Ok Guys, I need Your Input!

Ok I want to buy a camera, to start learning all this photography stuff, you have all inspired me , so I want to buy a digital SLR, but I can not afford the money for a new one a the moment, so I was checking out ebay.

So I saw a
Canon D10
Nikon D70
Nikon D40

They all look alright for a beginners camera. What do you guys recommend?

I just found a Olympus E300 too, looks pretty good.

And this one also http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PENTAX-K100D-CAM ... dZViewItem

My step father has a pentax SLR and has a billion lenses for it, so I suppose that could be a good thing?

This one too.. Sorry Haha, I just want to get the best cmaera I can get for the price I can pay http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Canon-EOS-350D-B ... dZViewItem

That pentax looks a good one, just try to find out if the lenses will be compatible (they should be, being the same brand). I also think you should consider the Nikon D40, great camera ... one of my mad friends has one and let me loose with it one day.

Keep shopping around and asking different people ... talk to the shop assistants, some shops might let you take one out for a feel and a few test shots.

Edit in reply to your edit: That 350D is an awesome camera ... great for learning the ropes ... a bit dated, but that means they're cheaper, and there's no big difference between that and the 400D

If you're gonna go for that 350D, make sure to get the users manual from somewhere - it says it's not included. It's best to know your camera as thoroughly as possible.

Set your sights on the camera you "want" instead of the one you "can get".
While you're saving up to get that camera, learn everything you can about it. When you have times where you can save a little more than scheduled, buy some of the things that go with the camera, like a tripod, case, memory cards, etc.

If you rush out and settle for the camera you can get now, you're going to be disapointed in the end.

You out of anyone should know how impatient I am lol. I would end up getting so angry with saving I would just buy a camera anyways.

How the hell do you expect to be a decent photographer without patience ?

Are you going ot scream at the birds ?


Seriously, save. It will be a good patience builder for you.

LOL!

No I am not impatient with things like birds, for gods sake Joe. I am impatient when it comes to saving for things I really really want.

I will ask my step father about the lens, I am sure he never uses the camera anymore, so if he gives it too me, I will see about getting the camera the lenses will fit. I am pretty sure its either a canon or pentax, and he has about 30 lens.

Would you mind posting around what you're willing to spend? I just helped out musik find a great deal on a brand new D80. We're still waiting to find out how the service from this place is, but the D80 is coming down in price a lot. I've found it as cheap as $500 with a choice of a lense in the kit. Some places actually are offering the kit lense with a free bag, cleaner, tripod, and some other stuff.

I have photogs come up to me when I'm shooting and say, "Damn, I wish I had bought a D70 like yours when I had the chance."

I am looking under $500 at this stage.

OK, well I shoot a D70 like dM, and am VERY VERY happy with it. Only a couple things about it I wish were different and are now fixed with the D80. But, those things do not in any way mean the difference of takign the shot I want. It's more of a preference with it. No sense in even mentioning what they are.

I saw on ebay several D70 bodies going for around $300US. Get that and a new 50mm from ritzcamera.com and you're set!

Sweet thank

Just remember when bidding on Ebay that when you buy a camera and it says the body only you are literally buying it without any lenses. So, without a lens you can't take any photos really. I know you already probably know this, but i've known people who think when they are getting a good deal on the camera and then realise that they cant take any photos with it.

That ebay item for the 350d still looks good at $100, but it doesn't hurt to maybe contact the seller and find out as much as you can about the item itself. I was fortunate to buy a 350d within weeks of the 400d coming out for a very good price and it's the only camera i've been using since coming to Oz, i just love it.

I always say this when people are asking about cameras on Ozzu - check out the canon camera shop on Ebay. Sometimes they sell refurbished cameras and lenses for a good price, if you are prepared to wait and browse Ebay i guarantee you'll get some good stuff there for a really good price.

I've decided I am going to look for either a D70 or a D40x or D80. They all look pretty nice.

I found these 3 on Ebay

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NIKON-D80-Digita ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Nikon-D40X-SLR-D ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Nikon-D70-Tamron ... dZViewItem

I really like the second one. But the first one is also good.

Nikon cameras are great. Remember though that your lens is more important than your body. I'd buy a D40 with an awesome lens before a D70 or D80 with a kit lens. But I'd rather not waste time on the D40x at all. It feels very cheaply made to me. I would save just a little bit more and go with the 70 or 80 AND a nice lens to start with.