Which starter DSLR

[Reader]

I have been told that the Canon EOS 400D together with the Sigma 50-500 is possibly the best combination to invest in as a starter DSLR set up. It will be mainly used for Bird Photography.

I can't afford the more expensive set up's but the prices that the Canon and Sigma appear to be are within my price range.

I am hopefully cashing in an old pension scheme to pay of a large debt I have. Once that is done I will still have some left over, enough to cover the set up I have mentioned.

What do you folks think. Is this the best set up or do you think that there are others to consider.

Remember, I don't know the first thing about DSLR photography as all my photography is via my digiscopeing set up.

I look forward to your replies.

John

[baillieswells]

I have been told that the Canon EOS 400D together with the Sigma 50-500 is possibly the best combination to invest in as a starter DSLR set up. It will be mainly used for Bird Photography.

I can't afford the more expensive set up's but the prices that the Canon and Sigma appear to be are within my price range.

I am hopefully cashing in an old pension scheme to pay of a large debt I have. Once that is done I will still have some left over, enough to cover the set up I have mentioned.

What do you folks think. Is this the best set up or do you think that there are others to consider.

Remember, I don't know the first thing about DSLR photography as all my photography is via my digiscopeing set up.

I look forward to your replies.

John

In my opinion, though I expect Nikon owners might disagree, the Canon 400D is the best starter DSLR on the market. However, do not despise the superceeded Canon 350D which is getting cheaper by the day following the advent of the 400D. As for lenses I have the Sigma 170-500mm DG lens, with which I am very happy. I am sure others will recommend the Tamron 200mm-500mm or the Canon 100mm-400mm f5.6 lenses. I decided against the Sigma 50-500mm lens. I couldn't see myself lugging a lens of that weight around to photograph something at 50m, when I already have the very acceptable 50mm f1.8 lens.I am sure others will recommend it.

[tizziec]

Through it doesn't seem popular on teh site I absolutely adore my pentax K100D. I baught the body only and got the lens I wanted, butthen I have lenses from my old pentax that I can use. I didn't need the start up lense. Body was $568 and the lense i baught was $150. I get great pics and the camera is fairly light weight, has image stabelizer (verticle NAD horizontal) and it accepts just about ALL lenses for any pentax

[postcardcv]

I think that you'll struggle to go wrong with any of the current batch of entry level dslr's, they're all capable of delivering excellent images. Personally I'd go for one of the big two makes (Canon or Nikon) as off brand accessories and secondhand lenses tend to be much easier to get for these two. I use a Canon 350D and am very happy with it so would not hesitate to recommend it, though clearly the Nikons are also excellent. Best thing is to get to a camera shop and have a play with a few cameras and see which suits you.

Another consideration can be who you go out birding with. If you know others using a certain brand it might be worth going for that one so you can borrow each others kit. This is one of the factors that swung me to Canon.

[Reader]

In my opinion, though I expect Nikon owners might disagree, the Canon 400D is the best starter DSLR on the market. However, do not despise the superceeded Canon 350D which is getting cheaper by the day following the advent of the 400D. As for lenses I have the Sigma 170-500mm DG lens, with which I am very happy. I am sure others will recommend the Tamron 200mm-500mm or the Canon 100mm-400mm f5.6 lenses. I decided against the Sigma 50-500mm lens. I couldn't see myself lugging a lens of that weight around to photograph something at 50m, when I already have the very acceptable 50mm f1.8 lens.I am sure others will recommend it.

It's good to see that you recommend the 400D also. Regarding the 50-500. I can understand why you didn't go down that route as you already had lenses capable of doing you the job you wanted them to whereas I will be starting with nothing. Based on that would you think that the 50-500 is a good buy or would you recommend something else.

I have looked at the 350D and the prices seem similar to the 400D (unless I am looking at them incorrectly). On that basis wouldn't it be better to go with the later camera or does the 350D have benefits that the 400D doesn't.

