Camera Advice Needed

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DylanHaskin

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I'm looking for a decent entry level SLR camera.
Something that I can start with but can also go quite pro with.

I've been looking around and sofar I'm going for the Canon EOS 500D.
Attracted by the FullHD video capabilities - which I will use a lot.

Anyone really ANTI the 500d?
Pro's and cons? (please don't copy and paste specs from websites, I can do that myself - I'm looking for pros and cons from personal experience - or if you can recommend a decent SLR camera)

My price range is 8-10k.

Shot:)
 
I have the 450D at home.... really really awesome. The 450D doesn't have the video capability, but my Canon SX200 has the 720p video which is pretty sweet.

The 500D costs in the region of R8800 retail and is the upgrade of the 450D, so everything's just better.
I use it combined with the 70-200mm IS lense (the white one) which is something you might want to add later- it adds a wee bit of distance capability. Great for taking closeup photos at events.

I haven't found any con to this camera yet.

For a quick stats comparison and short review.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos500d/
 
I'd save a little more and get a Nikon D90. Much more professional.

Good advice is to go in to a shop and feel them in your hands. Nikon feels best to me and I prefer their button layout. Makro has most of the entry-level DSLRs on display.

A more professional Canon to consider would be the 40D/50D. Use www.dpreview.com.
 
Thanks for the responses so far.
Another question, what do they mean by Grey products?
Should I avoid that at all costs? or is it not that bad?
 
DylanHaskin said:
I'm looking for a decent entry level SLR camera.
Something that I can start with but can also go quite pro with.

I've been looking around and sofar I'm going for the Canon EOS 500D.
Attracted by the FullHD video capabilities - which I will use a lot.

Anyone really ANTI the 500d?
Pro's and cons? (please don't copy and paste specs from websites, I can do that myself - I'm looking for pros and cons from personal experience - or if you can recommend a decent SLR camera)

My price range is 8-10k.

Shot:)
Click to expand...
If you want video in a consumer body then the 500D is your best bet.

PostmanPot said:
I'd save a little more and get a Nikon D90. Much more professional.

Good advice is to go in to a shop and feel them in your hands. Nikon feels best to me and I prefer their button layout. Makro has most of the entry-level DSLRs on display.

A more professional Canon to consider would be the 40D/50D. Use www.dpreview.com.
Click to expand...
What's wrong with the consumer bodies? :confused: I shot with my 400Ds for more than two years before upgrading, in fact I still shoot as much with 400Ds as I do with my "[-]more[/-] professional" body.
DylanHaskin said:
Thanks for the responses so far.
Another question, what do they mean by Grey products?
Should I avoid that at all costs? or is it not that bad?
Click to expand...
Grey imports are goods that have bypassed the local distributer. Funny thing is if you look at B&Hs website they advertise grey goods right alongside the normal ones which makes me wonder why on earth the local retailers dont go and do the very same thing. Maybe Canon SA, Nikon SA, et al will toe the line and stop penalising the local consumer.
 
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bwana said:
What's wrong with the consumer bodies? :confused: I shot with my 400Ds for more than two years before upgrading, in fact I still shoot as much with 400Ds as I do with my "[-]more[/-] professional" body.
Click to expand...

Nothing at all. As you know D90/50D are prosumer cameras ("Something that I can start with but can also go quite pro with."). They are better than consumer/entry-level cameras with more features, buttons etc. to make photographing better and more convenient. A step up. And I will continue shooting with my D40 for at least another year, I just didn't have ±R8000 to spend, which would allow me to get a prosumer body.
 
PostmanPot said:
Nothing at all. As you know D90/50D are prosumer cameras ("Something that I can start with but can also go quite pro with."). They are better than consumer/entry-level cameras with more features, buttons etc. to make photographing better and more convenient. A step up. And I will continue shooting with my D40 for at least another year, I just didn't have ±R8000 to spend, which would allow me to get a prosumer body.
Click to expand...
The difference seems to be Nikon hobbled their consumer cameras - iirc the new D3000 only has 3 AF points and no AEB - while canon seems to have left less of a gap between the ranges. As a result I never saw the need to go the prosumer route because those models were simply not that much better.

