First dslr camera help ?

Hello, I want to get my first dslr but im confused as to what one to get. I've been into photography for a while and want to take better quality pictures. i dont want something too professional that i cant understand at all but something that is maybe designed for a beginner but is still a 'good' camera that i can progress with . i can probably spend around £400. i have looked at the nikon d3000 and canon eos 1000d but im just not sure what i should be looking for , can anyone recomend any cameras? i would prefer to buy new i think. thank you everyone

Most of the SLR cameras available now are pretty reasonable. Ken Rockwell is good for reviews I find It's all about what you like the feel of and the look of - and certainly not something to rush into. I would go to camera shops and have a play around with the cameras in your price range - and look at examples of photos taken with those cameras online

xx

recommending to get the lending brands which is nikon and canon

Nikon

is there any other camera brand?

Nikon

not to me no :P, my sony is actually playing up with its focusing since i got this nikon .. i think it feels neglected lol

TBH any DSLR is going to be good camera, don't get pulled into a brand thing, get your hands on them, feel them, see which brand works best for you. My first camera 2 years ago, was an Olympus E410, and it was perfect for learning on, as it was smallish, easy to use and felt good in my hands, and if it hadn't of drowned in a mountain stream, I would still have it as a spare.

Try every brand out, in a shop, you really need to see what suits you, it's a personal choice.

I would have a feel of the cameras in your price bracket and walk away and try them in a different shop. Leave it a few days and do it again. The cameras will feel different. Personally I like Nikon, but i don't like some of the cheaper nikons, nor do I like Canons with their menu driven hidden functions. Some people think the Pentax's offer good entry level value. I don't like Sony's as they don't seem to like natural colours.

Part of your decison is whether you will be taking photography seriously and buying more kit, and if so, would you buy secondhand lenses? If the answer to the latter is yes, then to have access to a reasonable range then ideally Canon or Nikon, if not, doesn't matter.

Image quality on your cameras at a particular price point is going to be similar anyway. if you were buying Nikon I'd suggest a secondhand D60, D80 or D90, or maybe a new D60, D5000 or D90 although the latter is well over your budget.

Blimey whilst I was typing away and answering texts too Mooney has written a similar thing to me so we can't both be wrong can we!

I'd pretty much echo what the others have said.

Spec wise you will find the cameras in the same ball park to be much of a muchness so it really is down to how they feel in your hand.

Have a think about what sort of thing you'll want to photograph as well as certain lenses are more suited to certain things.

First of all get rid of the notion of not wanting something too professional (big mistake). The more expensive cameras still have an auto mode where the camera does everything.

Why do I say this, it through experience, soon you will outgrow the limitations of a DSLR starter camera and want to move up the range. That will mean loosing a bundle of cash in part exchange or selling to get a better camera you could have started out with.

Look at what you have said "I've been into photography for a while and want to take better quality pictures." Already you know by this statement you have outgrown your existing camera and this is what will happen with a starter DSLR.

A more expensive camera you start by using fully auto, then find you need more flexibility and the camera has it ie aperture control-shutter speed - ISO- light conditions and a thousand things more, which a base line camera may not be able to handle.

As you get to know a camera the more you will want to get out of it although you may not think so at the time, believe me its true.

Having said that factory refurbished cameras are as new but a bit cheaper several outlets sell them you just need to look. Next any new DSLR camera doesn't come with a memory card so allow for say a 4 gig card Sandisk being one of the better ones. Other alternative is to get a second hand camera with a low shutter count preferable below 10,000 clicks.

Next just don't look at the camera consider how much lenses cost ,they can vary quite a bit from make to make, this is a major consideration to take on board.

I think other members have already pointed out what to look for in choosing a DSLR camera so there is no point in my repeating what has already been said.

ALWAYS REMEMBER A CAMERA IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PERSON BEHIND IT.
Bazza