Used £150 DSLR Camera Recomendations

[Az]

After an entry level DSLR for circa £150.

So far I've found these cameras within budget or less (all come with the standard 18-55 lenses):
-Canon 400D (£130 on eBay, comes with an aftermarket battery pack attached to camera. Ebay #141939949195)
-Nikon D3000 (£120 and local to me, so can inspect before buying)
-Nikon D3100 (£180 on eBay, just above budget but wouldn't mind stretching if it's worth it. Ebay #322056059851)

I don't know much about DSLR's, but I want to get into photography & learn to use the facilities a DSLR camera offers (in good time). Purely for recreational use, nothing professional. I do enjoy taking photos, but I want something a bit better than my iPhone to take decent snaps with.

Do you have any recomendations for decent cameras within my budget or an opinion on any of the three cameras listed above?

[chris-red]

I'd go for a 30/40d if you can get it.
the x0D series are a level up from the xxd series and IMHO much better ergonomically.

Also check out...

https://www.mpb.com/

They are very good, and cheap, the cameras come with a warranty too.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[chris-red]

Also with the 18-55mm I'd buy the cheapest one you can. The only thing it is good for is is showing you why people pay lots for better lenses.

Edit:- I'd consider something like...

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - £144 on MPB
Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM - £104
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Ashperical (IF) - £154


The top one I own, it's a great do it all lens, I call it my holiday lens. It has a large range than the 18-55 and the optics are better.
The next one down is an older version of the first, it has a better focus mechanism but it is for a full frame camera, you lose the wide angle.
The Third is a superior version of the 18-55 much better all round.

I know it seems like a lot of money but the lenses will not lose value like the cameras will. See them as an investment. I guarantee if you get into it you will ditch your 18-55 very quickly, mine sat in a draw for a few years before I gave it to someone starting up.

IO haven't shopped around that is just quoting MPB's prices. They aren't super cheap for lenses but good for cameras.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[linuxyeti]

Hi

When buying a second hand dslr, a couple of things to really look out for..

Firstly, the sensor, has to be clear / clean. A scratched/scuffed sensor will render the camera practically worthless.

Also, get a total shutter actuation count, if you don't have access to the camera, get the seller to take a photo and upload it, or let you upload it to this website

https://www.camerashuttercount.com/

Essentially, if a camera is working after it's been used for a while, it's safe to say the electrical parts are all fine, so long as the sensor is clear, and the only other thing likely to fail is the shutter, as that is mechanical.

I had Canon cameras for years, and was happy with them, but I think recently Nikon have perhaps overtaken Canon, especially with their budget/entry level cameras. that however, is a fairly subjective choice, the important bits are what I've mentioned above.

Cheers

Tony
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Beware what photos you upload, or link to on here, especially if you have family members on them

[NJD]

See if you can find an appealing Nikon D3200. Seems I've not talked cameras in a while and it's been replaced with a D3300 but was a good enough entry level camera from what I remember a year and a bit ago.

[chris-red]

The Canon vs Nikon debate is easy, what do your friends use? You can only borrow lenses if you are using the same system!
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Kickstart]

Hi

The camera body becomes obsolescent rapidly, but lenses (at least, good ones) don't. Whatever camera is top dog this week won't be in a couple of months time.

Do you have access to any lenses already? Close friends already wedded to one camera system? If so I would suggest going for something that matches to enable you to borrow stuff, or at least know what does work.

All the best

Katy
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[linuxyeti]

Hi
THe bodies don't become obsolescent all that quickly now, I had both my Canons for 7 years, before I pretty much wore them out, and upgraded to my current dslr last year.

Also, another thing to consider, my be a good bridge camera, something like a Fuji HX30EXR, a decent all rounder, has many dslr features, and obviously the newer versions are even better. There are others as well, canon sx50 etc.

It really depends on what you want a dslr for

Cheers

Tony
____________________
Beware what photos you upload, or link to on here, especially if you have family members on them

[Kickstart]

[Lord Percy]

[Az]

What do you think of this Fuji HS10? Clicky

Does it look like a decent buy? The price is very attractive and open to offers (would aim to pay £95), with a 2 year warranty available at £32.99.

If not, I may wait until next month and up my budget. I'd then aim to buy a body and lens separate and get a decent example of both.

[Lord Percy]

Well I'm biased sinced that's the exact camera I've got

I'd say go for it. I bought mine about 4 years ago for nearer £200 if I remember correctly. And I have no intention of buying a new one, at least not for the sake of image quality and/or usability. It's great. I'll only buy a new one when this one breaks.

Really depends if you ever think you might go all-in with the proper DSLR stuff though. The HS10 is a working-out-of-the-box sort of camera, no need to interchange lenses or anything like that so once you've got it, you're stuck with it. (Not that it's bad to be 'stuck with it', but it is just a very fancy point and shoot).

You say you're considering a separate body and lens, well you'll probably find yourself suprisingly restricted until you turn the lens into lenses, multiple. The gigantic winning factor for the HS10 is the lens which does everything you could need, at least in my opinion, doing all sorts of shots from macro to super-zoomed. All I can say is it's served me perfectly for many an adventure. The ultra keen photographers with massive arsenals of kit might think differently however so it depends on what your long term photography aims are. Mine is a 'put in the bag', 'rough and ready' 'no nonsense' sort of affair. I've taken my camera all over the world with me.

Oh and the HS10 lens does have threads (58mm) around it so you can screw attachment lenses onto it if you so wish. I have a 0.3x super fisheye that I screw on like that.

[Az]

Looks like my uses for a camera is very similar to Lord Percy's. After reading some reviews and taking on board what you have all said, I think i'll go with a HS10 and see how I get along with it. Worst case scenario, I'll want a different camera and sell the HS10 on for a little or no loss and buy a different camera.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated

[Azonicben]

I`m currently using an old Canon 20d, as said above as long as the sensor is clean and a reasonable shutter count, i wouldn`t hesitate to recommend it. (probably at the cheaper end of your budget too)

I`m not a fan of the latest Canon(or insert brand here) stuff. Too many gadgets,bells and whistles. Clever but I`d rather create a great image without the assistance, I think for a beginner theres a lot to be said for back to basics. I find the reliance on the Lcd for everything slightly off putting and a bit point and shoot-ish, they also seem very light and toyish in the hand.

"in my day it were all film.....Grumble.......grumble"

I can highly recommend this book too. The .pdf may be available, but amazon have the hardback from 35Pence.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Photographers-Handbook-Comprehensively-generation-photographers/dp/0330390139


When did i get so old
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Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

[chris-red]

[Azonicben]