It’s a bit like seatboxes…

Really for full size SLR’s there are only two camps – Canon or Nikon, however there are some good deals on the Sony Alpha range about, and most makes do some kind of cashback offer from time to time.

I personally use a Canon and find it easy to use and get great pics, however my Brother in law is a Nikon fan and raves about it.

I picked the Canon because quality budget extra lens could be bought off make (eg. Tamron) rather than paying much more for Canon add ons.

It might be worth checking out some Carpy forums as the bivvy boys are keen on photographing catches?

It is also worth looking at the hybrid digital cameras smaller than an SLR but with interchangeable lens and bettre range of focus etc

Baitchef, Ron (Piperpilot) had a camera up for sale some time ago on buys and sells. I dont know if it was an SLR, or if it was sold, but may be worth an ask?

Just go for Nikon and you will have no regrets and a friend for life.
They have never changed the lens fitting and can therefore use lenses from any year whether autofocus or manual.

The Panasonic Lumix G Series are worth a look as they are a bit smaller then other SLR style Digital’s. My nephew has a G10 and after using it for a good 6 months on weekly Carping sessions it’s still in tip top condition. But then again he never seems to catch much.LOL,

How much do you want to spend? What is it going to be used for? The Canon EOS 500D is an exceptional amateur digital SLR and the standard kit lens it comes with is a good performer. I’m delighted with mine although with my photographic skills it’s wasted on me.
It’s about £450 if you shop around – Pixmania is a good start. Review here: http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_eos_500d_review/
For another £100 the 550D is even better, more pixels and easier to use video, but not enough to justify the extra cost for me.

I got a Nikon D70 when they first came out and have since got a Nikon D90. Absolute class and the pictures they take are awesome. Pricey but worth every penny.

Chris, I bought a Lumix LX5 last year:

http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment/reviews/compactcameras/128634/1/panasonic-lumix-lx5-review.html

Unless you need a high-powered zoom(I don’t)I find I don’t miss the SLR and the Lumix is much more portable.

Pentax

do some reasonable camera’s I’ve got the 200 which is simple to use (needs to be) and produces some exellent images.

Dependant on what its for look for second hand, cheaper and frees funds for other bits and pieces.

Have a think if you really want an SLR. I wanted to upgrade to SLR from my old 35mm film cameras as I do sports stuff, wildlife, etc, which generally means long lenses and fast shutter speeds but to replace my two bodies and four lenses was gong to cost in the region of £3k which is way out of my pocket. A mate of mine who does similar type photos lent me a Fuji S10 which comes under the grouping of a ‘Bridge’ or ‘Superzoom’ camera and I was so impressed with it I went and bought one straight away [pick them up for £300+ now].
It’s got the equivalent in 35mm of a 24-720 zoom including macro and does everything I want from a camera with the added bonus that you just carry around one camera with lens attached rather than the old camera case which weighed a ton.
You can use it on manual or auto settings along with what seems like hundreds of other settings so it’s great when you just want a quick point and shoot shot but is soon changed into a proper photographers’ piece of equipment plus it also shoots HD Video as well.
Have a look at the Fuji range [and others] and you’ll be amazed at the technical specifications.

i have just bought a Fuji Finepix bridge camera.

Mine is the 2500HD same spec on zoom range as the H10, brand new off ebay for £150.

Brilliant piece of kit, well pleased with it.

I am also going to say Nikon… I have an beginner D60 camera, but I am very pleased with it… its relatively easy to use, takes good pictures, but what especially made Nikon attractive to me is the mount on the cameras have never changed, and this means that manual camera lenses can be bought for a song on ebay, but still enable you to take great pictures. You also become a better photographer when you have to manually set the lenses instead of the camera doing the lot for you. 🙂