Looking for camera, new or 2nd hand?

[Bandit127]

Ahhh the world and it's wife are great photographers these days and may be turning pro. 

If you want to 'go pro' then yes, maybe consider a DSLR, but have a look at this and another think:

http://philipbloom.net/2011/09/19/sonynex5n/

Bear in mind you can get things like EF lens mounts for that.

Would I buy an SLR if I was buying a camera right now?

Tough call.

Have shot on SLRs since I was a kid and I wouldn't have it any other way. An SLR seems to fit right for me and is consequently more stable and comfortable to use. It is also handles a lot quicker than any compact with fast switch on and operation times and dedicated buttons for most common operations.

I have a D80 that is 3 or 4 generations behind the current crop but it still gets good results and showing hardly any wear with a shutter count of 15,000. (See the website on my sig for examples).

Lastly the sensor size gets you nice shallow depth of field when you need it. Compact/bridge sensor sizes won't let you do this (4/3 format excepted).

[jnufcuk]

I'm going to go for the nikon d3100. Know some friends who had the d3000 and said it was so easy to use etc etc so going to go for the newer one. And thought it would be more £££ but seems a good price.

Thanks people 

[shepgti]

My old man got. 3100 free and he loves it and i can see why as they are very user friendly...

[Mr_F]

D5100 shop around you can get them for under 500 now with the kit lens.  Not sure there's much extra compared to a D40, would you not be better spending that mula on a fancier lens?

[Toby]

Picked up a d3100 yesterday!

Was swaying towards the new 3200? But @ £600 it seemd alot, for something i may not like! Or get into!

[jnufcuk]

Picked up a d3100 yesterday!

Was swaying towards the new 3200? But @ £600 it seemd alot, for something i may not like! Or get into!

Good isn't it  what lens u get with it? £600? Must have got a few bits with it lol

[Toby]

Haven't really played yet 

No only one lense! Lol

Iv got a 55-110?

Will have a read through the manual later and have a play 

[DubFan]

Haven't really played yet 

No only one lense! Lol

Iv got a 55-110?

Will have a read through the manual later and have a play 

55-110?
The kit lens is more like 18-55mm.

Now get snapping, and when you're not out snapping do lots of reading up on things to try/try to avoid.

[Toby]

18-55mm! thats the one 

took 100's of pics of things laying around, and out of them all, theres only one worth keeping 

want to "try" some light trail pics! just got to figure out how to slow the shutter speed down! 

[Bandit127]

18-55mm! thats the one 

took 100's of pics of things laying around, and out of them all, theres only one worth keeping 

want to "try" some light trail pics! just got to figure out how to slow the shutter speed down! 

LOL - welcome to your new hobby. You will take better pictures than you thought possible in a very short amount of time with your new camera.

Practice makes perfect. I thought I had the hang of mine after 200 shots - wrong! I could actually use it competently after probably 1,200. And completely comfortable with it at 5,000. It has done over 15,000 now and still going strong.

It's summer, find an excuse to get out to an event (or go for a walk by the sea) and get snapping. You will get good shots on your first trip and get to know it - you just need to get out there.

Good luck.