[aa_asif]

Originally Posted by cruiser@0523

I was also considering the D3000 over the Canon 1000D but now i have dropped it and im going for the Canon because of two main problems, The absence of live view and exposure bracketing mode, because of which i would be unable to shoot HDR's . Leaving these two problems the D3000 is a great buy, you get a VR lens with almost same specs of the canon at three grand less, plus the Kit lens is known to be better than canon's(some pro photographer told me). Also the nikon is more user friendly with the guide mode.

You dont really need "exposure bracketing mode" for making HDR. If shooting HDR is a priority, you could use the RAW mode and finally make 3 images out of the original RAW file and merge it to get the desired HDR.
Here are some of the links which could teach you the same:

RAW HDR Processing | Andre Gunther Photography

Creating HDR with a single RAW file - Photo.net Digital Darkroom Forum

Creating HDR with a single RAW file - Photo.net Digital Darkroom Forum

Hope this helps!

[cruiser@0523]

Originally Posted by aa_asif

You dont really need "exposure bracketing mode" for making HDR. If shooting HDR is a priority, you could use the RAW mode and finally make 3 images out of the original RAW file and merge it to get the desired HDR.
Here are some of the links which could teach you the same:

RAW HDR Processing | Andre Gunther Photography

Creating HDR with a single RAW file - Photo.net Digital Darkroom Forum

Creating HDR with a single RAW file - Photo.net Digital Darkroom Forum

Hope this helps!

Thanks, i know of this technique too but afaik composing an hdr from three different shots gives better results. Might be wrong ill just read through the links.

[joshguy]

Hi All,

I am considering on buying a Canon DSLR and Am new to photography.I went through the pages but could not arrive at a conclusion.Please help me

My usage will be for taking photos of Cars,Nature, Portraits and action(wild life) few times a year.

1. What would be the best model for a beginner like me? 1000D,450D,550D or 500D?
2. Which is the newest of the above
3. I dont want to go for the most basic 1000D,but if you people think that the right cam for me please suggest
4. Some people told me that the combo lenses which come with 1000D and few models are not of good quality and suggested that i buy body separately and lenses after that .If thats the case suggest me a single lens with some amount of telephoto
5.Do you suggest 2nd hand /Grey market new DSLRs and where can i buy it in chennai

Well I have a budget of 20-30k

Thanks in Advance !!

[gd1418]

@joshguy: IMO, you should first go for a 2nd hand unit and familiarise yourself with all aspects of photography. Once you are conversant with the controls, settings, picture taking in various conditions then go for a new one.

My friend's daughter who had taken photography as a subject in her college, was advised the same by me and got a D100 with 18~55 lens for 15K. She is very happy with this advice and has progressed well. Now she is going in for a decent & better model of Nikon. Wanted to dispose of the D100. I asked her to keep it since it wouldn't fetch much. She has a 2nd body to fall back in case of an emergency during a project.

My two cents. There are more experienced & knowledgeable folks here. Listen to them as well....

Originally Posted by joshguy

Hi All,

I am considering on buying a Canon DSLR and Am new to photography.I went through the pages but could not arrive at a conclusion.Please help me

My usage will be for taking photos of Cars,Nature, Portraits and action(wild life) few times a year.

1. What would be the best model for a beginner like me? 1000D,450D,550D or 500D?
2. Which is the newest of the above
3. I dont want to go for the most basic 1000D,but if you people think that the right cam for me please suggest
4. Some people told me that the combo lenses which come with 1000D and few models are not of good quality and suggested that i buy body separately and lenses after that .If thats the case suggest me a single lens with some amount of telephoto
5.Do you suggest 2nd hand /Grey market new DSLRs and where can i buy it in chennai

Well I have a budget of 20-30k

Thanks in Advance !!

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by joshguy

1000D,450D,550D or 500D?
2. Which is the newest of the above

550D is the newest.

See the posts earlier, experts here consider 550D better than 500D.

If video is not a requirement, then 450D would be the best fit. One would use a handycam for good video, not a DSLR, IMO.

Note that 450D is not easily available in stock nowadays.

Originally Posted by joshguy

5.Do you suggest 2nd hand /Grey market new DSLRs

The difference between grey and with B&W is narrowing. Among the two, with B&W option is better.

Originally Posted by joshguy

Well I have a budget of 20-30k

This rules out 550D and 500D.

