[arvind71181]

My brother is looking at buying an SLR. Flipkart has 2 offers running. One is the 550d with 18-55IS for 34995 and another the 1100d with 18-55IS and 55-250IS for 37000. I feel that the 1100D is a better deal (even though I own a 550d myself) considering that he is just starting of with the hobby.

Is it ok if he goes for the second offer or are there any significant features missing/issues with the 1100D which would make it a not so better buy?

I think that the 1100D is a little older product and I think it does not have spot metering (confirm please?), but other than this and the MP difference, is there any other significant difference? ISO might be one I guess

Please help

[vibbs]

Originally Posted by arvind71181

I think that the 1100D is a little older product and I think it does not have spot metering (confirm please?), but other than this and the MP difference, is there any other significant difference? ISO might be one I guess

Please help

Yes 1100D does nt have spot metering. Maximum ISO speed is 6400 where as it is 12800 in 550D if I am not mistaken.

[rsquared]

Hello Everyone,

I had a small query. I am getting the Sony Alpha A57 for approx 36k rupees in a deal. I am getting the cam body, 18-55 standard kit lens, carry case, 4 gb card and Sony India warranty for 3 years. Is it a good deal?

Also does anyone know where I can hope to find Minolta A mount lenses in Gurgaon/Delhi?

Thanks
Rejith

[tckanth]

Hi Arvind,
You can look at the Nikon D3100, I think that is better than 1100D and as good as 550D (but cheaper by 5k).

Since you've mentioned that even you own a Canon, IMHO, it is good to buy 1100D. This is a very good camera for beginners.
Advantage of 1100D:
Nice crisp pictures for a 12 megapixel camera.
Added lens - 55-250mm 'IS'

Disadvantages:
Not great for Video
Not good for Low light shooting

Your brother and you will definitely have loads of fun with the 55-250 mm lens.

Hope this helps and I did not confuse you more.

Have fun Clicking.

[arvind71181]

Originally Posted by vibbs

Yes 1100D does nt have spot metering. Maximum ISO speed is 6400 where as it is 12800 in 550D if I am not mistaken.

All right then I will go ahead with the suggestion of purchasing 1100D with the 18-55 and 55-250 combo @37000Rs. Thanks!!!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by arvind71181

All right then I will go ahead with the suggestion of purchasing 1100D with the 18-55 and 55-250 combo @37000Rs. Thanks!!!

If he is thinking of seriously learning photography, I would say think again on the body selection. Because within no time of using 1100D for serious learning, he will start feeling the need for a body upgrade. If you are using that offer only from a 55-250 point of view, I would say trade it for a better body with kit lens. Let me him learn with 18-55 and 50mm prime for some time.

And then let him choose the lens according to his need.

[arvind71181]

Originally Posted by ampere

If he is thinking of seriously learning photography, I would say think again on the body selection. Because within no time of using 1100D for serious learning, he will start feeling the need for a body upgrade. If you are using that offer only from a 55-250 point of view, I would say trade it for a better body with kit lens. Let me him learn with 18-55 and 50mm prime for some time.

And then let him choose the lens according to his need.

Exactly the confusion I am in right now. Wanted to know if 1100D will help in serious learning. Guess the 550D is a better package, but with the limitation of the kit lens alone. Let me put this question to him and see what he wants.

PS: Missing the thanks feature. Thanks a ton!!!

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by rsquared

Hello Everyone,
I had a small query. I am getting the Sony Alpha A57 for approx 36k rupees in a deal. I am getting the cam body, 18-55 standard kit lens, carry case, 4 gb card and Sony India warranty for 3 years. Is it a good deal?
Also does anyone know where I can hope to find Minolta A mount lenses in Gurgaon/Delhi?
Thanks
Rejith

Oh sure it is a sweet deal if the item is new. Even the A35 costs almost in that region here. Can you share more info about the deal?

For Minolta lenses, I would recommend ebay US, ship it to some of your friend's addresses in US and get it through them.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by arvind71181

Guess the 550D is a better package, but with the limitation of the kit lens alone. Let me put this question to him and see what he wants.

Kit lens is actually not a limitation. You can learn with that lens very well. See what kind of pictures you shoot and
then chose the lens upgrade.

I also started 2 years back with 550D and Kit. After 5-6 months, I got the 50mm prime. 18-55 also gets you very nice
landscapes. Only problem is low light performance indoors. That one can get over it with 50mm prime (f/1.8).

Now for zoom, even I was looking at 55-250 earlier. A friend of mine had it. With 1-2 years into serious learning we thought
it was not worth getting the 55-250. I ditched that idea, saved for some time and got a 70-200L F4 IS. (I agree its 300$
versus 1200$ ). But I am not repenting one bit. I manage with 70-200 all the time.

Yes I do miss the wide angle aspect for landscapes (for which I sometimes use 18-55). How I am planning on getting a 10-22.
Though I rarely use the 18-55 now, but I am still thankful to that lens, because of which I learnt the elements.

[vibbs]

Originally Posted by arvind71181

All right then I will go ahead with the suggestion of purchasing 1100D with the 18-55 and 55-250 combo @37000Rs. Thanks!!!

