Digital SLR recommendations for art student ...

[Fab Foodie]

Morning Photo-people

My eldest daughter (18 this week OMG

) wants a Digital SLR for her birthday.
She's an A level art student and off to do an Art foundation course next year. She's pretty good photographically and tends more towards graphic design/marketing imagery rather than fine art.
She works hard and deserves it.

I used to be quite into photography, but it's waned really since the dawn of the digital era and I'm really out of touch. In the past I've owned several Film Nikons (compacts and SLRs) and also use a Canon DSLR at work and found them to be good.

I have a nice 70-210 Nikon Digital Lens which might be compatible with a current Nikon Body which she could have.

Store-wise we have Jessops locally but could always order off the 'net.

So what do people recommend?
What are the important features a budding art student/photographer needs these days?
Are SLR's 'old-hat' these days with new format cameras available?

By the way ... Birthday's on Saturday

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Really depends on how much you want to spend. On one hand you could go for something like this or spend far less on something like this. Both are great cameras.

 

[8mile]

As you have a nikon lens already I'd stick to nikon and look for a body with a short zoom lens such as a 24-70mm. As your daughter is starting out I'd be inclined to get a cheaper body and spend more on the lenses. If looked after lenses will last a lifetime and will always retain a resale value whereas bodies will become obselete and like a new car, lose value very quickly.

For lenses look for the model with the lowest F number in your price range and if you can run to it get a good prime lens (non zoom) such as a 50mm f1.8 as the image quality will be much better than even the best zoom lenses especially at the higher and lower aperture settings.

 

[Over The Hill]

Ask Her!

Ok so the surprise will be lost but really you are assuming her needs a lot.

Given that a compact can take a fantastic picture and she is not set in one particular style or demonstrating a need for x or y I would just take her inthe shop.

I spent my life getting presents that I really did not want, or the wrong one of whatever, so never guess in with my kids. If I have somethng in mind they always are thinking differently.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Cheers guys, this is floating my boat at the moment (and we get JL discount too).



OTH, I'm sure she'll have input ;-)

 

[Melvil]

On a cheaper note - I have an Nikon D40x that needs a repair (new battery cover) but otherwise works fine so if you're interested PM me.

Ta,

Mel.

 

[Cubist]

Another shout for Nikon, especially if you already have the lense. Go to Jessops, and remember they do a price guarantee.

 

[theloafer]

hi fab
have used these a few times with no probs .. http://www.camerabox.co.uk/default.asp got my 75-300 lenns for half what jessops wanted

larry

 

[ttcycle]

I'm going to rock the boat and say Canon!

Warehouse express -google them do photography kit for good prices - though always good to buy at independents (Jessops are ok but they brought out a load of independent photography shops and shut them down so they could stay afloat...so not a place I like and they're very over priced)...anyway

bear in mind- your Nikon lens - will it necessarily fit to the body that you're thinking of purchasing? Does it need an adaptor?

Entry level SLRs are the same unless you get higher up the cost ladder.
Probably worth doing some online shopping with her.

 

[Brains]

I think you need to find out what the 'standard' is.

Back when I were but a lad and did 'real' SLR photography courses the standard at school was the Zenit something or other, when I next did a course as an adult it was the Nikon 'K' series that were the standard teaching camera.

I'd be inclined to have a browse in the photo section of Waterstones and see which camera it is that all the books use as a guide to photography.

 

[ttcycle]

I think you need to find out what the 'standard' is.

Back when I were but a lad and did 'real' SLR photography courses the standard at school was the Zenit something or other, when I next did a course as an adult it was the Nikon 'K' series that were the standard teaching camera.

I'd be inclined to have a browse in the photo section of Waterstones and see which camera it is that all the books use as a guide to photography.

It's unlikely you'll find this - Canons and Nikons or a good bet either way.
Best approach is to take her to the jessops- get her to try a couple and see which ones she feels are the easiest to use/hold set shutter/aperture etc- that will be the most important.

 

[ufkacbln]

You may need more than one!

Personally I use something called a "Bridge Camera", the Fuji Finepix S6500. Picked up at less than £150 does most of the things that digital SLRs do at half the cost. The advantage is that if I know I am going somewhere where damage is likely then it is the one to take. I find it is as good as any DSLR including the ability to take RAW images for later processing.



My other camera is an Olympus E420, chosen for it's smaller size... better quality and feel but I protect it more, and do not carrry it f the areas are dodgy or damage is likely

 

[ufkacbln]

.. oh and look at the cards!

If you are using an IPAd then only SD cards will fit. Compact Flash is common in better cameras, and some require certain formats. For instance Olympus and Panasonic have specifically formatted cards if you want to take panaromas.

Also factor in the cost of a quality card reader as it far faster then downloading images from the camera

.. and finally add at least one spare battery.

 

[Ste T.]

+1 for Nikon.

Just make sure that your older lens is compatible. Some entry priced Nikon bodies will only work with lenses that have modern AF-S technology (a motor built in to the lens) As you go up the body price ladder, then this doesn't matter as much. My 5 year old D70 will work with any lens nikon has put out since the1960s.
Go to www.dpreview.com for all the tips and compatibility tables you could wish. Careful though, you might get the bug again.

Happy hunting

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks for the advice guys. Currently looking at a Nikon D3100 and have one reserved.

http://www.johnlewis.com/231001384/Product.aspx

The lens I have is an: Nikkor F AF 70-210 f4 ~ f5.6 was some bucks a few years ago!

I also have an F AF 35 to 80 f4 ~ f5.6 which has siezed.