What DSLR

[Sportsman]

Hi all

I am looking to acquire a DSLR to use for photographic illustrations in a First Aid Handbook.

It will be mostly used on a tripod and the finished product will be very small reproductions so don't need megapixels coming out of my ears but would like clarity/sharpness. Simplicity is good as well

I am on a very tight budget (aren't we all) and have looked at 2nd hand Olympus E400, Canon 300d/350d, Nikon 40d and Sony A200 all around the £200-250 mark.

The Canon looks good for £200 but has 6Mp and is probably 5-6 years old. I can get the 1 year old Sony with 10Mp and image stabilisation for the same price. Is that a good thing?

How about an Olympus E400 with 17.5-45 lens. Boxed with all the bits but no memory. As new with 3 months guarantee for £199.99 + £10.00 next day delivery. Does that sound like a good deal?

Any suggestions welcome or anyone got any redundant gear laying around.

Thanks

Dave

Edited December 2, 2008 by Sportsman

[Clifftop]

Has it got to be DSLR, what about an ordinary digital camera.

 

It sounds like it will be mostly close up photography and you can get really good pics with those and then if needed sharpen in Picasa3 or something similar which is free anyway.

 

Lots cheaper as well.

 

 

Cheers Fred

[RobStubbs]

I'd suggest any of the camera's mentioned will be fine - it's just a matter of personal choice, and consideration as to other times you will want to use the camera. I personally think you'd be hard pressed to beat a 2nd hand EOS 300d (which is what I have), but it is bigger and heavier than a compact. I also think a separate lens is better than a lens fixed to the camera, but comparing my powershot S3i to the EOS, I honestly can't tell any difference in image quality.

 

One thing you may want to consider is the image download time to your PC. My EOS takes about 10 seconds an image, whilst the S3i takes only a couple of seconds (and both are 6MP).

 

Rob.

[Sportsman]

Hi

I have a Fuji S7000 6mp that I have been using for a couple of years and the quality is OK but it lacks a little sharpness and there is a fair amount of noise at higher ISOs and purple fringing in high contrast areas.

It doesn't look too bad in the books but I make up powerpoint slides to accompany the books and it show up a bit when they are blown up to screen size.

As in most technology the price has dropped whilst the quality has improved and more modern cameras have next generation sensors, faster and more accurate AF and more MPs for the same price as a 5 year old camera which would have cost 3 times as much when new.

I think the favourite is either the Olympus E400 or the Sony Alpha A200, both for around £200.00

Anyone have any thoughts?

Next question will be about lighting

Edited December 3, 2008 by Sportsman

[snakey1]

If your looking for a canon you could try this place Canon outlet they sell canons refurbed gear at a decent price & it comes with a 12 month manufacturers guarantee.

[Cameraman]

I should think that evrybody would reccomend the one they are using or why keep it?

 

For me it would always be the Cannon EOS range, from entry level to proffessional there is a camera and a range of lens that fits the entire EOS series of cameras, digital and non digital. A non digital lens can be purchased for just a little money and used with the digital camera, saving £s.

[Sportsman]

Hi

Thanks for the comments so far.

I have just acquired a pristine Fuji S2 Pro body which I hope will do what I want.

I have also bought a couple of lenses

Sigma 18-50

Nikon 70-300

The whole lot for £235.00

Who knows, you may see some contributions from me in the not too distant future.

Edited December 4, 2008 by Sportsman

[David.W]

Sportsman, that was some deal. The S2 should do what you want... and more. My first Dslr was an S1 and it was great.

 

I have enlarged a picture from a 6mp Nikon D70 to 35" x 6'4" and it was great quality, so you should have ne problems.

 

I just got a new Nikon D3, the results are stunning

[Chippy]

Yep, the S2 is a great camera. I used it for all of my underwater photography. The only down side was the stupid two battery arrangement (which the got shot of with the next model) but apart from that it was great!

 

For £235...... what a deal.......

[Alnath]

don't buy a used DSLR, you don't know how long the shutter has left in it, it could be 5 years it could be the first shot you take and they are not cheap to get replaced. A warranty is everything with a DSLR, if you are buying one you want to get at least a year out of it given the cost.

 

I wouldn't go for an Olympus, they are a four thirds camera, what is the point? you might as well use a high end compact and the 2x crop factor is a joke.

 

Have you looked at the Canon 1000D? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EOS-1000D-Bo...y/dp/B0014IK7W8 i have a 20D and a 40D and i am willing to bet the 1000D looks no different at all IQ wise.