[navin]

Originally Posted by basilmabraham

1. Nikon D3000 Fatbox Kit + Nikkor 18–55 mm 1:3,5–5,6 G AF-S DX VR Zoom for €333. Also included original Nikon Camera Bag and 2GB Nikon SD card.
2. Canon EOS 1000D with Canon 18-55 and Canon 75-300 lens for €449
3. Canon EOS 450D with Canon 18-55 and Canon 75-300 lens for €599
4. Nikon D3000 kit + DX18-55 and 55-200 lens for €399
5. D 5000 Body + Tamron AF 18–200mm F/3,5–6,3 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] MACRO Lens for €555
6. Pentax k-x with kit lens for around €550

If your budget is smaller I'd look at building your camera kit over some time.

Consider the D3000/5000 + 18-105VR and then you can add a 70-300VR when the budget allows. It might require patience but you will end up with a better camera system in the long run..of course if you want a kit now then something like the one linked below will suffice for a few years
Nikon D3000 SLR-Digitalkamera Kit inkl. 18-55mm VR +: Amazon.de: Elektronik

[sparkguy]

[quote=CrAzY dRiVeR;1944893]1. OK. IS it is then. Hope the whole stuff wont exceed 40k by much. Here is my expectation-


Hi Crazy driver;

Even I am thinking of a similar configuration but need to clarify few very basic doubts first. Thanks in advance for helping me out

Canon 1000D kit- Even my choice too. Cheap and Best
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens - Why this lens is required? For birding or macro?
Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens- 11k. Why this lens is required? For Landscapes?

I can see you are thinking to buy 3 different lenses. My budget is not so good on me and I need a good lens primarily for for landscaping with zoom and occasional photographs of my kid. Can you suggest one lens which would take care for my requirement. If one lens is not sufficient I can invest on two but not at three.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

1. OK. IS it is then. Hope the whole stuff wont exceed 40k by much. Here is my expectation-
Canon 1000D kit- 21k.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens - 5k.
Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens- 11k.
Vanguard tripod- 2.2k.
National geographic bag- 1k.

8GB Extreme III - ?
18-55 IS in exchange for kit lens- ?

Yes Fillmore.

Have some accesories added though. Sonia close up lenses, Hoya circular polarizer + UV filter. And the good old roll film case (?) as flash diffuser.

If I were you, I'd invest in a better camera and kit lens and add these lenses when budget permits. I suppose the 500d kit is < 40k now and you'll get the camera bag free as well.

[teknophobia]

[quote=sparkguy;1946157]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

1. OK. IS it is then. Hope the whole stuff wont exceed 40k by much. Here is my expectation-


Hi Crazy driver;

Even I am thinking of a similar configuration but need to clarify few very basic doubts first. Thanks in advance for helping me out

Canon 1000D kit- Even my choice too. Cheap and Best
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens - Why this lens is required? For birding or macro?
Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens- 11k. Why this lens is required? For Landscapes?

I can see you are thinking to buy 3 different lenses. My budget is not so good on me and I need a good lens primarily for for landscaping with zoom and occasional photographs of my kid. Can you suggest one lens which would take care for my requirement. If one lens is not sufficient I can invest on two but not at three.

The 1000D Kit or preferably the 500D kit would be sufficient for your stated requirements. No need to go in for any more lenses at this time.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by sparkguy

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens - Why this lens is required? For birding or macro?

Canon EF 50mm F1.8 II Lens Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Originally Posted by sparkguy

Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS Lens- 11k. Why this lens is required? For Landscapes?

This is the zoom lens. Not exactly for birding though. (I've heard people recommeding atleast a 300 for birding! No personal experience, as I'm new to DSLRs too)

Originally Posted by sparkguy

Can you suggest one lens which would take care for my requirement.

Why dont you start with the kit lens, and then see what you need? If you are buying the 1000D, better opt for 18-15 IS lens instead of the non-IS kit lens though.

