[extreme_torque]

Originally Posted by navin

When you make a decision considering SLRs you need to factor in 2 things:
1. It is a system you are buying into - so see the lens offerings both offer and that will narrow your options - for example for me the Canon 17-55 IS made the decision. Nikon's 17-55 does not have IS and hence I loose 2 or so stops.

2. After sales service. Your camera will need service. Get the system that has the most convienent service in your area.

Lastly work backwards:
1. what will you photograph (low light indoor, low light landscape, safaris, family, etc..)
2. what lenses do you need to cover your needs (zooms, primes, macros, tilt/shift).
3. what body works best with your choice in lenses.

Thanks everyone for their replies.
Coming to photography I am not a complete noob. I use a Canon S3 IS right now which I have used on either the manual or the aperture priority mode ever since it has been in my hands.
I really like the Nikon D300 but I am not able to justify the highish price tag. The Canon 40D can do 80% of the things that D300 does at 23k's lower price tag. And then there's the D90 which is sort in b/w the two and cost the same as the 40D (maybe a little more)but a very good camera in its own right.
The Canon 450D is also good and comes with a higher resolution sensor and almost the same photographic talent as the 40D.
Phew!

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by jkdas

Nikon D80 + 18-55mm VR Lens kit at 29k

Isn't D80 a little long in the tooth now, you can as well get D200 instead of that if you don't mind a little dated dSLR.

[sj_koova]

Originally Posted by jkdas

Nikon D80 + 18-55mm VR Lens kit at 29k

Das, did you get this at such a cheap price?
D80 is bit old but beautiful camera for sure.
If you bought it recently, where was it from? I am very keen.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Isn't D80 a little long in the tooth now, you can as well get D200 instead of that if you don't mind a little dated dSLR.

Still its a great camera. At 25k you get D60 with VR lens kit in grey, 18k you get D40 kit and so at 28k this would be the best buy right?

Originally Posted by sj_koova

Das, did you get this at such a cheap price?
D80 is bit old but beautiful camera for sure.
If you bought it recently, where was it from? I am very keen.

D80 + 18-55mm VR Lens kit - Jessops

[androdev]

extreme torque,

i too was doing similar research. my learnings (i'm no expert):

unless you are a specialist photographer (want best AF,specific lense, etc), both nikon and canon will keep you happy.

canon has slight edge in terms of network/support in india and they are BIG so likely to pump more money to stay ahead. Nikon is frugal but talented I hear.

others might pounce on me, but go for the cheapest body in APC frame or cheapest full frame. frame-size *should be* first factor. that is, don't go for the top-end APC such as 50D. build quality is bad at lower price points, but only in comparison with expensive dslrs, not compared to p&s.

go for the best lense u can afford and build your lense collection gradually depending on ur interest. also lense depreciates much slower than body. u can always start with cheap 50mm 1.8.

i finally bought the cheapest fullframe body 5D (among canon, nikon) mainly because i want low-light performance, better lense choice and didn't want to pay for live-view etc.. i'm learning with 50mm 1.8 lense and it is really good in low-light.

bottom line: pay for photography - sensor/AF/lense.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by androdev

i finally bought the cheapest fullframe body 5D (among canon, nikon) mainly because i want low-light performance, better lense choice and didn't want to pay for live-view etc.. i'm learning with 50mm 1.8 lense and it is really good in low-light.

One of the most sensible purchase in the recent time. Must say.

[navin]

Originally Posted by androdev

others might pounce on me, but go for the cheapest body in APC frame or cheapest full frame. frame-size *should be* first factor. that is, don't go for the top-end APC such as 50D.

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

One of the most sensible purchase in the recent time. Must say.

The 5D is an excellent alternate to the 40/50D but....
1. good full frame lenses (24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 85/1.4, etc..) are much more expensive than their APS-C counterparts (17-55/2.8, 50/1.4, canon does not make a 70-200/2.8 equivalent).
2. If you shoot sports, kids, and animals then the faster frame rate of the 40/50D can be very useful. I was at the Singapore Bird Park this Diwali and shot "the Birds of Prey" at 6fps. This allowed me to get atleast one good shot. Some years ago (1999) we were in a canoe of the north coast of Bali and even with a good SLR it was very diffcult to get a decent shot of the dolphins jumping out of the water - I got a few lucky shots. Of course the canoe is not as stable as land and wild dolphins come at you from all angles the bird of prey were under controlled conditions.

