Please help me guys.

I used to enjoy my photography years ago when I had more hair and less beergut but when cash was tight I had to sell off my Olympus OM2 and all the bits and pieces I had and have just been taking snapshots since then.
Recently using either a 35mm Canon Ixus or a Sony DSC P1 I was given a couple of years back. The Sony has been ok, but but when we know want "nice" pictures we always use film.

However, because we were in a rush this weekend I ended up using just the Sony. Checked what I took last night and got very frustrated with everything we had taken. It didn't seem to make any difference what the lighting was, what settings or anything I had done they just looked cack. I checked back and they were definately worse than stuff I'd taken weeks or months ago but of course now being hyper-critical I started seeing everything as a poor snapshot. I want to take good pictures again. So the death defying spiral into spending my hard earned has started...

This is where I need some help.

If I go back into the world of "proper cameras" what's the recommendation?
The Canon 350D seems to be widely liked and about as much as I'd like to spend or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks!

Sounds like you are on the top of that slippery slope we have all slid down ;)

Yep Canon EOS 350D is an excellent starting point although I'm sure the Nikon boys will be in soon to recommend the D50/D70 :rolleyes:;)

Either way you are sure to find lot's more to spend your hard earned on once you get hooked ;)

The 350D is highly acclaimed but don't forget to budget for lenses, spare battery and CF cards.

Sounds like you are on the top of that slippery slope we have all slid down ;)

Wot you mean the less hair and more gut slope Chris? I'm firmly (flabby?) in that club :D:D:D

The 350D is very well liked in this forum (and elsewhere) as is the D70/D200. Plenty of opinions/advice have been offered here before on your choice so if you try a search you may come up with some interesting reading! Basically you really only have two choices of system at the moment for DSLR's and that's Nikon or Canon. With having previously owned an OM2 I'd guess you are way past the snapshot stage and are ready to pick up from where you left off when you sold your Olympus kit so you know that whatever choice you make you are buying into a whole system of lenses, flashes and bodies. Any of the 305D/20D/30D/D70s/D200 or higher will probably meet your needs. I'm a Nikon user and I see virtually no difference (these days) in the quality of images taken with either Canon or Nikon gear so it's down to personal preference. I had a shed load of Nikon film gear before I went digital so the choice was a no-brainer for me, I wasn't about to chuck away thousands of pounds switching to a Canon system. The one piece of advice I would give to you is to go to your local dealer (nah, not the guy with the pimp tints and the bling :)) and handle whatever camera you are leaning towards purchasing. I use a D2H which is fine for me as I have biggish hands and like the weight of it, whereas the 350D is just too small and lightweight in my paws. Handling is one of the most important factors to consider IMHO so before buying cheaper online, handle the models (fnarr, fnarr!) in Jessops or wherever before taking the plunge.

Thanks guys. I guess I think I used to be able to take decent pictures and i want to again. One thing, am I going to have to spend days reading the manual to get good results or are they friendly enough to allow me to play without being frustrated? I get the feeling there are more settings on digital that make a difference than I was used to on the OM2.

I'll go look at the Nikon too, you are right the way any of these things feel is critical. It looks like its a bit cheaper than the Canon too so maybe that'll fund some "extras".

D-SLRs are really easy to use. Much more so than an OM-2 IMHO. Just switch everything on to auto, point and squirt. You'll get great results 99% of the time.

But that's not the point of a D-SLR - it's all about creative control, which of course they all have in spades. Playing about is fun, because you can see the result immediately on the screen. But whatever you do, think about what it is you are trying to photograph, and how best the set the camera for the picture you have in your mind's eye. Or if you're on automatic, think about what the camera is doing, and why. Another great feature of digital is the EXIF data so you can check the camera settings any time, and learn from them.

Best of luck,

Richard.

(nah, not the guy with the pimp tints and the bling :))
Ha, ha,.. that was pretty funny. :-)
LanCat
As STI-Frenchie say, it really doesn't matter which camera brand you are going for (Nikon or Canon). In your situation I would either go with a Canon EOS 350D or Nikon D70 and get a pretty decent lens. A very good start could be the 50 f1.8, which is dirt cheap but has very good glass. Check them out in your nearest camera store and decide after you could test and hold them. Be also aware that you need to clean the sensor from dust every now and then. Check out the forums at www.dpreview.com where you can find tons of information. Oh, did I already mention, that the camera is just the start. Good Luck! Daniel

Great, so where in the past I knew my favourite films and so understood which film to use in which circumstance that's now just a matter of knowing what each menu option does for me. Once I have a base that matches say Kodachrome 64 in my head and one for FP100 then I should be away? That seems fine to me.

In the Nikon world you all seem to be suggesting the D70(s) over the D50? Jessops seem to have the D50 with 18-55 at under £400. Good deal or not?

I need to go and have a play.

Thanks for your advice and your patience with me!

A Nikon rep told me the D50 was to get people out of compacts and into DSLR's hence the 2 memory slots for CF and SD cards.

The D70s runs soley on CF's. There are a couple of advantages of the D70s over D50, but I can't rememver what they are, D70s is a lovely unit, just a bit noisey at high ISO's.

There are a couple of advantages of the D70s over D50, but I can't rememver what they are.

D70 Speedlight can control an SB800/600 in CLS (D50 can't)
1 command dial for the D50 (D70 has 2) front & rear (just make changing things easier)

Can't think of anything else but sure there are a few minor-ish things....

D-SLRs are really easy to use. Much more so than an OM-2 IMHO. Just switch everything on to auto, point and squirt. You'll get great results 99% of the time.

But that's not the point of a D-SLR - it's all about creative control, which of course they all have in spades. Playing about is fun, because you can see the result immediately on the screen. But whatever you do, think about what it is you are trying to photograph, and how best the set the camera for the picture you have in your mind's eye. Or if you're on automatic, think about what the camera is doing, and why. Another great feature of digital is the EXIF data so you can check the camera settings any time, and learn from them.

Best of luck,

Richard.

:notworthy Richard, like Rory Gallagher you have a gift, not from what you say but how you say it...or in Rory's case, play it. This is most poignant - "But whatever you do, think about what it is you are trying to photograph"

'tis the essence of what we are all trying to do.

Cheers mate!

That's a very kind comment above, Alwyn. Thanks :)

[QUOTE=Simon C]A Nikon rep told me the D50 was to get people out of compacts and into DSLR's hence the 2 memory slots for CF and SD cards.

[QUOTE]

But then so do the professional Canon cameras...

In the Nikon world you all seem to be suggesting the D70(s) over the D50? Jessops seem to have the D50 with 18-55 at under £400. Good deal or not?

I need to go and have a play.

Thanks for your advice and your patience with me!

Was in a similar situation to yourself recently, wanted something a little better but couldn't justify anything too fancy. Went for the D50 but with the 18-70 lens, have been very impressed so far and expect it will do all I want for now.

Bought mine from Wharehouse Express.

Don't think it uses CF cards as mentioned above, mine only takes SD.

Allan