[redrage]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

Well heard from someone that 2008 copies of the 100-400 are distinctly sharper than old copies. My experience was with a 3 year old copy. Quite possible that canon silently updated the design.

Thats quite true, even the dealers in Bangalore say the copies are good in 2008 as they have not received any complaints. Whereas before they used to say 1 in every 4 or 5 they got was soft.

[navin]

Originally Posted by meghan

Most people have suggested the Canon 100-400 IS L lens..Which lenses would you suggest to start off with on a budget?

Originally Posted by amitoj

Otherwise the Canon EFS 55-250 IS is a pretty decent lens too, at approx 13K.

the next step up is canon's 70-300 IS. but remember neither of these zooms are really 'bird-sharp'. the 70-300 is little less than half the price of a 100-400.

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

A 300 f/4 with a 1.4x teleconverter is sharper than the 100-400 at 400mm

I dont think one can compare the sharpness of good prime lenses to good zooms. zooms are convienient and while they are not 'tack sharp' they have come a long way in the last 10-15 years.

[zaks]

For most people starting on photography the kit lens which is 18-55 is more then enough for doing their work. If they want to test themselves then one can go buy a relatively cheap canon 50/1.8 which is excellent.

I have seen people simply splurge on lenses and ultra expensive canon/nikkor but they go waste unless you know how to harness their power and are in a location which demands them!

A shot is more than easily compromised by lack of photography knowledge than bad lens.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by meghan

Also does anyone know how does say 400mm translate to x amount of magnification? Like the S5 IS for example has maximum 12x magnification

Wrong question to ask in this thread. A P&S has max and min focal length, so you can calculate X magnification. Can't do that in SLR since lens can change. Although, you can say that to an individual lens, like 100-400mm has 4X magnification, while the 400mm prime lens has 1X magnification. Does it make 100-400mm superior to 400mm prime... Doesn't make much sense, does it now?

[Nutty Nair]

Originally Posted by finneyp

I would suggest - Nikon D80.
With VR kit lens it should cost you around 40K INR.

This is grey market price, isn't it?

[reignofchaos]

Update: I got an 85 f/1.8 from tbhp'ian deepakvrao for a very nice price(13.5) which was far below the current grey market rate(17k odd). The lens looks absolutely brand new and he says has under 100 exposures on it. Very sharp copy - its quite sharp even wide open. Fully satisfied with the purchase so far.

Thanks to kaushik for the heads up.

[mail4ajo]

Originally Posted by navin

the next step up is canon's 70-300 IS. but remember neither of these zooms are really 'bird-sharp'. the 70-300 is little less than half the price of a 100-400.

I have the 70-300mm IS USM. I am happy and has served my purpose well. Not the sharpest lens, but decent. VFM at @ $550. Dont expect good performance in low light and indoor conditions. Not very fast at F4-5.6. This lens loves bright days.

I has a short outing with a 70-200 F4. I liked its sharpness and the attention that comes with it.

But you lose on range with 70-200mm and ofcourse the benefit of IS. Heres a recent shot with the 70-300 IS

[Sha]

Photo was shot using canon 70-300mm lens.

[kaushik_s]

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

Update: I got an 85 f/1.8 from tbhp'ian deepakvrao for a very nice price(13.5) which was far below the current grey market rate(17k odd). The lens looks absolutely brand new and he says has under 100 exposures on it. Very sharp copy - its quite sharp even wide open. Fully satisfied with the purchase so far.

Thanks to kaushik for the heads up.

Aah, I was thinking that it may be you when I've seen Deepak's post on BPC that the lens is sold. Congrats and please share your shots.

[abhijitaparadh]

@jkdas

I dont know about D80, but the same brochure shows SGD 1299 for Canon XSi/450D. In US you get Canon XSi with kit lens and other goodies for US$700 tops, that is roughly 1000 SGD.

I was assuming Singapore will be a lot cheaper than US for all electronic goods, but doesnt seem so anymore.

EDIT : Just checked D80 prices : D80 + 18-135 lens cost roughly US $765 (SGD 1100). BTW, the brochure doesnt say VR for 18-135 Nikkor, but neither does it say IS for 18-55 lens with XSi/450D, and the standard kit lens with XSi is IS.

[deep_bang]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Wrong question to ask in this thread. A P&S has max and min focal length, so you can calculate X magnification. Can't do that in SLR since lens can change. Although, you can say that to an individual lens, like 100-400mm has 4X magnification, while the 400mm prime lens has 1X magnification. Does it make 100-400mm superior to 400mm prime... Doesn't make much sense, does it now?

I had the exactly same question as i currently have a P&S and considering going SLR. Some learnings (Excuse/Correct me if i am wrong or stop reading when you are more confused )
As Samurai mentioned Zoom is relative. Even on a P&S it is relative - a Canon A590 has 35mm to 140mm (Equivalent to 4x zoom). So focal length is absolute where as zoom is relative.

Also, the figures on a SLR lens indicate the focal length for a full frame camera (crop factor = 1). The focal length would be different for a camera with a crop factor not equal to 1.

So, if you take for example a Nikon D40, it has a crop factor of 1.5. Knowing the crop factor, you can get the full frame equivalent of say a 55 to 200mm lens. It turns out to be 82.5 to 300mm.

I guess the original question was about comparing zoom in P&S versus DSLR - say at full zoom how does a p&S compare. If you take a A590, as i mentioned it has a focal length of 35 to 140mm. So, if you buy a Nikon D40, and the lens is at 93mm (140mm full frame equivalent considering the crop factor), the image area you capture would be same as the A590.

[deepaktpatil]

Originally Posted by jkdas

at 25k you get it with 28-135 VR or so. Grey.

jkdas,
Are you sure of this price. Is it Bangalore where you got this info or any other city.

[jkdas]

Originally Posted by deepaktpatil

jkdas,
Are you sure of this price. Is it Bangalore where you got this info or any other city.

Not Bangy. New Delhi. Got the message from Kpzen.

I think I should have bought the D80 offer Jessops had in UK :(

[gd1418]

Sorry to have replied so late. I logged in today only. D80 is available in grey and the rates that I got today, are as under:

D80 body only - 27500

With 18-55 - 31500

with 18-135 - 40000

Originally Posted by deetee

Well, that's a great deal then.
But what I meant was if it were available in grey market here, it would be 29K .Because usually in grey market, prices are matched to current price abroad.
I wish D80 is available in our grey markets too( b&w price would be too steep).

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by Nutty Nair

jk, any idea where I can get a D60 in Trivandrum? My friend is vacationing in Trivandrum now. He can bring the camera to me.



Thank you, Der Alte. So actually Nikon prices are less in India than in Kuwait. That must be a first!

Camera and lenses are cheaper home than in the middle east. Pick up from Pixetra in Kerala - they have good deals every now and then.