John

[Reader]

I think that you'll struggle to go wrong with any of the current batch of entry level dslr's, they're all capable of delivering excellent images. Personally I'd go for one of the big two makes (Canon or Nikon) as off brand accessories and secondhand lenses tend to be much easier to get for these two. I use a Canon 350D and am very happy with it so would not hesitate to recommend it, though clearly the Nikons are also excellent. Best thing is to get to a camera shop and have a play with a few cameras and see which suits you.

I forgot to check but do you sell cameras at Cley Spy?

That's two of you that have mentioned the 350D. The 350D and the 400D seem to be similar in price. I wonder which is considered the best, and more to the point (for me) which is the easier to use (and to learn to use).


Another consideration can be who you go out birding with. If you know others using a certain brand it might be worth going for that one so you can borrow each others kit. This is one of the factors that swung me to Canon.

That's a problem as I don't have any birding companions so it would be a question of learning it all myself so it is necessary to find a camera and lens that isn't complicated to use.

John

[Adey Baker]

...Remember, I don't know the first thing about DSLR photography as all my photography is via my digiscopeing set up...

...I don't have any birding companions so it would be a question of learning it all myself so it is necessary to find a camera and lens that isn't complicated to use...

John

DSLR photography requires a different approach to digiscoping so without any regular photographer companions I reckon you ought to go along to somewhere nearby when a 'good' bird is reported as there'll be some local snappers there whose brains you can pick!

I'm thinking of something like a Diver at Draycote or a nice wader at Brandon - not a major twitch where everyone is pre-occupied with the rarity - and if you've got a Birdforum badge to wear there's a fair chance that one or more of the photographers there will be a BF member as well and recognise your name. If they're not actively photographing the bird in question I'm sure they'd let you have a quick look through the viewfinder to see the sort of magnification you'll get with any particular focal length lens

[Reader]

DSLR photography requires a different approach to digiscoping so without any regular photographer companions I reckon you ought to go along to somewhere nearby when a 'good' bird is reported as there'll be some local snappers there whose brains you can pick!

I'm thinking of something like a Diver at Draycote or a nice wader at Brandon - not a major twitch where everyone is pre-occupied with the rarity - and if you've got a Birdforum badge to wear there's a fair chance that one or more of the photographers there will be a BF member as well and recognise your name. If they're not actively photographing the bird in question I'm sure they'd let you have a quick look through the viewfinder to see the sort of magnification you'll get with any particular focal length lens

Hi Adey

Everyone who sees me knows I am part of BF because I go everywhere with my old cream BF baseball cap. As yet there has never been a time at Draycote, Brandon or anywhere local (except once) where I have had anyone come up to me and say they are members.

I very rarely see anyone with a camera even when there have been some good wadaers around.

I would like to get some sort of set up fairly soon as I want to get used to using it before my next holiday, which starts on Dec 23rd for two weeks so waiting to meet someone at these sites might take longer than I have got.

BTW what set up do you use?

Does anyone else have any suggestions please?

John

[iporali]

Does anyone else have any suggestions please?

John,

I hope I am not confusing you too much, but one interesting option could be the Pentax K10D. It is supposed to be a "semi-pro" model targeted against the Canon 30D and Nikon D80 (or even D200). Its excellent advantage is a real prism viewfinder *), which is IMO much better than the narrow and dark mirror finders found in other "entry level" DSLRs. Try as many different models as you can and don't settle with anything you don't feel comfortable with. No matter what others say - our personal preferences just differ so much.

Having said that, the Canon D400 + 50-500 is indeed probably the safest solution for you to start ;)

Best regards,

Ilkka


EDIT: *) and - of course - the built-in image stabilization (SR).

[Adey Baker]

I very rarely see anyone with a camera even when there have been some good waders around.


BTW what set up do you use?


John

There's usually quite a few shots of decent birds on Surfbirds, so I assume there must be quite a few photographers present at some time - all down to timing I suppose!

I use a Canon 20D coupled (almost permanently!) to a Sigma 400mm F5.6 lens which has excellent close-focussing capabilities, good enough for high quality butterfly and dragonfly shots - unfortunately, it's no longer made. You do need to get close to birds for the best results, hence my reference to a different approach, so it's not the ideal lens to take to a twitch where everyone is viewing the bird through scopes!

