Hi Andy, Glad to see that for once, someone is talking about using a realistic amount of dosh, and includes a tripod on their list of needs.
At the recent workshop, if I had asked for a show of hands, as to which brand people use.
Undoubtedly the vast majority would of been Canon, with a few Nikon users, and one or two people using Sony, Olympus etc. That's not because Canon are heads and shoulders better than the rest, in fact any DSLR in the right hands will give great results. Its just in the UK, Canon for whatever reason have the greater market share. In some other country's ( so I'm told, can't believe it
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
), Nikon are the dominant brand, but wherever you go it will always be Canon, or Nikon.
Why ?, because they can both offer you everything, from entry level, too top pro body's, full frame DSLR's, and every lens you will ever need. The other brands just can't do that.
You may not at this time envisage yourself ever wanting, a full frame camera, or a 600mm wildlife lens. But if that's where your photography does takes you, you will be kicking yourself for the wrong decision at the start.
All that said, if money was tight, Sony and Olympus do have unbelievably cheap entry level models.
But as money isn't a issue here, I would look only at Nikon or Canon.
Just looking on
http://www.warehouseexpress.com/home/default.aspx
You can get a Canon two lens 1000D starter kit for under five hundred quid,
and a Nikon D3000 with two lenses for ruffly the same.
For quite a few people on this forum, the wonderful Sigma 150mm F/2.8 is the favoured Macro, but for some reason the Sigma 180mm, on the above site is 80 quid cheaper at 478.99.
The tripod you are looking at, is a fantastic light weight bit of kit, with a descent ball, or trigger head, you are looking at 270 quid.
Humm looks to me like you may end up with some dosh to spare, maybe a higher up camera body is in order.
I live near Danebury, where we had the workshop field trip, if your willing to travel that far, I would be happy to give you some hands on practical advise, but as its all I have, it will only be a Canon hand on practical advise.
Kind regards Gruditch ( Gary )