Team-BHP - The DSLR Thread

I am in the process of buying Nikon D5100 (or Canon 550D) soon. Wanted to know some info on a nice telephoto lens and macro lens. Does Nikon itself have good lenses or should I go for Tamron or some other brand. Also, if someone could throw some light on a approx price range.

Thanks in advance.

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Originally Posted by ajay_satpute (Post 2574498)

I am in the process of buying Nikon D5100 (or Canon 550D) soon.

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Wanted to know some info on a nice telephoto lens and macro lens.

Nice telephoto - can you be more specific in terms of focal length? Telephoto zoom lenses vary from Canon 55-250mm @15k to 70-200mm f/2.8 IS @150k.
Macro - Canon 100 mm macro (Non IS, non L) would be around 28/29k (street price) in pune.
I know only about Canon, don't know about Nikon.

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Does Nikon itself have good lenses or should I go for Tamron or some other brand. Also, if someone could throw some light on a approx price range.

General opinion has been to stick to manufacturer lenses although some third-party lenses (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina) are preferred for specific focal length & corresponding price point.

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Originally Posted by aravind84 (Post 2574016)

....any recommended store where I can pick it and I also want to check if there is 0% emi scheme in any of the credit cards? Thanks

Flipkart offers 0% EMI for 3 months and very marginal interest for 6 months. My last 2 purchases were through that to test it out.

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Originally Posted by pjay_in (Post 2574239)

Mind if I borrow your chair for some time?

Sorry, no shipping outside India :) But I can share my personal techniques and methods if anyone is interested (strictly non-commercial).

I got my SB700 from flipkart and I must say their service is really impressive. This is my 3rd purchase (or fourth ? ) and never had any issues. Now about the flash:

SB700: It took me just 15 mts to check the potential of this beauty. A lovely product from Nikon, no doubt. Perfect layout of buttons, sturdy good quality finish, multiple functions (remote, master etc.) and selections (FX or DX, meter or feet etc.). It has 3 illumination patterns; standard, center weighted and even. Comes with built-in wide panel and bounce card, the diffuser hood (very good quality) and two filters; amber and green. CLS function detects the ISO, aperture and focal length. There is also a temperature display with thermal cut-out function (overheating cut off).

I am sure my D700 will be very happy to have this guy as a twin brother :D

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Originally Posted by sukiwa (Post 2574654)

Safe approach from budget PoV: Decide lenses that you would buy in addition to kit lens & then calculate total value of purchase. This should help you decide which brand among these two camera manufacturers.

Excellent point - noted.

Nice telephoto - can you be more specific in terms of focal length? Telephoto zoom lenses vary from Canon 55-250mm @15k to 70-200mm f/2.8 IS @150k.

Ok. I am not an expert, which you can guess easily when I say "Nice lens". By nice, I meant something that is good enough for Bird photography/Moon photography at an amateur level. I think IS is a must in any case.

Macro - Canon 100 mm macro (Non IS, non L) would be around 28/29k (street price) in pune.
I know only about Canon, don't know about Nikon.

Most comparisons/reviews I read online gave Nikon a better rating in most aspects. So not sure yet. One dealer said Nikon is difficult to service whereas Canon cameras can be serviced anywhere. He compared Canon to Maruti.:D

General opinion has been to stick to manufacturer lenses although some third-party lenses (Tamron, Sigma, Tokina) are preferred for specific focal length & corresponding price point.
That makes sense.

Since you are also from Pune, can you recommend any camera dealer? I somehow feel that it is very hard to find a genuine camera seller. Some dealers sell cameras like they would sell Rice or Sugar.

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Originally Posted by ajay_satpute (Post 2574674)

Since you are also from Pune, can you recommend any camera dealer? I somehow feel that it is very hard to find a genuine camera seller. Some dealers sell cameras like they would sell Rice or Sugar.

Get it from flipkart. They are reliable. Read Shajufx's post, he is happy with flipkart.

Sukiwa has a valid point, set a budget and shop around. Else you would have run your bank dry without realizing:D.