[Reader]

There's usually quite a few shots of decent birds on Surfbirds, so I assume there must be quite a few photographers present at some time - all down to timing I suppose!

I use a Canon 20D coupled (almost permanently!) to a Sigma 400mm F5.6 lens which has excellent close-focussing capabilities, good enough for high quality butterfly and dragonfly shots - unfortunately, it's no longer made. You do need to get close to birds for the best results, hence my reference to a different approach, so it's not the ideal lens to take to a twitch where everyone is viewing the bird through scopes!

Hi Adey

The DSLR would be to fill the gap in range from me to the start of the digiscoping range. If the bird is distant my digiscoping set up would take over but for close up birds then my set up won't be good enough.

I have lost count of the times where a bird that is close by is too close to take a photo of with my camera and scope.

Over the weekend I could have got a fair shot of a Yellow-browed Warbler that was less than ten feet away from me. With the right DSLR set up I think I would have been in with a chance of getting a fair image of the bird.

John

[christineredgate]

John you cannot go wrong with either the 350D,20D(both these models are available as used these days).Buy a new 400D or a 30D and it will take cash from your lens.Lenses which seem to be popular,are the 400F5.6(can be used with a taped converter) good price,very light,and easy to use.(See my KF pics on the Gallery).Another very popular lens for birding ,not too heavy,again a reasonable price is the Tamron 200-500.There are some excellent images on the Gallery using this lens,but you do need reasonable light,also it can be used with a converter.Or how about the 100-400 lens,again,can be purchased used,can be used with a taped converter,and really does produce very sharp images,and you do have the advantage of IS.

[Reader]

Hi Christne

I think I am fairly certain that I will go for a new 400D. Regarding the lens. I have been trying to find some of those lens you have mentioned as second hand but can't find any. Do you know any web sites that you could point me to where they may be available.

John

[postcardcv]

I forgot to check but do you sell cameras at Cley Spy?

That's two of you that have mentioned the 350D. The 350D and the 400D seem to be similar in price. I wonder which is considered the best, and more to the point (for me) which is the easier to use (and to learn to use).

HI John

No Cley Spy don't sell cameras... which is probably a good thing or I' d spend all my wages before I left the shop! The 350D is the model before the 400D, which is why so many of us are using it. From what I've seen the image quality of the 400D is equal to the 350D. The 400D seems to have a few advanatages over the 350D - larger screen, 9-point AF, self-cleaning, bigger buffer - enough to make it a better buy, but not quite enough to convince me to upgrade...

[rezMole]

I think that you'll struggle to go wrong with any of the current batch of entry level dslr's, they're all capable of delivering excellent images. Personally I'd go for one of the big two makes (Canon or Nikon) as off brand accessories and secondhand lenses tend to be much easier to get for these two.

Whichever you choose, you'll have a great camera. There's not much in it between the big names. I went with Nikon as their cameras "felt" better for me. If I were going to start over again, i would consider giving Olympus a try - their system doubles the effecting length of lenses, rather than by a factor of 1.5 or 1.6. Saying this, i've never held one!

I realise lens choice is better with Canon or Nikon, but the independant manufacturers are starting to do other fittings now.

[Reader]

I went into Jessops today to try out the 400D. I was impressed but not half as much as when the unusually knowledgeable assistant asked me to try the 30D. That is much lighter and the feel of it seems much better to me. He went on to say that he thought the best package for me would be the 30D, the 100-100mm lens coupled with a 1.4 teleconverter. They have also promised to price match so I could be looking at a good deal here.

What do you folks think with that package?

John

[level seven]

I think you might want more of a zoom range than 100-100mm ;-)

[tjsimonsen]

I went into Jessops today to try out the 400D. I was impressed but not half as much as when the unusually knowledgeable assistant asked me to try the 30D. That is much lighter and the feel of it seems much better to me. He went on to say that he thought the best package for me would be the 30D, the 100-100mm lens coupled with a 1.4 teleconverter. They have also promised to price match so I could be looking at a good deal here.

