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Which Digital SLR Camera?

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Border View

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Posted December 12, 2010 at 10:49PM

I am looking to move up into the digital SLR camera world. My main use will be photographing wild life.

I would like one with a good zoom lense.

My budget ranges from £300 to £400.

Can anyone please offer suggestions. I have seen the Sony A290 but would welcome advice.

Thank you.

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morddwyd

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 7:23AM

I recently posted a similar thread

click here

I was recommended the Canon 1000D which I bought, but I have not yet used it so I can't give any recommendation.

In your particular case, where the lens is your main criterion, I would select the lens first, then compare the bodies to go with it!

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Border View

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 8:47AM

Thank you for responding. Unfortunately the Canon is a tad above my budget. Its £400 including the lense.

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bremner

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 9:19AM

I was one of those who recommended the Canon 1000D to morddwyd.

I bought it a couple of months ago and have found that it takes very good images and is easy to use with a good manual....

....and it is still £369 at Jessops with the IS lens, well within your budget.

Amazon have it with the non IS lens at £343.70 click here

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Border View

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 10:00AM

Thanks bremner - will have a look. Must admit I have had the old 35mm film Canon 1000F and like Canon.

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morddwyd

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 7:35PM

Still £349.99 at Currys

click here

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bremner

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 7:40PM

The Currys one is the non IS lens and it is shown as unavailable

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hssutton

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 7:43PM

Unfortunately the lens on the camera mentioned above(EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6) would be totally useless for wildlife.

At a minimum you will require a 300mm lens, but preferably longer. My 400mm lens is often to short for a lot of wildlife. These big lenses can cost several £1000s.

Although the DLSR route is probably the best, but taking into account your budget maybe this or similar would be a better bet click here Or if you can find a seller this one click here

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hssutton

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Posted December 13, 2010 at 8:00PM

I hit the response button before finishing.

The Sony A290 is a very able camera, Sony loaned me the previous model for 3 months to do a review and I must say I was plesantly suprised at the quality of the images and also the ease of operation (just a little to lightweight for me though)However a suitable lens is still the problem.

Warehouse express have this lens on sale, Tamron 70-300mm f4/5.6 DI LD Macro (Sony fit) The pair would cost around £400.

Have you any particular form of wildlife in mind? For birding there is an altenative method called digiscoping click here

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Border View

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Posted December 14, 2010 at 9:46AM

Many thanks for responding everyone. It looks as though quite a bit of research is going to be needed before I splash the cash. I am leaning towards the Sony A290

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QuizMan

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Posted December 14, 2010 at 3:59PM

As an added benefit, any Minolta AF lens will fit the Sony so you may be able to pick up something secondhand later in that regard. This is because the anti-shake system is in the camera with Sony, not in the lens as applies to some other DSLR's.

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