Which camera thread #..... whatever

[mdex]

I'm really sorry I know this must be getting old but have been lurking here for a few weeks and have not really found all the answers i'm looking for.

The missus has decided she needs a new hobby and has decided on photography. She's enrolled at the local college doing a GCSE. Unfortunately the teacher is 'old school' and says he hasn't kept up with the latest technology.

As i'm the technically minded its my job to research the cameras and find the best one for her needs and budget :|

She is currently learning with a minolta X-300 and a couple of lenses (not sure which as she has taken them with her to class tonight).

I have been looking at the following

Nikon D40/60
Canon 400D
Sony A200

Am I right in thinking the D60 is the latest and best of all the camera's listed?

I sent her to Jessops to take a look at the camera but they only had the Nikons and the Sony. After holding all cameras she didn't really have a favourite.

How important is Auto Focus in the body? Nikons seem to have AF built into the Glass (see getting technical!) which I guess makes the lenses more expensive in the long run, wheras the A200 its in the body :?:

How do Nikon/Sony compare when buying lenses? I guess 3rd party's also chrun these out?

I'm sure I have more questions but my head actually hurts. I want to make the right choice as i'm sure i'll also be using it myself after reading a few books and ribbing you guys for more advice.

Any input is appreciated

While your all pointing and laughing at my post here is a pic I like which I took on a compact :)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/2918445895_7511368427.jpg?v=0

[Woz]

There's two recent (in the last 2 days) threads discussing exactly this question!
Summary - it's hard to advise because all current dSLRs are capable of taking mighty good pictures.
The most important things are : is it comfortable in your hands and do you like the lens range that the manufacturer produces?

But when it all boils down to it, buy the Canon because that's what all the best people use :D



Also - I'm not sure this is true, but won't the Sony take Minolta lenses? Edit: no, they don't.


Incidentally - what's wrong with the Minolta she's using? It will get her in to good habits if she learns on a manual film camera.

[mdex]

I also thought the sony took minolta lenses too? Anyway we only have 2 at the mo so no biggy.

I wanted to go DSLR rather than staying with manual as she has developed nearly £50 worth of pictures in the last 2 weeks alone. With atleast half of them being very blurry!

Sorry for it being another thread but didn't want to hijack. If it needs locking or deleting so be it.

[DeadYankee]

The problem is that there's no real answer. All the cameras you list are absolutely fine. If you think you'll end up taking things much more seriously in the short term then maybe have a look at the Canon 40D end of the market but, otherwise, just pick one that feels right in the hand. Personally, from that lot, I'd go for the Canon, but then I have a Canon. I'd imagine someone with a Nikon would pick the D60. So you end up going around in circles. They are all good cameras at the end of the day but it is the lenses you buy that will make the difference when you start shooting

[Sprout Crumble]

Agreed that handling is very importamt at this end of the market. Take this out of the equation and the 400D is the best camera there. The D60 is decent and has better low-light performance than the Sony, but theres little in it, with much to recommend the A200. If the Minolta lenses are decent, the A200 would be a solid choice.
However, if you can get a 400D from Sainsburys at £199 with the kit lens, you'll be laughing. As a bargain its way ahead of either of the others, especially the Nikon.

[AndyWilson]

All Sony DSLRS can use all Minolta A-Mount lenses, with full Autofocus and Autoexposure.

Unfortunately the Minolta X300 uses MD mount lenses...

[Woz]

Yeah, I should have been more descriptive - the Sony will only accept manual lenses with an adaptor, and the adaptor has to have a lens element in it, which degrades the quality of the lenses when used.
You'd possibly be better with a Canon from that perspective - they can take masses of old lenses with simple mechanical adaptors and many don't require glass.

The one thing to be aware of with the Canon you mention is that it doesn't have spot metering, which I think the Sony does. This can be very useful. And I say that as a Canonite.

You haven't mentioned Olympus in your shortlist - might be worth looking at too.

[Wishy]

I'd keep the X-300, that old Minolta Glass is cracking ;)

[Woz]

I'd keep the X-300, that old Minolta Glass is cracking ;)

*whispers* they don't want to hear opinions from us film lovers ;)

[mdex]

*whispers* they don't want to hear opinions from us film lovers ;)

I don't dislike film, I dislike the cost of an amateur/beginner using film :cry:

[Wishy]

I don't dislike film, I dislike the cost of an amateur/beginner using film :cry:

Yet your willing to drop several hundred on a DSLR and probably more on glass. That'll buy you a lot of film and development ;)