New camera time.

[daza]

Right short story, Ive got a 2 year art+design course that I'm on which Includes photography which I'm getting into.

Basically I like it quite alot and I'm looking at getting a new camera as my current S3500, is getting on a bit now and I'm just not happy with the results it gives tbh, I'm personally after a DSLR on the entry level~intermediate level, Ive had a quick look around (literally 5mins) and Ive seen a Nikon D40 with lens for around £360 so I think that will be my budget sub £400.

So any suggestions guys, and yes I've never used a DSLR before and I'm aware its going to be a steep learning curve but I'm after a challenge.

[BUFF]

D40 has 6MP, D40X has 10MP.
As of 1st October Canon will be doing £50 cashback on the EOS400D.

Handling is very important so get to a good camera shop & handle them (also look at the Sony & Pentax DSLRs).

[Funkstar]

Something else to consider is if you have any friends or family with other SLRs. That way you are usually able to swap lenses and accessories with them and also get advice on how to actually use it.

[daza]

Nop no one else in the family even knows how to operate a normal camera so I'm stuck there, had a quick scan across the sales section and this D50 popped up almost instantly, read a few reviews and they seem to be a bit mixed really, will pop up to town after college on Monday to the camera shops to see if they have one to get a feel for it like buff said.

Next note, lenses can't make out all these numbers and the amount of them is head spinning, normally I'm keen on landscapes and macro shots, and then pic I posted on my first post.

[usxhe190]

I would go with Canon, but if you already have Nikon lens, go for Nikon.

[Bobster]

does your course not go into how to process film?

[daza]

Not really tbh, they've got the facilitys but I dont think they've been used/get used for some time, Ive had a look at the results people have got from the D50 and Ive been surprised by it so Ill have a look at a dew camera places in town on monday to get a feel for it.

[Bobster]

just watch it on the High ISO's

[da_ging]

I think the d50 is actually quite good at high iso shots, i'd certainly choose the d50 over both d40's due to the lack of built in focus motor which limits the use with the large amount of older nikon glass

click the pics for the full size unedited jpegs, both iso1600


click here for the raw version converted to jpeg with acr

[daza]

Right looks like the D50 was sold yesterday, so looks like I'm going to start looking for the cheapest prices any help guys.

[Bobster]

yeah that 1600 looks like my 3200..

[daza]

Yep you've lost me with these ISO settings, anyway I've been reading a few reviews today of different cameras that were in my price range and at the moment it looks like the canon 400D is in the no.1 position at the moment but it could change when I go to the camera shop on Monday.

[da_ging]

yeah that 1600 looks like my 3200..

considering the price difference I would hope so aswell

still the d50 is perfectly usable at iso1600 you have to agree

[Bobster]

350D has the same noise diffence as mine

[BUFF]

yeah that 1600 looks like my 3200..

& yet before digital we all happily got along with ISO 400 or occasionally 800 at most, never would have dreamt of 1600 let alone 3200 ...

[Hans Voralberg]

Well we always push it now do we, I used 1600 BW film, grainy but well useable