Any handy tips for buying a camera

[moozy]

I have been bird watching and other wildlife spotting for a number of years now but have been inspired by other wab members photos and I like some pics for myself and too share with wild about britain, Any advise on getting started and what camera I should buy, (money is tight, so I cannot aford top of range). Any advise would be appreciated

Ian moozy Moore

[thebeard]

you're probably best off asking in the wildlife photography forums but i'll give you my opinion.

i only got my first 'proper' camera last july, it was a canon 350d, with just a standard lens on it, but with a tamron 55-200mm lens that i acquired later, i started taking reasonably good shots. i've now upgraded to a canon 40d and it is a lot better, but i am still using the same lenses (as well as a sigma 70-300 that i got recently).

i think if you are looking to just start out and get a feel for it, then a camera in the price range of a second hand canon 30d would be right up your street, cheap enough (around 150-250 pounds second hand ...ebay...) and easy to use. i'd recommend the tamron 55-200mm lens and again one of these can be picked up relatively cheap and will get you some reasonable shots and help you get to grips.

i'm still a beginner, so this advise might not be great, but i feel that over the 14 months that i've been taking digital photos i have a few good shots under my belt and i've learned a lot... start cheap, learn and gain experience, and then you can upgrade as you get better, thats my plan!

[moozy]

Cheers Beard I think the canon 30d would do this year as I'm awful with technology, Hopefully it will not be to long before I start uploading photo

[Jim Ford]

A lot of people don't rate Ken Rockwell's opinions, but many do. He used to recommend the Nikon D40, but as it's no longer current recommends the D5000. Have a look here:

Recommended Cameras

I guess he still considers the less expensive D40 as being a good camera that's enough for most users.

Jim

[moozy]

Cheers for the link jim I will read through it tonight