[magic77]

Have finally managed to drop enough hints and the other half has said she will buy SLR camera for me.

Been looking around for a while and as its been years since I last used SLR I think starting new is the right term

As as always there is a budget I've got it down to I think two cameras.

Nikon D3100 with 18-55 VR Lens

or

Canon EOS 500D 18-55 Lens

Just wondering of those on here who seem to have the knack for photography which is the better camera?

Price wise they both fall in arond £450 which is the budget so ideal.

Thanks in advance

[Darkeeboy]

both very good cameras, to be honest it comes down to ergonomics....

[rogerxp]

I just wish my missus spent £4.50 on me let alone £450!!! Good work.

I'd also love an SLR camera but fear I wouldn't have the time, or patience, to really get the most out of it. Are the ones you mention Digital or is that now the standard???

...a quick Google answered my question...

[magic77]

They both feel virtually the same though nikon has added bonus for things like easy rotation and you can use the screen to see your shot instead of just view finder/ For me its all about the shot quality in this case as both are so similar shape

[magic77]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

I just wish my missus spent £4.50 on me let alone £450!!! Good work.

I'd also love an SLR camera but fear I wouldn't have the time, or patience, to really get the most out of it. Are the ones you mention Digital or is that now the standard???

...a quick Google answered my question...

All digital.

THis evening is google night for the cameras info

[Raj59]

I use a Nikon D40 SLR, so I would say go for the Nikon as they are pretty easy to use if you are new to SLR's, plus they have many auto functions in which the camera will auto select most of the settings.

If however you are feeling adventurous, then the Nikon has plenty of manual functions which is what I like about them, plus you can get lots of instant data back about the image you have just taken and adjust within the camera, before even editing in Photoshop, etc.

I have never used a Canon so cant really comment on that, but it's probably a good idea to see if you can get hold and try both of them, and see which one you like the feel of in your hands.

Here's some pics I have taken on my D40, so you can see the quality of a SLR:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=453992

[Darkeeboy]

what about lenses - the Nikon hasnt got a built in motor so for ease of use (ie autofocus) you wil require lenses with built in motors -not an issue with the latest set of af-s lenses, but older versions wont have them, leaving focussing to manual mode only. Saying that I bought a Nikon D90 a couple of years ago and love it. Its funny, you think about trying all sorts of different lenses but keep coming back to just one or two favourites. Ive got a cracking kit-lens replacement, the tamron 17-50mm F2.8 and its perfect for 95% of the time....

[peterg1965]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

I just wish my missus spent £4.50 on me let alone £450!!! Good work.

I have the same problem Roger, top of my xmas list this year is a £9.99 'Official' Porsche mug I will be lucky to get that...


Nice cameras by the way......

[kaishang]

They both will do the job. Personally I like Nikon because among other things, the flash system is a lot better and use any lens made in the last 50 years because they have never changed the lens mount like Canon have. However you probably won't be buying an external flash or using any old lenses so it's a moot point.

Whichever you feel more comfortable with. Both OK. If you can stump up for the 18-105mm or 16-85mm in the Nikon camp (not sure what the Canon equivalent is) that's much more flexible, but of course more expensive.

[jaguar36]

The Canon vs Nikon argument is akin to Pepsi vs Coke (hrm does that analogy work in the UK?). Both are very good, you're likely to be very happy with either. Best advice is to go play around with each at a store for a bit and see which feels better in your hand.

Between those two, the Canon has a much nicer screen on in than the Nikon does. Other than that they are pretty much identical feature wise. Are there any other lenses that you particularly want? If so, I'd compare the price of those between Canon and Nikon as well.

Personally I love my Canon 450D, and can't stand my buddies Nikon, but they both take great pictures.

[magic77]

hmm eventually I will probably get another lense but to start off and learn the thing keep things simple.

Interesting point about the lense motors will need to have a further play me thinks

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by peterg1965

'Official' Porsche mug

Seems a bit harsh to call yourself that Peter - you've not even got it yet .

[Jon D]

They're both good cameras and lenses and you'd be hard pushed to notice any difference between them in terms of picture quality.
I've used Nikon all my life, but that's only because I started out with an F2 in 1973. One thing in Nikon's favour is that they haven't changed their lens mount in all that time and I could use the original lens on my current D200, albeit in manual focus mode. The same cannot be said about Canon.
It's really a case of what feels better in your hand.
If you're not already familiar with this excellent photo website, check here: http://www.dpreview.com/

[E90jonno]

Go for the Nikon i do photography and you will feel so much more for using a Nikon put it this way Audi (Canon) BMW (Nikon)

[kaishang]

Originally Posted by magic77

Interesting point about the lense motors will need to have a further play me thinks

I think you can ignore the lens motor factor in your purchase decision. Any new lens, Nikon or Canon that you are likely to buy has a motor inside the lens.

That model Nikon cannot autofocus old Nikon lenses (higher spec Nikon bodies like D90 can). OTOH you can't use old Canon lenses anyway because they changed the mount a decade and a bit ago.

So get whichever one you like best

[Black Sheep]

I've got a barely used Canon T1i, w/some extra's, let me know if your interested

[Rochdale Pioneers]

Nikon! Nikon Nikon Nikon!