Saving for next year...

[xploit]

I'm going to start saving for next year, NOW!

Not just so I can afford a ticket, but I also want to upgrade from my Panasonic Lumix TZ4 back to a DSLR again - I used to own a Nikon D50 but want something better this time round, as I say though, I need to save, never have much spare money as it is - anyone able to recommend a good DSLR camera that won't break the bank?

[norainplease]

I'm going to start saving for next year, NOW!

Not just so I can afford a ticket, but I also want to upgrade from my Panasonic Lumix TZ4 back to a DSLR again - I used to own a Nikon D50 but want something better this time round, as I say though, I need to save, never have much spare money as it is - anyone able to recommend a good DSLR camera that won't break the bank?

[Cheesey]

I've had a Canon EOS 450D for about a year and I'm very happy with it. I wouldn't dare take it to Glastonbury though, which is a shame as every year I see great photo opportunities everywhere!

Might be difficult to find a 450D now though - the latest model is the 550D. A cheaper option would be the 1000D, which is basically the same as the 450D which just a couple of features missing (spot metering is one of them, can't remember the other(s)).

[TokiDoki]

I wouldn't dare take my DSLR to Glastonbury either!

[retrobabies]

I took my camera (canon 30D) this year, had no problems, got some great shots!!

I did mean to use the lock ups but just ended up sleeping with it at my feet as I wanted it with me all the time! Next year I will deff use the lock ups tho, after reading some of the stories about thefts on here, sounds like I was lucky...won't take a chance again!!

Check out my pics on my Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/captureuk/

I'm so glad I took mine and my friend bought the same camera with a standard lens off ebay for £450 recently so they have gone down in price quite a bit...

[xploit]

The lockups are deffo the way forward, mind you this year I too completely forgot to use them and left my car keys in the pocket in the side of the tent! OOPS!

Anyway, back to a decision about which DSLR to buy and where to get the best offers...

[Hezza-S]

I went and bought the canon eos1000d week before Glasto. Decided against taking it. Brill camera though as my first slr!

If it is one you fancy Argos sell it at a reasonable price but check it out first in jessops!

[Deepsky]

I took my 450D and it was fine. Just be sure to keep the lenses and mirror clean with all that dust flying around as it gets everywhere and is a cameras worst nightmare.

But yeah just use the lockups at night and providing you have a decent camera bag to keep everyting clean and protected you'll be fine.

I took this bag http://www.gem-bags.com/gem-photo-backpack-for-slr--3-5-lenses-81-p.asp which was big enough for my 450d and four lenses (one already on the camera), filters, lens hoods, camcorder, mini dv tapes and 4 extra capacity batterys and still had room in the side pouches and outside compartments for tons of stuff. The two side pouches are just the right size for bottles of drink actually which was quite handy.

Does get a bit much lugging that weight about in the searing sun though

[dan05delaney]

i'm currently looking at getting an dSLR, been looking at this LINKY

[Poleski]

If I don't end up working in Ibiza next year I'll definitely be at Glastonbury next year!

That is a beautiful camera. I wish I knew more about them and actually knew how to take photos haha

i'm currently looking at getting an dSLR, been looking at this LINKY

[Sabcully]

I've bought the Nikon D5000 and took it to Glastonbury with me this year. No problems at all apart from the DUST !!

Quite happy with the camera, just make sure you buy yourself a good lens with what ever you are going to go for.

[StevieMcK]

I took my old Nikon D200 with an old 18-70mm kit lens that I no longer use. It was great to have a decent camera for sunset shots, nightshots, etc, but I did find myself wishing I'd brough all my kit with me.

I ended up just keeping my backpack with me 24/7. It was a pain sometimes having to stand over my bag if I put it down in busy crowds, but it was worth it. I was going to use the lockups at night, but I never got round to it and felt it was secure enough in my tent (with the bag physically attached to my leg at nights with a snowboard leash )

Dust wasn't a problem as I only took one lens, but I wouldn't fancy trying to change between lenses in the conditions we had this year. It would have been a nightmare keeping your sensor clean in that dust!

[retrobabies]

I took my old Nikon D200 with an old 18-70mm kit lens that I no longer use. It was great to have a decent camera for sunset shots, nightshots, etc, but I did find myself wishing I'd brough all my kit with me.

I ended up just keeping my backpack with me 24/7. It was a pain sometimes having to stand over my bag if I put it down in busy crowds, but it was worth it. I was going to use the lockups at night, but I never got round to it and felt it was secure enough in my tent (with the bag physically attached to my leg at nights with a snowboard leash )

Dust wasn't a problem as I only took one lens, but I wouldn't fancy trying to change between lenses in the conditions we had this year. It would have been a nightmare keeping your sensor clean in that dust!

[5co77ie]

I've had a Canon EOS 450D for about a year and I'm very happy with it. I wouldn't dare take it to Glastonbury though, which is a shame as every year I see great photo opportunities everywhere!

Might be difficult to find a 450D now though - the latest model is the 550D. A cheaper option would be the 1000D, which is basically the same as the 450D which just a couple of features missing (spot metering is one of them, can't remember the other(s)).

[northernsky]

I reckon the best way is to budget the opposite way round - work out what lenses you want, and then get the best body you can with however much money you have left.

Or if you haven't worked out what lenses you like yet, then just get the cheapest body and kit lens and save the rest till you have.

Canon and Nikon official refurbished body+kit lens tend to be the best value for money IMO, either from their own outlets or somewhere like Jessops.

Also get a UV filter for around a tenner, which will keep the dust/scratches off your lens.

I took a Nikon D40 + kit lens, plus a 55-200mm lens for close-ups of stages, this year. Tended to only change lenses once or twice a day in order to avoid dirt/dust.

[kpins]

I bought a DSLR just in time for Glasto this year a sony a300 , left in the lock-ups at night and took my bog stsndard casion digital camera out. Great decision all round- if interested my pics are here;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51599510@N05/

Got the camera second hand from London Camera Exchange (LCE) they have stores all over. Found them a little cheaper than Ebay and 6 month guarantee (thats my commission sorted!).

Good luck in choosing one, I do hear a lot of good things about the Canon EOS range.