Team-BHP - The DSLR Thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigman (Post 1275913)

quickdraw,

Hard choice. Just wandering whether to pay the extra and get the EOS 1000D. Even after paying the extra I will only be paying in total the equivalent of RS5000.

I would honestly advice going in for a 400D or a 450D (if live view is needed) the 1000D felt very flimsy when I had a chance to play with it. Will NOT reccomend it to anyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller (Post 1276672)

I have the following requirements for clinical and photomicrography work, and seek your help and advice for the same:

- D-SLR body: Minimum 7 to 8 MP, with memory card - should have adequate resolution for large prints, even when the image is cropped
- T2 mount - 50 mm
- C-mount adaptor
- Suitable macro lens for intraoral and extraoral clinical photography
- Ring flash

I shall be grateful if you could guide me on the above, with an idea of how expensive the equipment will be, and where to source it from.

I do not have a preference for brands, and will prefer best configuration keeping in mind
- ease of after-sales service
- durability and
- lowest feasible cost.

Go on for a 40D or a 50D according to budget, but dont buy anything without a live view (max a 450D) any lower then that and you will regret. The body is going to be the least expensive investment considering your needs.

Go for the 100mm Macro lens from canon, I dont have in depth knowledge of Macro lenses but this is any macro guy's bread and butter. And its very very sharp!

Canon EF 100mm f2.8 is the lens I was talking about.

As for the flash, depending on the body you choose you have two options only.

Canon MR 14 EX Ring Flash

Canon MT-24EX Macro Twin Lite Flash

I would personally reccomend the former is more suited to your needs, if you need more help please do PM me, ill send you my email address and can advice further.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC Mayank (Post 1276767)

Guys, how's it going

Need some help and advise. I am returning from the US in a couple of months and want to bring back my first DSLR. Since I am a complete novice, I need some guidance. I have been reading forums and such and they have added to my confusion. My needs are simple. I want to start out ...enough time to have it shipped to me. Thanks for your help guys..

I would seriously advice you against the D40, if its your first ever DSLR go for a Canon camera, they are much more consumer friendly in many aspects. Go in for a 40D if possible it will be a lifetime investment trust me. Hold the other camera's like 450D or the 1000D next to it and you'll know what I am talking about. A kit 18-55 lens and a 55-200 canon lenses are great buy and are going at dirt cheap prices now. You will be occupied for quite sometime with these lenses and your journey will begin.

I suggest anyone buying a DSLR for the first time go through :

Buying a digital SLR: Guides: Learn: Digital Photography Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaibir (Post 1268618)

Folks,

Someone is offering me a used 70-200 VR for 60k. The lens is supposedly in good condition although I haven't seen it yet. I'm not aware of how old it is (will find out when I see it on Saturday). I was wondering if someone can help with the pricing of this lens in the used market and what sort of condition and age should be acceptable for the 60k price.

Thanks
Jaibir

p.s. I was quoted 82k for a new one last week

Saw the lens yesterday. Decided not to buy it as it was a little too beat up. From the serial number, it seemed a 2003 or 2004 peice and looked like it had been used quite hard. Also, the lens mount screws looked like they had been opened. Didnt feel comfortable taking a chance on a lens this expensive. Thanks for all your inputs.

On the look out for a reasonably fast focusing F2.8 telephoto. Suggestions are welcome. Want to avoid the current Sigma 70-200 2.8 as it seems to have too many complaints of the AF motor dying. Also, the IQ (centre sharpness, contrast) is poor at wide apertures.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anekho (Post 1277355)

I have been contemplating purchasing a canon eos 450d and will most probably be picking it up during the week. what is the general opinion of the camera?

cheers

Its a lovely piece of kit. Go for it! Try and quote the price you're getting as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaibir (Post 1277246)

Is it me or I've generally noticed that the Nikon world is much more expensive then Canon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickdraw (Post 1277410)

Is it me or I've generally noticed that the Nikon world is much more expensive then Canon.

In Indian grey market both the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR and Canon 70-200 f2.8 IS are about the same price. Not sure about other lenses.

That said, Canon's lens line up is a bit more complete than Nikon's (the F4 lenses and wide fast primes come to mind) . The only real weak spot is the extreme wide end (the Nikon 14-24 is in a league of its own). Also, I think Canon is cheaper for exotic telephotos.

I actually considered to switch to Canon last year when I took up photography seriously again. The only stuff I had was a couple of leftover lenses from the film days and the D40 kit which someone had gifted me. Although the Canon lens lineup was attractive, the reasons I decided to stick with Nikon were two fold: first, ergonomics. I just found Nikon's digital bodies much quicker and easier to operate than the equivalent Canon offerings. Second was the availability of some brilliant manual focus lenses at prices which are a fraction of their AF counterparts in price.

My personal preferences apart, if someone starting from scratch asked me for advise on a Rs.25-30k DSLR, I'd recommend Canon because their cameras at those price points are compatible with their full lens range, unlike Nikon's crippled D40/60/5000. At a higher price point, I'd recommend trying them both out and going the one you're comfortable with. However, if someone likes telephotos, the choice is clearly Canon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickdraw (Post 1276838)

The 40D body only is selling at $677 and the 450D at $499. Are these good prices? I don't really know what you meant when you said dirt prices. I was hoping to not spend much more than USD 600 dollars as a beginning investment that would keep me busy for the next 2 yrs at least.

Also, I have heard that the kit 18-55 mm lens is not the best and should buy the lens separately? Speaking of lenses, I want to stress again that I have an interest in wildlife but to begin with I would want something that does not limit me.

Spent the last 4 hrs going thru all the past posts on this thread and I'm bloated with confusion. The D40 sadly doesn't seem to be a camera of choice on this forum :(. Thoroughly confused, pls help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickdraw (Post 1277668)

The prices you quoted are reasonable, I would seriously advice against a D40 unless its going to be used as a point and shoot. Swap out the kit 18-55 for a 55-200 its amazing VFM. Hold both the 450d and the 40d side by side you know what I'm talking about. And under no circumstance be tempted to pick up a 75-300.

Does this '55-200' you mention have a model number? And just go with this one lens?

How about the Canon 50mm f1.4 USM Autofocus Lens (see Sifry's Alerts: Beginner's Digital SLR buying guide: The Sifry Starter Photo Package)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FATAL3RROR (Post 1274856)

Interesting, I know it is not the top of the line SLR, but what control do you find missing? Maybe that 'll inspire me to upgrade! ;)

I had (still have) PZ1p film camera before. This had two program dials, where you can change aperture or speed at any time.
200D has only one dial. K20D has two.
Even though I always shoot in 'P' mode, I find the camera has its own mind when metering. For example, when I want to shoot at f/8, i had to fight with the dials, as the camera would want to shoot at 5.6 or 13 :)
Hopefully K-7 is priced within my budget. Probably by the end of 2009, the street prices would be down to my budget.

PS: Did not get the K-7 mallu joke. Any one explain please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by anekho (Post 1277978)

when converted to rs 33 500 with a 18-200 lens included.

cheers

Although I have not used the 18-200 myself if its the IS version I suggest you go for it, its a decent price you're getting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC Mayank (Post 1277673)

Canon EF 55-200 f4.5-5.6 II USM

Yes keeping budget in mind this lens would be quite good for the purpose you have in mind.

The 50mm is a Prime Lens and is not reccomended as the only lens you have, the 1.4 isnt needed if you need it you can just buy the Canon EF 50mm f1.8 for a dirt cheap price.