What do you folks think with that package?

John

I suppose that you mean 100-400 B (:
Anyways, I have the 350D and the 100-400L IS (and a couple of other lenses as well), and I'm very satisfied with that combo. I serioursly don't know how much you will gain by going for the 30D instead of the 400D, the AF is the same and the 400D's buffer is pretty good, too. The 350D/400D is a small camera, though. And you might find it to small. I did, but I got the battery grip later, and it changed the entire feeling of the camera. Now it almost feels like a pro-body (to be honest, I never handled a 1D, so I really don't know what a true pro-body feels like). Even with the grip, the 350D was only a little more that half the price of the 30D (this was three months before the 400D was introduced).
My advice is: go for the 400D (include the battery grip if the camera feels to small), and use the money you save on good glass instead (i.e. a good standart/allround lens instead of the kit lens).

Enjoy your camera whatever you buy!
And remember: DSLR photography is a difficult game (especially if you haven't got experience with film SLR either), so don't let it get you down if your results aren't that great from day one.

/Thomas

[Reader]

I suppose that you mean 100-400 B (:
Anyways, I have the 350D and the 100-400L IS (and a couple of other lenses as well), and I'm very satisfied with that combo. I serioursly don't know how much you will gain by going for the 30D instead of the 400D, the AF is the same and the 400D's buffer is pretty good, too. The 350D/400D is a small camera, though. And you might find it to small. I did, but I got the battery grip later, and it changed the entire feeling of the camera. Now it almost feels like a pro-body (to be honest, I never handled a 1D, so I really don't know what a true pro-body feels like). Even with the grip, the 350D was only a little more that half the price of the 30D (this was three months before the 400D was introduced).
My advice is: go for the 400D (include the battery grip if the camera feels to small), and use the money you save on good glass instead (i.e. a good standart/allround lens instead of the kit lens).

Enjoy your camera whatever you buy!
And remember: DSLR photography is a difficult game (especially if you haven't got experience with film SLR either), so don't let it get you down if your results aren't that great from day one.

/Thomas

Thanks Thomas

Some excellent advice there. I am pretty well made my mind up on the 400d now. the lens is a different matter. I want as much focal length as i can and with that in mind I have been advised by a few people I know to go for the Sigma 50-500. They reckon it compliments the 400D and it makes a good package.

I'm stiil mulling it over though so any more advice will be most welcome.

John

[Keith Reeder]

The thing is, John, pretty much every lens mentioned so far will complement every camera mentioned so far...

Questions:

Will you generally be using a tripod, or is hand-holding more important?

Do you anticpate that you'll be doing most of your photography in open, well-lit situations, or do you expect to shoot a lot in (say) dark woodland?

Will you be mobile?

Will you only be shooting at long range, or do you anticipate that you'll also want to shoot at shorter distances?

What are the likely target species in the main?

[Adey Baker]

Canon are now doing a £100 cash back on the 30D so check that you get the appropriate voucher if you go that way.

If you're going to be in a situation where you've got your scope mounted on your tripod ready for digiscoping purposes then a lens that is more easily hand-holdable would seem to be the way to go

[Reader]

The thing is, John, pretty much every lens mentioned so far will complement every camera mentioned so far...

Questions:

Will you generally be using a tripod, or is hand-holding more important?

Do you anticpate that you'll be doing most of your photography in open, well-lit situations, or do you expect to shoot a lot in (say) dark woodland?

Will you be mobile?

Will you only be shooting at long range, or do you anticipate that you'll also want to shoot at shorter distances?

What are the likely target species in the main?

Hi Keith

Basically I hope to shoot in as many options as possible. Dark woodland I would struggle with I would have thought with any of those set ups but virtually all else you have mentioned I would hope to do.

John

[Reader]

Canon are now doing a £100 cash back on the 30D so check that you get the appropriate voucher if you go that way.

