Been looking at getting a Digital SLR.

Having a look around Jessops site I see they've got bundle deals on both the Cannon EOS 400D, and the Nikon D40, both with memory cards, and two lenses (18-55, and 55-200) and a bag.

Anyone used either of these? Is the Cannon worth the extra? Or are there any other cameras in the price range (

In terms of results, there's really nothing in it...you won't be disappointed with what you can do with either one, but I suspect after trying both you'll have a preference for which one you'd rather use.

Personally I wouldn't be swayed by the two lenses, I'd imagine you'll spend most of your time swapping them over. I'd be more inclined to go for something like an 18-300, which will be much more versatile...

Rob.

I'd be more inclined to go for something like an 18-300, which will be much more versatile...

Rob.

But f*cking huge

id go with the Canon there was talk on Scoobynet about the D40 basically saying that Nikon have gone with a Canon style system with the lens' (motor in the lens not body) so there is going to be a limited range of lens' avaliable for the Nikon

Purely on that alone id go with the 400D as there are loads of Canon and third party lens' to choose from

But f*cking huge

I wouldn't say it's that huge...certainly when retracted there's probably less than an inch between my 18-55 and 28-300, and I can't imagine an 18-300 would be *that* much longer.

And it's definitely smaller than carrying two lenses...

Admittedly quite heavy for more intricate work tho'.

Rob.

I wouldn't say it's that huge...certainly when retracted there's probably less than an inch between my 18-55 and 28-300, and I can't imagine an 18-300 would be *that* much longer.

And it's definitely smaller than carrying two lenses...

But think off all that dust you are sucking in to the lense

18-300mm!!!!! Surely nobody would make such a lens?? Do they? I think that the picture quality would be very poor and it would be a very slow lens, unless it was as big as this………….. that little blob on the end of it is a camera!!!!

Personally I went with Canon because of the huge lens range. They have lenses for beginners right through to the Pro stuff and it’s nearly all interchangeable (not quite though, but better compatibility that Nikon) Although the difference between the Nikon and Canon cameras is pretty small I think and in fact Nikon have some very good medium priced zoom lenses. The stock Canon 18-55 is quite a poor lens and I would recommend looking at the Sigma versions instead. And if you want a cheap high quality Long Telephoto lens for either Canon and Nikon the 70-300mm Tamron keeps winning awards and tests. It retails at about £100 and on the 400D and D40 acts as roughly a 110-480mm lens!!

Check out Tecno’s prices on the web, as they are the internet arm of Jessops.

I started with the 350D Canon with the stock 18-55mm and the Tamron 70-300mm lenses. Then bought the Sigma 18-200mm lens, not bad quality, but a fantastic range to get you used to what the camera can do, plus it helps with not having to change lenses and that is a bonus as dust getting into the camera (usually during lens swapping) is a real bugbear with DSLRs. The vibrating filters on these cameras are only partly effective. I gave my 18-55mm away and now have a 17-55mm f2.8 Canon, 70-200mm f2.8 Sigma and still have the Tamron, but would love the 400D instead of my 350D

Don’t forget to save up for a decent flash gun too at some point.

VERY happy with my 400d ..still learning how to use it but have taken some really good quality shots

It has to be Canon or Nikon, don't bother with anything else. I went with Canon, reason being I do lots of astrophotography and the Canon is far better in low light or complete darkness if you're into that sort of thing. The Canon is better at higher ISO settings, and I also like taking photos at night (city scenes, buildings lit up etc) so this was ideal for me.

Also, Canon and Nikon have gone in two directions with how they treat image processing within the camera. Nikon take the view that their customers don't like noise and so Nikon do some processing on the image, resulting in a RAW image not being a true RAW image. Canon take the view that their customers expect some noise in an image but prefer to process it themselves and alter it in whatever way they wish. So a RAW image from a Canon is entirely that, a RAW image that has not been touched in any way.

