DSLR camera

[ASH GSI]

After years of being lazy and using my camera phone for everything im now looking into getting a DSLR, ready for the meets and events of 2014.
I don't want to spend mega money up to around £400 if possible. I want it to be easy to use and take good quality shots but don't want to be too nerdy about it. I like Sony products so that would be a good starting point.

What do people recommend?
anything I should be looking for?

[Dan Stanley]

I was in a similar boat and took advice from Jeff 16v and Liam Poulton. I did a bot of research and went to an independant camera shop armed with online prices and walked out with a good deal on a Nikon D3100 bundle package. Im satisfied I got the right camera at a good price. Its more camera than I can use, but its giving me scope to learn.

That'd be my recommendation. Even over its newer version, which was more monies than I wanted to spend against the spec.

[Novasport]

I bought a Canon EOS 600D earlier this year, I highly recommend them. Very impressed with the camera & the photos it takes. Easy to use as well.

[ASH GSI]

Thanks for that, im leaning towards this at the moment http://www.johnlewis.com/sony-slt-a58k-digital-slt-camera-with-18-55mm-zoom-lens-hd-1080p-20-1mp-3-screen-oled-evf-with-8gb-card-and-case/p483183?kpid=232112348&s_kenid=2961c076-96c3-a348-4294-000026142da9&s_kwcid=ppc_pla&tmad=c&tmcampid=73
good idea?

[Benn]

I'm a Canon man my self, the eatery level some 00 are very good starting point cameras, you'll be able to take great photos, very nicely made and easy to use.
As you get better or "out grow" then you move up the range (by taking a 0 off.. I started with a 600d, now use a 60d)
All the camera can shoot in RAW for when you want max photo editing.

The all do 1080p video too. Like alot of newer DLSRs do too.
Do a bit of surfing and you'll get great prices.

[ASH GSI]

Thanks Benn, ill do a bit more google time will compare the 600d to the sony

[Benn]

I've not tried any of the Sony stuff, but i've heard ok things. I'd say stick to real camera brands (Canon, Nikon) but then again Sony make everything so... Just read reviews on them.

I loved my 600D, took some fantastic photos with it.

[Pete]

I started off with a Sony Alpha A390, must admit as a beginner camera it was very easy to use and got me to grips with options etc.

After maybe 6 months i was ready for an upgrade so a Sony isn't the end of the world but its defiantly a good starter camera.

[Yorkie]

I have Nikon .... It takes photos! ... some times I get it to do fancy stuff but thats luck :)

[Tanya.]

I loved my Sony and regret ever selling it. Was an A100. Nothing spectacular but it did the job and I actually prefer it over my current Nikon. I can't seem to get on with Nikons. Sony and Canon is where it's at for me :) There are some brilliant photographers on here that should be able to help. Mrs Hobbit takes some brilliant pictures. As does Jack :)

[bazil]

I use a Panasonic lumix G2,

Personally I couldn't justify the extra expense of a cannon,
It takes great pics, easy to use, removable lenes, full HD filming and its blue,

What I dont understand if folk that spend loads on a camera then post pics on Instagram with a stupid filter effect on it.

[Jeff16v]

As a general rule, canons are easier to use than nikon, but I guess if you stick with one long enough you get good with what you have. I started with a secondhand nikon d100, I'll admit I never used all the features but decided that after 2 years of using it, I would buy an up to date one.

There is a big difference between a 8mp dslr and 20mp point and click. There are a lot of cameras that fit the middle ground nowadays.

If you have a good camera shop locally you could get a decent second hand dslr and trade up later.

if you buy a dslr type body with a 18-55mm lense, you can always buy additional lenses in the future, as you won't find a lense that does it all for you.

decide, what type of pictures do you want to take? How close are you gonna get to the object? Is the object moving or static. Night, day shooting etc...

Try to get one that gives you the ability to grow with it for a while, change settings manually to get difference effects etc...you can perfect the different options one at a time till you master them all.

Photography is more complicated than women.

[Jack]

I'm a Canon man, as said you can't go wrong with a 00 series to start with. Massive range of accessories and lenses, don't be afraid to maybe get one a tad older if budget is tight. I also hear Nikon make some good stuff apparently lol

IMO its better to get one that does all the fully manual stuff well and has a good range of accessories as you will want to move away from the auto settings to make the best use of the camera. There is a huge range of online resources that can guide you with specifics for Canons (and the odd Nikon too lol) as well. Otherwise you'll soon want to trade up as you learn more stuff.

[Benn]

When you do get one. Go out and sit somewhere and take pics, change the settings as you do to play with it.
You'll learn a lot by just going thru the settings and trying different photos out.

[ASH GSI]

Thanks everyone for the input, I had a good look around and I kept coming back to the same one. In my eyes with little camera knowledge it was the best option under £400, lets hope it was the right choice. I ended up with the Sony SLT-A58K, I've only had a quick go with it but im happy so far.
Just in need of some good weather now to get out and have a good play with it.
looking forward to posting good quality pics after meets rather than the camera phone previously used lol