If you're going to be in a situation where you've got your scope mounted on your tripod ready for digiscoping purposes then a lens that is more easily hand-holdable would seem to be the way to go

I noticed the £100 voucher when I checked on the Warehouse Express site. They were doing the 30D for £738 which equates to £638 with the voucher.

My scope will always be mounted but I suppose with a spare quick release plate attached the the lens then it wouldn't take long to interchange from scope to camera.

John

[christineredgate]

Hi Christne

I think I am fairly certain that I will go for a new 400D. Regarding the lens. I have been trying to find some of those lens you have mentioned as second hand but can't find any. Do you know any web sites that you could point me to where they may be available.

John
John try the mag Amateur Photographer.It is a weekly publication,and has all the used dealers who advertise.An excellent publication.The 400F5.6 may be difficult to find as a used model,it was virtually impossible to buy new.But I have seen the 100-400 advertised quite frequently.Mifsuds is a good dealer,they do have an online site.

[Reader]

John try the mag Amateur Photographer.It is a weekly publication,and has all the used dealers who advertise.An excellent publication.The 400F5.6 may be difficult to find as a used model,it was virtually impossible to buy new.But I have seen the 100-400 advertised quite frequently.Mifsuds is a good dealer,they do have an online site.

Hi Christine

I have come across the Mifsuds site and have checked out their prices. However I have found that cameras2u are giving some very competitive prices and better still Jessops will price match them.

I can't speak more highly of Jessops as they have given me incredible after sales service with my Coolpix cameras in the past so if I can buy the equipment from them at the cheapest prices then so much the better.

The only thing I have to decide is what to buy. That's the hard part. I think I have finally decided to go down the 400D route for the camera but am undecided whether to get the Sigma 50-500 or the Canon 100-400 lens.

John

[Adey Baker]

Hi Christine

I have come across the Mifsuds site and have checked out their prices. However I have found that cameras2u are giving some very competitive prices and better still Jessops will price match them.

I can't speak more highly of Jessops as they have given me incredible after sales service with my Coolpix cameras in the past so if I can buy the equipment from them at the cheapest prices then so much the better.

The only thing I have to decide is what to buy. That's the hard part. I think I have finally decided to go down the 400D route for the camera but am undecided whether to get the Sigma 50-500 or the Canon 100-400 lens.

John

I reckon both lenses are good so you won't go too far wrong with either. There's quite a difference in weight - the 100-400 Canon is actually a bit lighter than my Sigma 400mm which is not too much of a burden but at 1842 gms the 50-500mm lens is a bit heavier than a Leica Apo 77mm scope so that's worth bearing in mind if you intend to carry it around all day with all your other kit. The Sigma does have the HSM motor similar to the Canon USM which should allow manual over-ride without fiddling around looking for the AF/MF switch

[Ben M]

However I have found that cameras2u are giving some very competitive prices and better still Jessops will price match them.
I know nothing of photography, but can add that cameras2u have given me great customer service. I bought a faulty item, called them up, the phone was answered almost immediately and was asked whether I wanted a refund or exchange without any querries on the actual fault! They even picked up the faulty item free of charge the same day (initial delivery was free too).

I think the Jessops price match has restrictions to UK-based stores only, but shouldn't be a problem in matching cameras2u.

[Reader]

I know nothing of photography, but can add that cameras2u have given me great customer service. I bought a faulty item, called them up, the phone was answered almost immediately and was asked whether I wanted a refund or exchange without any querries on the actual fault! They even picked up the faulty item free of charge the same day (initial delivery was free too).

I think the Jessops price match has restrictions to UK-based stores only, but shouldn't be a problem in matching cameras2u.

They do match cameras2u but the price I found was even cheaper than them so I went for it.

I have had incredible service from Jessops in the past, well beyond what I would have expected. That made a big impact on me dealing with them again and made it an easy decision to buy this set up from them.

John

[Reader]

I have actually been out and bought a set up. I have bought the 30D and the 100-400 IS lens.

I had asked the same question on other forums I am in. I have also e-mailed some top class photograhers that I have been in touch with from time to time. The consensus of opinion is that because I an a total novice at DSLR photography then an IS lens would be the way to go. On the camera side most of them fell on the side of the 30D and so I have followed the majority in making my decision.

