Team-BHP - The DSLR Thread

Thank you, R2D2 and C300, I am really enjoying the camera, I can now be trigger happy without the expense of developing and printing, advantages of DSLR over SLR, I used to own a Nikon FE with a 55mm prime lens and a 80-200 zoom lens a long time back and it was an expensive hobby.

I will be driving to Goa and Karwar with my wife this weekend and I am looking forward to taking a lot of pictures, will surely post them.

I have uploaded 1 picture I have taken from my terrace.

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva (Post 2712158)

The only good thing about this is that its inexpensive. If you really want something similar look at this
Amazon.com: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for Canon EOS SLR Cameras: Camera & Photo

On flipkart its about 38K I think.

yes I saw that but it is over my budget. Usm more is silent and fast focus but not super speed, my main point is to have IS, Tamron, Sigma has macro mode too on the zoom lens , I am looking for around $200

Guys,Please advice.

I am in such a pain to choose between Nikon D3100 and Canon 550D.
I am interested to buy a tele or atleat a 70-300mm lense and a Macro in near future.
My interest is in Nature,especialy rainy seasons.
Please advice which one to choose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by white-rabbit (Post 2712923)

I am in such a pain to choose between Nikon D3100 and Canon 550D.

It's the D5100 which is the direct competitor of 550D in India, but due to supply shortage Nikon's DSLR prices have hit sky. In current scenario i'd recommend 550D instead of overpriced D3100 and D5100.

Not sure about Canon but Nikon has a nice 70-300 for ~30k and 55-300 for ~20k, i own the latter, while the fast autofocus is not it's ability but optical quality is up excellent. Canon has a good 55-250 for cropped sensor, but i haven't heard much praise about this lens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman (Post 2712928)

Thanks.This is the same piont putting me in confusion.My previous toy is Canon EOS 1000f and I have a lens Sigma 35-75 in a good condition.Will it go with 550D?

Quote:

Originally Posted by white-rabbit (Post 2712951)

Thanks.This is the same piont putting me in confusion.My previous toy is Canon EOS 1000f and I have a lens Sigma 35-75 in a good condition.Will it go with 550D?

All 'EF' and 'EF-S' mount lenses should work on Canon 550D. However, I am not sure if the film SLR (EOS series) lenses will work on Canon EOS-D. In Nikon, the film SLR lenses work on the DSLRS, mostly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman (Post 2712928)

Not sure about Canon but Nikon has a nice 70-300 for ~30k and 55-300 for ~20k, i own the latter, while the fast autofocus is not it's ability but optical quality is up excellent. Canon has a good 55-250 for cropped sensor, but i haven't heard much praise ago about this lens.

Yes 55-250 Canon quality is not all that great. Its always better to play with
kit first and then save to get the 70-200 L. The optics show a huge difference.

A friend of mine had a 55-250. We both then got a 70-200 F4 later and he showed the
difference between the two. The corner most pixel obtained from 70-200 was also sharp
while 55-250 just faded away in comparison.

But again one cannot compare the two lenses as they are in a totally different price points.
But if one is looking or a first order zoom lens, I would always recommend saving and going for 70-200 F4 L USM.
Its worth it.

On 550D, I don't know if it still continues on the product line as 600D is also available.
But from a photographer's standpoint I think its still worth getting the 550D instead of 600D, as 600D
enhancements mainly are a swivel viewer.

Hope that helps.

Anyone using an external flash unit that doesn't communicate with camera (no TTL) but just picks up the sync from hot-shoe and just fires?

Wanted to get some tips on using such a unit, a Quantaray QTB9500 sitting in my shelf without use - mounted it on my A35 but there's no TTL support. This flash unit only works full auto with older Minolta SLR bodies. So I have to set the flash unit's dial manually and use appropriate settings in the camera and shoot. Takes a while to get good shots but I am learning it.. anyone using such a flash unit please share the experiences...? May be from old Film SLR days?

Currently I put it in Auto/TTL mode, set its dial to ISO100 or 200 and replicates that in camera, reads the aperture values to be used for the possible distance values to the subject (form the chart alongside the dial) and changes the aperture in camera accordingly, and shoot at 1/80s or 1/100s. It takes one or two shots at first to get things right. I think the only automatic thing it does it adjusting the flash power according to the distance 'it' sees from the subject. Yes it emits red lights in stripes for assisting contrast detection AF.

Quote:

Originally Posted by white-rabbit (Post 2712951)

Thanks.This is the same piont putting me in confusion.My previous toy is Canon EOS 1000f and I have a lens Sigma 35-75 in a good condition.Will it go with 550D?

EF mount (after 1987) which is what was used in EOS should work on 550D.

I had always dreamt of owning one DSLR but was not aware of the nuances of photography and exorbitant price(i used to think like that till sometime back) that its remained a dream for long.I purchased a Sony digital camera in 2008 and a friend of mine taught me what all i could do with it stupid: and i was happy with it.Then a chance to use my colleague's Nikon D60 got me into a familiar territory.Using a DSLR was easier than i had expected because i had used my dad's Yashica SLR with 18-55mm lens for a long time and somehow i felt comfortable using it.clap: Now i'm planning to go in for a DSLR and have zeroed on Canon 550D with 18-135mm lens(known as kit II).Experts and fellow members,please guide.I had thought of Nikon earlier but few things have made me think otherwise.Whats the price that i can expect for it?I've checked online and at stores and have prices around 55k.My interests vary from typical textbook cases(patients) to automobiles/trains/planes!

Quote:

Originally Posted by white-rabbit (Post 2713838)

Any good plase to learn basics of Dslr photoghraphy?
I am just a beginner,who wants to put some time in to this.

Any Idea on this?Anybody here from bangalore,who can help me with some basics of DSLR?

Nikon D4, D800. D800E have been launched in India. clap:

Nikon India to spend Rs 150 crore on marketing next fiscal - The Economic Times

According to the press release the prices are:

1) Nikon D4 Rs 3,24,950 (approx US$ 6,499), approx 8.3% over US MSRP

2) Nikon D800 and Nikon D800E - Rs 1,49,950 and Rs 1,64,950 respectively (approx US$ 2,999 & 3,299), exactly as much as US MSRP.

Assuming Rs 50/US$, The prices very much in line with US retail prices and less than I expected (my expectations were the D4 @ Rs 4 lakhs and D800 at around 2 lakhs). Superb!! clap:

If this well thought out pricing trend continues, we don't need to consider buying Nikon cameras in the US or EU. Obviously Nikon India is bent on maintaining or extending its lead in the DSLR segment in this country.

Cheers!