[Abhay]

Originally Posted by cruiser@0523

I was also considering the D3000 over the Canon 1000D but now i have dropped it and im going for the Canon because of two main problems, The absence of live view and exposure bracketing mode, because of which i would be unable to shoot HDR's . Leaving these two problems the D3000 is a great buy, you get a VR lens with almost same specs of the canon at three grand less, plus the Kit lens is known to be better than canon's(some pro photographer told me). Also the nikon is more user friendly with the guide mode.

Okay, but I have no idea what exposure bracketing. LiveView is absent, which I know, but I like taking photographs through the optical viewfinder (even with my P&S) so not an issue.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by gd1418

@joshguy: IMO, you should first go for a 2nd hand unit and familiarise yourself with all aspects of photography. Once you are conversant with the controls, settings, picture taking in various conditions then go for a new one.

Couldn't agree more to this advise. My personal experience of buying and selling taught me this important lesson. Body loses its values faster whereas lenses could stand a lifetime without much issues and depreciation. There are plenty of sellers who are either upgrading to a better featured body or even to full frame bodies. Its easy to get an excellent condition body for a good bargain. Invest the saving to a good quality lens that can remain with you even after an upgrade of body at a later stage.

Originally Posted by Abhay

Okay, but I have no idea what exposure bracketing. LiveView is absent, which I know, but I like taking photographs through the optical viewfinder (even with my P&S) so not an issue.

I have been clicking with a serious learner's mind since 1 year first with a D60 and now with a D90, never used exposure bracketing till date. Liveview is very important and a real-time help if you have any plans for serious macro work. Other than for macro, I never use liveview. Cost of a body goes higher as the features and dedicated buttons are more. What you need is a D3000 or 1000D with the kit lens 18-55. I dont think there is any other kit body that falls within your budget, except the vast availability of 'used' products.

[joshguy]

Originally Posted by sbraj

550D is the newest.

See the posts earlier, experts here consider 550D better than 500D.

I.

You mean to say that 500D is better right?

[blackstallion76]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Couldn't agree more to this advise. My personal experience of buying and selling taught me this important lesson. Body loses its values faster whereas lenses could stand a lifetime without much issues and depreciation. There are plenty of sellers who are either upgrading to a better featured body or even to full frame bodies. Its easy to get an excellent condition body for a good bargain. Invest the saving to a good quality lens that can remain with you even after an upgrade of body at a later stage.


I have been clicking with a serious learner's mind since 1 year first with a D60 and now with a D90, never used exposure bracketing till date. Liveview is very important and a real-time help if you have any plans for serious macro work. Other than for macro, I never use liveview. Cost of a body goes higher as the features and dedicated buttons are more. What you need is a D3000 or 1000D with the kit lens 18-55. I dont think there is any other kit body that falls within your budget, except the vast availability of 'used' products.

@Shaju:
This is exactly what i am looking at. Been tried with some local grey shops. But, did not find good Used D90. Any suggestions?

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by blackstallion76

...But, did not find good Used D90. Any suggestions?

I saw 2 posts selling D90 with lens in the BPC forum buy and sell section in the last 45 days. Have a check on the selling threads, someone is always selling. There are few other very active photographic forums too. This is not a photographic forum, but a place where few auto-heads with cameras share few ideas to help each other. Just google, you will find it worth the effort !

[sbraj]

Originally Posted by joshguy

You mean to say that 500D is better right?

No, see the post below.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

500D was probably the worst XXXD canon ever made.
Noisy sensor, half baked video. All the flaws are fixed in 550D, thankfully

[Shashank.A]

I picked up a 10 month old D60 with Kit lens from a fellow Bhpian. And as a newbie to photography, I am cherishing every paisa that i spent on it.

[cruiser@0523]

Originally Posted by Abhay

Okay, but I have no idea what exposure bracketing. LiveView is absent, which I know, but I like taking photographs through the optical viewfinder (even with my P&S) so not an issue.

Yeah taking photos with the viewfinder is better, but sometimes live view is required.

[joshguy]

Originally Posted by sbraj

No, see the post below.

Thanks Sbraj.

BTW can any one give the details of where can i purchase a used dslr?

[shajufx]

I placed an order at ebay for Matin Air dust blower ($7.99), Matin Neoprene Neck shoulder strap ($16.88) and a benro screw adapter ($4.99), it has to come from Hong Kong (free shipping), therefore expected to receive within 2 to 3 weeks. Will update here about the time taken and the quality of things later.