I m afraid I did nt say anything to support buying 1100D. Both my points (lower ISO speed and absence of spot metering) are drawbacks of 1100D. I own a 1100D but I was on a very tight budget. There was no way I could increase my budget at that point of time hence I went for it, as I could get a zoom lens too within my budget. Otherwise, if one is not on a tight budget, 550D even for the increased price is a much worthier buy. Think over it, you wont want to be thinking of upgrading your camera within 6 months of buying it.

[arvind71181]

Originally Posted by vibbs

I m afraid I did nt say anything to support buying 1100D. Both my points (lower ISO speed and absence of spot metering) are drawbacks of 1100D. I own a 1100D but I was on a very tight budget. There was no way I could increase my budget at that point of time hence I went for it, as I could get a zoom lens too within my budget. Otherwise, if one is not on a tight budget, 550D even for the increased price is a much worthier buy. Think over it, you wont want to be thinking of upgrading your camera within 6 months of buying it.

Yeah I agree you did not. You just confirmed what I thought were the minus points of 1100D over the 550D . Guess my brother is also on a tight budget and hence I will put both the options before him (550D with kit) and (1100D with kit and zoom) and let him decide. A tough choice I guess as the zoom at that price is tempting .

[arvind71181]

Originally Posted by ampere

Kit lens is actually not a limitation. You can learn with that lens very well. See what kind of pictures you shoot and
then chose the lens upgrade.

I also started 2 years back with 550D and Kit. After 5-6 months, I got the 50mm prime. 18-55 also gets you very nice
landscapes. Only problem is low light performance indoors. That one can get over it with 50mm prime (f/1.8).

Now for zoom, even I was looking at 55-250 earlier. A friend of mine had it. With 1-2 years into serious learning we thought
it was not worth getting the 55-250. I ditched that idea, saved for some time and got a 70-200L F4 IS. (I agree its 300$
versus 1200$ ). But I am not repenting one bit. I manage with 70-200 all the time.

Yes I do miss the wide angle aspect for landscapes (for which I sometimes use 18-55). How I am planning on getting a 10-22.
Though I rarely use the 18-55 now, but I am still thankful to that lens, because of which I learnt the elements.

Yes I understand that now that the kit lens is not a limitation after having worked with it for over a year and a half. I used the 18-55 for around 7 months before I got the 55-250 and the 50mm 1.8. Very happy with all the 3 lens which I have right now. Looked at the 70-200 as well but way too expensive for me . Problem is I do not know if it will be easy for a person who does not have any sort of background to understand that the 18-55 is not a "limiting" lens. For example, when I bought the 550D, if there had been a similar offer to what is there now, I think I would have gone with the 1100D as well.

Thanks for your advice though, was really helpful. Will get back on what he actually buys

Originally Posted by tckanth

Hi Arvind,
Your brother and you will definitely have loads of fun with the 55-250 mm lens.

Hope this helps and I did not confuse you more.
Have fun Clicking.

Thanks for your help. I already have the 55-250 and am very happy with it though its a little wanting when comes to birding (Which lens doesnt :-)). Let me put forth all the advise to my bro and let him decide.

[Aroy]

Bodies go out of fashion very fast, while the lenses retain their utility for years. I would advise that you buy a good body, and then add lenses to your collection as when feasible. Do not make the mistake of buying an inferior body, just because there is a deal on the combo (that is why there is a deal),as deals are usually there to move a slow seller.

[rsquared]

Originally Posted by clevermax

Oh sure it is a sweet deal if the item is new. Even the A35 costs almost in that region here. Can you share more info about the deal?

For Minolta lenses, I would recommend ebay US, ship it to some of your friend's addresses in US and get it through them.

Thanks Clevermax. The camera is indeed new. The actual price of it on ebay is 39,500 rupees. I got a 10% off coupon. But unfortunately the discount is not available on this item. So will have to purchase it at 39.5k. But I still I think that is a good deal.

The A37 is available for 35k approx, brand new, on ebay.

Also, I don't have anyone in US to get Minolta lenses. Do you have any idea if we can ship it directly from US to India?

Thanks

[KameshR]

Originally Posted by phamilyman

My usage is primarily for my naughty 1 year old boy who is lightning quick and the canon's 50mm prime is thoroughly inadequate

Hi phamilyman

Have you thought about off-camera lighting? In my opinion when everything else fails (increasing ISO / supplementing fast primes) it would be a good starting point to tackle low light indoor conditions instead of making lens choices.

Faced with a similar challenge, I dabbled into strobes lately and have found the results immensely satisfying. If your camera has the capability to fire a flash remotely then try to setup the flash at a convenient place which would bounce the light off the ceiling/wall. If not a pair of manual flashes and cowboy flash triggers would work too.

I was quite amazed to get fast shutter speeds at low ISO with incredible sharpness (> f5.6). I use a humble Nikon D3000 with 18-55 kit lens. I will try to post some sample pictures shortly. The major plus in my case however is that the naughty 3 year never gets intimidated nor distracted with this setup. I found the soft diffused lighting quite addictive too.