SLR digital cameras.... your views please!

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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:47 am

My Mrs already has a Canon Eos wet film SLR and is getting into her photography hobby quite nicely.
I own a HP digital camera at 6.2 MP.

With Christmas coming up, I want to buy her a digital SLR camera.
I have a budget of something like �400 (about $800 for our US readers)....
Can I afford a decent digital SLR camera at this budget? What should I consider?
Should I consider a pre used model?

All thoughts and ideas appreciated.

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 5:39 am

It's worth considering this @ $800

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Nikon/nikon_d40x.asp

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:47 am

SLR digital

Great question

My fav is still my Nikon FG

However just like a beautiful guitar it's the monkey holding it that makes the difference.

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:44 am

I got one of these ( http://www.ebuyer.com/product/120897 ).

It's a great bit of kit and comes in under budget too.
I'll post some example pics when I get myself sorted

MOD edit - fixed the link - crash

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 12:36 pm

I asked my wife the camera junkie (also works at a repair place), Nikon D40 or Nikon D80 are the first words out of her mouth (I think she's hinting at them for Christmas as well Very Happy

) . She said the Canon Rebel is a good one, but a lot of camera for a novice user. She also recommends accidental extended warranty plans because of the problems that can occur with the replacing of the lenses.

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 1:05 pm

Mug: One consideration is if she has a lot of lenses for her film camera you might want a digi from the same manufacturer as the lenses will likely be compatible thus saving a ton of money on a whole new set of lenses.

One consideration is the flash memory card you purchase. Do not skimp here. Get one that writes FAST. This will reduce the time between shots.

Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 3:20 pm

I would consider getting a Canon EOS 30D. (don�t know what this model is called where you live). Mainly because the new 40D is out and therefore the 30D can be purchased at a good price now (look on ebay for good offers).
I would surely prefer this model over a Nikon D40 (which is low end D-SLR from Nikon) or a Canon EOS 400D
About the lenses of the current Canon camera she owns: don�t forget to consider the crop factor
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crop_factor

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:02 am

@Mugatu, as your SO already has Canon gear and I presume a small collection of decent compatible lenses, I'd suggest the Canon EOS 400D. You might be lucky enough to find a good s/h one.

The body only package may be just out of your budget but it certainly would be worth considering if the existing lenses are high quality ones. I'll also suggest budgeting for a new clip-on flash if she used one with her film camera.

My choice of digi SLR is a Pentax K10 D as I already have a collection of decent manual focus Pentax lenses.

hth and Good Luck Smile

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:03 am

What everyone has said about sticking with Canon if you have Canon stuff makes perfect sense. However, if she doesn't have a big investment in Canon equipment, you might want to consider Pentax. I have a Pentax DSLR and what sold me was the price and shake reduction built into the camera body rather than the lens. (I'm an available light enthusiast). This makes the lenses cheaper and third party lenses are easier to get. (I own both Nikon and Pentax SLR film cameras and Fuji digital cameras also.)

Having said that, my real advice is: Unless she is the type to place great importance on the surprise aspect, let her pick her own. Something this *important* *expensive* *personal* should have input from the end user.

Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:55 pm

You can get a Canon Digital Rebel XT / EOS 350D quite cheap now, it only has a couple of bells and whistles less than this years model. I got one last year and I love it. I spent a lot on lenses, as the kit one was a disappointment, but your Mrs has compatible lenses already. If you got her another brand she wouldn't get much for them second hand, and would have to re equip.

a bit like motorbikes, if you buy a new one, you know if it has ever been dropped - you don't with a used one.

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:01 am

I gotta say - the 400d is a great camera but the kit lens just isnt up to the job.

For the $ without getting a better lens, get a fuji s9600.

If you have the $, get the 400d, a 50mm f1.8 and grow from there.

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:39 am

Thanks for the views so far, some real food for thought.

I see the logic of sticking with a Canon (she does indeed have 2 lenses already and a few other bits).... I had no idea that lenses weren't interchangeable between makes of camera.

It's looking a very expensive business though, even if I get a decent camera for �400, I see that there are flash guns, battery grips, flash cards and all the other gubbins to worry about as well!

I thought I might get a half decent package for 400 quid. Confused

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:08 am

Personally, I use the Canon 350d. And I think it's a pretty good idea to get your missus a Canon, mate.

