Thread: Completly lost
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Old 27-05-09, 08:58
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sassan sassan is offline  
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Jaz1; I am sorry that you have so much trouble in finding your best choice but remember that you are neither the first nor last in coming with this kind of question and good that you brought it in where the difference of ideas and suggestion may through a light in your path of decision making and hopefully not adding to the confusion.

With all respects, I am to disagree with Don as IMO just feeling a camera fit right in your hand, is not the reason one should buy a camera as I can promise most of us will love the feel of a Canon 1Ds MkIII or Nikon D3x but surely by no means these are not the cameras realistically one might want to shoot with, even if he or she owns it...
I say the first and foremost in merit order are:
- Budget
- Your expectations
- Kind of equipments of your bodies and close friends that are likely to share their tools or experience with you.
- Equipments you already own.
- Equipments you must add in near future.

Now once these are meet and you have done your extensive homework before leaving the comfort of your home and having that extensive resource of knowledge on internet, free of expectation, and only when you have narrowed your list to hopefully 2 or maximum 3 options, it might be the right time to go to a shop that may let you hand on tools. Remember that getting into a shop might be introducing yourself into a "High pressure Atmosphere" where you may be extensively get influence by a seller and don't know about UK atmosphere but many shops in USA will make sure you get out of the door only after leaving maximum cash you had in your wallet left in the shop as the selling manager has his own commission or incentives only by selling. Not to get out of subject but even if wind take my hat into a car dealer, I won't walk in as I have seen people getting out with a car that they never thought may buy, after getting into a situation similar to what I said...

Just to go over your choices, I made a quick comparison chart for you in dpreview that is a good place to start you home work but by no means consider this as a detailed or black and white answer to your questions. I added a few more choices to your list just in case.

LINK

I find reviewing the features very useful as there are things that I know for a fact I like or want such as "Sensor cleaning in more that one way", "Live view", "Larger size of LCD viewer say minimum of 2.7 or 3 inch", type of memory, large number of available lenses of various quality/price class, etc as opposed to things I don't care much like a bit more in pixel resolution etc. Then don't underestimate the power of Brand names though many suggest you go for less fortunate ones. From experience you know how much easier is to find a relief if you ever get into trouble with a manufactures that has a lot more dealer, repair center etc that the one that makes you to refer to only few location on the globe.
Same goes for the possible selling of item. A popular brand will keep to its price a lot better than a not-popular one, in case you feel the need for upgrade to next step, when the right time comes.
If expansion is in future plan then again a more popular brand gives you a lot more options. Just for your self use the word accessory or lens as key words plus name of each of camera manufacturer such as Canon Nikon etc, one at a time to make a search in a large market such as ebay and see for yourself what number of item will show for each brand. Not to say the larger number is definitely a proof of better quality but we are talking of possibilities or aren't we?

After saying these not necessary word, lets get to your simple question;

If you have just a limited expectations with a limited range of optical range, then I strongly invite you to stay off of DSLR and use the high grade non-dslr cameras that give you a lot of manual over-riding when you need to make that effect. I have only two names to suggest here whether others like it or not:
1- Canon G10
2- Panasonic DMC-LX3
No. You are determined that for what ever reason DSLR is way to go,
My first question is are you good with finding a second hand camera that comes from higher grade class than the entry levels you mention for purchase as New? More importantly are able to risk a lower budget in a careful risk taking situation and then would you be happy knowing what you are having is not the New Kid in The Block gadget and gizmo and can you deal with a bit out dated appearance and features but full muscle rather that good looking fat? If so seriously look for:
Canon 20D
Canon 30D
Nikon D200
Nikon D80
These should be at Sony price or a bit more around that figure you quoted. Key is to reduce the possible risks or be ready to walk out of deal if anything appears fishy.

No. You have to buy New because you need the right piece of Mind Comfort in knowing your item comes with at least a year of Warranty, it comes from no bad environment such as surprise to see a second hand item coming from a heavily smoker with reminder in very part of item, Your heart can't deal with a few scratches or paint chips here and there, etc; Then my suggestion is

-Canon 450D

-Sony 350 (The difference in price compare to A200 is a lot lower than huge difference in what you get in term of feature that surely worths that little hurt).

-Pentax K10 that if you are lucky, you will find one new in box for a lot cheaper than what you thought, even you may find a good deal on K20.

Your already own lenses adds a bit to going for Canon. Your Sigma should be compatible with the new EF EFs eos bodies and the incompatibility issue was with older high grade APO lenses with large F number. I have a copy of your Sigma but the one that was made by Sigma, sold under Quanterey name and it works fine with my XT XTi etc and boy this thing is Sharp like razor, wonder how could they sell it at such low price. But then remember that because you lenses are in Canon mount, you probably can easily sell them on ebay and then buy for eg same range in Sigma for say pentax or minolta/sony for cheaper!

-Remember that old manual FD Canon lenses like old MD Minolta or Olympus lenses are not compatible with new AF versions.
-Old Nikons are mostly compatible with new AF once but you of course loss all electrical couplings.
-AF minolta older lens are compatible all with Sony bodies fully.

Do your home work and research before getting out and make sure whatever choice you go for, you are happy with. In reality given a little margin of differences, you will be happy with whichever you chose form your list, unless you are a bit not sure about your decisions and then there is one of those Well determined friend in vicinity that can ruin your mind unless you get exactly what he or she has.
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