[livyodream]

can anyone give me the location/address of the shops for buying/selling used lenses in BANGALORE ???
wanted to check out the cost of sigma 28-300 lens

[download2live]

You can check out bangalorephotographyclub to get the details.

Though not sure of validity of phone numbers but do call this guy up also. He seems to be a good dealer. He can give you some pointers. Heard a lot about him on the forums.

Fotocircle - Jayesh Mehta
No. 2, KV temple street
SSK Sangha Building, near Chickpet police station,
Near Balepet circle
Phone (s) : 080-22874256
Mobile : 9845022654

[download2live]

Here I am trying to summarise what I learnt while I was on lookout to replace my old P&S.
It might be possible that this is wrong place to put this article. In case it is mods please move it to appropriate section.

The main purpose of this article is to avoid the situation which I often see. Expensive DSLR's gathering dust in cupboards.

Are you undecided whether you need a DLSR? You are the person who is going to take final call on it. But here are few questions/facts to help you make the decision.

1. DSLR is bulky. Are you sure you will be happy with that? 90% of people leave their kit at home because its too heavy and bulky. And best camera as someone has said is the one which is in your hands at time you need it.

2. Though there is no restriction on the things you can take pics of usually people have an idea what they want to shoot. Quite a few want to shoot sky and animals, especially birds in flight. To make things clear there are categories:
a. Landscape (90% of people want to shoot it)
b. Potraits (rather rare)
c. Wildlife (again a majority of people want to shoot it)
d. Macros (clicking small insects)
e. People (street photography)
f. Sports (Demands most expensive gear)

Are you sure what you want to shoot? Or you feel that you can shoot all the above at some point in your life?

4. Do you know that in terms of DLSR for almost all the above categories specialist lenses are needed? Which you will have to buy!! And which will not come cheap!!! And here is something which stumps most of new comers. The stock lenses which comes with the DSLR are big compared to point and shoots but that DOES NOT MEAN they have bigger zooms. Dont be surprised if the zoom listed is 4x only.

5. Are you aware of all the technical aspects of photography? That you need DSLR to learn the fundametals is a myth. All you need is a camera with manual controls. And there are many in the market which offer that.

6. What sbout RAW processing you say? Well there are high end point and shoots which now a days generate RAW files for you to work on.

7. And finally the biggest truth: DLSR wont make your pictures amazing. It will help you to take pictures where your normal point and shoot will fail. Good example will be Low light conditions. But expecting miracles just by buying it is wrong. Techniques and artistic side of you is going to be more of a deciding factor. Colors, composition, angles and much more. In fact many of the great photographers used simple cameras.

So one should not buy a DLSR????

IMHO one should go for a DSLR when he has pushed his existing camera to its max limits. When he is getting hampered while taking pitures using his camera because of camera's limited capabilites. And not because of flawed techniques.

Ok now I am ready for brickbats

[shajufx]

Good points there buddy ! I agree that upgrading to a DSLR will not make you a professional overnite. It is a journey with lot of hard work, reading, discussions, experiments and correcting lot of myths that sleep in our minds about photography. This is one field nobody achieves an instant stardom.

I have been shooting since 10 years and Olympus IS 500 (film camera) was my first camera Olympus IS-500 Review - PhotographyBLOG

I moved to a Point & Shoot Canon IXUS 800 IS Canon PowerShot SD700 IS Digital ELPH: Digital Photography Review

Again I moved to Nikon D60 mid of 2009 Nikon D60 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

My 9 years were spent in just clicks and nothing of a learning curve. Although I had the learning desire right from childhood (1970 onwards my father had an Agfa camera), I never started the learning until I got hold of the D60.

Its an expensive affair to seriously get into DSLR world. I have already sold my 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lenses. Got a Nikon 35mm f1.8 G, waiting for a Sigma 17-70 f2.8 MACRO HSM and a 70-300 or 150-500. Decision is very difficult (about the 150-500) considering the price range, lack of enough compatability and result reviews. Sigma 18-250 DC OS HSM seems to be a good lens as an all-rounder.

I have got very good feed-backs on 150-500 from canon users, but not a convincing feeback from Nikon guys. Right now I consider my D60 days are learning time and like a babyhood stage. There are plenty of clubs and groups within various forums based on different cities that can help a lot in the learning stage. Few interactions itself are helping me a lot.

To summarise: You are your own master in a way, you hear lectures, you attend group meets, you read many books, you see lot of works by others, BUT.....if your DSLR is mostly in its bag, then its a 'sleeping hobby', not going to improve anytime. Thats what I am trying to fight out within myself.

Sorry for the long post, I hope I havent gone OT here !

Note: If anyone is using a 17-70 2.8 or 150-500 or 18-250 sigmas, please comment, it would be a good help.

[robimahanta]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Decision is very difficult (about the 150-500) considering the price range, lack of enough compatability and result reviews. Sigma 18-250 DC OS HSM seems to be a good lens as an all-rounder.

