[akbaree]

Thanks Siva for your inputs. And I will read further on IS.

Originally Posted by thalavoy

I too am in a dilemma as whether to jump ship from Pentax to Nikon (No Canon, for now) or stick to Pentax.
If I wanted to jump, Nikon D300s it would be. Or some replacement as the nikonrumors are hinting. But then, to get equivalent lenses, I would have to sell my kidney

What particular features of Nikon have put you in dilemma. Or is it Pentax's shortcomings that have put you in dilemma. Or both.

[abhishek_bmw]

Which one will be the better chioice a verry less used 450D (5000 count) or new 1000D?

If you stick to that 450D,get few test shots in RAW check yourself or ask some gurus here.

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by abhishek_bmw

If you stick to that 450D,get few test shots in RAW check yourself or ask some gurus here.

Abhishek
can you please explain, sorry i coul not understand what i have to check in RAW format.

[thalavoy]

Originally Posted by akbaree

Thanks Siva for your inputs. And I will read further on IS.


What particular features of Nikon have put you in dilemma. Or is it Pentax's shortcomings that have put you in dilemma. Or both.

Neither Just the issue of Pentax (body + lenses) availability in India was my dilemma. If I had lived in USA or even Europe (some countries) where such availability problems are not an issue, I would have blindly gone for another Pentax.
Like test driving cars, a camera should also be held and operated before buying. You could do that in India for Canon / Nikon (at least the entry or mid level) cameras. Not for Pentax :(

[abhishek_bmw]

Originally Posted by mohang_j

Abhishek
can you please explain, sorry i coul not understand what i have to check in RAW format.

Mate,I have very limited knowledge about these things,but,in some standard forum I saw some discussion running about buying a second hand DSLR.Some experts told the guy who was going to buy that Camera,to check the recent RAW images taken by the camera,one of the shots must be of Sky (or anything light blue colored).They insisted him to check the RAW files in actual pixels (=100%) to find out for any dust in sensor or if there are a lot of dead pixels.Not in JPEG,because,there would be "naturally" noises at 100%.They insisted in these because,cleaning the sensor is practically impossible except the experts,without damaging it.So,if the sensor got lot of dust,the user have to send it to company for cleaning.That camera was not under warranty any more (it was 50D as far I can remember).

You can search the net to see how does it looks like.
Hope this helps you to understand.

[akbaree]

Originally Posted by thalavoy

Neither Just the issue of Pentax (body + lenses) availability in India was my dilemma. If I had lived in USA or even Europe (some countries) where such availability problems are not an issue, I would have blindly gone for another Pentax.
Like test driving cars, a camera should also be held and operated before buying. You could do that in India for Canon / Nikon (at least the entry or mid level) cameras. Not for Pentax :(

My thoughts have almost crystalized on K7.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by abhijitaparadh

Do you really think stabilization will be such an issue at this range?......Also, I went to B&H store in NYC (photographers' Mecca) and played with following lenses for almost an hour.....And the Tamron was distinctly sharper than both Sigmas.

IS/VR/OS/VC etc is helping the shutter speed I believe. I dont know how to explain the technicality, but thats what I understand. May be some Gurus could explain it in plain language.

Originally Posted by mohang_j

My budget is around 30K including the kit lens.
OT - when did you visit Ranganatittu 10th and 11th of this month?

We have Canon 1000D, NikonD3000, D40, D60 etc within the 30k budget. There is still decent supply of D40 and refurbished D60 in the market. We went to RNathittu on 10th Saturday.

[mohang_j]

Originally Posted by shajufx

We have Canon 1000D, NikonD3000, D40, D60 etc within the 30k budget.

I will join you guys who are buying together from Jayesh / RK. Not yet decided on the model though, Please let me know when you are going to buy, so that i can make my mind about the model and i will purchase worth Rs30k at that time.
Jayesh SMSed me about canon 450D availability by 20th of this month.

Mohan.G

[navin]

Originally Posted by shajufx

We have Canon 1000D, NikonD3000

Originally Posted by akbaree

What particular features of Nikon have put you in dilemma.

A young friend of mine wanted to buy a camera for his 20 year old daughter. My suggestions
Canon 1000D with 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS lenses. (longer tele zoom, live view and DOF preview)
Nikon D3000 with 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lenses. (a bit faster, 3" screen and 11 point AF).

What will these 2 sets cost in India? How much more if the 1000D is replaced by the 450D or the D3000 by the D5000?

