First foray into DSLRdom

[McMav]

lol at the list of socalled obsolete cameras. They are all very good cameras still esp the 350d and all quite capable of taking very good photos (If the phtographer is any good). so dont be scared of buying a budget dslr they are still very capable cameras.

[Bobster]

indeed, shot my first wedding on a 300D

[Steve B]

so if I decided to go for a half decent compact, what sort of models should I be looking at. I've had a look at the G9 and it looks pretty nice.

With regards to whats wrong with the 602Zoom; I find its very slow at taking pictures and only takes small Compact Flash Cards. I'd like one that could write to both SD and CF. I'm perhaps leaning towards a largish compact now, which would give me decent picture quality, maybe 5x optical Zoom, with support for SD, CF being a bonus.

[Funkstar]

I think I'm right in saying that very few cameras have both CF and SD support, the only ones I've seen are some of the Nikon SLRs.

[Bobster]

high end Canon have 1 CF and 1 SD
400D is the first Canon DSLR to use SD

Nikon
D40 is SD
D40x is SD
D50 is SD
D70 is CF
D70s is CF
D80 is SD
D1 is CF
D1X is CF
D1H is CF
D2H is CF
D2Hs is CF
D2X is CF
D2Xs is CF
D3 is CF x 2
D100 is CF
D200 is CF
D300 is CF

[BUFF]

lol at the list of socalled obsolete cameras. They are all very good cameras still esp the 350d and all quite capable of taking very good photos

Obsolescent not obsolete & they are.
As you say that doesn't prevent them taking good pictures but so can his 602Z or loads of film SLRs & rangefinders going way, way back.

[Syd]

Hi Steve, I sold you that 602Zoom and did exactly what you are doing - although I ended up buying A Nikon D80 - and over the proceeding months a few lenses and so on. I do definatley enjoy photography, I just don't get 'enough' time to do enough of it............ however I don't regret my purchase.
I think there is a lot to be said for picking up a used SLR maybe a Nikon D50/Canon 350D with a kit lens, if you get the bug you can buy an inexpensive lon zoom (70-300) for less than £100 then you have the range and the flexibility. IF however you find that SLR is not your thang you should be able to sell it on pretty easily for very little loss.
And if you are still unsure you could always take up Buffs very kind offer and get a feel for how a SLR
fits in with you.

[Steve B]

OK, a friends father owns a company called 360 Tactical VR, which use lots of different DSLRs. A client ordered a Nikon D40, but then backed out, so he's offering it to me for a discounted price of £250. It'll come with a kit lens too. Is this a good price?

[Syd]

OK, a friends father owns a company called 360 Tactical VR, which use lots of different DSLRs. A client ordered a Nikon D40, but then backed out, so he's offering it to me for a discounted price of £250. It'll come with a kit lens too. Is this a good price?

Its not dear,but not cheap:

Nikon D40 Lens Kit (AF-S DX 18-55mm)

and remember the D40 only supports limited lenses

[Funkstar]

I had no idea they were generally available for that little!

[Steve B]

whats your thoughts on it syd?

[BUFF]

you can get a refurb (but fully warrantied) D50 with 18-55 for not much more.
SRS Microsystems - camera and computer retail

[Syd]

whats your thoughts on it syd?

My mate has just recently bought a D40x (a 10.2mp D40) and his one regret is the small choice of lenses
with motors built in. In hindsight if you want to change lenses(err the whole point) I would of recommended either a D50/D80 ( the eighty is great BUT still £400 on ebay) OR maybe look at the canon range ie:

Canon EOS 350D Lens Kit (EF-S 18-55mm)

I personally LOVE the Nikon range and you could as mentioned look at a s/h D50 6MP is after all plenty!!

[Steve B]

ahh i'm not so sure now
i'm confused by all the different types, and my eyes are twiggletted from building a PCB schematic for the last 2 hours

[Syd]

ahh i'm not so sure now
i'm confused by all the different types, and my eyes are twiggletted from building a PCB schematic for the last 2 hours

Now you have had a kip I would really see if you can get your mits on a mates for a day or two and see what you think, then at least you can decide if you want a DSLR - then you can narrow down your options a bit.

[this_is_gav]

My mate has just recently bought a D40x (a 10.2mp D40) and his one regret is the small choice of lenses

You're only really limited with the awesome value 50mm F1.8 prime - there's no value equivalent with built-in AF motor - nearest is probably the ~£250 30mm F1.4 Sigma (which is much more suited for me anyway, and better too). There's something for everything else I've looked at.

The deciding factor is normally which feels best in the hand to you. If that's the 350D/400D, then go down that route, if it's the D40(x) then go down that route. Simple as.