For bird photography or any long distance shots for that matter, IS( Canon), VR (vibration reduction, Nikon) helps to a large extent.

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Originally Posted by sachinj12 (Post 2574687)

Thanks sachin.

Just checked FLIPKART and found this deal.
Canon EOS 1100D SLR with Double Lens Kit (EF-S 18-55mm IS II + EF-S 55-250mm IS II) for 37,820/- with 4GB SD card and bag free. How is the deal?

There is an important press announcement done by Nikon as the after effect of Thailand flood. They expect to get back to normal production phase only by March 2012. So guys who are waiting for D800 etc. take a note on this.
Nikon | News | 3rd Notice on the damage from the flood in Thailand

its my long dream of buying a DSLR. though having loads of interest in photography. could buy one due to several personal reasons... Now time has come. planning to buy Canon 550D with 18-55 and 55-250 lens... for now. Please suggest me if its advisable to buy it in US and bringing it to india. or to buy it here.

Note from Support: Please...do...not....type....like....this. Thanks

Guys I need your urgent help. Pros please pitch in. I am about to purchase DSLR within two days, Here are two shortlist with offer price

1) Canon 550D with 18-135: Rs.49000
2) Nikon D5100 with 18-105: Rs.47000

My mind says Canon 550D, because choice of lenses and manual video mode, cheap prime lens.
But sometimes it says Nikon D5100 for Autofocus during video, flipout LCD screen and better low light performance. Canon has more reasonable advantages.

I want to opt right choice to start because once I opt for canon or Nikon then may be for rest of life I need to remain faithful with them.

Mainly I need DSLR for Wedding Photography and occasionally for creative photography.

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Originally Posted by sushantr5 (Post 2575278)

I posted this a few pages back:

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Originally Posted by .anshuman-
I just picked this camera few days back. D5100 has the excellent sensor from D7000 with super high ISO results. In all the international reviews 5100 is directly compared with 600D, but here in India it priced close to 550D(the reason why i see it as good VFM).

Conclusion from my research says:
Still Images= D5100
Video= 550D/600D
Actually you cannot go wrong with either of these, i picked 5100. Only if 600D was priced closer, the decision would have been much more difficult.

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Originally Posted by ajay_satpute (Post 2574498)

Budget is the key word here and when you say bird photography (I am not counting your moon photography unless you are an astrophotographer) its always better to to get the longest focal length you can afford (less than 400mm isn't long enough for birding in the wild). I would suggest 100-400 f4.5-5.6 L IS if you are willing to spend approx 80k. Regarding IS it sure helps but it not a deal breaker atleast for me, I have a Canon 400 5.6 L which has no IS but with good long lens technique and with adequate shutterspeed you can make great images.
The Canon 100 2.8 is an awesome macro/portrait lens
About Canon and Nikon its a never ending debate. Just get one and enjoy shooting.
However, with the launch of the new telephoto lenses Canon is one generation ahead of Nikon when it comes to super telephoto lenses. Moreover, Canon has two telephotos which Nikon doesn't viz. 400 5.6 and 800 5.6
I hope I dont get flamed now with how Nikon is better with with high ISO results etc etc.

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Originally Posted by wildsdi5530 (Post 2575405)

I find that market price is lower than Flipkart price by about 3000-5000/-. Of course you do not get additional freebies like tripod, hoya filters, etc.

Curious to know which item you are talking about, please make it clear. I dont blindly recommend any seller for any product. My home work is always done before deciding on that factor. As a rule I always make sure prices from 4 different sellers is taken into consideration. Then the best and feasible (free shipping/ EMI option/zero charge on card usage etc) is taken. Product to product it might vary and there is no hard and fast rule in it.

I got my Manfrotto tripod and few lenses from smartshoppers, certain lenses from RK, certain lenses and lights from Jayesh, a ball head from Gaffarbhai&sons, certain items from flipkart, a lens from B&H, few filters from Adorama, plenty of things from eBay. So that should give you an idea :)