Hi, I’m hoping someone might be able to help me. I’d like to buy my boyfriend a Digital SLR for his 40th Birthday this year but I’m a bit lost! Firstly a little background:

For the last 22 years (18th Birthday present) he has been using a Canon AE-1, which he loves and has a number of lenses for. However, since he bought me a Canon PowerShot A75 he has been so impressed with the quality of picture that I get that he has almost stopped using his SLR and borrows my Canon or relies on me to take the pictures. This is a shame because I know how much he enjoys SLR photography and being in control of the outcome, whereas I’m happy for the camera to do all the thinking for me.

My first question is could someone confirm that I cannot get a Digital SLR that will take his existing lens collection? I’ve done some research and I’m fairly confident this is not possible. If I’m right, is there realistically any chance that this will change in the future, is there something on the horizon that means we should be waiting a year?

Next, assuming I need a new setup and, I suspect, disregarding his existing lens collection, please can someone give me some advice on a new camera. There are some aspects that I know he feels are important from when he researched and bought my camera:

1) AA batteries for the power supply (you can buy them anywhere)
2) Compact flash memory cards (as I use CF this will also mean we can lend each other cards if necessary.

He uses a camera to take general pictures, friends, family, pets, holiday shots etc., but is also keen on motor racing and lots of pictures of cars, both stationary and tearing around a track.

Lastly I guess I need to tell you my budget. Not great I’m afraid, I’m hoping to be able to stretch to a maximum £500 (including decent sized memory card) if I can persuade friends and family to chip in. And I’d like him to be able to use it straight away so this needs to include everything to get started, not just the camera body. If I can spend less than this all the better.

I'm a little concerned that an SLR is a very personal choice, but have decided I'd like to try my best to get the right one and will check with the shop I buy it from that it can be exchanged if necessary.

I think that’s it from me, so over to you. Can anyone help a damsel in distress who is trying to buy her boyfriend a present?

Many thanks, Sarah

P.S. Sorry for such a long essay to ask for help, but I wasn’t sure if the background information would help, I’ll keep quiet now...

Hi
When I got my first digital point & shoot, I almost stopped using my SLR completely.. the digital was very convenient, but it kind of killed my creativity, i'd only be doing snapshots, vacation,.. I'm glad that about 2 years ago I made the decision to buy a DSLR and haven't regretted 1 single day! SLR is even more fun to me than before now that it's digital!
My SLR was a Canon EOS, so I bought Canon to re-use my lenses. I'm very happy with Canon, but I guess I am a canon person. It can be quite a personal and subjective choice, like some people like BMW better, others Mercedes. If he had Canon before, and he bought you one, chances are he's a Canon person.
If his lenses are not compatible now, they will never be I think. You'll need EF lenses for them to be compatible with their dSLRs.

As for battery, forget about AA. dSLRs come with a rechargeable battery, the one in my 20D is VERY good. I guess they're using the same of a better one in all new models. AA Batteries are mainly for point & shoot camera's.
I think most dSLR cards have CompactFlash, at least the Canons do. He will probably need larger capacity cards for his camera as the camera resolution will be much higher than yours! Think 1GB cards at least, and more than one.

As for your budget, I just had a look at jessops, and it seems the 400D with kit lens is at £499, maybe you can find it a bit cheaper or negotiate a CF card? Otherwise, the 350D is also still available at £399..
Hope this helps, sorry if I'm biased (but maybe your boyfriend is similarly biased), I'll leave it to others to give advise on other brands.

Let us know when you've bought & given the gift, and make sure he shares his pictures here on Photographyblog!

SDR

The new slr Pentax range is easy to use and comes under the £500 bracket. They're also more compact than your average digital SLR. Could be an idea.....

Edinburgh Cameras has got it i think ... click here for Pentax k100d

Hi, thank you for your advice. I finally took the bull by the horns and bought him a Canon 400D this morning, after much deliberation with the friends and family who are all chipping in to give this as a joint present.

His birthday is in early April, I'll let you know his response when we give it to him (I do hope we all manage to keep it as a surprise until then!) and get him to post some pictures.

Thank you again.

Alfachick

You have made a great choice. After having an AE-1 the 400d should be a nice upgrade without losing the abilities to control the camera. In reality I recommend that people have two cameras. As was stated before a compact will kill creativity, but a dSLR maybe left at home to often. A little $200-$300 compact will save the day sometimes.




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