Ant120
newbie
Reged: 15/06/2008
Posts: 3
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Hi this is my first post, i am looking to buy my first DSLR, (in fact my first SLR!)
At this time i have a Panasonic DMC-FZ7 Lumix. i have been very happy with it but i am now finding the limitations of the zoom (12x optical). I am open to suggestions of,
1, what manunfacture to by? Canon, Nikon etc?
2, where ti by from?
3, How much should i pay?
4, what starter equipment for i need?
5, What is a good lense ( i tend to take landscape shots at the sea, action shots at a distance. and wildlife.
6, Can i trade in my current camera?
any help with these questions is much appreciated,
PS i have a budget of about £600.00
Thanks 
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sjaszczak
A Real Gentleman
Reged: 08/06/2005
Posts: 900
Loc: York
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Welcome to the forum.
1) Because of your budget and the fact you're probably going to want a couple of lenses to cover both the landscapes and the long stuff, you're going to have to go for an entry-level camera. Perhaps Sony.
2) Check out: this
3) Spend as much as you can afford to spend and not a penny more. The main thing is in the taking of the photos 
4) Aside from the camera and lenses? Tripod, bag to hold it all in comfortably, spare battery/memory card etc.
5) Fistly, "lens" doesn't have an e on the end. Good lenses can cost either hundreds or thousands of pounds depending on what works well for you and how picky you are. Because of your budget, you should consider twin lens kits (you'd have one wider-angle zoom for the landscapes and one longer range lens for wildlife stuff). I think this would be a better option than going for one "super" zoom.
6) Depends where you shop. Try eBay too!
Finally, read the other threads in this section as very similar questions keep coming up on this forum so you may find some useful information out there.
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Steve
My Flickr
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Learning
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 26/09/2006
Posts: 2014
Loc: Nottingham
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The major manufacturers all offer good models at most price points in the market. Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Sony don't make rubbish.
If you get 'hooked' on photography then you are likely to spend a lot of money in the future. You will spend even more money if you change system later; so get the system right now. Whatever entry level camera and lens you buy I suggest that you also look at the more expensive camera models and lenses that are presently out of reach.
All manufacturers family of products have a common feel, so feel them. If you like the feel of a Nikon D60 (as an initial purchase)then make sure that you also like the feel of a D300 or D3. Basicaly do you like that manufacture's range rather than a particuar product? The same goes for any other manufacture's family.
The camera is only a tool. Any competant tool will do provided it fits to your hands and mind. Is it comfortable; can you reach the buttons; does the design seem logical to your mind? Do you think that the designer is a genious or an idiot? You need to use this instrument without thinking about the mechanics because your mind needs to be on the image. Can you imagine its use becoming as if instinctive?
I am not entirely unbiassed of course. As you might have guessed from my example, I am a Nikon user (FMn2, F100, D200,D300, and recently also a D40x user until I gave that one away to a young relative).
Don't buy on spec and unseen.
I think it is worth travelling to a retailer who can let you handle the goods and make your purchase from them. When you are committed to a system then by all means buy off the internet for further items on spec if that is what you want. Even then you may find that your initial contact will price match internet sellers who really have the goods in stock.
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Ant120
newbie
Reged: 15/06/2008
Posts: 3
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Thank for the advice so far, i am planing to visit the retailer, I am near Exeter so looking to go to Jessops and London Camera exchange.
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AlexMonro
addict
Reged: 05/06/2006
Posts: 682
Loc: Exeter, Devon (and Somerset so...
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Since you're near Exeter, don't forget to look in to Devon Camera Centre in Waterbeer St. (next to Marks & Spencer). Very helpful people there.
(Just a very happy customer.)
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Robs1
journeyman
Reged: 02/10/2006
Posts: 80
Loc: Medway, Kent
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Quote:
but i am now finding the limitations of the zoom (12x optical).
A 12 X Optical zoom is a very useful range and you wont find an entry level lens on a DSLR to cover that range. for that range go for a twin lens kit or an 18-200/250 lens but this would mean the lens taking up a big chunk or your budget.
I moved from an 8mp Panasonic Bridge camera to a less expensiv 6mp DSLR and have never regreted it for a second.
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Please look at my pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robs_photos_zz/
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DaveG40
enthusiast
Reged: 21/07/2007
Posts: 236
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Like Robs1, I too went from a bridge camera (x12 Sony H2) to a d-slr, however I consider a bridge camera's huge focal range to be it's greatest asset,it's certainly not a limitation.
I am very happy with my d-slr "however" for sheer fun I use my Panasonic Tz3, it may not have the burst rate, low noise & depth of field etc,etc of a d-slr but it's zoom flexibility more than makes up for it, & if you've had bridge camera's for a while you'll soon discover how much of a loss a camera with a built in image stablized x12 lens is.
For £600 you have several options; a double lens deal, e.g the Olympus E510, or you can buy something like the Sony A200 & fit the Tamron 18-250 to it, turning it into a super bridge camera.
Visit your local store and try out the camera's within your budget, there ain't any bad ones & they have dropped in price, so much so that the Nikon D40 & Sony A200 can be had for bridge camera money.
Here's 2 helpful web sites;
Prices
Reviews
Good luck.
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McLovin
newbie
Reged: 22/06/2008
Posts: 13
Loc: England
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Hey,
from experience, with your budget, you could get an entry level DSLR with an average standard zoom for around £600 new (or just under if you look well). I got my first DSLR from ebay in fact, this way you can get more for your money. If you do this, read the specs carefully. A Canon EOS 350D and 400D would be a good starter camera for you.
Buying lenses, sigma are an extremely good alternative option to Canon and Nikon makes, and are often better quality and cheaper.
sea-scapes require a fairly wide angle lens most of the time, where as wildlife shooting etc needs a telephoto. Superzooms can include all of this but the quality isn't as good as having two separate lenses.
Seascapes:10-35mm
Action/Wildlife: 70-300mm (Tend to be quite expensive)
So to start with get an entry level DSLR (probably a canon) with kit (standard zoom and 1gb CF card). If you go to a smaller camera shop you may be able to trade your camera and have a feel for the camera before you buy it. Also agreat help when looking for DSLR's is 'What Digital Camera?', has fantastic tips etc.
Edited by McLovin (22/06/2008 15:22)
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Ant120
newbie
Reged: 15/06/2008
Posts: 3
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Once again thanks for the advice, i am new in the Devon area and did not know about the Devon camera shop in Exeter, i have been reading some reviews in What DLSR, seems the Canon is a good starting point,
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