Totally off topic for a fatty forum, but I know a lot of you are keen photographers.
My son has quite an interest in photography and is on at me for a DSLR.
I have been doing a bit of research, I am not a photography expert at all, and I have kind of made my mind up on a Canon EOS 600D. It seems to tick all the boxes. I can get one for between 350-400 squids.
Can anyone confirm that this is a good entry camera or suggest one that will do the job just as well or better.
Cheers.
Archie. Previously..
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I've got a Canon 400D and would recommend them to anyone.
Either full auto or using the more involved settings give a great image and I can't think of anything I don't like or have found wrong with mine.

Obviously the 600D is newer, has a larger screen and a few other upgrades on my 400D but for that price, I assume including lenses, it'll make a great entry into photography.  

Great camera, my son got one - made me regret being an Olympus man  Geoff

slightly off topic on this off topic but i'm just about to buy a fuji sl1000 bridge camera..its not a proper jobby like a dslr but for me its the dogs bo11ocks with a 50x zoom.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
.

Since I bough my Sony RX 100 both Olympus DSLRs have been gathering dust together with their fancy expensive lenses and flashguns.

I think there may be a parallel with the car the FFRR being like an expensive DSLR that can do things that I thought would be great and essential - but I don't do them.  Geoff

Thanks gents. Yes the camera is complete with a lens.
Personally, I am with Stan.. I looked at some bridge cameras today in currys. They look great value and the optical zooms are amazing. But, the young man is insistant on a fully fiddleable DSLR and will not be swayed.
Looks like the 600D then.... Previously..
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The thing is, with bridge cameras could he produce these sorts of images?
These two were taken on my 400D, the Orion Nebula is a series of 15 x 2 minute images run through some software to give the detail but the aurora is a 30 second exposure taken straight from the camera with no Photoshopping.





Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  

Very clever... Yes, it gives you lots of options for various camera trickery. He tells me he is looking forward to learning how to use it. He loves your photos.  Previously..
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Bought a 550D couple of years ago and haven't looked back since. Make sure he considers swapping the kit lens for something decent though as its OK for general shooting but a bit naff for portrait or scenery work. A little "nifty fifty" will only set you back 90 odd quid and makes a hell of a difference to low light shots or where you want good depth of field or fast shutter speed.

I bought a 1 day hands on DSLR intro course from Groupon and it was the best £50 I've ever spent. Learnt enough about the camera's functions and capabilities to allow me to practice and play on my own and made a huge difference to the quality and setup of my shots.

Careful though, its not a cheap hobby if you get hooked! But the neither is a FFRR  '08 Audi S6 Avant 5.2 V10 with Milltek non-resonated. Vrrrrrrmmmmmph
'59 Ford Kuga Diesel (boring but AWD and 40mpg...)
2007 (07) Subaru Forester XTen 2.5 Turbo. (Roundabouts are fun again!)
2007 (07) 4.4 V8 Vogue (gone)

I'm more than happy taking shots like these with my Kodak Instamatic camera

This is the reason why I cycle

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

I've got a Canon and love it. My research before purchase indicated that you should buy a camera compatible with any SLR lenses you already have. If no lenses, as in my case, your field is wide open. Check what lenses you like as you will probably keep them longer than the camera body.

Canon 450D owner - very pleased. Great entry level dslr.
Had it 3-4 years now, it still does more than I fully understand.

I may take up cycling though! 
Had it, loved it!
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Climatic Seats, RSE, AFS, Deployable steps, iPod kit.

When I did my research into a DSLR, I talked to a lot of top photographers and it seems that Canon and Nikon are the two top dogs. I have gone the Nikon direction and am very pleased with my D7000 especially after our Kruger park trip last year.

As RR2008HSE says, if you have SLR lenses already, go with that brand.

Choose a sturdy body as well, just in case it does get a knock. Then start investing in top quality lenses over time. That is where the real money goes, if you don't want to skimp on quality. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

What sort of lens do need to take this sort of picture?

As 47p2 has demonstrated, subject matter is also important when taking a photo.

Nikon was my number 2 choice in the end, only because he held both and the canon had buttons in a more comfortable position, he says! To me, the spec seemed very similar on both models.
Just looking for the best deal today, it is going to be online as the only shop around here is pc world. Previously..
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