What

[MattFr]

No idea if you're already won over by a Nikon, but I would seriously suggest not going for a low model Nikon camera. I say this because the low range Nikon bodies don't have an integrated AF motor meaning if you want to buy anymore lenses, you have to buy more expensive ones which have motors built in to the actual lens, or you can just use MF if the lens doesn't have a motor. If you want to go for Nikon, buy a second hand D90, not a D200 they're getting on a bit now.

However, as a Canon user myself, I would say get a Canon. Look at a second hand 40D, they are a step above the beginner DSLR and although a bit old now, are nice pieces of kit. If you're looking for Video though, you either have to splurge on something like a 7D (expensive) or step down to the beginner DSLRs like the 500/550D (do these have video, I haven't kept up with latest releases?).

tldr, go for Canon

[Firehorse]

He said DSLR...

lol my bad, must have only glanced and read dlp

[roastchips]

No idea if you're already won over by a Nikon, but I would seriously suggest not going for a low model Nikon camera. I say this because the low range Nikon bodies don't have an integrated AF motor meaning if you want to buy anymore lenses, you have to buy more expensive ones which have motors built in to the actual lens, or you can just use MF if the lens doesn't have a motor. If you want to go for Nikon, buy a second hand D90, not a D200 they're getting on a bit now.

However, as a Canon user myself, I would say get a Canon. Look at a second hand 40D, they are a step above the beginner DSLR and although a bit old now, are nice pieces of kit. If you're looking for Video though, you either have to splurge on something like a 7D (expensive) or step down to the beginner DSLRs like the 500/550D (do these have video, I haven't kept up with latest releases?).

tldr, go for Canon

Complete and utter rubbish, while what you said is 50% correct the part about lenses with motors in being more expensive is rubbish. The nikon lens range are now all nearly AF-S lenses that will autofocus on the lower model. Out of hand the only one i can think that isent is the cheap 50mm f1.8 but that on a crop sensor would be a bit long so most go for the 35mm f1.8. The only other lenses it rules out that are pretty good i can think is the 80-200 f2.8 and the 85mm 1.8 but i hardly think the OP will be buying those considering they are professional grade lenses. D200 may be getting on by it is still a great little camera and is still in par with entery level DSLR's and is stronger and built better than entery DSLR's so for that reason i would keep in ruled in, some of these little gems can still be found with low amount of usage and actually alot of press photographers still use these babys.

40D's are going very down in value and will soon be near enough out dated as even a entry level DSLR will be able to out perform in terms of ISO, Video on DSLR is a gimmick in my opinion and not worth it but if the OP does want video the D5000 the D90 or the new D3100 support this in the nikon entry range alone. 7D is not a bad camera but in my opinion the D300S from Nikon is by far the better camera in terms of ISO performance but the 7D does slightly have the upper edge in Autofocus. 550D competitor in the Nikon range is the D90 and while it maybe close again i think the nikon packs more bang for buck.

If its just portraits you are doing then i have heard very good things about the Fuji S5 pro, it uses a nikon F mount so nikon lenses fit on it and i have heard the out of camera JPGS are so good that very little people shoot RAW and PP with this camera for portraits.

[MattFr]

Complete and utter rubbish, while what you said is 50% correct the part about lenses with motors in being more expensive is rubbish. The nikon lens range are now all nearly AF-S lenses that will autofocus on the lower model. Out of hand the only one i can think that isent is the cheap 50mm f1.8 but that on a crop sensor would be a bit long so most go for the 35mm f1.8. The only other lenses it rules out that are pretty good i can think is the 80-200 f2.8 and the 85mm 1.8 but i hardly think the OP will be buying those considering they are professional grade lenses.

40D's are going very down in value and will soon be near enough out dated as even a entry level DSLR will be able to out perform in terms of ISO, Video on DSLR is a gimmick in my opinion and not worth it but if the OP does want video the D5000 the D90 or the new D3100 support this in the nikon entry range alone. 7D is not a bad camera but in my opinion the D300S from Nikon is by far the better camera in terms of ISO performance but the 7D does slightly have the upper edge in Autofocus. 550D competitor in the Nikon range is the D90 and while it maybe close again i think the nikon packs more bang for buck.

Apologies, I was very in to the photography scene a few months back but I haven't kept up with it for a while now. Things move on so fast, I swear AF-S was only in higher range lenses, or maybe that just applies to Canon with their L range.

Although I'm now unsure about which to go for out of Canon and Nikon, I think the best advice now would be to go into a shop, play with all the bodies and lenses you might be looking at, then decide upon that.

[roastchips]

Apologies, I was very in to the photography scene a few months back but I haven't kept up with it for a while now. Things move on so fast, I swear AF-S was only in higher range lenses, or maybe that just applies to Canon with their L range.

Although I'm now unsure about which to go for out of Canon and Nikon, I think the best advice now would be to go into a shop, play with all the bodies and lenses you might be looking at, then decide upon that.

Yes at one point AF-S was only for pro lenses but now this has been brought into 95% of the nikon range and 3 news lenses got released the other day one of which was the 85mm 1.4 now making the AF-D version out of the range. Cannon L range is cannons top quality lenses range, nikon doesn't have a name for its top lenses but these are easy to spot from usually Wide apertures, Big Costs and also most have a gold plate by the focus indicator.

I agree with your 2nd point go and have a feel of the bodies, if its you thats going to be using them then make sure you have comftable were all the dials are ect. Lense wise now nikon has arround the same as cannon apart from cannon have some cheaper pro lenses in a f4 format but really the choices are now very very similar only reason i would say you would go cannon purely on lenses choice is for there super long primes like the 800mm but i wouldn't let that worry you as only a very few have the problem of that as they cost a absolute fortune.

[Cheryl]

thanks both, I have thoroughly read all your posts, I will go into jessops and try and touch them

[roastchips]

thanks both, I have thoroughly read all your posts, I will go into jessops and try and touch them

Ye if you just go in and say im interested in my first DSLR can i have a test of some they will be fine. Expect them to try and heavy sell you one though as they are on commission so depending what at the moment they get the most for they will try and push you towards that. My advice is go in a try but down buy when you go in at least have a night to think about what you liked the most and why as i say if you get into photography and guy more gear you will get to such a stage were it would cost a fortune to move to a different brand unless your a sports tog but we will save that for another day