Advicwe needed before i spend hard earned cash!1

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by flake

I have to dissagree that it's important to 'feel' a camera in the shop. Most DSLR's are going to seem broadly similar and offer very similar control and features, so unless there's something you really really need that the other manufacturers don't offer then copping a feel isn't going to help.

I disagree. While all cameras are broadly similar - the ergonomics can make a huge difference. I was trying out a Sony a330 the other day and it was awful. Nothing wrong with the camera on paper but badly built, poor materials and not a single button in the right place. For me thats enough of a reason to suggest handling a camera.

[Robyn Regan]

I am a new owner of a DSLR...I was so lucky to get a great buy on ebay. I got a D70 and not a wear mark on it...the guy who owned it never used it....lucky me!!!! It came with a 18-70mm lens....and I bought a Tamron lens 70-300mm....I really want a 18-200mm Nikkor lens....but hey one day. I got the Camera for 326 and the Tamron lens for 100 at Curreys. I love my camera!!!!
xxxRobby

[Tazzers]

Feel and handling aside, you have £900. a D90 with a 18-105mm kit lens (which is by all accounts very good) will set you back about £800 leaving you with enough for a memory card or two and a little left over. That would see you for the time being but have you thought about the D5000?

You could have one with an 18-55 VR kit lens for £530. Then you could spend £70 on memory cards and £300 on a nice macro lens. The only drawback here is that any lens you want autofocus to work would have to be HSM or AF-S, thats not really an issue for macro photography as manual focus is recomended but still...............

So what about Canon?

An EOS1000D with an 18-55mm kit lens (no IS) is less than 400 and I think you are better catered for with regard AF lenses. I'm a Nikon user so I'll be put right here but I don't think Canon put an AF motor onto any of their bodies so the lens system comes complete with AF unlike the Nikons (I've got that wrong haven't I?). Anyway that would give you £500 for the rest of your kit. Going up a step and into roughly the Nikon D5000 bracket is the EOS450D coming in at less than £500 with an 18-55mm kit lens, this time with image stabilisation.

Olympus:

I have always been tempted by the Oly's. I know you can still get an E420 twin lens kit for less than £400, don't discount last years models, they might not have as many features but they will still do what you want them to do.

Unless of course you want HD video.................

Sony.

I have to make a comment about the new Sony A3xx series feel and handling. Personally I do not like them at all but the older A200s feel much nicer and review very well. Warehouse Express are still selling A200s with an 18-200mm superzoom lens for £530.

Pentax (be still my beating heart)

K20D with an 18-55mm lens is just shy of £600............................

The Samsung GX20 is basically a Pentax K20, you can have one with a kit lens for about £550.

What does that leave us?

Panasonic. Strictly speaking I'm not sure Panasonic Lumix cameras are DSLRs as they have no mirror (I've got that wrong as well haven't I?), they review well though prices are a tad high because the systems are newish............ oh hang on you can have a G1 with a 14-42mm lens for around £450.

Nobody makes a bad DSLR thats true, look out for a system with a good range of lenses, Canon and Nikon win hands down in this respect.

I've written too much again. Sorry.

[chris-p]

Tzeers has given a pretty comprehensive overview!

I agree with him about the new Sonys. As I said above, they feel badly made out of very cheap materials. If you can get an older one like tha a350 then you're onto a winner.

£900 is a lot of cash. I've got a Nikon D90 and rate it highly but you're not going to be doing much macro with the 18-105. I would recommend a cheaper camera body and spend more on a good macro lens.

On the Olympus range... these are great cameras. I had an E-510 and loved it to bits (not literally!). I would recommend the 500 series over the 400 series simply for the image stabilisation. It's the one big difference (body styles apart).

[lolabird]

Thanks for all the brilliant advice, finally took the plunge and after a visit to Calumet in Belfast have ordered a Nikon D90 with 18-105mm lense. After having a feel of a few different makes (Canon, Olympus etc) i decided on the Nikon so am now waiting impatiently until they get some in (out of stock when i went up). Price was good i think at £789 for package and their discounted memory cards gave me change out of £800 so now i will be saving for the next lens i guess. However i think it will take me a while to get to grips what what i have ordered so i am in no hurry at the moment to buy any other equipment. This means that i will probably be on here asking really dumb questions instead!! Thanks again for all your advice can't wait to get going!

[chris-p]

Congratulations! You won't be disappointed with the D90, it's a fantastic camera

[lolabird]

Thanks Chris can't wait to get started - so excited but know i have a pretty steep learning curve in front of me lynda

[tjw_78]

Originally Posted by krennon

I would suggest have a look/phone someone like PARK CAMERAS or WAREHOUSE EXPRESS and see what deal they would offer you

I'm looking at getting my own DSLR next spring, probably a D90, as I will eventually have to give my father's D70 back to him (he keeps saying that he needs asecond body. I'm not sure he really does, but I digress)

My question is, is it worth haggling and asking about getting a deal, as this previous post suggests?

Tim

[chris-p]

Depends on where you go. If you go to a show somewhere then it might be worth haggling.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by tjw_78

I'm looking at getting my own DSLR next spring, probably a D90, as I will eventually have to give my father's D70 back to him (he keeps saying that he needs asecond body. I'm not sure he really does, but I digress)

My question is, is it worth haggling and asking about getting a deal, as this previous post suggests?

Tim

Always worth trying to haggle either on price or extras. Remember cash is king but that doesn't apply to Jessops, as they wouldn't give me a penny off the Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 lens.