I have got an excellent deal at Jessops. They price matched the lowest prices I found on the Internet and also took off another 10% off with the difference between their price and the Internet price. There was £81 difference with the camera and £156 difference with the lens so I saved a further £23.70 of the lowest prices on the Internet. Coupled with that I have the £100 Cashback on the camera and the £105 Cashback on the lens.

I also got a good deal at Jessops yesterday. I wanted to get a couple of Scandisk Extreme 111 cards but found their price of £119.99p far too much. Mindful that they do a price match I checked these cards out on the net and found that 7dayshop did them for £45.99 each. That is a massive difference of £74 per card.

I went to Jessops and they were as good as their word and accepted their deal of 110% of the difference. This means that they give 10% of the difference off the internet prices. This meant a further £7.40 off £45.99 so reducing them right down to £38.59 each. So I got two for £77.18 instead of Jessops price of £239.98. Some deal huh!!

Now some advice wanted from you guys and gals. I want to insure all my stuff. I have had a quote from a company named E&L insurance for £154.70 a year for a £5,000 all risks policy. This will cover my scope and bins and tripod as well. Do any of you have better deals you can let me know of.

I haven't got household insurance (i rent not own) and I haven't got contents insurance.

John

[Andy Bright]

I

Now some advice wanted from you guys and gals. I want to insure all my stuff. I have had a quote from a company named E&L insurance for £154.70 a year for a £5,000 all risks policy. This will cover my scope and bins and tripod as well. Do any of you have better deals you can let me know of.

I haven't got household insurance (i rent not own) and I haven't got contents insurance.

JohnNice one John, hope you enjoy it... just bought a 30d myself, front focusing problems though, new one arriving this morning so fingers crossed.... in fact 2nd one front focuses as well. Seems to be an issue with some of the better Canon lenses on the 30d according to reports on the web.

We have a whole forum dedicated to insurance now, maybe worth looking down there for advice http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=478
cheers,
Andy

[Reader]

Nice one John, hope you enjoy it... just bought a 30d myself, front focusing problems though, new one arriving this morning so fingers crossed.... in fact 2nd one front focuses as well. Seems to be an issue with some of the better Canon lenses on the 30d according to reports on the web.

We have a whole forum dedicated to insurance now, maybe worth looking down there for advice http://www.birdforum.net/forumdisplay.php?f=478
cheers,
Andy

Thanks Andy

I will have a look at that insurance forum.

What sort of problems you getting with your camera then. I don't really understand what you mean. Don't forget I have never touched anything like a DSLR before so I haven't even reached novice stage yet.

I am going out with a few guys to Carsington water on Sunday. They are going to try and get me familiarised with the camera and lens. I wish them luck. They don't know what sort of a challenge they have taken on. :'D

John

[birdsnapper]

I use my wife's Canon 350D with Tamron 200-500 lens on Manfrotto tripod (difficult to hand-hold the lens @ 500).

350D very useful when using tripod as all info is on LCD, which means that you don't have to tilt the camera when making changes (e.g. ISO). The camera also has a quiet shutter - a real boon when you're close to the bird.

The 400D gets goods reviews and is probably worth the extra £50.

Try 'dpreview' for camera lens tests and 'fredmiranda' for cameras.

[Andy Bright]

What sort of problems you getting with your camera then. I don't really understand what you mean. Don't forget I have never touched anything like a DSLR before so I haven't even reached novice stage yet.


John
It's not particularly common (casualties always shout louder than happy owners ;) but it does happen with 30D's with some lenses.

Here's an example. The circle in this shot indicates the spot that was focused upon (with single centre spot AF)... looks fine and sharp in viewfinder but the actual focus point is in front of this... so the nearer section of wood towards the bottom is nice and sharp.

cheers,
Andy

[Reader]

It's not particularly common (casualties always shout louder than happy owners ;) but it does happen with 30D's with some lenses.