He is favouring the Canon 1000D for now and intends to purchase in the next week so he can join a group buy if there is one and if it offers any advantge.

[RSimonS]

Hey, Please let me know when you people are going to meet Jayesh, I am thinking of buying a 35mm lens (f-1.8G AF-S Dx) for Nikon.

[tsk1979]

I would suggest spending 4-5K more and getting 450D with 18-55IS and 55-250IS lenses.
The 1000D comes with 18-55 non stabilized, which is not as good as the 18-55 stabilized when it comes to image quality.
Moreover 450D has the "new" AF system, and 1000D carries on the old system.

[navin]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The 1000D comes with 18-55 non stabilized, which is not as good as the 18-55 stabilized when it comes to image quality.
Moreover 450D has the "new" AF system, and 1000D carries on the old system.

Thanks tsk. I was wondering. I have seen 1000D kits with the 18-55 IS lens.

[HellwratH]

Originally Posted by k_ajay

HellWrath & Tanveer,

Thanks for your responses. Can you tell me if either of 18-55 IS kit lens or 50mm F1.8 lens can be used to shoot macros? I have understood by reading around that there are dedicated macros lenses, but my query if either of the two lenses I've mentioned can also be used to shoot macros?

[oh boy! I just planned to not spend any more than the 55-250 IS lens after a month but now I'm tempted to look at the 50mm F1.8 too and already!! this hobby is going to ensure I become bankrupt]!!!!!!!!

aK

Shoot macros? Sure, you will have to use the reverse lens technique :P. But yes, with the lens mounted in the normal way, you will not be able to shoot macros. My suggestion would be to shoot close-up (not a true macro) with your 55-250. Once you get a hang of it, you'll know whether you would invest in a macro lens or not . And yes, this hobby will ensure you become bankrupt if you don't keep evaluating your buying pattern and what you intend to shoot and what you are good at. I have seen many people buying ultra wide angle because they like what they see on flickr and then think they will be able to create similar photographs. In my opinion, wide angle photography is the toughest.

But yes, my suggestion to you would be to get the 18-55IS and 55-250 as of now. You can always add the 50mm later.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by navin

A young friend of mine wanted to buy a camera for his 20 year old daughter..

Are you older than Rudrada ?

Coming to the best pricing part, smartshoppers pricing of '6 months warranty' items is a good criteria for a decent bargain. Bangalore's lowest grey quote will be above that, so far I havent found any commentable difference.

I picked up my 70-300 VR from Jayesh for 25500 (13th March 2010), which was listed with smartchaps at 25k including shipping. I also bought my Lowepro flipside-200 bag from Jayesh for 4500, which was listed for less than 4000 at that time but now its updated, still less than here. So you know what I mean ! You check any item, its less than the best of bangalore.

After our Tanveer got his super super wide lens from them, I feel they are good, with few exceptions of delayed shipping etc. There is another factor thats also equally important, I swiped my card at Jayesh and was charged an extra of 2%. If you use your card for an online shopping, I dont think you have to pay that extra. So again smarchaps win here !

OT: Please dont think I joined smart chaps and started getting paid. I have never bought any item from them so far, but when it comes to our hard earned money, I am just being open-minded.

But yes, my suggestion to you would be to get the 18-55IS and 55-250 as of now

Buddy, my suggestion to Ajay would be 'just get the 18-55IS only' now. Play around with it and take your time to decide whats to be added in the bag. I did that mistake of getting the 18-55 VR kit and 55-200 VR tele. But I realised I wanted better quality lens, therefore sold both of them and got the 35mm 1.8 prime and the 70-300VR tele. My bag is not complete yet. You know.

[navin]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Are you older than Rudrada ?

I did that mistake of getting the 18-55 VR kit and 55-200 VR tele. But I realised I wanted better quality lens, therefore sold both of them and got the 35mm 1.8 prime and the 70-300VR tele. My bag is not complete yet. You know.

No Rudra-da is a few years older. Check the Know your Moderator thread.

I too made the mistake of getting the 70-300IS when I should have gone for the 100-400 IS instead. Now the 70-300 just sits in my bag and I borrow the 70-200/2.8 and 100-400 from my niece.

I have come to realise that I could manage quite well with just the 10-22 (also borrowed), 17-55 and 70-200 on most occasions. Sometimes I need the 50/1.4 but I rarely use the other primes or zooms in my bag. The fast lenses are useful when trying to isolate the subject from the background.