[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by navan49

Gone through all the DSLR cameras of Nikon. I could find that none of the SLR is with in my budget range. Thinking of going for a used one. If any of our Teambhp members want to sell I would give the first preference to them. If some one can suggest a reliable website for used goods,

I just PMed you some links since I an not sure if I can share links to third party sites.

[Gandhi]

Need some help folks. A friend owns 550d with 18-55 kit lens and now wants to purchase a telephoto lense. His budget is around 10k and plans to get it via a friend in US. There are couple of lenses available in his budget on Amazon, but he is not sure which one to go for.

Any suggestions?

[HellwratH]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Need some help folks. A friend owns 550d with 18-55 kit lens and now wants to purchase a telephoto lense. His budget is around 10k and plans to get it via a friend in US. There are couple of lenses available in his budget on Amazon, but he is not sure which one to go for.

Any suggestions?

In that budget I'd recommend the 55-250IS. I love this lens. It's much better than 75-300mm. If he can afford, ask him to look at 70-300mm IS. He might get a used one for about $350-$400.

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by HellwratH

In that budget I'd recommend the 55-250IS. I love this lens. It's much better than 75-300mm. If he can afford, ask him to look at 70-300mm IS. He might get a used one for about $350-$400.

There are two versions of 55-250 lens. One is IS and other is IS II. What is the difference between the two?


IS II version - Amazon.com: Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

IS version - Amazon.com: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

[KSM-Vtec]

Guys there is a 16GB SD card offer on Sulekha.com for INR 499

Get Sandisk Memory Card SDHC 16GB - Sulekha Deals

But the only issue is that its a Class 4 card.

My question is - will it work alright on a Canon 500D? or will it slow it down?

Is anybody using a 16gb class 4 card on a Canon?

[HellwratH]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

There are two versions of 55-250 lens. One is IS and other is IS II. What is the difference between the two?


IS II version - Amazon.com: Canon EFS 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS II Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

IS version - Amazon.com: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras: Electronics

I have not used the IS MKII version, but supposedly it has better IS (gives you more stops). Not sure about it though, a bit of research on google gives me this:

Flickr: Discussing Canon EF-S 55-250 IS II in Canon EF-S 55-250 f4-5.6 IS

EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II VS Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS ?

[shamik.bose]

Originally Posted by SPARKled

Only AFS lenses will work i.e. AF with these bodies. To make older D lenses or earlier AF lenses work, you need a D90 or D7000 atleast or one of the older D50,D70,D200,D80,D100 or earlier bodies.

AF with the bodies meaning? The lens need to have the AF motor?

[sachinj12]

Originally Posted by shamik.bose

AF with the bodies meaning? The lens need to have the AF motor?

As far as I know, the older lens don't have an in-built focus motors. Hence, to autofocus, you need a camera in which the AF motors are in built. The D90, D7000 and higher models have these. The lower bodies don't have an internal focus motor which means the lens will be a manual focus lens.

Others might be able to provide a better explanation. This is the best I could put, sorry.

Originally Posted by shamik.bose

That is what I thought too. A manual focus lens is fine by me; what I want to know is whether they can be used with the D3100 body
P.S. Thanks

Don't you have the manual with you? I think the manual gives a list of all the compatible lens. Else, google baba is always there

I am guessing the lens will act as a manual one on a D3100.

And, you are welcome, :-)

[shamik.bose]

Originally Posted by sachinj12

As far as I know, the older lens don't have an in-built focus motors. Hence, to autofocus, you need a camera in which the AF motors are in built. The D90 and D7000 above have these. The lower bodies don't have an internal focus motor which means the lens will be a manual focus lens.

Others might be able to provide a better explanation. This is the best I could put, sorry.

That is what I thought too. A manual focus lens is fine by me; what I want to know is whether they can be used with the D3100 body
P.S. Thanks

[SPARKled]

Originally Posted by shamik.bose

AF with the bodies meaning? The lens need to have the AF motor?

Yes AFS lenses. Lenses with built in motors.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by Aroy

In my opinion a 5MP+ cell phone camera does 90% of the job for travel photography, of course as long as the light is right. I have shot tens of thousands of photos with cell phone, mostly for documenting site conditions, and nothing beats the "always available" factor of a phone camera. My latest Nokia Windows phone has an excellent "Macro" capability, hard to beat in a normal DSLR without a macro lense.

