The DSLR Thread

[finneyp]

Thanks Mclaren & GD for the info.

For 18-200, I have to stretch my already stretched budget

Whatz your opinion on 18-105?

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

I honestly wouldn't fret even if the view finder was a tad smaller than it already is. But I think its good enough, rather big enough. I have used a 400 & 450D too. Its not something I would complain about.

Yes,higher frame rate is always better, but look at it cost wise. Does it make economical sense to spend 10-15k more just for this one thing (I would buy a better lens for that money)?

Well, what if i have enough budget to go for 450D AND a decent lens? I am ok with waiting for a while before i go get a 50-250mm lens. Its not as if i am off to the Serengeti tomorrow.

I dont want to put in 20-30 Ks to save on money now and later say, "wish i had gone for something else". Because, like Suman said, i wont be buying a DSLR everyday.

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Also, what you need to keep in mind is that this camera cannot be used daily. If you are finicky about capturing photographs the good way, by sleeping on the floor, by changing exposure, shutter speed values at all trust me teacher will be quite mad at you. The only real use of this cam is when you have nobody to bother you, nobody to rush you up, more so when you are all by yourself and all you want to do is shoot what you think would be the best shot even if it takes hours and hours to get it right.

Isnt that true for no matter what dSLR one gets? Even on my current camera its been ages i used an auto mode. most of the times its on Aperture priority. Its just that now i am hitting the limitations of the camera in terms of exposure control that i am thinking of going the dSLR way.

And the teacher has no problem whatsoever in the amount of time i take to get the settings right.... as long as i am not putting her in the frame and asking her to stay still

[Samurai]

If the telezoom is not part of the lens kit, don't bother buying it right away. I did that mistake and then had to upgrade to another telezoom after few months. Now I have two dSLR combos because of all the upgrading.

E3 + 12-60mm + 50-200mm + 50mm + 25mm tube + 1.4x TC (home setup)
E-500 + 14-54mm + 40-140mm (office setup)

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Well, what if i have enough budget to go for 450D AND a decent lens? I am ok with waiting for a while before i go get a 50-250mm lens. Its not as if i am off to the Serengeti tomorrow.

I dont want to put in 20-30 Ks to save on money now and later say, "wish i had gone for something else". Because, like Suman said, i wont be buying a DSLR everyday.

Then go for it. I just didn't want you to buy the 450D and later wonder, damn I should have gone in for the 1000D, since for the kind of photography I do I could have saved that money and spent it on a nice holiday to Goa or some place with teacher. The 1000D would have sufficed.

Isnt that true for no matter what dSLR one gets? Even on my current camera its been ages i used an auto mode. most of the times its on Aperture priority. Its just that now i am hitting the limitations of the camera in terms of exposure control that i am thinking of going the dSLR way.

And the teacher has no problem whatsoever in the amount of time i take to get the settings right.... as long as i am not putting her in the frame and asking her to stay still

Hehe. Lucky you! I meant think twice before you take the Dlsr leap, because there are some unforeseen hazards in buying one .

Originally Posted by gd1418

Mclaren, that last 2 para were hilarious. I too experience the same but plug my ears for all external noise...he he. I take photographs the way I want, even if I have to crawl spread-eagled in the middle of the road.

Thats the advantage of being married . You wont get a divorce for spending too much time with a camera. But when you are dating, and your girlfriend thinks you spend more time and energy on your car (or atleast used to) and then she finds out that a camera has just been added to that list, she wont take it lightly . I am so going to get killed when she reads this.

[mclaren1885]

Was just checking jjmehta. 450D with the 18-55IS 44k with a 2gb card. Add to that a zoom lens, the whole thing will cost you around 60-65k depending on whether you chose IS or non-IS, if you buy it in India or abroad.

1000D, body only - 22k + 8.5k for IS lens = 32k with 2gb card.

[amitoj]

First off, apologies to Suman for hijacking the thread!

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Was just checking jjmehta. 450D with the 18-55IS 44k with a 2gb card. Add to that a zoom lens, the whole thing will cost you around 60-65k depending on whether you chose IS or non-IS, if you buy it in India or abroad.

1000D, body only - 22k + 8.5k for IS lens = 32k with 2gb card.

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Then go for it. I just didn't want you to buy the 450D and later wonder, damn I should have gone in for the 1000D, since for the kind of photography I do I could have saved that money and spent it on a nice holiday to Goa or some place with teacher. The 1000D would have sufficed.

I'd rather put in some extra cash right now and avoid a situation later on where i am thinking, "Damn, i wish i had gone for 450D so that i could take better action photos of that bird", because if that happens, i'll not only be regretting my decision but i will also start disliking what i possess. Thats a double whammy.

Besides, i dont think 10K is enough for a vacation in goa for us

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Thats the advantage of being married. You wont get a divorce for spending too much time with a camera.

LOL. Dont be so sure about the divorce part my friend.

