George needs a new camera.

[george]

Any recommendations?

Its just for work so considering an digital SLR for the first time. For price range think `good value` as opposed to `top of the range`.

Cheers m' dears.

[leehack]

Canon 450D, top banana, all you will ever need.

[george]

Mrs G, she say "HOW much did you say?".


*looks for cheaper option*

[leehack]

What's the budget?

[george]

Dunno really. Less than 500 shickels anyway. (I may however invest in a better model later, but, not today). Hmm. Maybe I should just splash out (lol).

[parklifeclothes]

I know it's way outside of your budget but have just last week brought a Canon 50D and its mighty cool:cool:
Originally wanted to spend somewhere about £400 to £700 but took the decision to invest now in what is massively 'over the top' for what I need but is near enough the best in its price bracket and will not 'date' as quick as the entry models so I see it as cheaper long term.

[grantglendinnin]

The Canon EOS 350D is highly recommended for the price - money very well spent imo :)

[Mike Hughes]

Pretty much all the DSLRs will take excellent pictures.

Go and look at them in a shop and see which one you like best. They'll all take great pictures but there's quite a difference in their handling and how large / bright the viewfinder is.

Mike

[OllyBug]

I am buying a new camera soon and after a lot of research, I have decided on a Canon 450D - just waiting for my local shop to get a second hand one in! Bargains to be had on eBay though!

[jont]

Although a Nikon man the 450d and the older 350d are excellent cameras

[jont]

George - if you post another "I need a camera thread" we will all hunt you down and clobber you with a box brownie ... get out there and buy one. NOW!!

[Benjamin Dyer]

I spent ages researching various DSLRs, I even managed to convince the local Jessops to lend me various models for weekends, amazed at the service.

I basically narrowed it down to a Canon, after being a Mastercard away from a 450D I ended up with the slightly cheaper 1000D (http://bit.ly/JAK1c). I am absolutely over the moon with it, it does everything I could ever want and my meager skills are certainly being tested. The 1000D came with a great starter lens which I have since upgraded.

If this is your first DSLR I would really recommend it, that or a EOS 5D mkII. :)

[leehack]

Dunno really. Less than 500 shickels anyway. (I may however invest in a better model later, but, not today). Hmm. Maybe I should just splash out (lol).
I got mine for under £400 George, the 500D has recently been launched this may make prices even keener.

[jont]

starter lens which I have since upgraded

The kit lens supplied by Canon are not the best in the world but are more than capable... Nikon produce better kit lenses hence the higher average cost like-for-like.

[party_pete]

I've always been a fan of kodak tbh and this beauty has 12 shots free
Kodak's latest offering (http://www.fotocentreplus.co.uk/shop/kodakdisposablecamerawith12shotsfree-p-304.html?zenid=b0a3f1b3495170782e34c2642253736e)

[CymraegKev]

If its "bang-for-the-buck" at the consumer end look Canon 450D or 500D if you can stretch far (it has HD Video too if you are so inclined). You can pick up a 30D now, or even a 40D for a very reasonably price (now the 50D is out).

Check Jacobs Digital and On Stop Shop - they are usually on of the cheapest (that don't use grey imports) and Jacobs will generally do a price match.

The Canon kit lenses are "consumer" quality, but are still excellent and better than anything you will see in a POS.......unless, ...... you want to look at the Canon G10 which, for me, is probably the single most impresive camera I have ever used. Its a point and shoot, but the build and image quality is outstanding. It also shoots RAW so you have half the benefit of a DSLR. Jeff Ascough, who knows a thing or too about Wedding photography, is going to shoot a wedding in the summer with the G10 - its that good!

Either way, there is a lot of choice at that price point. As mentioned, go to a shop, have a play, then buy online but make sure its a UK warranty camera!

Kevin

[parklifeclothes]

Whatever you get, be sure to get one of these:rolleyes: (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Camera-Armour-Black-Rubber-Skin-Case-Canon-EOS-450D-SLR_W0QQitemZ140311734569QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090403?IMSfp=TL090403112001r21492)

[parklifeclothes]

Try rgb labs (http://www.rgb-tech.co.uk/shop/) for a good deal, tend to beat currys, jessops and warehouse express by a fair way and will talk you though things, well recommended.

[CymraegKev]

Try rgb labs (http://www.rgb-tech.co.uk/shop/) for a good deal, tend to beat currys, jessops and warehouse express by a fair way and will talk you though things, well recommended.

Be careful of grey imports with RGB. Nothing wrong with it if you are happy to forgo a warranty for cheaper goods. I've done it myself. Also, I'm fairly sure they stipulate which cameras are Grey on their site which is good practice.

Other decent options are : Park Camera and Camulet - Warehouse Express another option but often more expensive.

[jont]

What have you gone for George?

[george]

This one (http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/d-slr-long-zoom/finepix-s5800) will do for now.


*puts 2 x 5p and 1 x 2p into bankie for DSLR fund*

[OriginalTouch]

Looks like you may have made your mind up and of course it depends on your level and the amount of times the thing is going to get used - but as a photographer - I would reiterate a couple of things:

With any SLR, the cost of the body is negligeable and you will soon find that ancillaries, lenses, flash, are not interchangeable with other makes - that is where the cost creeps up (as much if not more than the body) and once they have caught a sprat ... (reminds me of printers and printing inks, but thats another story). So decide which make you want, get yourself a decent second hand body now that newer models are out - then buy some decent lenses (the most important part of the camera) that can be used when you trade in for newer models later.

Pay as much as you can afford - if you go for a good professional range then you will find you do not need extra functions later - many of my friends went for the 400D range but it is missing so many functions such as the ability to use external equipment - better to go for the 40D range now. I started with a second hand 20D (really old but more than adequate) and have concentrated on newer ancillaries that I can still use when I upgrade - hopefully to a 50D but the cost is too much now - and a 5D is in my dreams!!

Started a photo website http://www.samanthalouiseford.co.uk

[CymraegKev]

Looks like you may have made your mind up and of course it depends on your level and the amount of times the thing is going to get used - but as a photographer - I would reiterate a couple of things:

With any SLR, the cost of the body is negligeable and you will soon find that ancillaries, lenses, flash, are not interchangeable with other makes - that is where the cost creeps up (as much if not more than the body) and once they have caught a sprat ... (reminds me of printers and printing inks, but thats another story). So decide which make you want, get yourself a decent second hand body now that newer models are out - then buy some decent lenses (the most important part of the camera) that can be used when you trade in for newer models later.

Pay as much as you can afford - if you go for a good professional range then you will find you do not need extra functions later - many of my friends went for the 400D range but it is missing so many functions such as the ability to use external equipment - better to go for the 40D range now. I started with a second hand 20D (really old but more than adequate) and have concentrated on newer ancillaries that I can still use when I upgrade - hopefully to a 50D but the cost is too much now - and a 5D is in my dreams!!

Started a photo website http://www.samanthalouiseford.co.uk

I agree entirely with Samantha, but I think George has made his choice now - PS, the 5D MkII is just stunning (I'm using it exclusively for this new project of mine http://www.1point2.co.uk)

Kevin

[george]

Short term, aye.

But looking at getting my ass along to a shop where I can have a fiddle/hold of various models before purchasing a more expensive one.

PS Kev, I found that G10 you mentioned for just over £300 last week.

PPS The original damage wasnt covered by insurance as I `hadnt listed` the camera (same as mobiles I guess), despite being covered for £5k of computer stuff. So, you folks with £400+ cameras it might be a good idea to check you've got your kit covered.

[CymraegKev]

That G10 IS great. I love mine. That's a good price too.