New Camera

[PB S5]

Hey guys I require a new camera and am thinking of going the SLR route as they are customisable. Would you experts recommend a Panasonic G1 or Cannon 500D? Are the lenses easily available for the panasonic?

[Hoppy]

The Panasonic is the shape of things to come, no reflex viewing an' all that, but I don't think the technology is quite there yet. Electronic viewfinder and the autofocusing in particular. Technically it's not a DSLR, but if you've tried one and like it, it will do a fine job.

There are no bad cameras out there now, and it's more what you like the look and feel of for the money. Canon 500D is new and therefore still quite high priced. It doesn't do anything for me that the cheaper 450D doesn't, which it has theoretically replaced, but my choice would be a 40D at that sort of budget. Check out Camera Price Buster - UKs cheapest camera gear

If you want to get into the full DSLR system thing, then it's either Canon or Nikon. You can get most things for most things, but if it's quality used kit you want then Canon/Nikon have ten times the amount of kit being traded. And there is also nothing better - as good maybe, but not better.

[PB S5]

Thanks for your reply Hoppy.

What mm lens would you recommend for a SLR starter?

[Hoppy]

Get a kit lens, as they are called, usually 18-55mm. They go from a reasonable wide angle at 18mm, through a 'standard' focal length at 30mm or so, and on to a mild telephoto at the long end. Known as walkabout lenses, they will handle everyday picture taking, are not bad for portraits and go close enough for flowers and the like. Because they are made in such large numbers, the basic kit lens is cheap and exceptional value. Regardless of what more specialist stuff you might want to do, you'd be mad not to get one.

I know more about Canon than other brands, and they do a higher grade kit lens, 17-85mm, which has an even more useful range and is a bit better made than the standard kit lens. It also has IS which some lenses do not, and I think this is a very useful feature.

Most people then add a tele-zoom, maybe 55-200 or 70-300. The Canon 55-250 is particularly good and very good value at around £200. Excellent for motorsport. Next up might be a super-wide, around 10-20, but even if you have enough cash I would advise against getting too much stuff all at once. Have a go with the kit lens and see how it fits your subject matter. You might want to go for macro, or invest in a separate flash unit, have a go with the cheap and low f/number 50mm f/1.8, known as the nifty-fifty. There are dozens of lenses available and spending £500 or over £1k each is very easy, but the law of diminishing returns kicks in quite early.

[Gutmann pug]

I had a Tamron 70-300 for a couple of years when I started out and it was a good work horse....Cost around £100 so it was good value for money too

[tanyatriangles]

Have a look at the Nikon D300 with a bundle lens on e-bay.
Still the camera others aspire to..........

I bought one earlier this year and LOVE it.