Originally Posted by Samurai

If the telezoom is not part of the lens kit, don't bother buying it right away. I did that mistake and then had to upgrade to another telezoom after few months. Now I have two dSLR combos because of all the upgrading.

E3 + 12-60mm + 50-200mm + 50mm + 25mm tube + 1.4x TC (home setup)
E-500 + 14-54mm + 40-140mm (office setup)

The 75-300 is a part of the twin lens kit, but Tanveer has already advised against going for this option, so, i am thinking of 450D + EFS18-55IS right now.

[gd1418]

If stretching more doesn't result in a tear, the go for [FONT=Helvetica]Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor D 18 - 200 mm f/3.5 - 5.6G DX ED IF VR. I'm sure you must have already visited this - Nikon 18-200mm[/FONT]

[FONT=Helvetica]Reading this will also help - Nikon 18-105mm VR[/FONT]

Originally Posted by finneyp

Thanks Mclaren & GD for the info.

For 18-200, I have to stretch my already stretched budget

Whatz your opinion on 18-105?

[tsk1979]

But the 450D kit, and later spend 12K and get the 55-250IS, or if you have the moolah, the 70-300, and if you win a lottery, the 100-400L IS from canon, one of the best birding lenses money can buy

[suman]

Originally Posted by amitoj

First off, apologies to Suman for hijacking the thread!

Originally Posted by Samurai

As long you buy 450D, he will forgive you.

Exactly....Samurai is dead right! Nah, just kidding, as long as we've helped you arrive at the correct decision, feel free to use this thread!

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Buy the 450D kit, and later spend 12K and get the 55-250IS,

I second that, that's my current combination (well, almost, since I'm still planning to get the 55-250 this weekend). Also, let me add fuel to the fire & suggest the 50mm 1.8 along with the kit 18-55 IS & the 55-250 IS

[finneyp]

Originally Posted by gd1418

If stretching more doesn't result in a tear, the go for Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor D 18 - 200 mm f/3.5 - 5.6G DX ED IF VR.

Thanks GD for your advise & the links!

[amitoj]

Thanks for all the tips and insights guys!!

By the way, i walked into a camera shop last weekend, and the person there was trying to sell me the Sony Alpha200 camera with twin lens kit, saying it is an absolutely sweet deal. I should stay away from him, right?

[suman]

Originally Posted by amitoj

By the way, i walked into a camera shop last weekend, and the person there was trying to sell me the Sony Alpha200 camera with twin lens kit, saying it is an absolutely sweet deal. I should stay away from him, right?

Completely....its in a different league altogether (downwards, unfortunately )

I may be flayed for this but for me, as far as DSLRs go, its like "Sony who????" (Mind you, no offense to any Sony DSLR users, I'm a Sony user myself - Handycam, TV & Audio)

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by amitoj

I'd rather put in some extra cash right now and avoid a situation later on where i am thinking, "Damn, i wish i had gone for 450D so that i could take better action photos of that bird", because if that happens, i'll not only be regretting my decision but i will also start disliking what i possess. Thats a double whammy.

Seriously Amitoj, at that price range the camera wouldn't really matter for that Bird shoot you are talking about. I seriously would suggest that you go for a good cheap body(may be a 400D with a battery grip) and a better lens. It's the lens that's gonna make the difference from a good photo to a wow.

Originally Posted by amitoj

The 75-300 is a part of the twin lens kit, but Tanveer has already advised against going for this option, so, i am thinking of 450D + EFS18-55IS right now.

Don't even think about that 75-300mm canon. Instead go for the Sigma 70-300mm(if you are on budget) , it has really nice IQ then the canon counterpart and also it has 1:2 macro. Or if you can spend lil' bit more then close your eyes and go for Canon 70-300 IS, that's the best that you can get.
From where are you getting the camera? I would suggest not to go for GK vale and all, they literally rob people.

[tsk1979]

The Sony A700 and A900 are excellent cams, better than what canon offers in that price range. Unfortunately in the budget section, Sony is not too good.
In your price range you can look at E-510 from Oly, the Pentax K200D or the Canon, or the D80/90 from Nikon
India being Canon/Nikon land, finding upgrades for other brands can be a pain, though in Bangalore its less of a pain.
So if you want to test something else too try the K200D or the Olympus 510 or something.

Now we are going way way offtopic

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

In your price range you can look at E-510 from Oly, the Pentax K200D or the Canon, or the D80/90 from Nikon

The E-520 is the current flavour, E-510 is already old. Camshot :- importing & distributing high quality Photographic goods | Digital Camera(s) Canon, Olympus, Nikon, Panasonic Digicam | Digital Camera Accessories | Buy Digital Camera

But you know what? Since I still use the E-500 in office, I really do wonder why all these Camera makers are bringing out new models every year. The E-500 (2005 release) is still so good, when I use it these days, I forget I have the E-3 too.