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Nikon prices have been slashed heavily?
Had been drooling over Nikon DSLRs over the past few days and had a pleasant shock today.

D3100 rates from 32,950 earlier to 29, 950 now (at Nikon website).

^^^ And it will go further down.
More and more people are ditching these bulky giants for smaller EVIL cameras (Google GF1, GF2, GF3, EP1, EP2 and so on).

Most people never use even 10% of the DSLR capability. Not that they will extract most from EVIL cameras too. But at least they carry it around more because of small sizes and hence more shots. And more keepers.

Nikon and Canon are totally absent from EVIL camera scene.

I have decided to buy the Nikon D5100 body later this year. Along with a single lens AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. I haven't done too much research but I read on a site that the FX lens will work with the D5100 without any drawbacks or feature problems. Yet to read up the differences between DX and FX lenses as of now.

It is supposedly better than the D90 and shares some features of the the D7000 like the improved 16mp sensor.

Edit: My original choice was the Pentax K (5/7/x) series one but they are not available in India and its easier to go with mass market product with warranty.

I will use my pocket sized Lumix LX3 for 24mm f/2.0 shots.

But I heard this FX lens is scarce and selling like a hot potato. Has anyone purchased them both or seen them offered on the shelves? Market price is between 61K to 69K for lens and 32K to 35K for body on the net.


This will be my first SLR and I am comfortable with manual mode and setting aperture/shutter and long exposure settings.

There are only one or two primary subjects I have in mind -

1. Indian temple ruins and sculpture and places of archeological importance (not actively worshiped) with associated landscape shots. I can spend hours and days photographing them in pin drop silence.
2. Indian Railways

I have the light weight Lumix with f/2.0 leica lens for trekking. The 2.5x optical zoom ensures I don't stop every few minutes just to zoom in on some obscure shot and slow down my walking pace.
I learn't it the hard way with my 10x zoomer Canon S5IS stupid:


Comments and suggestions welcome. Right now I am waiting for a lottery/award I am somewhat confident of winning this quarter that should hopefully earn me $1000 towards offsetting the cost of this purchase :D


Thanks
--Ragul

While I agree with your premise that a compact camera is by virtue of its size much more portable than full blown DSLR and therefore creates more pics, the Nikon price reduction is driven more by market conditions and competition from other mfrs rather than the lack of EVIL cameras.

Only a minority can handle all of a DSLR's complexity and capabilities with any measure of comfort. It is a complex electro-mechanical device. I use my PnS Sony digital and my DSLR to take pics. Each has its own advantages.

How many features of MS Word or Excel does one use on a day to day basis? Only a small fraction. But nearly all of us use these programs, right?

Incidentally Nikon is rumoured to be launching its 1st mirrorless EVIL camera on 24th Aug.

Yes, the lens is rare to find. I got my 28-300 in February (it was the only piece at Nikon India) and can tell you from personal experience that this lens is a great addition to your kit. It is my favourite walk about lens. It is sharp, portable and has the most commonly required zoom range which saves you from carrying multiple lenses. It comes with a few compromises on IQ, that is to be expected in a 11x zoom. On a DX SLR you will get the advantage of using a crop sensor at the 300mm range (450mm) but the wide @ 28mm wont be as wide as it gets on a FX body. It will be 38mm instead.

Rgds,

Never heard of anyone using that lens ! Any specific reason for spending big on a FX lens when there are plenty of DX lenses available from Nikon/Sigma/Tokina ? And about the lottery/award, why dont you take couple of extra ones as you are very confident of winning ? You could buy an entire set of D3x/D3s with 14-24, 24-70, 70-200, 200-400 :D

28mm becomes 42mm (1.5x). So that creates the necessity of a 10-20 or 11-16 as he has temples, monuments, landscape etc in mind !

Hi Ragul,

Just wanted to ask you. Where do you hope to earn sugh good amounts. I wouldnt mind some to budget for my next camera :).

TApish

Hi,
Has anybody used Canon Speedlite flash 270 EX with canon 550D dslr ? Thanks . . .
Harshavardhan

Having this lens can save a non-professional from lugging around multiple lenses and a heavy bag. Thats what I read and am all for the idea. I want a basic kit without too many options. In fact I already don't like the too many modern features on DSLRs like various scene modes etc etc. I dont think I will ever learn to use them except for the art of adjusting white balance to achieve great tones. Want to discipline and keep my mind free to focus on and imagine the composition rather than worry about which mode to use with all kinda doubts about the results, like a neurotic.