+1 to that. Ever since I bought the SGS2, I use its camera for landscape pictures. Always available - in your pocket.

One can avoid changing lenses or can travel with just one lens - usually 70-300mm in my case.

[vsathyap]

Mod Note : Please use the EDIT or MULTI-QUOTE buttons instead of typing one post after another!

Originally Posted by shamik.bose

That is what I thought too. A manual focus lens is fine by me; what I want to know is whether they can be used with the D3100 body
P.S. Thanks

Are you sure you want to do manual focusing? Believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds... and even if you're off by a bit, your images turn out to be out of focus. If I were you I'd not be risking taking pictures of some unforgettable event/experience/location with a manual focus lens. Sure, over time and practice, you will get it right, but to jump off auto focus and say I'll be fine with manual focus is not something I'd be confident about.

One trick to lower your focusing errors if you go on manual focusing - try and use a small aperture, around f/15 or smaller. This way, you are increasing your depth of field and chances of missing out on focusing are reduced. Similarly, I'd not try manual focusing on a f/1.8 or f/1.4 prime lens with the aperture anything bigger than f/5.6.

Originally Posted by navan49

Gone through all the DSLR cameras of Nikon. I could find that none of the SLR is with in my budget range. Thinking of going for a used one. If any of our Teambhp members want to sell I would give the first preference to them. If some one can suggest a reliable website for used goods, I would be grateful to them. I realized how much I missed the DSLR during my last tour to the South East Asia. Any how I could manage with my Iphone and the quality was not up to my satisfaction.My preference is Nikon D90 or D48 in reasonable price with good condition.

I have a Nikon D50 with a 18-55mm kit lens. I have another 55-200mm lens and 2 spare batteries (total 3 batteries). I have not yet thought of selling my equipment but I am surely looking at upgrades. If you feel this is something you can try your hands at, PM me and we can take it ahead. Other goodies include UV filters, lens pouches, remote shutter trigger, etc.

[SPARKled]

Originally Posted by shamik.bose

That is what I thought too. A manual focus lens is fine by me; what I want to know is whether they can be used with the D3100 body
P.S. Thanks

Yes these lenses will mount and i guess even meter but believe me its not easy as it sounds. Unlike the huge viewfinders of manual focus SLRs, the viewfinders of new consumer SLRs are small and dim so manual focusing is going to be a huge task.

[shamik.bose]

Originally Posted by vsathyap

Are you sure you want to do manual focusing? Believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds... and even if you're off by a bit, your images turn out to be out of focus. If I were you I'd not be risking taking pictures of some unforgettable event/experience/location with a manual focus lens. Sure, over time and practice, you will get it right, but to jump off auto focus and say I'll be fine with manual focus is not something I'd be confident about.

One trick to lower your focusing errors if you go on manual focusing - try and use a small aperture, around f/15 or smaller. This way, you are increasing your depth of field and chances of missing out on focusing are reduced. Similarly, I'd not try manual focusing on a f/1.8 or f/1.4 prime lens with the aperture anything bigger than f/5.6.

Thank you for your input. I had that I-can-do-anything feeling that newbies have, but looks like it is quite difficult

Originally Posted by SPARKled

Yes these lenses will mount and i guess even meter but believe me its not easy as it sounds. Unlike the huge viewfinders of manual focus SLRs, the viewfinders of new consumer SLRs are small and dim so manual focusing is going to be a huge task.

I checked with my dad, and it turns out that the lens is an AFS one. So manual focusing fears are gone. Now to get my hands on those lenses

[Racer_X]

I am a complete noob at the DSLR thing and have been using a digi cam till date. I am planning to graduate to an DSLR and have a budget of around 50-55k. The brand I have in mind is Canon as my FIL has a Canon & collection of lenses which I can use

I need advice on the model and kit which would be most appropriate for regular travel photography to begin with and one of visits to National parks.

Also please suggest decent camera stores in Pune where I can get a good deal along with freebies if possible.