[TheBeastFieast]

Then check the lowepro low side bags like slingshot 100 / 150 and fastpack 100 / 200, which dont have laptop compartment.

Originally Posted by ampere

Thanks for the inputs guys. I was not looking for laptop bags included. But OK to pay a good price for the camera specific features in the bag. Currently I have a 550D and an 18-55 which is mostly on the body. May be one more lens I will buy. For the two lenses and this camera I was looking a back pack, which can also hold some more items (may not be a laptop, but stuffs like clothes etc)

[Gandhi]

Thought people might be interested in this. Cross-posting from the EVIL cameras thread.

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Not sure if you guys know about this. Panasonic GH1 body + 14-42mm lens kit is available for $375 through their EPP program. You can check if you are eligible for their EPP program or not here - https://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wc...atalogId=13401

[shyamhegde]

Originally Posted by Aiel

Does any body have any experience with these 3rd party batteries or is it advisable to look for original Canon batteries.

Few months back I got one thirdparty battery ordered from ebay.com for my 450D, shipped from HK on paying around 7 USD. It is a no-name, made_in_china one. Just written as replacement for LP-E5 on it and other specs.
It took a month to arrive. Battery life on a full charge is almost the same as the orininal battery supplied with the camera. One thing I found is the self discharge of the battery is at higher rate than original.

[typeOnegative]

Some more updates on the D90. It is not available in Mumbai any more and JJMehta is quoting 56,000 for it despite having 54,995 on the website. Damn!

[shajufx]

My cousin bought a used Canon 400D, 18-55 kit lens, UV filter, 8 GB CF memory card, charger, original box etc for 12k last weekend (through BPC). I had sold my D60 body for 15k few months back. Now beat that !!!

[condor]

Originally Posted by jkdas

What lens do you have now?

He's got a kit lens .. didnt specify the range.

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

I would also suggest the the nifty fifty but you wanted a mid range zoom!!

@Raj, had mentioned that he doesnt want to spend too much.

Is there a decent generic lens that he can try ? generic = fair amount of zoom, in a way that he can manage with 1 lens.

[Maverick5490]

Guys am moving from Sony DSC H10 to SLR. Am keen on the Nikon D90. Was checking the Nikon site and also had a look at the Nikon D3100. Am a newbie in terms of SLR's, please help me out in selecting amongst the 2 or any other alternative, my budget is max 60K.

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by condor

....
@Raj, had mentioned that he doesnt want to spend too much.

But how much is not too much???

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Maverick5490

Guys am moving from Sony DSC H10 to SLR. Am keen on the Nikon D90. Was checking the Nikon site and also had a look at the Nikon D3100. Am a newbie in terms of SLR's, please help me out in selecting amongst the 2 or any other alternative, my budget is max 60K.

If you are new to DSLR then I suggest that you get an inexpensive body, and spend more on lenses.

The major difference between D3000/3100/5000 and D90 is the screen resolution 230k vs 920k. So if you want more details in your screen then go for D90.

The other differences of 12 & 14MP and ISO, does not make any real difference initially.

On Nikon site the prices are

D90 : 45,450
D5000 : 31,950
D3100 : 27,250
D3000 : 24, 950

I would suggest that you go for the D3000 and invest in a good lense set. Once you have a fair idea of the DSLR operations and the type of shots you take/want to take, you can upgrade to a better body. Remember that the body is just a tool and more sophistication rarely makes better photographs.

Please note that lenses will remain with you for a long time, while bodies are changed much more frequently.

[typeOnegative]

Guys,

Could not wait any longer. Read in the newspaper that prices of electrical appliances would be going up. That coupled with the seeming paucity of stocks of the D90 pushed my hand. Got my piece from JJMehta. Used my credit card and hence the damage was 56,100. Details:

Nikon D-90 with 18-105 mm VR kit
Accessories:

1. Camera bag (completely useless actually, have to buy a better one)
2. Lens hood
3. 4GB card
4. Battery, battery charger
5. UV filter
6. Strap, blah blah ...

The controls are close to my HS10 and this was the main clincher.

