Anyone recommend a reasonable Digital SLR?

[Eatlard]

Hi,

 

Looking to get a reasonable digital SLR but having some fun and games choosing.

 

I want a camera that has alot of options from full auto through to full manual and lots inbetween. Needs to have a decent Optical zoom but I will be looking at additional zoom / macro lenses for later on.

 

Wanting to use this for nature / wildlife photos mainly. I'll keep my old Fuji Finepix for fishing photos.

 

I don't want to go too mad pricewise but around £400-500 would be fine.

 

Can anyone point me in the right direction please. Maybe you have something similar you can recommend?

 

Many thanks in advance.

[Steve Burke]

I can't help you with advice myself as I've only ever used film SLRs, but I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions from other Forum members.

 

A lot of helpful information can also be found by visiting the Link Vault here in Angler's Net. Go to http://www.anglersnet.co.uk/forums/index.p...34&?do=findComment&comment=582934 where you'll find links to review sites and price comparison sites.

 

My own favourite of these review sites is http://www.imaging-resource.com/ that has recommendations based on what you want the camera to do, including a category for digital SLRs. Of the price comparison sites I like http://www.pricerunner.co.uk/ best as it also rates the various online shops for service etc and has feedback from customers.

[Eatlard]

Many thanks for that Steve.

 

The Image Resource site looks very helpful, I'm just going through the Product Advisor now to see what it comes out with

[Guest CJS2]

Two main players in your price range are 'Canon 350' and 'Nikons D50'.

 

You can read in depth reviews on:-

 

http://www.dpreview.com/

 

Reviews on both are on the site. There is also a rivew on the 'Olympus E330' which I believe is in the price bracket as well? Not sure if the lens options would suit?

 

Favour the Nikon for build quality, and price?

 

[RobStubbs]

Do a search on this forum as the questions appeared more than once before. My top of the list is the EOS 350D. I will be buying it, I just don't know when exactly.

 

Rob.

[Bobj]

Here you go, mate. This link gives English prices as well as American

http://www.steves-digicams.com/hardware_reviews.html

[Guest CJS2]

Do a search on this forum as the questions appeared more than once before. My top of the list is the EOS 350D. I will be buying it, I just don't know when exactly.

 

Rob.

 

Throw a spanner in the works? I have just beeen throught the change process. The 350D was on the list, however, small size therefor handling became an issue, (I am blessed with sausages for fingers), lol Seen this mentioned befor in reviews, and the 'plastic' build quality has been sighted as an issue in reviewsa as well. Heard of the plastic build being mentioned by shops with respect to Canons plastic lens mounting system, its is said to wear quickly? Any one got any views?

 

Incidently, I went the Nikon 70s rout, I know biased!!!

 

Edited May 25, 2006 by CJS2

[Gillies]

Canon Plastic Lens mount ???? think you might be getting a wee bit mixed up there (you had me just double checking my cameras and lenses ) they are all metal .... on the camera (my 20D and 300D), and on the lenses - apart from on much cheaper lenses, the lens mounts are plastic --- this is so on the kits lens (18-55) that can come bundled with the camera, and the cheap (but extremely sharp and good) 50mm F1.8 which is also plastic ......... thats two plastic lens mounts I know off, I'm sure there are many more.

 

Nikon, Canon, Fuji, Olympus Digital SLRs will all give you fantastic results for the money you spend on them ... I'd suggest shopping around for a camera which comes along with a kit lens to get you started, and then add a telephoto lens to it ... ie you would have an 18-55 then add a 70-300 or 70-200 to it.

 

Been a Canon man, I'd be biased towards the Canon ............. a number of people on here use the 350D and seem very happy with it. The Nikon D50 was Nikons answer to the Canon 300D (both superb camera), the 350D is a vast upgrade from the 300D, and almost comparible to the 20D. www.warehouseexpress.com have very good prices on the camera, and Im sure cheaper can be found if searching around.

 

Gillies

[Steve Burke]

I wonder if it's the tripod mount rather than the lens mount that CJS2 meant? That has been critisized in reviews. I don't know what the Canon SLRs have but my S2IS has a plastic tripod mount. It's been fine so far though and I use a tripod a lot for my self-portraits when fishing.

[Gillies]

Just checked, metal tripod mount of Canon 20D and 300D .......... so I'd assume the 350D and 30D are the same.

 

Gillies