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Thread: Entry-Level 35mm SLR

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    Cable Guy Jonny M's Avatar
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    Question Entry-Level 35mm SLR

    Looking to get into photography a bit more, so looking out for a 35mm SLR (would love a digital SLR, but funds won't allow it). Need someone to recommend me a model to start off with. The Nikon F55 seems to get a decent writeup, but I really know nothing about the whole thing.

    As for price, well I don't really want to set a hard limit on funds. I can afford the F55 and the 28-100 lens on Amazon, so anything around that price I guess, maybe a bit higher.

    Thanks

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    Tom
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    When you are considering the price, dont forget to factor in the cost of developing and film etc over a couple of years....makes the digi slr look a lot more affordable! the 300D with cashback deal before the 31st of jan can be had for the right side of £500, including the 18-55mm lens (28.8-88 with the cropping).

    Tis more than double the price, but ultimately a lot more conveniant (can shoot without worrying if the pic will be good etc) and depending how much you use it, could save you a lot of dosh!

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    Photographer; for hire!! shiato storm's Avatar
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    take a look at the canon 300x anf the pentax range...you get more for your money - with nikon you really pay for the name.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom
    When you are considering the price, dont forget to factor in the cost of developing and film etc over a couple of years....makes the digi slr look a lot more affordable! the 300D with cashback deal before the 31st of jan can be had for the right side of £500, including the 18-55mm lens (28.8-88 with the cropping).

    Tis more than double the price, but ultimately a lot more conveniant (can shoot without worrying if the pic will be good etc) and depending how much you use it, could save you a lot of dosh!
    yeah, going digital is a much more adaptable option, but the initial cost is rather steep you do get instant results and hence to learn about photography it is a good option.
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    Minolta Dynax5 is very good for the money.
    Consider buying equipment s/h too as there are plenty available as more people go digital.

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    Photographer; for hire!! shiato storm's Avatar
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    konica minolta Dynax 4 or 5, pentax mz-60
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    CANNON 3000V



    nuff said!
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    canon 300x - better than the 3000v and only a bit more.
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    Dynax 60 ?

    http://www.jessops.com/search/viewpr...WORD_SEARCH=N&

    Hunt about and you should be able to find it quite a bit cheaper than that too
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    If you want to save some money get a second hand pentax 35mm slr, build up some lenses as they can be used with the digital slr. Double check whick lense mounts work with what, but could be a good get you going system. MZ-50 is nice. To get a look at various cameras go to jessops and check out your lacl camera shops, they often have 2nd hand sales after xmas and they usually give 6 months warenty.

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    Now with added sobriety Rave's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Caged
    Looking to get into photography a bit more, so looking out for a 35mm SLR (would love a digital SLR, but funds won't allow it). Need someone to recommend me a model to start off with. The Nikon F55 seems to get a decent writeup, but I really know nothing about the whole thing.

    As for price, well I don't really want to set a hard limit on funds. I can afford the F55 and the 28-100 lens on Amazon, so anything around that price I guess, maybe a bit higher.

    Thanks
    The F55 is a cheap nasty piece of poo IMO. Pretty much any Canon EOS apart from the 5000 would be better than that. Spend another £15 and you can get this:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...442946-2648402

    ....it's a better camera in every respect. Don't worry about the fact that the lens only goes to 90mm instead of 100, you'll not notice the difference.

    Alternatively look at secondhand, you could get something like an EOS 10, 100, or 50E (or you might even be able to get an EOS 5, not sure what they're worth nowadays). All are excellent cameras; even though they're fairly old now they're still a cut above the entry level stuff.

    Rich :¬)

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    Now with added sobriety Rave's Avatar
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    Re: Pentax and Minolta. Nice camera bodies (Minolta especially) but the range of lenses is limited and expensive compared to Canon....unless you buy Sigma or Tamron lenses, I guess.

    My top tip (as an ex-Jessops employee) is to get some prices for various cameras online, then go into Jessops, try 'em out to see what you like, and then get them to price match. They'll price match pretty much anyone as long as they're based in the U.K. (I.E. not Pixmania, they're French), and as long as they're not actually losing money. If they can get to within, say, £10-20 of the cheapest online price then IMO it's worth paying the extra for the support you'll get if things go wrong.

    Rich :¬)

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    If you want something a bit pro, pentax z1p is rather good. Was originally a professional camera costing around £800 for the body, can be had for around £250 2nd hand now. Has the added benefit over many other slr in that it can use any pentax bayonet lens, ranging from full manual to full auto with motor zoom. i Have one and use a manual 600mm lens for wildlife photography, big lens great optics and because its old was cheap. Gives access to more lenses than any other camera, other than possibly a Nikon as they are backwards compatable but to a lesser degree.
    Last edited by Flibb; 15-12-2004 at 11:57 PM.

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    Now with added sobriety Rave's Avatar
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    Also don't buy a 3000V- I went on the canon site and as far as I can see it's one of those nasty SLRs with no manual exposure modes. Cheap and crap- avoid. I wish Canon wouldn't keep making that sort of camera TBH.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Rave
    The F55 is a cheap nasty piece of poo IMO. Pretty much any Canon EOS apart from the 5000 would be better than that. Spend another £15 and you can get this:

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...442946-2648402

    ....it's a better camera in every respect. Don't worry about the fact that the lens only goes to 90mm instead of 100, you'll not notice the difference.

    Alternatively look at secondhand, you could get something like an EOS 10, 100, or 50E (or you might even be able to get an EOS 5, not sure what they're worth nowadays). All are excellent cameras; even though they're fairly old now they're still a cut above the entry level stuff.

    Rich :¬)

    Cheers Rich. What's the non USM lens thing on about?

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