[Paul B]

After just returning home from Harrisons a little puzzled I thought I'd ask you lot which one you think I should go for, current runners are:

1) Canon D1000
2) Nikon D60
3) Sony alpha200

I've heard a load of different people tell me a LOT of different things and to be honest i'm a little  so feel free to add to that!
Thanks.

[dave]

depends what you're after. If you want a nikon body that can focus all the AF lenses they make, instead of about 3% of them, don't get a D60. I know nothing about the others.

[tubbs]

I might not be the only one to tell you this, but have you handled all three yet?

They are all pretty similar in terms of function and price. What I did before I got into any particular brand was piss off the people in Jessops trying out both Canon and Nikon (several models in each) to work out which felt the easiest to use, easiest to hold etc.

Went for Nikon (D100 to start with), as the Canon felt a bit cheap. I have since tried a Sony and it was good (don't know which model though).

Mind you - what Dave says about the D60 is true - it means that most of the second hand lenses on the market won't work with it. Perhaps a second-hand D80 (£300) might suit?

Good luck with your search.

[Paul B]

I might not be the only one to tell you this, but have you handled all three yet?

They are all pretty similar in terms of function and price. What I did before I got into any particular brand was piss off the people in Jessops trying out both Canon and Nikon (several models in each) to work out which felt the easiest to use, easiest to hold etc.

Went for Nikon (D100 to start with), as the Canon felt a bit cheap. I have since tried a Sony and it was good (don't know which model though).

Mind you - what Dave says about the D60 is true - it means that most of the second hand lenses on the market won't work with it. Perhaps a second-hand D80 (£300) might suit?

Good luck with your search.

Yeah we've handled all three, the sony is a bit bigger but extra lenses seem cheaper because if the image stabiliser being in the body and not the lense. However one bloke we spoke to was really anti-sony and said we'd be disapointed if we bought one, no real reason given. The guy in Harrisons didn't seem to have any kind of preference.
The Canon I found slightly easier to use and I've been told there is a good market for 2nd hand lenses which is also swaying me that direction.

[Johnny Brown]

if you mean 'starter' as in something to learn and progress on, rather than a glorified compact, get a second-hand model from the range up, ie Nikon D80, Canon 30D, dunno what the Sony equivalent is. The brand is largely irrelevant unless you already have access to lenses - gross generalisations are Canon best specified on paper, Nikon better to handle, Sony trying to do both.

[cofe]

if you consider a 2ndhand 30D then get a 20D instead and save yourself £50ish. it's a better camera.

[SA Chris]

I know it's purely a personal preference, but for a DSLR I wouldn't go for Sony. Don't have the long history in the field. What make of lenses are they offering with it?

[dontfollowme]

Did Sony not buy Minolta's tech? I'd still go Nikon or Canon though.

http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html good for prices.

[cofe]

yes.

the latest model, full frame A900 also appears to be an excellent camera judging by the reviews. also checked one out in the shop last year. feels great in the hand, excellent viewfinder etc. not sure what the lower range models are like though.

more lenses available with canon/nikon, although don't know much about nikon back-compatibility (re: dave's post).

[Johnny Brown]

Sony have a stated aim of becoming no.1 in SLRs. They've got all the legacy Minolta technology plus they've signed up Zeiss to make the pro line of lenses. All looks very attractive and true to the minolta rep of making cameras for photographers not spec sheets. Currently also being very aggressive in pricing, features and design as they try to muscle into Canon and Nikon's terrain. All in all ignore them at your peril, as Cofe says the reviews are very good.

[Darren S]

if you consider a 2ndhand 30D then get a 20D instead and save yourself £50ish. it's a better camera.

Sound advice from cofe.

I still use my 10D  sometimes when I want the extra reach over my 5D and there isn't much wrong with it.
The 20D could be a good choice and look to purchasing one quality lense a soon as you can afford to.

[Norton Sharley]

having just been through the same process I bought a Canon only because I didn't like the D60 auto focus as much as the Canon and the Sony felt big and heavy in my ikkle hands.  Personal preference on handling.  They're all going to work well

[Oli]

A bit of an off-topic Nikon question...
   When using a DX format camera with a DX lens, do you get the focal lengths the lens claims or do you still have to take into account the 1.5x increase in focal length due to the crop sensor?
So for example on the 18-70 DX kit lens, do you actually get an 18mm focal length or a 27mm f.length?

[Johnny Brown]

Depends what you consider to be a focal length.... the lenses are marked with their true focal length, not an equivalent for 35mm film. Ie on a DX sensor any 18mm lens is a moderate wideangle not the superwide it would be on 35mm or FX.

