spend on a half decent SLR camera. Possibly could go to more if its worth it.

 

But wanting advice on what to buy and what things I should look at etc. Was looking at the Canon 400D. I know theres a few of you that are into your photography or get paid for it etc so want some good sound advice chaps please.

 

Just sick of my other 2 cameras as well there both pretty naff and getting on a bit now. My main digi cam is getting on for 6 years old now. So time for something new and would like an SLR this time.

 

Also need to know where is best to buy things from as well.

 

Any help would be great cheers.

 

Tom.

[BigJohnD]

The question is, what are you using the camera and its output for?

 

FWIW…

 

The Canons are very good indeed; you are unlikely to go far wrong with it. Canon have always designed and built the lot including the lenses themselves. A couple of friends use and swear by them.

 

I've had a Canon A1 for almost 30 years with four or five lenses, 7 frame/sec motor drive (which I sold as it ate film and batteries), pair of speedlite and all the other stuff to fill the kitbag, which I used for semi pro stuff - mostly weddings and family which I hate, journalistic stuff, Sunday/amateur sports and the odd promotional thing. I just wish Canon made a replacement digital backplate! I don't do ektachrome any more…

 

However, they are large and fairly heavy cameras, especially with a big lens. Changing lenses always seemed time consuming and I missed more than one opportunity by not having the appropriate lens on. I've always preferred the higher rez of prime lenses to zooms.

 

These days, I find myself carrying my Panasonic Lumix/Leica FX01 in my pocket all the time. It's small, quick, unobtrusive and easy to use.

 

It's terrific for web pictures and for good quality colour prints at A5. The flash is obviously naff, where as a Canon Speedlite will be good for even lighting at a dozen metres or more, and both narrow and wide angles.

 

I suspect you want something more heavyweight than the Panasonic.

[wozza]

Went into a couple shops today and ended up making an impulse purchase after speaking to a few guys about things and looking at cameras in my range.

 

I now have a 400D could not afford any other lenses yet so just got the one that comes with it.

 

Not had chance to play with it much yet as only got home a short while ago but battery is on charge now then will be looking at it a bit more. Will be asking advice on lenses though as i want something that will do some nice distance shots. Something for doing cityscapes etc at night that kind of thing.

[wozza]

Only picture I have really taken though so far is one of my new puppy. As dont have many pictures of her so wanted some of her while she is still fairly small. Managed to snap one of her in the split second my mum could keep hold of her without her trying to run away and play or chew something. (usually my feet)

 

http://www.mybigspoon.com/wozza/poppy.JPG

 

Rest are just me experimenting with it.

[BigJohnD]

Only picture I have really taken though so far is one of my new puppy.

Looks sharp, and the narrow depth of field suggests a nice fast lens. Cool!

[avedis]

I have the older Canon 350D and swear by it, fantastic camera, does everything I want - both home and semi-pro stuff.

I made sure I also had two 520Mb memory cards, so effectively unlimited shooting for a day.

Lenses, obviously the more you pay, the better spec, the better result.

I use both the one that came with it, which is corrected for digital, and a non-digital sigma 80-200 lens. With the non-digital lens, you just have to be aware what you see through the lens is not what you get.

 

I believe that the 400D is lighter and slightly improved, so I don't think you will go wrong with it.

[Babs]

I was lucky enough to have been bought the Pentax ist D L2 Digital SLR camera last year, (to be honest, I was one of those die hards who swore that I would never go to digital...., :rolleyes: ) and think its absolutely great. I love the fact that I still have to take the photo but if I dont like what I see I can delete it! :rolleyes:

 

The other great thing is that all my lens that I had for my manual Pentax SLR fit even the mirror lens.. ok you cant use them on auto but at least I can use them! So providing that the size of lens is compatible with the camera you can use your old lens.

[wozza]

Had and been using the Camera a while now. Love my 400D now.

 

Some pictures me and a friend took a few weeks ago.

 

http://s197.photobucket.com/albums/aa315/w.../RWS/?start=all