What's a good camera for a amateur/newbie?

[dyslexickoala]

I'm new to photography, I've grown really fond of it though. I'd like to buy a good camera, I'm not sure what to get, what's better DSLR or SLR? What model should I get? My price range is £100-£200. I'd like one that can handle long exposure images up to about 30 seconds. Thanks.

 

[CiaoChao]

Lets first start with some basic definitions. An SLR camera is any camera that has an optical viewfinder that looks through the lens at the front of the camera, this can be one that uses film or digital, one with interchangeable lenses or one without (though these are very rare). A DSLR is a sub-category and only covers digital cameras.

If you have a specific interest in long exposure photography, you will want a DSLR, they are a much more predictable system at longer exposures. Film could give you colour shifts and reciprocity breakdowns, essentially meaning that you'll have to burn film to get a grasp of what it may do.

For £200 you will only be able to get second hand cameras, but don't let that worry you. I've always bought second hand gear, and not had any problems. In the budget a Canon 300D or Nikon D70 (both with their compatible 18-55mm lenses) would be available, you should have enough left over for a cheap tripod, but don't expect that to last more than 12 months. A good tripod alone could set you back £200.

 

[Rough Divide]

a disposable camera you can buy at wal mart

 

[Jonny D'Elia]

If you're willing to take this up as a hobby but don't want to faff with lenses seen as your a newbie then if I were you I'd go for a Canon Powershot G9 or g10, very nice camera, quite a few settings and films as well. If you want a camera with lenses then message me and I'll give you more info!

Hope this helped.

 

[paul r]

You could pick up a used EOS 350D with lens from a guaranteed second hand dealer for that.
You can get a 10D for around £100 if you are patient, and thats a lot of camera for the cash, you would want to track down a sigma 18-55 for that one though, again do-able within budget.