[tlr]

You'd get 27mm.

I think that the crop specific part is to do with the fit of the lens rather than the focal length.

[slackline]

A bit of an off-topic Nikon question...
   When using a DX format camera with a DX lens, do you get the focal lengths the lens claims or do you still have to take into account the 1.5x increase in focal length due to the crop sensor?
So for example on the 18-70 DX kit lens, do you actually get an 18mm focal length or a 27mm f.length?

Simple solution.

Take a picture with your camera and look at the Exif data, e.g. here's some of mine.  Tells you the focal length, (18mm) and the 35mm equivalent (in this instance 27mm, i.e. 1.5x).

P.S. - That was shot with the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR which is a DX lens if I remember the labels correctly.

[Oli]

Cheers JB and tlr. The DX specific referring to the fit makes sense.

[dave]

the focal length is a fixed physical property of a lens, it doesn't change regardless of the camera its on. What does change is the angle of view you get - when most people talk about "focal length" changing with lenses on digital cameras they actually mean angle of view.

an 18mm lens on a DX camera gives you the same angle of view as a 27mm lens on a 35mm/FX body.

[Jim]

It would also be wise to ask yourself, do I really need a dslr and what am I getting it for?

[Norton Sharley]

taking pics like your avatar I'd imagine Jim?

[Paul B]

We plumped for the Canon in the end as the sony seemed that bit heavier and despite what the reviews said we encountered a few people who kept stressing that they weren't quite there yet.
Just got very pissed off with a cheapo SD card that wouldn't format, then did, then I took some piccies and then it corrupted and nothing can even see it now....
argghhhh 
guess i'll have to wait for the decent one from Memorybits.

thanks for the advice, just wish I'd posted a bit sooner.

[Johnny Brown]

Unlucky. Canon are shit. Back me up Dave.

[Paul B]

 

[benpritch]

blimey johnny that was a bit harsh. i personally think canon are excellent.  easily controllable, sensibly laid out and make lovely pics.

[Johnny Brown]

They're all the same... until you commit AND BUY ONE. Then you become massively bigoted towards the other brand and laugh at their faults. Taken that 5d out in the rain yet?

[dave]

Unlucky. Canon are shit. Back me up Dave.

Canon make great photocopier gear and I wouldn't hesitate to go out tomorrow and buy Canon if i was in the market for a fax machine.

[benpritch]

i  don't feel strongly about nikon but even though the video capabilities of my 5d are limited to some weird work arounds to wrestle manual control back from some stills photographers idea of how a video camera should work i still have a full frame sensor hd video camera with the option for decent glass for a relatively smal amount of money. going out today for a play with it. will post some results maybe.

[David S]

They're all the same... until you commit AND BUY ONE. Then you become massively bigoted towards the other brand and laugh at their faults. Taken that 5d out in the rain yet?

I have in a full on downpour and it still works.

[SA Chris]

blimey johnny that was a bit harsh. 

Indeed, a tad unnecessary. If you thought Canon was shit, why didn't you say so in the first place? Never owned a Canon, but Paul has just forked out a load of cash on a new toy. Like anything, it will have its foilbles and weak points, you just have to learn to live with them. A few mates have them and are really pleased with them. All the MTB pics I have posted on here were taken with mate's Canon and it does ann OK job.

(unless this is a wind up? In that case you got me)

[dave]

someone taking the piss, on UKB? thats crazy talk.

[Paul B]

someone taking the piss, on UKB? thats crazy talk.

People are a 'lil touchy at the minute it would seem!!! Anyway Canon are ace, Ben took some nice shots today!

[slackline]

Sod everyone's opinions, have fun playing with your new toy.   With your climbing prowess I expect the respective threads to be inundated in due course (viz. recent font trip pics which are good, but would have looked stunning with the right equipment, and thats in no way meant to be a slut)

nikon myself, but its much of a muchness

[Bubba]

Unlucky. Canon are shit. Back me up Dave.

...Then you become massively bigoted towards the other brand and laugh at their faults...

see what he did there?

relax plz everyone 

[Jim]

As a Nikon owner I must also express my thoughts of shitness towards canon camera's

[Norton Sharley]

the only major issue I have with canon is their past sponsorship of The Scum 

[slackline]

slutr

 

[SA Chris]

slutr

 

Freudian Slip.

[dobbin]

For anyone reading this looking for a starter DSLR - I am going to sell my Canon EOS 350d. £250 with 18-55mm kit lens, two 1GB CF cards, a crumpler bag and a couple of UV filters. Interested? PM me...

[Paul B]

Timing...