I think the OP would be better off spending the extra money on glass.
 
I took forever to shop around, research, decide etc between 450/500/40D (and some waiting for the 500D to come out). Then I happened to use a D200 and was pretty set on nikon after that, even though before I figured they were a bit less known and a bit weird and their numbering system sucks etc. Eventually went for a D90. The lower model nikons seems a bit worse than the lower canons however I've heard lots of amateurs raving about their D40/D60 etc. The D90 has the AF motor built in which lets you use a lot of lenses that don't have their own built in and it has commander mode so you can use a flash like an sb600 (equiv to 430ex or so) off the camera without having to buy a seperate "transmitter"/controller thing (and some other advantages like it has a fantastic screen). It also has video but to be honest I have had the camera for a few months now and I have never even tried the video.
 
bwana said:
The difference seems to be Nikon hobbled their consumer cameras - iirc the new D3000 only has 3 AF points and no AEB - while canon seems to have left less of a gap between the ranges. As a result I never saw the need to go the prosumer route because those models were simply not that much better.

I think the OP would be better off spending the extra money on glass.
Click to expand...

D3000 has an 11 point AF, but yes you are right in that there is a slightly bigger gap between Nikon conumer and prosumer. But have you felt a D3000 vs a 1000D? :sick: Even the 450D feels horrible to me...
 
Just remember the DSLR with HD video does not autofocus. You have to do the focusing manually.
 
PostmanPot said:
D3000 has an 11 point AF, but yes you are right in that there is a slightly bigger gap between Nikon conumer and prosumer. But have you felt a D3000 vs a 1000D? :sick: Even the 450D feels horrible to me...
Click to expand...
My friend has the 1000D and it's not that bad to hold. Everything feels a bit weird to me since I upgraded - even my 400D feels odd when I'm not using the one with the grip - maybe partly because it weighs 800g less?
 
If I was you I'd save up for a D90 or just go with the 500d if money was a problem.

Just one thing, have you used a proper camera before? might not be such a wise idea to fork out R10k plus on something which you might not like.
 
Brawler said:
If I was you I'd save up for a D90 or just go with the 500d if money was a problem.

Just one thing, have you used a proper camera before? might not be such a wise idea to fork out R10k plus on something which you might not like.
Click to expand...

Yes i've used a proper camera before. By used I mean taken a few shots - and played around with my dads SLR - and his Previous PentaxK1000.
I've always had interested in getting into photography but I don't really know yet what I will like and what I won't like - that's why looking for decent entry level SLR. It's a bit hard to find something that's not absolute bottom of range for less than 8k.
 
What happens regarding the warranty if I purchase a Nikon from the U.K? If it malfunctions can I have it repaired or replaced here or must I send it back?


/me thinks one can't have the problem sorted out here :(
 
Alan said:
What happens regarding the warranty if I purchase a Nikon from the U.K? If it malfunctions can I have it repaired or replaced here or must I send it back?


/me thinks one can't have the problem sorted out here :(
Click to expand...
Nikon cameras purchased in the UK have a European warranty. http://tinyurl.com/yglyh6c
 
Damn. Only a year's warranty too.

I wonder if it is worth taking the risk :confused:
 
D5000 for 500 pounds(R6000) from the U.K as opposed to R8000 here. I'm thinking of getting it now with the Christmas sales on. However I'll only get it here in April( maybe earlier). My friend in the U.K who will buy it for me can give the camera a run through it's paces there to check for faults.

The more I think about it the less I'm inclined to go through with it :(
 
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Alan said:
The more I think about it the less I'm inclined to go through with it :(
Click to expand...
There are risks but you can always pay to get those sorted locally (if they're small) or send it to the UK (if they're major). I've bought more than half of my equipment overseas and not had any problems.

If your friend is going to test the camera first you'll be aware of focusing or sensor issues well in advance.
 
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