Dslr Newbie!!!

[Greysands boy]

Hi all,

Fairly new to birding and want a budget budget dslr set up i know its not that possible but would like a go anyway .

I think second hand gear sounds best and probably will just get a camera that has a standard 18-55 lens with it. i see the canon350d and nikon d40 are quite reasonably priced (nikond40 brand new with 18-55 lens £299 at currys at the moment).

secondly once i have bought it and played with it i obviously want a zoom lens to get closer to the birds so what (again on a budget) would one suggest.

Cheers

Darryl

[HokkaidoStu]

I didn't get the Nikon D40 because it doesn't have an autofocus motor in it. Basically you're restricted in lens choices to the expensive Nikon lenses only and perhaps a couple of Sigma models.

Of the 2 cameras you mention the Canon would be the better bet as you'd have a much wider set of lenses to choose from covering all budgets. I started off with the 400D (the upgrade of the 350D but probably not much different) and a cheap Sigma 70-300mm lens. I would recommend this set-up as a good economical way to get started.

If you need more reach there are loads of lens options to choose from...........starting from the Sigma 135-400 at around $500 to lenses costing thousands. There are many threads on birdforum about the various different models

[Duke Leto]

you need to try as many as possible, the D40 isn't worth buying as the D40x would be at @ £40.00 more.
If your going to by 2nd hand you can look at other units a 2nd hand Nikon D50/70s/100 are all available as are the Canons such as a 10 or 20D (loads on eBay). Even as a Nikon fan for value for money the 10D would be a great camera (I nearly bought one of these when they were new but it was a tad expensive for my 1st D-SLR)
A for lenses gotta start with something around 400mm at the far end anything less doesn't really cut it for general birding Sigma, Canon, Nikon 80-400 or 100-400 on ebay from £400-650 ish but don't rule out a Sigma 400/5.6
regards