New Camera... Which one

[19ninety]

OK, so I'm still green to photography (and photoshop) and want to get some better hardware. I used to have a FujiFilm Finepix S5000, then got poor and sold it, then when i had some more money I got a Minolta Z1, got poor again and sold that.
I'm currently using a Nikon Coolpix 5200 compact.

Now I was hopeing to get aCanon G7 whilst in the states as its a everything I need and the bonus is it fits in your pocket. For one reason or another I didnt get the G7.

So now here we are, I'm getting back into photography again (when I look at my old photos and even when looking at other people, I get this weird feeling in my gut!?!) and this time I'd liek to do things a bit better.

I already have 3 4GB SDHC cards from which were for the G7 - plenty for two weeks of shooting in highest quality JPEG.

I cant afford a camera right now, but my plan is to get a Nikon D40 body, then a lense and some filters and then a telephoto lense, and so on.
I know i cant use the body alone, but, I would like a proper camera and I'm happy to save up for a bit, by which time the D40 will be a bit cheaper and I can get a lense at the same time.

So, what lenses are good, which are bad and what ones should I avoid?
Does anyone own one of these cameras, is it worht getting?
If I can figure out what to get now then I can plan a bit more what to save

Thanks

G.

[Ian]

Re: New Camera... Which one

First thing we need to know is how much you have to spend? The D40 with the standard kit zoom lens is a good choice - but you seem to have discounted the lens?

You hankered after a Canon G7, but then decidede against one - any particular reason? This could help point you in the right direction.

Ian

OK, so I'm still green to photography (and photoshop) and want to get some better hardware. I used to have a FujiFilm Finepix S5000, then got poor and sold it, then when i had some more money I got a Minolta Z1, got poor again and sold that.
I'm currently using a Nikon Coolpix 5200 compact.

Now I was hopeing to get aCanon G7 whilst in the states as its a everything I need and the bonus is it fits in your pocket. For one reason or another I didnt get the G7.

So now here we are, I'm getting back into photography again (when I look at my old photos and even when looking at other people, I get this weird feeling in my gut!?!) and this time I'd liek to do things a bit better.

I already have 3 4GB SDHC cards from which were for the G7 - plenty for two weeks of shooting in highest quality JPEG.

I cant afford a camera right now, but my plan is to get a Nikon D40 body, then a lense and some filters and then a telephoto lense, and so on.
I know i cant use the body alone, but, I would like a proper camera and I'm happy to save up for a bit, by which time the D40 will be a bit cheaper and I can get a lense at the same time.

So, what lenses are good, which are bad and what ones should I avoid?
Does anyone own one of these cameras, is it worht getting?
If I can figure out what to get now then I can plan a bit more what to save

Thanks

G.

[19ninety]

[PaulKay]

Re: New Camera... Which one

I would recommend the Canon 400D

[RCE]

[RCE]

Re: New Camera... Which one

I would recommend the Canon 400D

The 400D takes CompactFlash not SD doesn't it?

[pewidane]

Re: New Camera... Which one

Nikon D 40 with standard kit lens is a good choice,has taken 4000 pictures the last 4 months and are very satisfied.
You get better pictures with a digital SLR an with a digital compact camera.

[19ninety]

Re: New Camera... Which one

Hi wow, thanks for your responses, well, still havent got a new camera yet, things always come up that require money - sooo, heres hopeing that the x-mas bonus is large!!
Umm err umm, damn, well I'm going to look into the D40 (come on payday!) then probably get a G7/G9 too in February for my birthday, most likely the G7 as will be a very cheap good camera for taking out and about as I always like having camera in my pocket when out and visiting family and stuff liek that, the D40 may be a little intimidating for family snaps etc.
I really cant wait to get a decent camera again, in time for the fireworks at the London Eye NYE!.

Oh, why cats are great - see how pleased he is with himself!! Licking his lips HAHA!

[pointblanc]

Re: New Camera... Which one

I suggest the d80 because it has a greater and larger lens. But never the less the D40 camera is great because it is cheap and it shoots good shots.

[19ninety]

Re: New Camera... Which one

OK so then, here we are again, I'm still deciding...

Now, I have looked into this and that, lense costs are interesting between the Canon 400D and Nikon D40X, canon being cheaper.

My current question is, taking everything into account, what are peoples opinions of the D40X and 400D in terms of the 'cheaper' lenses available for both and their quality, AF and manual focus abilities?
From what I've seen, the Nikon lenses are a pain to manual focus where as the canon's are better designed in the area of manual focusing.
The 400D seems to be less 'point & shoot' then the D40X as a camera but maybe thats a good thing as it'll encourge better camera skills and control.....?

