Digital SLR camera... Any recommendations?

[robjh]

Does battery life vary much between models?
How does it compare to a digital compact camera?

 

[fossyant]

My son is after a 700D with all his Xmas monies etc.

This place looks the cheapest. They are about £100 cheaper than most other retailers.

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/

 

[accountantpete]

Does battery life vary much between models?
How does it compare to a digital compact camera?

Yes but generic batteries are cheap and you can take a couple if needed. The main usage comes from the screen as per compact cameras.

 

[Bollo]

My son is after a 700D with all his Xmas monies etc.

This place looks the cheapest. They are about £100 cheaper than most other retailers.

http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/

Never heard any complaints about hdew, but they sell grey imports, hence the price difference. They're reasonably open about it and claim to match the warranties of Official UK sourced kit, but it'd be worth reading their T&Cs to make sure you're happy.

 

[fossyant]

Never heard any complaints about hdew, but they sell grey imports, hence the price difference. They're reasonably open about it and claim to match the warranties of Official UK sourced kit, but it'd be worth reading their T&Cs to make sure you're happy.

3 year warrenty. Sounds a bit like Maestro (Colnago grey importer).

 

[Bollo]

3 year warrenty. Sounds a bit like Maestro (Colnago grey importer).

Except hdew don't have a mad ranty page about official dealers.

 

[Saluki]

I have a Canon EOS 550D (18mp), which replaced my trusty 300D that went swimming after some pipes burst while we were away. I can't fault it. It does everything I need it to do.
They can be picked up quite cheaply nowadays as there are much newer ones with a gajillion megapixels nowadays. I have never found anything lacking with it so far. You can go fully manual or fully auto, or even a bit of both, depending on your mood.

 

[derrick]

I got a Nikon and love it, One of the deciding factors was the way it felt when you hold it. The Canon felt a bit more awkward to hold,They mostly all take great pics,

 

[fossyant]

Recommendations for 'alternative' lenses ?

As a starter we are looking at the standard Canon 18-55mm STM lens as the STM is quieter for video (the main use my son wants it for - his money). Then for pics looking at a basic level Canon upto 200mm zoom lens with the USM drive ?

 

[Andy_R]

This was taken with a Canon 30D

 

[KneesUp]

Recommendations for 'alternative' lenses ?

As a starter we are looking at the standard Canon 18-55mm STM lens as the STM is quieter for video (the main use my son wants it for - his money). Then for pics looking at a basic level Canon upto 200mm zoom lens with the USM drive ?

Not up to speed on Canon kit, but fixed focal length lenses are much better quality, and also tend to have a wider aperture (lower f number) which makes it easier to get blurred backgrounds for that 'shot on film' video look.

 

[Bollo]

@perplexed Back then the original question. For the standard DSLRs, there are two standard sensor sizes that go by a number of names, but you'll usually hear them called something like 'cropped' or APC-S (smaller sensor) and full-frame (bigger sensor - close to 35mm film). There are pros and cons to each, but it'd be worth reading up. Unless you get very serious, stick with cropped sensors as both the camera and the lenses will be much cheaper. You can also pick up a lot of 2nd hand lens bargains as enthusiasts sell off their APC-S-specific lenses as they 'move up' to full frame.You can use a full frame lens with an APC-S camera but not vice-versa.

Although there are a few very good brands in the market, Nikon and Canon are the leaders and will give you the greatest choice of kit, both new and second hand.

 

[Stevec047]

Not up to speed on Canon kit, but fixed focal length lenses are much better quality, and also tend to have a wider aperture (lower f number) which makes it easier to get blurred backgrounds for that 'shot on film' video look.

The best lens I ever bought is what is commonly known as the nifty fifty they do a couple of versions with one sub £100 and a more expensive version.

It is permantly fitted to my Canon and gets used for portraits, product shots, scenery shots and everything in between. It's small light and gives amazing results when you want to isolate something in the foreground.

 

[accountantpete]

Recommendations for 'alternative' lenses ?

As a starter we are looking at the standard Canon 18-55mm STM lens as the STM is quieter for video (the main use my son wants it for - his money). Then for pics looking at a basic level Canon upto 200mm zoom lens with the USM drive ?

I have a couple of the basic Canon lenses including a nifty fifty which are ok and a top-end film era lens which is fantastic. It depends on what you want and how much you are prepared to pay.

 

[fossyant]

Ah, this sort of thing for the 50mm

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-50-1-8-Lens/dp/B00005K47X