yankeedoodlepigeon Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Hi All. I am looking for a DSLR for my other half for Christmas. What would you say would be your choice for around the £3-400 price range? He has been looking at the Nikon 1 I don't think its a dslr but are they any good? Regards Ydp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I've just got a canon powershot sx30 is and im very happy and impressed with it don't think you can go wrong with canon or Nikon though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I think you will find as many valid but differing opinions on here regarding cameras as you will on preferences of gun . The Nikon 1 range has a full review in this month's Practical Photography and they rate it well, but say it is still not quite as good as a full DSLR on quality and that the V1 is the best of the two. FWIW, at the price quoted in the mag, you are really close to the cost of a base/medium Nikon/other full DSLR like the D3100, or with a bit more added, the D90. It depends what your other half wants to use it for and if they will eventually want to kit out with extra lenses/other flash systems etc, but first and foremost, I would say get to the shop and handle one - feel the ease of controls etc. I have the Nikon D90, pleased I waited to get the full DSLR, can always get better, but it does all I need and can be expanded with other lenses etc to a spec for almost full pro use, in fact I have two friends who are pro photographers and they use D90's as their workaday units. I am sure there will be others on here just as passionate about Canon etc, though. I think it is like a gun, you can be blinded by fancy specs and bling and buy something which you will never use to its full potential, but leaves you scope for later, or get a more basic one and upgrade again if you really get the bug, having said all of that, there is a lot to be said for pride of ownership of a beautiful piece of equipment - so having talked a lot and said nothing, possibly confusing you even more, good luck in choosing . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I am a bit out of it now but my belief from a few years ago when I was in the industry is that pound for pound all digital cameras are the same under the skin. A bit like laptops, different names on the outside but same motherboards HDs etc inside. Branding is fairly meaningless today compared to the complex issues that affected cameras when they were 35mm. Buy what you feel comfortable with and what feels must user friendly to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muggins. Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 The best Canon you can afford. Remember, what ever you buy you will soon want a better one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holly Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 The best Canon you can afford. Remember, what ever you buy you will soon want a better one!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpk Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I had a canon 350d for that money with an 18-55 lenses that will get started on a nice bit of kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitchynik Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Sounds like a gay answer but choose the one that fits your hands best. My hands don't like Canon's and I much prefer a Nikon layout. Also think about what cameras/lenses your mates/family might have so you can swap/borrow them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitchynik Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 The best Canon you can afford. Remember, what ever you buy you will soon want a better one!! No. The body will be the cheapest bit. More money will be spent on lenses and that is where the real differences will be found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Mongrel- Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 The Sony Alpha range are very good value for money, and the image processor is the same as used by another well known manufacturer that begins with a N and ends ikon, as said, a lot of these cameras are very similar underneath so I'd advise buying the spec you want or need but look at which manufacturers can cater for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photopro Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 I would recommend Canon compacts, the Ixus and Powershot ranges. They use CCD sensors rather than CMOS for better image quality and their software is pretty straightforward if you aren't really into photography. The Ixus is a very compact version, the 220HS a good mid range camera in stainless steel. The Powershot D10 is waterproof and shockproof and with a 12.1MP almost made for the use you are likely to put it to. If the two quoted are out of your price bracket there are others available in Canon's range of a lower spec which may fit the bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m3vert Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 (edited) Some good advice on here for you but some complete tosh as well Vince Green there is nothing the same under a Canon or Nikon SLR skins mate Anyway if folks are honest there are two main players in the SLR world, Nikon and Canon. Both are very good with Nikon probably edging it in the current SLR ranges. But thats just my opinion and many will say Canon are better. Regardless if you spend £300-400 at what will be an entry digital SLR you will get a decent camera for sure, wither its Canon or Nikon (I wouldnt consider any other brand myself. Consider a decent well looked after 2nd hand unit either from one of the popular camera forums (Google POTN photographers on the net for Canon) and I am sure Nikon will have something similar. Check out their for sale section and you are likely to pick up something decent. If you want to get from a 2nd hand shop there is always Ffordes who are just outside Inverness and have a great website, with great after service. If you are only considering brand new Warehouse Express are likely to be your best bet for best price, although many others will price match as well. You must shop around! One thing you MUST consider is this. If you want an SLR just so your photos are that much better than a point and shoot, it aint the camera that is going to do that. Only with good glass will you see the real benefit. Good glass means only 1 thing kerching! cash and lots of it!!! Have a look at the guy who posts in the picture section on here, possible Doc??? anyway he is shooting with a 600mm Canon F4 lens, he will have paid more for that lens than most people pay on a car!! Good glass=good shots, granted thats being unfair on the photographer who must always play a vital role!! Having said ALL the above, unless your other half is going to take this up as a serious hobby and be willing to throw cash at various lenses, I would probably spend my £300-400 on something like the Canon G12. Not sure what the Nikon equivelant is?but there will be one I would think? However for the money I dont think there is another compact that will produce images that will rival this fantastic compact! I bought one as I was fed up dragging loads of kit on family outings/holidays and I love it! I have spent more money than I care to mention on cameras and equipment (lets just say I could have a Purdey and not a Beretta) The G12 is getting used more and more and the other bodies and lenses gathering more and more dust due to the fantastic results that can be had with the G12! You can produce professional quality images when used within its range and it is very very easy to use. You can use it as a point and shoot or be as fancy/artistic as you want just as you would with an SLR, it also takes a hotshoe flash as well which is unusual for compact. I know that there are many photojournalist who were working in Irag/Afghanistan who were carrying the G series cameras for shots where pulling the SLR out would have drawn far too much attention. These images ended up in some very well know magazines and papers, so they cant be that bad Anyway I am rambling on, if I can help any further give me a shout, but hopefully this has given you something to think on? Ricky Edited December 17, 2011 by m3vert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 Personally I'd get a second hand d200 great robust and instinctive to use in manual mode no diving down menus to adjust exposure etc. New stuff nice but massive depreciation and good photos are about light, lenses and most important where you point it, not about face chasing technology and megapixeles! That's my twopence worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norrie Posted December 17, 2011 Report Share Posted December 17, 2011 (edited) I had a canon 350d for that money with an 18-55 lenses that will get started on a nice bit of kit. Hiya, I recently sold mine , also with a 70-200 lens, various lens filters, mega anount of mem cards,and spare batteries...etc etc...sold the lot for £300.....a fantastic camera, that wasnt getting used since I stopped fishing... I'd buy another canon in a "flash" pun intended...LOL... :lol: Edited December 17, 2011 by Norrie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddo Posted February 14, 2012 Report Share Posted February 14, 2012 Late reply- But the canon EOS 500D is a good dslr and there is currently a deal on in jessops £500 for the 18-55mm lens and a 70-300mm lens.. its a good deal a perfect semi professional camera, easy to use and they also offer a 3 yr cover for only £75 which covers all aspects of repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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