Just so you can see what I'm looking at/to buy:

http://www.parkcameras.com/Bundle/mcs/BundleID/1071/display/true

Although I'm still in two minds as to whether to go with the D40X.....

[ash]

Re: New Camera... Which one

Why dont ya go to the camera shop and try them, dont just set your mind on one camera or you might be dissapointed, hold them all and see if it feels right, snow good buying a camera that takes wicked pictures but you cant hold it proper, they all feel different, also check out the pentax k100 and k10, these are excellent camera's and should be just about in your price range.
Have fun.

[Patrick]

Re: New Camera... Which one

Why dont ya go to the camera shop and try them, dont just set your mind on one camera or you might be dissapointed, hold them all and see if it feels right, snow good buying a camera that takes wicked pictures but you cant hold it proper, they all feel different, also check out the pentax k100 and k10, these are excellent camera's and should be just about in your price range.
Have fun.

Ash is giving good advice, try these cameras in the shop. Focus is coming up a the NEC Birmingham a perfect place to try all the cameras on your list, and then some.
I wouldn't however consider kit lenses, particularly the Canon from what I read they are not particularly good, and the Nikon again from what I have read have plastic mounts. If I am incorrect about the mounts I apologize and I'm sure someone will correct me. Now I know people that are happy with the kit lenses but perhaps they haven't used better to compare.

Buy the camera body of choice, and then select a none kit lens from the camera makers own range, or from a well known independent lens makers.
I suggest Sigma EX lenses, I use them exclusively, not that cheap but cheaper than camera makers own for an equivalent quality lens, They are well made and give good sharp high quality results.

As a matter of interest if Canon 400D is your choice then the 450D is about to go on sale as a replacement and it sounds like a Lu LU in the best possible sense.

Patrick

[19ninety]

Re: New Camera... Which one

Ash is giving good advice, try these cameras in the shop. Focus is coming up a the NEC Birmingham a perfect place to try all the cameras on your list, and then some.
I wouldn't however consider kit lenses, particularly the Canon from what I read they are not particularly good, and the Nikon again from what I have read have plastic mounts. If I am incorrect about the mounts I apologize and I'm sure someone will correct me. Now I know people that are happy with the kit lenses but perhaps they haven't used better to compare.

Buy the camera body of choice, and then select a none kit lens from the camera makers own range, or from a well known independent lens makers.
I suggest Sigma EX lenses, I use them exclusively, not that cheap but cheaper than camera makers own for an equivalent quality lens, They are well made and give good sharp high quality results.

As a matter of interest if Canon 400D is your choice then the 450D is about to go on sale as a replacement and it sounds like a Lu LU in the best possible sense.

Patrick

Hi thanks, I did a bit of reading on the 450, just gotta try not to let the money burn a hole if I hold out for it.

I looked over the D40 and 400D for a long while and played around with then this evening in currys, didnt have a d40x in stock.
Now every review I have read so far says the D40 fits smaller hands nicely, but I have to say that its got a nice feeling in your fingers when you hold the grip, where was the 400D is a bit looser but feels better in you hand if that makes sense. after fondling them both I like the canon a lot more, although I have never used compact flash memory before and laughed when I opened the memory cover and saw a hole big enough to take a VCR bonus is the 450D will be SD/SDHC which is a bit better as I already have the cards.
The canon also had a nicer view finder, wasnt too impressed with the D40's little slider to zoom inside of the small eyepiece or its lack of buttons, which may sound silly, but I have found it frustrating with the little S5000 I'm using when I have to mess round in menus on the display to change settings.

So Canon it is ... but now a whole new choice, 400D or wait it out for the 450D - however the extra time will be enough for the extra bucks. Would have to settle for the stock lense for a little while though I think...

[Stephen]

Re: New Camera... Which one

I'd agree with Patrick. If you really want good advice, and I get the impression you need someone to help you make up your mind, then I wouldn't go for either a Canon or Nikon kit lens. However if you went for an Oly kit for example then theirs is much better.

I feel you are leaning towards a Canon though, so I'd go for something like a short mid range zoom like a Sigma 24-70 f2.8 There is probably a Nikon fit too. This is the lens range I find I use the most, and the wide aperture throughout the range is worth paying the extra for. If this puts you to the limit of your budget then buy it now and save for another lens in due course.

[pewidane]

Re: New Camera... Which one

5 pictures whit NIKON D40 and KIT lens.