I have got very good feed-backs on 150-500 from canon users, but not a convincing feeback from Nikon guys. Right now I consider my D60 days are learning time and like a babyhood stage. There are plenty of clubs and groups within various forums based on different cities that can help a lot in the learning stage. Few interactions itself are helping me a lot.


Note: If anyone is using a 17-70 2.8 or 150-500 or 18-250 sigmas, please comment, it would be a good help.

I am using a 150-500 (Canon mount). I would say it gives a reasonable wide aperture of f/5.6 at 400mm but its f/6.3 at 500, so it needs all the light. Having said that, for sheer telephoto power with image stabilization (a tad slow and noisy) Sigma 150-500 is the lens to beat. Moreover the options you have in that price range is too limited. The comparable primes/canon 100-400 L costs almost twice as much. I am sure its the same with nikon primes/telephotos. If you want an all rounder check out the Tamron 18-270 instead.
To confuse you further, you may also want an ultra wide angle in the 10-20 range.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

If you want an all rounder check out the Tamron 18-270 instead. To confuse you further, you may also want an ultra wide angle in the 10-20 range.

Happy to know another canon+150-500 user. As I mentioned, there are many canon users who are happy with this lens but not many Nikon users with the same. I normally dont go by the ads and features, but through people who have used my short-listed products with decent results. Therefore 17-70 2.8 is like a sure shot for me. But not the others yet. Tamron is known for its lousy and slow focus. I dont think I will ever have a ultra wide angle in my bag !

[MC Mayank]

Guys, sometime back on this forum, someone posted about a shop for rental equipment in bangalore.. like one can rent out lenses and stuff to try them out. Could someone enlighten me with the details if you know please?.. thanks..

[theragingbull]

guys, is the now-two-year-old Canon 1000D still the best budget DSLR?(~24k). The Nikon D3000 is a bit more expensive at 29k(with lens)

[filcord]

Originally Posted by download2live

Here I am trying to summarise what I learnt while I was on lookout to replace my old P&S........IMHO one should go for a DSLR when he has pushed his existing camera to its max limits. When he is getting hampered while taking pitures using his camera because of camera's limited capabilites. And not because of flawed techniques.

Ok now I am ready for brickbats

I can only give you a big round of applause.
You've succintly analysed the issue of whether one needs a DSLR. (And BTW you've helped to retain my Sony H-5 and dump the DSLR dreams).
I went on an African safari last month with the Sony H-5. Thanks to it's 12x zoom, managed some wonderful close-up pictures, while friends with DSLRs got bright pics of tiny animals.

[govigov]

update: bought the 50mm f1.8 prime, serious VFM. happy with it.

[Live To Jive]

Originally Posted by Sankar

Canon 1000D with an 18-55 lens would just fit in that price range. If you opt for 18-55 IS lens it would exceed your budget by approx 3 grands. But 18-55 IS lens is the one you should go for now.

The 18-55 IS lens now comes as standard in the 1000D. The shop quoted 30K for the camera with B&W and 27K grey. The Nikon D3000 is 26K grey.

Originally Posted by MileCruncher

IS Lens are one swhich have inbuilt image stabilisers (in the lens and not body). So in case of camera shake, the lens takes care of it and helps in images not getting blurried.

On the warranty front, what are the chances of something going wrong in the Camera Body. Does Nikon have international warranty?

Originally Posted by Proxima

If your budget is 26-27k, please take the Nikon D3000 instead of the Canon 1000D. The Nikon comes with a kit IS lens.

Also, the D3000 is a newer and slightly better cam than the 1000D according to reviews.

The IS lens is called IS by Canon and VR by Nikon.

Now that I have narrowed down to these 2 models, which one to buy. Also is it worth paying for B&W or is it ok to go with grey. Does any of these camera's have live view?

[fatboyslim]

Originally Posted by govigov

update: bought the 50mm f1.8 prime, serious VFM. happy with it.

Hello Govigov,

Could you please share the price?

Best

[DieselAddikt]

@ Live To Jive

Since you have narrowed down to the two models, go for D3000. It is a good one for that price.
If you can source it from the US, the D3000 will cost only 20K - 21K INR with memory card.
Neither of them have live view.

[Live To Jive]

Originally Posted by DieselAddikt

@ Live To Jive

Since you have narrowed down to the two models, go for D3000. It is a good one for that price.
If you can source it from the US, the D3000 will cost only 20K - 21K INR with memory card.
Neither of them have live view.

Any particular reason? I don't think I'll be able to source from the US. BTW is it OK to purchase grey or should I go with B&W.

[govigov]

Originally Posted by fatboyslim

Hello Govigov,

Could you please share the price?

Best

Fatboyslim, It was for 5750 including tax with warranty. it is the cheapest EF lens in the market and takes great photos. it has some issues in autofocus in low light conditions. but manual focus is always great.

regards,
govigov