Xmas pressy for the less half (SLR under £200)

[b0t13]

Hey guys,

the women wants an SLR camera for xmas, she likes taking pics but is by no means a PRO, however she wants a decent camera and wants a shiny SLR, what can i get new/second hand under £200 thats decent, shell be taking pictures of landscapes buildings etc.. nothing specialist, i want to get her a good camera but obviously not something beyond her skill level,

and i intend on using it when i can so it must take decent pics lol,
budget is around £200, i know not alot but willing to get secondhand if needed,

throw some models at me and say why its good to buy and ill hunt down the cheapest price for the one i choose ;)

[JoshB]

For £200 you're really struggling to be honest.

You're gonna have to second hand, either a Canon EOS 1000D or Nikon D3000 is a good starting point, or a Sony Alpha A200 could be had for pretty cheap. All capable SLR's, just dont expect miracles.

[b0t13]

ye i was thinking this, is there anything to look out for when buying second hand?

like internal damage or lens problems etc..?

[geraintthomas]

I'd say a second hand Canon EOS 1000D, used it plenty of times and while it's cheap it's definitely capable!

I shot all of this on one:

http://vimeo.com/9829967

Mind you, if she just wants to take good quality pictures and isn't a pro, wouldn't an SLR be over-kill?

[Sam]

You could get a really good Bridge camera brandnew for that price. But with an DSLR you will be getting a secondhand bottom of the range camera if you get where im coming from.

I had a 1000d as my first DSLR and it was really good camera, if you go with Canon or Nikon there is a wider range of Used Lens.

[b0t13]

yea shes a n00b, but this is the only option as a pressy ive got lol !

she doesnt know what exposure is ffs!

im thinking the 1000d is the option of choice by the look of things, will try finding one cheap, anyone know the rough price of a good second hand one?

[geraintthomas]

In that case I definitely wouldn't get an SLR buddy. As said you're better off getting a high-end non SLR than a low-end DSLR.

[b0t13]

will try talking her round, the problem i have is i got her a 'normal' camera last year and now she wants an upgrade, also trying to explain why one 50" tv is worth £100 more than another for my pressy lol

[Kyza]

Just tell her you either have the choice of a Fisher Price DSLR or a Canon Compact.

[b0t13]

lol anyone know a good non slr that looks expensive ;)

[Yates]

i enjoy taking pics, im not a pro, i didnt have a fucking clue what i was doing when i got it, half the time now i still dont, but the slr was the best thing i ever got, and i spent bout 500 on it. cant help on what camera to get mate, but i can say if shes into phots, then slr will be good for her, once she starts to work out what each setting does and that, she will be well happy

[Carbonimage]

I disagree with what people are saying here. If she's genuinely interested in getting into photography it's far better to have the proper tools. An EOS 1000D might be a 'fisher price' SLR, but I'd argue that it's still better than any bridge camera in that price range. Plus, once she starts to get into it, at least she'll have the option to use the extra settings or upgrade lenses if she so desires.

[boarer2004]

I have a Nikon d3000 used once for sale bought it for college (photography) then drop the subject 2 weeks later still got box the lot