Originally Posted by Jaguar

If I were you, I'd invest in a better camera and kit lens and add these lenses when budget permits. I suppose the 500d kit is < 40k now and you'll get the camera bag free as well.

I'm not too keen on the 500D. I would rather go 450D or 550D, based on the reviews and user experiences on the net. (This could be wrong as well!).

This was my thought process in selecting 1000D + those lenses mentioned-

1. 2 years later is when i would be able to upgrade. At that time, i think a camera upgrade makes more sense that upgrading lenses?
2. I'd be really starved with a kit lens only for 2 years. 1000D feels like a capable camera though it is the cheapest option available. Please go through my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/mythoughtsexpressed. These are the type of pics i like to take with the new configuration as well.

[phamilyman]

C_D:
My honest suggestion is to buy a used 40D.

Buy a camera with good AF and buy quality glass one by one. You'll enjoy and realize the difference. Trust me - both would be similar prices and you'd actually derive lot more value from the 40D

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

C_D:
My honest suggestion is to buy a used 40D.

Buy a camera with good AF and buy quality glass one by one. You'll enjoy and realize the difference. Trust me - both would be similar prices and you'd actually derive lot more value from the 40D

Thanks a lot. Fully value your suggestion, and I had thought along similar lines as well, and still open to such a decision if something interesting comes along.

I did find a D80 for sale recently for 20k. Felt good. I'm trying to follow up with that as well. Saw another 40D here in team-bhp classifields for 40k with 50mm f/1.8. Sounds a bit expensive though?

I have decided that I'm buying only by the end of first week of July. Till then, decisions are flexible if something better comes along.

Guys,

Where to find nat-geo camera bags? Does Jayesh stock them in Bangalore? Any places in Bangalore / Chennai / Cochin?

[navin]

Originally Posted by sparkguy

I can see you are thinking to buy 3 different lenses.

Originally Posted by teknophobia

No need to go in for any more lenses at this time.

[quote=CrAzY dRiVeR;1947289
1. 2 years later is when i would be able to upgrade.[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

My honest suggestion is to buy a used 40D.

I recently got to compare the 40D to the 550D with my 17-55IS, 70-200/2.8IS and the 18-55IS.

The 550D and I assume 450/500/1000D are a total misfit for the bigger lenses. If I was not supporting the 17-55 and 70-200 on the 550D with my left hand the camera used to loose commucation with them. My 40D does not I guess the x00 and x000 bodies do not have the studryness in the mouting apartus to work efficiently with the big 77mm lenses.

When working on a DSLR system I will post what I PMed a fellow BHPian earlier today.

I am not an expert or professional. I just follow common sense.

If you are looking at getting into a DSLR system you have to realise that you should be willing to build a system than purchase a "Full" system from day one like you get with a P&S.

a. Think IS/VR lenses atlest for the zooms and telephoto lenses
b. you will upgrade your system, even if you think you wont, trust me you will so best prepare for this and Start SLOW.

For 25K you can get the Canon 1000D/18-55IS or Nikon 3000/18-55VR lens.

Consider adding lenses like the 55-250IS and 50/1.8 later.

For a bit more (about 40K) you can get the D5000 with the 18-105VR lens which I really like as you can later add a 70-300VR and 50/1.8 and get a very nice system.
B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders

Similarly the Canon T2i (550) with 18-135 is a much nicer place to start if you can afford it.
B&H Photo Video Digital Cameras, Photography, Camcorders

I stay away from MOST kits as the accessories these kits offer are terrible. The bags and DVD guides etc...are a little less than useless and a good bag from Kata (my favourite), Tamrac or LowePro is much preferred.

When I bought my system I worked backwards.

1. What was the subjects I shot most? Under what conditions?

In my case it was children; often in low light (indoors).

2. Which lenses will let me best perfrom this function?

In my case a f/2.8 lens with IS that covered 24-100mm - the cloesest lens I could afford was the 17-55IS (28- 90mm) from Canon.

