Camera Suggestions - Semi-pro / SLR camera

Tants

Well-Known Forumite
I really fancy getting a new camera for Xmas and tempted to get into the market for a camera that offers a lot more to learn from. By that I mean one with a large lense, great zoom and a load of options to play with.

Just wondered if anyone could suggest a decent entry level camera that is an upgrade on the usual compact cameras?

Cheers.
 

Edd209

Well-Known Forumite
cannon d series are pretty good starter dslr's.
bought the girlfriend one for christmas last year and she loves it, very easy to use and some chuffin good piccies too.
 

flossietoo

Well-Known Forumite
I have the Canon EOS 500D. This is my first DSLR and I am not the most technologically advanced of people. It took a while but now I absolutely love it and take it everywhere. I've even managed to win things with my pictures! The lens it commonly comes with is an 18-55 which isn't a fantastic zoom. If you get into it you will definitely want something else which is where things start to get very expensive. I hire my lenses from www.lensesforhire.co.uk who are excellent and having hired the 70-300 DO IS USM (a brilliant compact version of a long lens which you can still carry easily and use without a tripod) I haunted ebay for ages until one came up that I could afford. If you are moving up to DSLR for the first time, I thoroughly recommend the one day 'Introduction to Digital Photography' workshop run by photographer Mark Sisson. He teaches you how to get off manual and really make the most of the scope of a DSLR camera. He has a dedicated website for the workshops: http://www.natures-images.co.uk/
I think I am correct in thinking that Canon are currently re-running the cashback offer on their cameras at the moment?
 

shoes

Well-Known Forumite
Nikon also worth considering too, their entry level cameras are very good - I bought a D40 years ago and love it, also very easy to use and chuffin' good pics.

You won't get a bad camera from the likes of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji etc. so my advise would be to take a trip to your local friendly camera shop (I'd recommend Jessops over Peter Rogers as PR are more specialist - Jessops carry a larger range of entry level cameras) and play with a few. You'll be able to get exactly the same shot, give or take from any camera, so it's all down to how you feel about the user interface and any fancy tricks it can do (for example some cameras can be used with a remote control for tripod work, and some can do panoramic stitching in camera).

If you're not looking to go down the DSLR route then there are some fantastic bridge cameras out there - although you can pay as much for them as you would for a basic DSLR kit and lose some of the flexibility DSLR offers you in the long run.

My old man ('s a dustman) has a Fuji bridge and it's bloomin' brilliant.

My personal recommendations, based on having used these actual cameras is as follows (in no particular order):

Nikon D5000 - Superb entry level DSLR camera, works with the Nikon F mount lenses, comes with the usual 18-55 but a 70-300 sigma can be had on ebay for sub £150. I have one and they're fantastic tbh.

Nikon P500 - Fantastic bridge type camera - no interchangeable lenses, but offers 36x zoom and has some pretty trick features like a tilt screen.

Fuji Finepix S4000 Again, bridge camera, but much cheaper than the above models. Don't let that put you off, my dad has one and it's bloody brilliant. I'm always impressed at what he manages to get out of it, and being the biggest technophobe I know it must be simple to use!

I don't know much about Canon cameras so I'm sure someone here will be along soon to tell you about them in detail - but I know you won't get a bad camera from canon either.

I would avoid the Nikon D3000, I had one for a shoot and was unimpressed at it's low light capabilities compared to the D40, D60 and D5000. It has all the features you would expect and takes great quality photos but the low light (i.e. normal indoors use, I'm not talking ghost hunting dark) the high ISO (sensitivity) settings were grainy and suffered with poor contrast.

Ultimately, if it was my £400 I'd be ordering a Nikon D5000 + 18-55mm Kit lens now and a 4GB Sandisk Ultra III SD card.

Hope this helps.
 

Ecker

Well-Known Forumite
There's a hell of a lot to plough through but I got very good results by googling:

"digital slr comparison chart 2011" without the quotes

which.co.uk looks very good, they use professional photographers to test the
cameras. Hope this helps.

P.S. None of this detracts from Shoes excellent evaluation of the cameras he has used. It is
mightily pleasing to see someone putting so much energy into passing on experiences. Big up to Shoes!!
 

Jonah

Spouting nonsense since the day I learned to talk
Canon or Nikon DSLRs are the best in my opinion. I have a Nikon D40. If you want to see what sort of photos it can produce then look at http://www.bigbluewolf.co.uk or http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigbluewolf/ or even http://500px.com/bigbluewolf

One of the big things to find out is how the camera feels in your hand. I was on the verge of buying a Sony A200 until I actually held it. The thing felt like a brick, I hated it. The D40 just felt perfect so I bought it, despite the Sony apparently having a better specification.
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
If you don't want to go for a full SLR then I have a Fuji HS10 and I believe its predecessor the HS20 EXR is pretty good.