Here's an example. The circle in this shot indicates the spot that was focused upon (with single centre spot AF)... looks fine and sharp in viewfinder but the actual focus point is in front of this... so the nearer section of wood towards the bottom is nice and sharp.

cheers,
Andy

Thanks andy

I will have to look out for that (when I know what I am doing - that could be a long time yet).

I went out today with it and was totally lost. I have tried some shots but haven't had the chance to look at them yet. I'm not sure if I want to. :eek!:

John

[Ben M]

Now some advice wanted from you guys and gals. I want to insure all my stuff. I have had a quote from a company named E&L insurance for £154.70 a year for a £5,000 all risks policy. This will cover my scope and bins and tripod as well. Do any of you have better deals you can let me know of.
When I was a student I worked for E&L as a temp for the summer. Back then (bare in mind that this was 1999), they were well known for being cheap... and with good reason. They would very rarely pay out. Any slight infringements of the policy (normally for their animal insurance) and you'd be high and dry. The office was very badly run and almost all their claims advisors were temps, as the job didn't pay enough for the number of complaints you had to deal with. Things may have turned around, but I'd not touch them myself.

[Andy Bright]

Thanks andy

I will have to look out for that (when I know what I am doing - that could be a long time yet).

I went out today with it and was totally lost. I have tried some shots but haven't had the chance to look at them yet. I'm not sure if I want to. :eek!:

John
The 30D is a total mystery to me after 20yrs with Nikon, at least you're not grasping for controls that aren't there ;)
But, although not focusing where I want it to... it seems a great camera, right up to and including iso1600.

cheers,
Andy

[citrinella]

Now some advice wanted from you guys and gals. I want to insure all my stuff. I have had a quote from a company named E&L insurance for £154.70 a year for a £5,000 all risks policy. This will cover my scope and bins and tripod as well. Do any of you have better deals you can let me know of.

I haven't got household insurance (i rent not own) and I haven't got contents insurance.

John
All risks on it's own isn't a standard deal, it's a luxury / premium market. Contents insurance with a decent amount of all risks included is standard, so is competitive. I suggest you go looking for contents insurance.

I pay less than £90 (think it's Norwich Union, but I use a broker), which covers any item up to £1500, and each lens counts separately no matter whether on or off the body. It also covers most travel, so when I travel I buy a standard policy and opt out of baggage, cancellation etc, just to get medical insurance.

HTH, Mike.

[impotentspider]

John,

most of the advice offered in other replies is good, there is not much difference between the "affordable" DSLRs on the market today, Canon, Nikon or Pentax, even Sigma DSLRs are worth considering, From a personal standpoint I would reccomend you considered the Pentax K10D which should be released anytime now, The new Pentax has a slight edge on the others with a few innovative features, add that to the built in shake reduction sensor (up to 4 stops extra of either shutter speed or aperture) plus the camera bodys weatherproof seals, and not forgetting Pentax's backward compatibility with all of its previous K mount lenses, even the ones with no electrical contacts if you dont mind the loss of a few functions.

The only problem with Pentax at present is its lack of choice when it comes to lenses, unless you want to spend thousands there are no suitable lenses for bird photography, you would have to look at other marques such as Sigma or Tamron, but either of these brands would be fully compatable with the cameras shake reduction system.

Hope this helps

[mrcheeky]

Hi All

I find your comments about starter kits very interesting.

I am about to buy my first DSLR I am going to plump I think for the Cannon 400D after all your superb cmments. I am going to purchase a 70 - 300 tameron lense plus a camera for digi scoping. I consider at the level of photograph I am at spending over five hundred pounds on a lense is crazy the tameron 70m -300 with a very good macro facility at 130.00 is ideal.

If I get good at photograph I shall just buy another lense but I am going to do both digi scoping and ordinary photography.

You are all superb people and I find you all very kind sharing your information.

Thank you


Mr Cheeky
Peter
:clap:

Ps I might now go for the new Nikon on D40 with the Tameron 55 - 200 lense
0r 70 - 300 with 2x tele convertor.