Of course, if you're just into taking holiday shots etc and will nearly always use the automatic settings then that won't matter too much as both cameras produce good JPEG images out of the box. Also, the other deciding factor for me was choice of lenses - great advice from Amanda there so read and digest!

Cheers for the advice everyone!

I do take lots in low-light, and from the general consensus, the Cannon is the better choice.

I'll pop in to Jessops today, and have a play!

Cheers for the advice everyone!

I do take lots in low-light, and from the general consensus, the Cannon is the better choice.

I'll pop in to Jessops today, and have a play!

I'm sure Tesco have an offer on the 400D at the moment of

it's £499.97 at Tesco, with an 18-55mm lens, with £50 cashback

Jessops is the same price, without the cashback... but I could save money by getting a bundle deal from Jessops. 2GB cards are about £25 on eBuyer, I've got a tripod, but a bag would be good.

I need to learn about what all the different things mean, too!

it's

just terminology, basically... like what's the ISO value all about? what's the 'f' stuff?

I can shoot good pics on my current compact, but SLR's have more options.

Ah right, then just stick it on 'P' and shoot away until you get used to it. ISO is the way in which the sensor reacts to the light, the higher the ISO the better it handles low light [in simplistic terms]. The f/ stop is the apeture or the opening through which the light enters the lense, the higher the number the *less* light is allowed in and vice versa. It also affects Bokeh [the blurring of the out of focus background] but that gets complicated.

A good book for you to learn this sort of thing is one of the many Brain Peterson series, I have finished my second pass at 'Understanding Exposure' and I can really recommend it

righteo, cheers for that

will pop to Waterstones as well as Jessops today then!

I'd recommend the Dorling Kindersley published "Keep it Simple"(KiSS) guide to photography, by John Garret

It's quite comprehensive, and in mini size too so fits in a pocket - ideal for those times when you can't remember which way round the f-stop numbers mean and what it does to the focusing.

right, change of plan!

both the D40 and the 400D are seemingly designed for children's hands, so the choice is now between the D80 and the 30D!

looking around, the D80 seems to be a lot better than the 30D

Thought you might decide that

Also worth considering adding the grip to both to see if that helps. The D80 and 30D are different beasts. Have a look at Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ for some reviews on either, when you are spending those sort of £'s it's worth making an informed decision. If you fancy reading on the differing views of each then head over to the AV Forums [www.avforums.com] hit the photography section and check out the many many threads these two

flicking through What Digital Camera, and it said that the D80 is a better all-rounder, with more features.

I'll check that site though

I don

Been looking at getting a Digital SLR.

Having a look around Jessops site I see they've got bundle deals on both the Cannon EOS 400D, and the Nikon D40, both with memory cards, and two lenses (18-55, and 55-200) and a bag.

Anyone used either of these? Is the Cannon worth the extra? Or are there any other cameras in the price range (

Re review sites - one's I regularly visit

Digital Camera Product Reviews: Digital Photography Review

Megapixel.net

Digital cameras, digital camera reviews, photography views and news - DCVIEWS

Digital Cameras - Independent Digital Camera Reviews, Ratings & Comparisons

Photo Review, digital cameras, digital photography, photography, digital slr, camera recommendation, price comparison, photographic companies, camera companies, digital camera best prices,

Digital Cameras, Digital Camera Reviews - The Imaging Resource!

Digital Camera Resource Page: Reviews & Info

Digital Camera Review Test Magazine | LetsGoDigital

and, finally, to search for best prices

PriceRunner UK - Compare Prices and Find Best Deals Online

Hope this helps - and the car, brill ain't they.

Most important thing about your DSLR is that it is ergonomically comfortable and useable for you. Try both and buy what fits your hands best. No point having a miniscule real world advantage in image quality or better lens avaialbility or whatever else swings it for you if the camera does not handle well for you personally.

Dont be too quick to ignore other brands either. All DSLRs are pretty good and getting cheaper by the day.

Chris

cheers again everyone

I think I'm decided on a D80, found a 18-135mm kit for £687