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by navin

The 5D is an excellent alternate to the 40/50D but....
1. good full frame lenses (24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 85/1.4, etc..) are much more expensive than their APS-C counterparts (17-55/2.8, 50/1.4, canon does not make a 70-200/2.8 equivalent).

I have a 450D and still buy only EF lenses. This way I am ready when I go for full frame later.

[androdev]

i agree with what you said Navin. I guess depending on the usage pattern, the order of importance (sensor size, AF points, FPS) changes.

i should also mention that i am mostly into portraits and that too of one subject - my son :-) so i am the least experienced to offer advice, but i googled a lot before my purchase.

I realized I can get a 5D with kit lense (24-105) for the price of 50D+17-55 EF-S combo, so I went with 5D. Mind you, good quality EF-S glass is not cheap by any means.

[reignofchaos]

Originally Posted by androdev

I realized I can get a 5D with kit lense (24-105) for the price of 50D+17-55 EF-S combo, so I went with 5D. Mind you, good quality EF-S glass is not cheap by any means.

Seems like 5D prices have really gone thru the floor. Considering what you are saying, only someone completely mad would buy a 50D. 5D though dated is a far better body. The only thing you'd miss is probably the faster frame rate and live view.

[deetee]

I pray that, by all means, no canon vs nikon debate comes in between. ;-)

I started matching my requirements from nikon d40 onwards.
Though a good camera on its own, lack of bracketing and autofocus on 50 mm prime is holding me back from it. Otherwise I love it.
So, next step up, I stand to choose between D80 and 400D(rebel xti).
My priorities are:
1.Image Quality.
2.Low high ISO noise ( I may be using iso 800/1600 frequently) and enough detail too :-)
3.Good quality prime lens with autofocusing(and prime lens should be <8K).
4.Good dynamic range and usable exposure bracketing(for HDRs).
5.Decent and consistent frame rate of JPEG and RAW( both stand equal here)
6.Good in camera JPEG processing.
7.Cheap after market accessories .(like flash,filters etc.,.)

USP of D80,for me, is status lcd and its sophisticated metering.

And regarding the 'M' factor, 400d is available for 31.5K with Bill and warranty . It is 26.5K in grey .
D80, though , is not readily available here in Hyd.
According to JK Das post, D80 too comes for around 29 K grey(i mean , if bought from abroad).
Even canons and nikons 50 mm prime too costs equally.
So, price too being close, what should I choose? Please help!

[androdev]

I stand corrected. I meant 5D body (no lens unless u count 50mm 1.8) for the price of 50D+17-55 EF-S combo.

All prices in USD @ amazon
50D body: 1085
17-55 lens : 850
5D body : 1870
5D + 24-105 (kit lens) : 2568

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Samurai

I am a little shocked at the price, I'd say stick to E-520 or E-3. It is entirely stupid on part on Olympus to release E-30 at $1300 when the E-3 is available for $1200. The E-3 is full pro model with magnesium body and full weather seal, the E-30 similar to 50D or D300, a semi-pro dSLR. That's like Canon releasing 50D at a price point above 5D.

Yes i read about the pricing somewhere on flickr. I am hoping that by the time the camera reaches Indian shores, Olympus comes to its senses and corrects the price. They can, ofcourse, shock us some more by increasing the price of E3 instead.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Yes i read about the pricing somewhere on flickr. I am hoping that by the time the camera reaches Indian shores, Olympus comes to its senses and corrects the price. They can, ofcourse, shock us some more by increasing the price of E3 instead.

How much will they decrease? Even if they make it $100 cheaper than E3, you are still better off buying the superior E3. Therefore, stick to E-520 or E-3 depending on your budget.

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by Samurai

How much will they decrease? Even if they make it $100 cheaper than E3, you are still better off buying the superior E3. Therefore, stick to E-520 or E-3 depending on your budget.

Budget? what budget?

Currently all expenses are on hold. I cant worry about jam when bread's availability is doubtful.

Anyway, i think i will go back to dreaming about 450D, until things improve.