Just spotted a deal on the D5000 with an 18-55mm VR lens and a 55-200mm VR lens for £579. The D5000 has pretty much the same guts as the D90, but you lose a control wheel, the screw motor for older AF lenses, and a few other minor bits and pieces. It shoots closely enough to its big brother to fool just about anyone, and also has a useful articulated screen which is a rarity for Nikons. Might be worth considering.

had a look in jessops and the cannon 550d looks pretty good for the money (£100 cheaper than the nilon D90)

It came with a cannon lense and there is theoption on buying a Tamron 300mm zoom lense......anyone know what these are like?

Is it the cheap 70-300 Tamron? If so, not too great - very soft at both extremes, lots of chromatic aberration and slow to focus. It'll pass if you're not too concerned over detail, but it really is functional rather than quality.

Dan

I owned a Canon 400D with standard kit lens + Tamron 55-200mm lens which was a good starters kit.The Tamron was that bad a lens for £70-80 but you do get what you pay for.If you go down the Canon route then the Canon 55-250mm IS lens is a good choice to go with the kit lens.

PM me if you fancy a look at a Canon 40d kit.

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html

Is a good site to check prices on.

Just spotted a deal on the D5000 with an 18-55mm VR lens and a 55-200mm VR lens for £579. The D5000 has pretty much the same guts as the D90, but you lose a control wheel, the screw motor for older AF lenses, and a few other minor bits and pieces. It shoots closely enough to its big brother to fool just about anyone, and also has a useful articulated screen which is a rarity for Nikons. Might be worth considering.

Heck, I paid over £800 for my D5000 with those lenses ages ago. I quickly replaced them with the 16-85mm VR II and 70-300mm VR II lenses though

Edited 15 December, 201015 yr by dan yeates

I find the 55-200 VR extremely good value for the money, especially in that deal. Add the 35mm F/1.8 DX and you have a really well rounded rig for just over £700. TBH, you've hit the nail on the head there - most DSLR bodies will give decent images as long as you stick some quality glass on them

I find the 55-200 VR extremely good value for the money, especially in that deal. Add the 35mm F/1.8 DX and you have a really well rounded rig for just over £700. TBH, you've hit the nail on the head there - most DSLR bodies will give decent images as long as you stick some quality glass on them

Yes, it's a shame they have the plastic mount though. I broke my 18-55mm VR lens at the mount, hence why I opted to upgrade them both. The new glasses are fantastic, I've managed to get some really good photos with them.

Dan - just seen this. Another Canon user here, with a 450D.

Again, you're welcome to pop round and test it. Have a few lenses as well, to compare.

My Dad's a Nikon user so I can see both sides, just depends what you feel comfortable using - button and menu layout really.

Cheers,

Steve

I find the 55-200 VR extremely good value for the money, especially in that deal.

I agree 100% the 55-200VR is a fantastic lens for the money and probably one of the most underrated lenses in Nikons line up.

As far as breaking the plastic mount is concerned I have only heard of that happening twice in the last 6 years. I have heard of way more camera failures or damage caused by drops than will ever happen with mounts breaking.

I agree 100% the 55-200VR is a fantastic lens for the money and probably one of the most underrated lenses in Nikons line up.

As far as breaking the plastic mount is concerned I have only heard of that happening twice in the last 6 years. I have heard of way more camera failures or damage caused by drops than will ever happen with mounts breaking.

I knocked the lens on a door frame and it broke off!

Ive got a Sony Alpha A390, I think its a pretty good camera, built in AF as well

Just realised your budget is higher though!