Hi Neil,

I've just brought an Nikon F55 + 28-100 + 70-300 zooms from Jessops for ?250
as a present for some one. I'm really pleased with my F80 and this seemed
like a good deal for 'budget' autofocus. Jessops also have a 'used' section
on their website, I believe they give a 12 month warranty on everything from
there, and you can buy from the individual store by mail if its not in
driving distance.

Cheers

Phil Hobgen, Southampton, UK
-------------------------------------------
phil-trash@barbari.co.uk
for email please delete the dash
and take out the trash

Hello Neil,

I've got a Minolta 500si plus short zoom that's surplus to requirements
(I've gone digital). I've had the outfit since new. It's had only light
use and is in perfect working order. If it's likely to be of any use, drop
me an email.

There's a spec here, so you can see what whether it will meet your lad's
needs - http://www.photozone.de/2Equipment/minoltacamera.htm (search on
"Dynax 500si"). There's also a user's review here -
http://www.mouthshut.com/readreview/25266-1.html

Regards,

Roger

Hi Neil,

Out of the 3 you mention I'd pick the Pentax as though only having manual
focus it does have 'Depth-of-Field-Preview' which I think is a great tool to
have,especially when starting out. Its used for showing what is and is'nt in
focus before taking the photograph and assists with landscapes, portraits
and close-ups.

The F-55 and 3000-V are much the same level, (though the Canon system has
the quicker AF which may sway you if considering action pictures but not
overly crucial to begin with), but I cross them off as neither has
depth-of-field-preview.

If possible I'd select the next model up bein 300v from Canon or Nikon's
F-75. Both are excellent and I also suggest you get your son to handle each
body to make sure it feels comfortable to use. On a personal level I prefer
Nikon body design.

To keep costs down you could go for the previous models, being the Nikon
F-65 and Canon EOS 300, though Canon have just anounced a new 300X to
replace the 300V so their prices should come down.

Another consideration is the Minolta Dynax 5 which is very nice and a small
body with AF as good as Canon's. However, even though I've had Pentax
cameras, these days I'd stick to Nikon/Canon as they lead the field for
Digital slr's and offer the most accessories when compared to the other 2.

As to lens choice, basic kits have small zooms in the 28-80/105 range and
telephoto for action shots in the 70-300mm range.

If you can tell us your budget then maybe we can direct you towards kit
deals from price runners. As an example Ask Electronics
(www.askdirect.co.uk) offer the 28-90+75-300 lens kit for ?259 with free
postage, but have none in stock just now. Typical but it does mean you can
go down to your local Dixons/Jessops and get to handle the cameras before
hand.

Good luck with you son starting out in the hobby and if he has any queries I
am sure everyone here will assist.

Cheers,
Stephen

any experience of these or know their good/bad points. Never

If he has the OM-10, there is a manual adapter which plugs in the jack
socket and has aperture/speed dials. I'm sure there'll be one on ebay.
(PS_i've just looked. There are a few. I doubt they'll go over ?20). I'd
always stick with kit I knew and liked.

When I went to college I about 4-5 years back for photography I used a
couple of Nikon FM bodies. I actually sold my 'new' mid-range Canon AF SLR
to buy these. The college's own 35mm SLR's were Pentax K-1000 's. These
cam's are both all-manual/mechanical bodies and the idea is they'll provide
a steeper and 'correct' learning curve for someone wanting to really learn
photography. Some say this is not the case and because modern AF SLR's can
be switched to manual settings for exposure and focusing they're just as
valid as a learning tool. I disagree. Something like a SH FM help make your
son quickly proficient in camera techniques - selecting exposure correctly
and quick, accurate manual focusing are fundamentals. These cameras are also
solidly built all-metal jobbies with truly useful features like a DOF
preview and PC sync socket (for studio flash). Finally, they're bargains -
you can pick up SH FM's and AI/AIS manual Nikkors at silly prices lately.
If his 'old' Olympus still works then perhaps invest in another lens or two
rather than a low grade plastic 'new' camera with a shoddy zoom lens?
There's nothing to be gained but something to loose by switching to a cheap
AF cam' if you want to study photography rather than take snapshots

I'm assuming that as he is studying photography, he will be expected to
use a manual camera so that he can learn the effects of the different
controls?

You could look for something like Jessop's own-brand Centon camera. The
Centon K200 costs £100 with a standard lens, which is about half the
cost of a Pentax MZ-M.
The alternative is to look on eBay for any of the clone Pentax K-mount
cameras. Try Chinon, Ricoh... there are others.

Thanks for all the ideas, guys. Much appreciated.

I don't know about the -V variet, but IIRC the EOS-3000 didn't have
depth of field preview. I'd imagine this feature would be pretty
essential for a photography course. I can't comment on the others you
mention.

I'd suggest looking around for second-hand manual-focus cameras. Olympus
OMs, for example, or the pre-EOS canons. All the manual control you want
(except OM-10), and you can get good lenses cheaply second-hand to
experiment.