As I said if I get good at the photograph I will upgrade all my equipment.I feel personally the new D40 could be ideal with the lense I have chosen.

Cheers. :clap: :flowers: :hippy:

[Reader]

When I was a student I worked for E&L as a temp for the summer. Back then (bare in mind that this was 1999), they were well known for being cheap... and with good reason. They would very rarely pay out. Any slight infringements of the policy (normally for their animal insurance) and you'd be high and dry. The office was very badly run and almost all their claims advisors were temps, as the job didn't pay enough for the number of complaints you had to deal with. Things may have turned around, but I'd not touch them myself.

Thanks Ben

I think I will heed your advice and look elsewhere.

Thanks mate.

John

[Reader]

All risks on it's own isn't a standard deal, it's a luxury / premium market. Contents insurance with a decent amount of all risks included is standard, so is competitive. I suggest you go looking for contents insurance.

I pay less than £90 (think it's Norwich Union, but I use a broker), which covers any item up to £1500, and each lens counts separately no matter whether on or off the body. It also covers most travel, so when I travel I buy a standard policy and opt out of baggage, cancellation etc, just to get medical insurance.

HTH, Mike.

Thanks Mike.

I will investigate a few contents Insurance company's, especially Norwich Union. It certainly seems the better alternative.

John

[Reader]

The 30D is a total mystery to me after 20yrs with Nikon, at least you're not grasping for controls that aren't there ;)
But, although not focusing where I want it to... it seems a great camera, right up to and including iso1600.

cheers,
Andy

Hi Andy

What do you mean, not focussing where you want it to. You are worrying me now.

John

[Andy Bright]

Hi Andy

What do you mean, not focussing where you want it to. You are worrying me now.

John
I'm still on about the front focus issue that I have. Don't worry about it, John. Your's will be fine, I'm sure. I have a 1Ds MkII arriving tomorrow, so I won't mention it again ;)

[Keith Reeder]

Ps I might now go for the new Nikon on D40 with the Tamron 55 - 200 lense or 70 - 300 with 2x tele convertor.

As I said if I get good at the photograph I will upgrade all my equipment.I feel personally the new D40 could be ideal with the lense I have chosen. Or not...

The D40 will only work with AF-S (ultrasonic motor) lenses - it will not work with any lens that needs to be driven by an in-camera focus motor, because the D40 doesn't have such a thing.

There are only a handful of after market lenses that have an ultrasonic motor (Sigma HSM lenses); Tamron don't make any, and all of the 70-300mm lenses I'm aware of need to be focussed by the camera focus drive, so - like the Tamron - are incompatible with the D40 if you want autofocus capabilities.

[mrcheeky]

Or not...

The D40 will only work with AF-S (ultrasonic motor) lenses - it will not work with any lens that needs to be driven by an in-camera focus motor, because the D40 doesn't have such a thing.

There are only a handful of after market lenses that have an ultrasonic motor (Sigma HSM lenses); Tamron don't make any, and all of the 70-300mm lenses I'm aware of need to be focussed by the camera focus drive, so - like the Tamron - are incompatible with the D40 if you want autofocus capabilities.

Hi Keith

Thank you for your advice............ I am going to purchase the 400D.........

Cheers


Peter :clap: ;)


I am going for the Cannon 400d

[Keith Reeder]

It's a shame that Nikon have taken this approach - there's a lot to recommend in the D40.

It seems logical to me that if you're putting out a budget DSLR it should be compatible with budget lenses (AF-S/HSM lenses are always more expensive than their "screw drive" counterparts), but Nikon would disagree, apparently.

The cheapest longish ultrasonic lens I can think of is the Sigma 100-300mm f4 HSM.

It's a cracking lens, but at a recommended £900 it hardly makes the ideal partner for a £400 camera if you're trying to get into bird photography while, keeping the initial spend low, when you can get a non ultrasonic Sigma 135-400mm (a very nice little lens and the first decent lens I had for my D70) for £400...

The 400D will be fine, but don't forget the Nikon D50 - or even a Nikon D70s if you can get one at a good price.