First Time DSLR buyer - what to buy?

[MrsP1000]

Hi

My husband and I are wanting to buy a DSLR, we are stuck between the Nikon D5000 and the Canon EOS 500D.

Are these good cameras (we can only really afford £500 as we want to buy lenses)?
Which one would you recommend?

Then with regards to lenses the cameras come with 18 - 55mm lenses, which other lens should we get. We are wanting to photograph family shots, holidays and landscapes.

I would really appreciate any advice that you are willing to share.

Many Thanks

[silversnapper1]

They are both extremely good cameras. The only way for you to choose is to go in to your local camera shop and handle them. They will both feel different. If you are uncomfortable with one of them then you will not use it and it will be a waste of money.

I think that the biggest problem that you may have is that you may like the handling of one and MrP may like the handling of the other.

Steve.

[Eyeayen]

As silversnapper1 says it is down to personal taste once you've handled them as they are both great camera's. I read a review of 'kit' lenses a while back now and the Nikon came out just slightly better.

Something else to look at for later though is how much accessories cost for each manufacturer / model.

As the end of the day though you need to spend some time handling it in the shop and bugging the hell out of the staff with questions, then go away for at least a day and when you think you've decided go back and handle them again to check. Then make your purchase.

Let us know which one you go for, it might help someone else down the line

[OldBoy]

Camera choice is upto you as others have said, both are great cameras and will give you hours of fun. If you choose the Canon then either the Canon 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS or the Canon 70-200mm F4 USM would serve you well. My choice would be the latter. If it's the Nikon then buy the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 VR which is a cracking lens. If you buy the kit lens along with the camera, then that will cover you at the 18mm end for landscapes. I often use my Nikon 70-200mm F2.8 VR with 1.4 converter for landscapes including sunrises and sunsets.

[chris-p]

Everyone else has pretty much covered everything...

As said before, there is no real difference between the cameras in terms of quality. If you prefer the ergonomics and handling of one over the other then buy that one. If you still can't decide, pick the cheapest one, or at least the one that you get more thrown in with.

[JulianBaird]

I had a similar problem a few years ago. I went Nikon because they had a better lens range at the time. Not so much of a problem now.

Do any of your friends have an SLR? If they are Nikon or Canon, it might be worth going with what they have as you'll be able to swap lenses etc.

[jinky]

Yes as said if it feels right in your hand and you can get around the buttons ok that`s what to get as the are so similar in quality. The Nikon kit lens is better I think but as suggested who else you know with what might affect what you get as you can borrow gear that matches up. Just don`t pay the first price you see. If in UK use camerapricebuster (google it) and they tell you who is cheapest for the model you want and use that to barter. the likes of Jessops and jacobs rarely match internet prices but you`d be amazed what comes up sometimes. I got my D700 at Currys of all places when they were doing a 10% off everything deal. Jacobs and Jessops just could not match it and I couldn`t get a UK internet price to match. Throw in the 5 year accidental damage / guarantee I got for £59 and it was one of my best buys

[AlanBall]

I'm in the same situation but am considering the Nikon D3100, Sony A33 (which is affordable with the VAT back campaign) or the Panasonic G2. I've handled them all and they all feel great, I like the smaller feel of the G2 but am worried about the smaller sensor size but as I'm only a hobbist is it a probelm ??

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by AlanBall

I like the smaller feel of the G2 but am worried about the smaller sensor size but as I'm only a hobbist is it a probelm ??

Hi Alan, welcome to the forum.

It depends on what you define as a problem?

For most people, it won't be an issue. It is fractionally harder to get very very wide angle shots with the smaller sensor but with lenses like the Panasonic 7-14mm f/4 and the Olympus 9-18mm f/4-5.6 it's not really a problem.

[Kierano]

You are lucky, in that you are not already tied in with any particular brand, as you don't have the lenses. Around one month ago I was in the same position. There's an awful lot of deliberation and sleepless nights you can go through, and this is time that you could be spending taking beautiful shots and learning about your new kit. Having gone for the Canon EOS 550D, I can vouch for the 500 which shares many of the same features. Whatever you go for, try and get hold of a handbook that's model-specific. Jeff Revell does these books called 'From snapshots to great shots' which cover both Canon and Nikon and are superb, so you're bound to get the most out of your camera.

Also bear in mind that it's well worth joining a photographic society so that you can borrow their lenses from time to time...

Good luck!