Digital SLR Cameras

[Tim Lund]

I've lost my old compact, and am thinking of stepping up to a digital SLR - any local photographers with advice on what to buy - not wanting to spend more than £500. Up to now I've mainly been interested in landscapes, flowers, sometimes close-ups - not action or faces, but that's maybe because my camera's never been up to it. The sorts of pictures I've tried to take which my old camera has never been much good at is where the light is poor, or there's a lot of variation between light intensity in different parts of the view.

Also - what's a good way to learn how to use all the features of a Digital SLR? Any recommended courses?

[richpickings]

I use a SONY A330. It is really good and has the added bonus that you can take photo's either using the "live view" screen or the viewfinder. I throughly recommend it and have taken some fantastic photos's in the 18 months since I have had it. I have also got a couple of Tamron lenses which produce real quality photo's.

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[pupak]

Being a photographer I am biased, but I would go for a Nikon or Canon DSLR.
If you like teaching yourself then there are loads of stuff online about all the features of an DSLR. Digital Photography School is a good one or try joining a Flickr group in a subject that you are interested.
If you are interested in classes I teach SLR courses at the Kentwood Centre in Penge (opposite Sainsburys) New courses don't start till September. However I am doing a Photo Walks course on Thursday 21 July.
You can see all the photography courses here: http://goo.gl/V6vbv