First Time Buyer

[clone7]

Hey Everyone,

I would like to get my friend a SLR for a gift. They are new to SLR’s and have never owned one. They know how to use a point and shoot camera (they right now have a canon sd1200) and seem to use it pretty well. I am looking for suggestions on what to get them. I don’t know anything about SLR’s so please excuse me if I ask any dumb questions.

They like to take pictures on the outdoors, close ups of insects, and landscape. They don’t own any lenses at moment so a package deal that comes with a lens would be great. Light weight and on the smaller size would be great because I know they would want to take it everywhere with them.

I am looking at spending around $500-800. I live in Canada so I would prefer to buy it from a Canadian retailer.

Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks 

[Frog]

Research, research, research, and then research some more.
I don't have time to give you some good links right now and your asking here is a good start.
5 to 8 hundred will get you a starter body with one or two lenses.
All the manufacturerers make good cameras so see who offers what you want for the buck.
I have no experience shooting incests but if you meant insects(which I hope is what you meant), you'll need a good macro lens. Landscapes can actually be shot with almost any power but most prefer wide angle.
If I had more time I'd say more but others more knowledgeable than I will jump in.
Are you talking film slr or digital?

[clone7]

Yes sorry i do mean insects. Sorry wasnt wearing my glasses.

Research, research, research, and then research some more.
I don't have time to give you some good links right now and your asking here is a good start.
5 to 8 hundred will get you a starter body with one or two lenses.
All the manufacturerers make good cameras so see who offers what you want for the buck.
I have no experience shooting incests but if you meant insects(which I hope is what you meant), you'll need a good macro lens. Landscapes can actually be shot with almost any power but most prefer wide angle.
If I had more time I'd say more but others more knowledgeable than I will jump in.
Are you talking film slr or digital?

[reklov]

Have a look at the Nikon D5000
It's in your budget, user friendly, feels good in your hands and takes very good photos of all types that they are interested in.