The other cameras I was considering were:
1. Canon EOS 550D
Really good, new, lighter, cheaper, but I did not find the ergonomics pretty.
2. Olympus E-620
Could not find it. Did not wait to ask around.
3. Sony A55
Could not find it. Even Sony shops said that they did not have it. Even the lens have to be ordered apparently. The A290 is a decent beginners camera though and I found that I am a bit more than a beginner.
4. Pentax K-7
Non-existent network in India. Frankly the most impressive of the lot.
5. EVIL line (Olympus EPL-1, Sony NEX-5)
Did not feel good in my hands. Was not very happy with the lack of easily accessible controls; almost 99% of my shooting is in Manual mode. The D90 beats every thing in the price range hands down in the controls department.

The EOS 50D is not being carried and the EOS 60D / D7000 was way out of my range.

Hmmm, yeah, so I am in the Nikon family now. For better or for worse. Kind of feels strange - One Canon film SLR, two Nikon Compacts and one Fujifilm HS10 makes me feel like a really mixed up in the head person.

Thanks to everyone for your guidance along the way.

P.S. Had to mentally prepare my wife for about 3 months.

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by Aroy

If you are new to DSLR then I suggest that you get an inexpensive body, and spend more on lenses.

The major difference between D3000/3100/5000 and D90 is the screen resolution 230k vs 920k. So if you want more details in your screen then go for D90.

The other differences of 12 & 14MP and ISO, does not make any real difference initially.

I agree on the spend less on Camera and spend more on lenses but D90 is a different class altogether. When deciding between D90 and D3100, one should also look at the requirements. D90 has certain features which D3100 can never fulfill. Now the question is whether the OP wants those features or not?
Some of those features:
1. Built-in Auto focus motor: D90 can auto focus with AF lenses too while the D3100 requires AF-S lenses.
2. Larger Pentaprism viewfinder Vs smaller pentamirror viewfinder.
3. Shoots faster 4.5fps Vs 3fps
4. Better ergonomics on D90
5. More buttons.

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Did not feel good in my hands. Was not very happy with the lack of easily accessible controls; almost 99% of my shooting is in Manual mode. The D90 beats every thing in the price range hands down in the controls department.

There are other minor differences too!!
But the D3100 also scores above D90 is some aspects:
Compare the Nikon D3100 vs Nikon D90

Originally Posted by Aroy

I would suggest that you go for the D3000 and invest in a good lense set.

I dont know the reasons but many are suggesting D3100 instead of D3000.

Originally Posted by Aroy

Once you have a fair idea of the DSLR operations and the type of shots you take/want to take, you can upgrade to a better body......

That depends, whether one wants to upgrade at all !!! I know folks who are still with their 350D!!


Congratulations!!!

Originally Posted by typeOnegative

Guys,

Could not wait any longer. Read in the newspaper that prices of electrical appliances would be going up. That coupled with the seeming paucity of stocks of the D90 pushed my hand. Got my piece from JJMehta. Used my credit card and hence the damage was 56,100. Details:

Nikon D-90 with 18-105 mm VR kit
..........

If you have lens upgrade in your mind, do keep the 50mm f1.8 (or the 35mm f1.8) in your list!!

[typeOnegative]

@kk,
D3100 better than D90 wrt controls? Anyway, will go through the link. Have the prime in mind already. Did not want to do a combined purchase for various reasons.

[Maverick5490]

Thanks a lot for the very useful and well put out info guys, means a lot. Now will get a feel of both and decide which one is it. Heart is inching more towards the D90

[DRIV3R]

Originally Posted by Maverick5490

Guys am moving from Sony DSC H10 to SLR. Am keen on the Nikon D90. Was checking the Nikon site and also had a look at the Nikon D3100. Am a newbie in terms of SLR's, please help me out in selecting amongst the 2 or any other alternative, my budget is max 60K.

I too had a SONY H10. I recently upgraded to a Canon 500D. Am happy with the purchase now.

My list included the Canon 1000D,500D,550D and the Nikon D3100. I had a demo hands-on all these models and chose the 500D finally. Seemed the best bet to me.

[R2D2]

Hey guys,

My dream Nikon lenses are on their way. I will get em soon within a day or two and update you all soon.

Cheers!