Should be able to find a bargain price for one and loads of options and settings plus a mega zoom :)
 

shoes

Well-Known Forumite
big-blue-wolf said:
Canon or Nikon DSLRs are the best in my opinion. I have a Nikon D40. If you want to see what sort of photos it can produce then look at http://www.bigbluewolf.co.uk or http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigbluewolf/ or even http://500px.com/bigbluewolf

One of the big things to find out is how the camera feels in your hand. I was on the verge of buying a Sony A200 until I actually held it. The thing felt like a brick, I hated it. The D40 just felt perfect so I bought it, despite the Sony apparently having a better specification.
Exactly how I came about my trusty D40 - although for me it was the Canon 350D in comparison. Whilst better on paper I found the UI infuriating for a novice, whereas the Nikon was clearly aimed at the market I was in. I did try an olympus camera too but didn't really gel with it - so Nikon it was! It was also a few quid cheaper than the Canon.

I've had the D40 coming on for five years now and it still looks, feels, sounds and works like new. I've taken it to numerous sporting events, several festivals, including four ultimate mashup shambalas and it's still going strong. The battery still lasts a good 5-600 shots!

Edit: Cheers Ecker!

There are a fair few photographers on here - Big Blue Wolf, Ecker, gk90210 ;), MarkD off the top of my head - and everyone will have a different camera and still produce amazing shots - best to remember it's tool, not a magic ticket to decent photographs. Good hardware does help though.

By the sounds of it you want a Fuji bridge, either the 4000 series or the one gk recommended. Fuji cameras are also invariably under priced for what you get, which is always nice.
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
shoes said:
By the sounds of it you want a Fuji bridge, either the 4000 series or the one gk recommended. Fuji cameras are also invariably under priced for what you get, which is always nice.
Indeed, my HS10 came direct from Fuji as a refurb - they sell them through the website and they come 'as new' with the standard 12 month warranty.

The HS20 refurb is currently £220 (albeit out of stock at the moment) here

Also there are always 10% or 20% discount codes knocking around to bring it sub £200. Check out HUKD for codes.

Review HERE or HERE
 

Trumpet

Well-Known Forumite
flossietoo said:
I have the Canon EOS 500D. This is my first DSLR and I am not the most technologically advanced of people.
Same here, worth looking for offers this time of year. Mine came with an 18-135 mm lens. Have had it about 12 months now and am well pleased.
 

shoes

Well-Known Forumite
£236 at Dixons for the HS20 - brand new:

http://www.dixons.co.uk/gbuk/fujifilm-finepix-hs20-exr-digital-camera-black-09634998-pdt.html?srcid=867&cmpid=comp~Google~~09634998&istCompanyId=4be69b13-f6de-4a80-8d9b-22e0185f57a7&istItemId=xmwammiq&istBid=t&gclid=CMPM_vWc4awCFVBTfAodAU76oA
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
Yes saw that Shoes... might be able to find voucher codes / cashback to bring that down too but if not then I would use the 10% code to get it from Fuji for <£200.... comes as brand new with same warranty....

Anyway Tants, you started the thread, any update :)
 

Tants

Well-Known Forumite
Awesome feedback cheers everyone. Certainly enough to give me some bedtime reading whilst deciding what to do! I'll keep you posted if Santa brings one! :)
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
Is this any use to you:

WARNING: I have never used that site before so if you do download, make sure its legal and doesn't come with a virus!!!

http://pdf-giant.com/photo_video/1739-what-digital-camera-15-december-2011.html
 

Hetairoi

Well-Known Forumite
I am thinking about getting an SLR camera but am confused by the number on offer.

What should I be looking for and are there any good offers around at the moment.



Admin edit: Threads merged.
 

shoes

Well-Known Forumite
If it's definitely a DSLR you're after then I'd be tempted not to stray from Nikon or Canon.

I'm more than happy to let you play with my (tired) Nikon with the lenses I have - no doubt someone on here will let you play with their Canon (oo-er).
 

grumpystaffordguy

Well-Known Forumite
I recently ditched my compact camera and went for a Nikon bridge camera (saw it posted on HOTUKDEALS at half price down to £130). Just using it in point and shoot mode failed to produce pictures that were any better than my trusty old Canon IXUS. I was disappointed to say the least. However once I started using the many different mode settings it has the pictures I took were in a different league. The extra zoom I now have available makes a massive difference and opens up so many more photo opportunities.

Long term I may well work my way up to a DSLR, but for what I paid for the bridge camera I'll happily ease myself in gently this way.
 

My Name is URL

Well-Known Forumite
If anyone was considering anything from the Fuji range that I posted earlier, I got sent a 20% off code earlier today

"As a valued FujiShop user, we would like to offer you 20% off all refurbished cameras, accessories and memory cards.

Just use the voucher code PSAVE13 at the basket to get your discount. Offer expires 31st December 2011."

The refurbished FinePix HS20EXR is currently in stock though unlikely to be for long - comes to £176 with the discount code.
 
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