You just made me think - Are there 24-300mm zoom lens avaiialble from Sigma/Tokina? I will research today.

To start with I will use the Lumix then a year later I will consider a 10-20 as you've suggested. Thanks for the tip. I have taken 1000s of bad snaps (and some good) of the individual carvings on temple walls and I believe I need a 300mm to zoom in on them, especially the ones in corners and nooks with ugly man made clutter in the surroundings like a profusion of electrical wires etc. Besides I try to capture individual portraits of the many 1000 carvings in a large size without having to crop the image later.

Interesting. I will research on this topic today. Any pointers/links why FX body will provide more wide angles?

Edit: I read that photo-shop has plugins to correct pin-cushion and barrel distortion and these are the main issues in IQ. I will seek out the Linux equivalents and work my way towards compensating for them ... hopefully.

No buying too many lenses is something I want to avoid. I spend 14+ hours a day on the computer, but I am not a gadget freak and purposefully avoid buying any. The 300mm zoom and a wide angle + some filters and maybe a tool to set WB in the context of the current lighting/photo, is all I plan to buy.

This is an office internal prize money for naming an internal product and I believe I have come with with a great winning suggestion. Almost cocksure about it except that life teaches you to pretend caution :D

Thanks Guys for your tips.

--Ragul

Agreed.
Infact the bulk of a DSLR comes from reflex mechanism - which is today in digital age totally unnecessary!

The mirror moving up/down made sense in film era - because you wished to expose the film only when you were certain (as viewed via eyepiece).

On digital sensor - you don't require any such thing.
EVILs are going to storm the market of future - only resistance will come from Canon and Nikon, because they have everything to lose.
Perhaps not everything though - if they can give EVIL cams compatible with their current lenses.

There is a 18-270 from Tamron, 18-200 from Nikon & Sigma. A Nikon 18-55 kit and 55-300 (DX) or 70-300 (FX) zoom also will meet the same requirements for half the money of that 24-300 Nikon. Plenty of comparisons and reviews all over the net for any lenses. FX body and wide angle advantage is clear through a reading on DX vs FX difference, I had posted this link last week, here again
Nikon DX vs FX

Just got an sms from the dealer. Prices of Nikon D3100, D7000, D90 dropped. We can expect a price drop from Canon soon clap:.

D3100=29,950 MRP, Street price 26K with 18-55mm kit lens+ 4Gb Card + Bag.
D5100 = (Street Price) 48K with 18-105kit lens + 4Gb Card + Bag.

Nikon D3100

Yes Shaju...that was a typo.

The reflex mechanism is definitely a carry over from the film days but I don't believe SLRs are going away so soon. I disagree with the contention that the reflex mechanism accounts for the bulk of the weight in a DSLR. You have the larger sensors, electronics, batteries, LCD monitor screen to account for size and the weight is due to magnesium or steel construction plus all of the above combined. In fact there are many variations within DSLRs itself, a D3100 looks small compared to a D3 series camera but both have reflex mechanisms.

You can use an electronic LCD screen embedded in the normal eye level viewfinder on an SLR but there are issues (search on the net). No doubt that one day we will all be seeing the reflex mechanism being done away with.

BTW, Nikon is rumoured to release its very 1st EVIL on 24/8. This caters to a totally different segment of camera users (consumers) and targets people using P&Ses who aspire to DSLR levels of flexibility in lenses and accessories. Pros wont touch one unless out of curiosity at least for now. EVILS need to be comparable in IQ and ruggedness to DSLRs with FX or APS-C sensors and carry over compatibility with their lenses.

D5100 is now down to 40K with 18-55 or 35K body only Nikon India Private Limited

Sorry, Slight Mistake i was referring to D90 instead of D5100.

D5100 = 35K(Street price) with 18-55mm VR + 4GB Card + DSLR Bag. I had ordered mine. I will be getting it today evening most probably.

Thanks! Looks like I can save more money then. :D

Now for some reading ...

--Ragul