Firstly, since she's already been using a Canon FSLR, it wouldn't be that much of a hassle to get used to a digital model of the same brand. Of course it's a plus that she's got a coupla lenses left over from her old Canon.

Moreover, there really is a larger selection of Canon lenses in the market. It's pretty much easier to get a Canon lens than a few of the other brands in the market nowadays..

Just my two cents.

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:24 am

I use this:

Fuji9600

It's a hybrid SLR. Although the lens is not interchangeable, everything else can be done manually or, if you're a lazy git like me, automatically.
Price-wise, it's dropped tremendously for a recent camera. You should easily be able to pick one up on the net for almost half of it's �400 RRP (Bastards. Why wasn't it so cheap when I got mine?)
Without a doubt, the best camera I have ever owned.

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:28 pm

@ Mugatu, Just a thought: Is there a camera club that meets somewhere near where you live? Some members may offer more assistance in decision making than what we can. Perhaps with some 'hands on' with a few of the makes/models mentioned and hopefully with your SO's existing lenses etc.

Whilst on the topic, a camera club/photo society membership probably would be a pretty nice gift too Wink

Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:44 pm

^^ No there isn't, but I have spoken with a mate today who is a keen photographer. He backs up many here on the idea that the Canon 350D is a very good entry level camera, within budget, (with change to afford some extras!) and is also compatible with the existing lenses.

I'm bidding on one on ebay at the mo, they go for �350 or so retail in the shops, but this clearance house has them going in auctions for around the �250 mark which still leaves a couple of hundred for another decent lens, a tripod and a shutter switch. (And maybe a bag).

Fingers crossed.

Thanks for all the help so far.

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:51 am

Don't know if this will help, but I read from some replies above recommending the 50mm 1.8 portrait lens. I can vouch for it in terms of price and useability. Costs about USD$90 to about a $100, I reckon? Really good for the price and theres not much of a difference between the 50mm 1.4, though the latter carries a heftier price tag.

So, if you're thinking of getting a coupla lenses to go with that nifty present, that would get my vote. That's assuming your lady doesn't already have it, though.

Now all i gotta do is to find someone who cares enough to get me something like that this year... Laughing

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:20 am

Yeah, I stretched my cash to get the 400d 18-55 kit, but am a little disappointed because the lens cant keep up with what I'm doing. And now my camera fund is dry for another 6 moths or so.

Gotta spend even more $ to make it work good, whereas the fuji s-series are quality all the way through the zoom.

Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 4:17 pm

Never buy a Nikon D40 or D40x, because the autofocus of most of the lenses wont work. This means that when using non AF-S lenses on a D40 is only possible with manual focus. A Nikon D40(x) only works perfect (with autofocus) when using AF-S lenses. But most of the Nikon lenses (or third party lenses) aren't AF-S lenses. After a while, most people want to buy extra lenses for their camera and in that case it sucks when you hardly have a choice.

If you consider to buy a Canon dslr, the 18-55 kitlens isn't a good lens, so buy an onther one instead.

All the other camera's are fine.

Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:05 am

So, thank you to everyone who's had an input on this so far, it's all very much appreciated.

I'm swinging towards the Canon 350D (Rebel XT) at the moment as it's under budget and allows me to buy her a nice lens on top of the kit one. The 400d (Rebel XTi) is my other consideration.

Thing is, they're easy to come by (400Ds that is) on ebay for about �300 ($600). They come "Factory sealed", i.e used and refurbished by the factory, then given a new warranty. I'm told by the seller that each camera "may have slight blemishes".

This worries me slightly.

Does my wifey need the extra features of the 400D? What does it do that the 350D doesn't?

Anyone come across these factory sealed cameras before? Are they scuffed?

Input welcome as always! And thanks so far.

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 3:45 am

Mugatu wrote:

Should I consider a pre used model?

Pre-Used? Does that mean NEW?

Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:13 pm

Quote:

Does my wifey need the extra features of the 400D? What does it do that the 350D doesn't?

I just bought myself the EOS 400D two weeks ago and I think it is a great camera where you get a lot of camera for the price.

For an in depth review (where you can also see the changes from the 350D), see this here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos400d/

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