3. Which body best works with this lens - for example the 17-55 is so heavy that it needs support to operate with the 550D so you need a 40D/50D body for this lens as well as other big tele lenses like the 70-200/2.8IS, 300/2.8, and 100-400/4-5.6IS.

Once i had this system in mind I called 2 friends who are professionals and asked them. Both told me that I should think full frame and get the 5D+24-105 combo instead but that is where common sense comes in.

My professional friends make huge blow ups and need as big a sensor as possible. I do not. A APS-C sensor is adequare for most of us. A big sensor means the lenses gotta be bigger too and bigger lenses are much more expensive. I got the 40D and 17-55IS.

Hope this helps.

While some 3rd party lenses from Sigma (100-300/4 if only it had OS) and Tokina (16-50/2.8, 50-135/2.8 and 11-16/2.8 none of which have IS/VR/VC/OS) etc.. are good I have had poor experience with all 3 brands (incl Tamron) - a Sigma 30/1.4 soft focussed, a Tamrom 70-300 used to hunt when lesser lenses did not, and the Tokina 16-135 DX was just terrible - it was soft almost through it's range and had a very small sweet spot (f/8 only).

Most Super zooms are a compromise. The one that is an exception is the Canon 28-300/3.5-5.6 and this one is terribly expensive. I hope they make better/cheaper super zooms as the market for these expands but in short they are all a compromise.

[shajufx]

Anyone has some clue about where to buy a BENRO ball head (considering BH-0) in Bangalore ? I finally managed to get a Fiesol CT 3441S carbon fiber tripod, waiting for the courier within 24 hours. So thats another 15k down the drain for a 'support'.

[HellwratH]

Originally Posted by shajufx

...a 'support'.

and for shaper pictures .

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by navin

When I bought my system I worked backwards.

1. What was the subjects I shot most? Under what conditions?

In my case it was children; often in low light (indoors).

2. Which lenses will let me best perfrom this function?

In my case a f/2.8 lens with IS that covered 24-100mm - the cloesest lens I could afford was the 17-55IS (28- 90mm) from Canon.

3. Which body best works with this lens - for example the 17-55 is so heavy that it needs support to operate with the 550D so you need a 40D/50D body for this lens as well as other big tele lenses like the 70-200/2.8IS, 300/2.8, and 100-400/4-5.6IS.

I liked the way you decided upon the system. Many of us do not think in these lines while buying a camera and lenses.

[navin]

Originally Posted by clevermax

I liked the way you decided upon the system. Many of us do not think in these lines while buying a camera and lenses.

Most of us can't afford what we want, so I figured I should see what I NEED.

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need
- The Rolling Stones - "You can't always get what you want".

[phamilyman]

C_D,

That person is probably wishful or trying to exploit the relative lack of availability of 40D bodies in the resale market.

I almost bought a 40D (body only) at 39k before getting my current 500D+twin lens kit at 40k (+3.5% exchange rate hit). Else its a fantastic body

[Speed Pujari]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Anyone has some clue about where to buy a BENRO ball head (considering BH-0) in Bangalore ? I finally managed to get a Fiesol CT 3441S carbon fiber tripod, waiting for the courier within 24 hours. So thats another 15k down the drain for a 'support'.

UniLoc is manufactured by the same guy who made Benro.

Feisol is a real great tripod but no idea how much better than the uniloc.

The unilock costs starts at 17k+ as per ronnie, and is a real deal since that tripod can last forever. I love its resistance to water.
Man How many things do I need to buy ?

Day, night, sleeping, awake, office, home, everywhere and everytime I think of how to get my camera accessories and a new car.

[mykal shoemaker]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Where to find nat-geo camera bags? Does Jayesh stock them in Bangalore? Any places in Bangalore / Chennai / Cochin?

Don't know about local stores.But ebay has lots of sellers on Nat Geo and KATA ,caselogic bags.