[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by finneyp

18 - 55,
18 - 105 and
18 - 200
Which one should I go for?

I am no expert, but what you chose depends on what you normally shoot. I mean the usage. If its daily usage like shooting family meets, portraits, functions, landscapes the 18-55 should suffice. If you are into shooting wildlife, sports et all that require a good zoom lens then the 18-200 would be the right choice, though personally I would prefer having separate lenses like 18-55 & 55-250. But from what I am given to understand at 200mm there is bound to be noise on the 18-200.

[gd1418]

The 18-200 VR without doubt. One of the best lenses that Nik has come out with. Its VR feature will come in handy while taking pics handheld. The IQ is excellent. The lens is a bit expensive though. Go for it, if you have got your bonus this year...

Originally Posted by finneyp

Sorry to barge in this thread on Canon DSLR!
Need some advice from SLR experts here.

I am planning to buy a Nikon D90, the lens available in the kit are:
18 - 55,
18 - 105 and
18 - 200
(All are Nikkor AF-S VR)

Which one should I go for?

[gd1418]

I would ditto that. The 450D here in Delhi with bill & kit lens is for 42K (4500 less if only body) and approx 33K in grey (4500 less if only body).

The only thing that you don't get in grey is the SD card and the warranty..

Mclaren, that last 2 para were hilarious. I too experience the same but plug my ears for all external noise...he he. I take photographs the way I want, even if I have to crawl spread-eagled in the middle of the road.

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Yes,higher frame rate is always better, but look at it cost wise. Does it make economical sense to spend 10-15k more just for this one thing (I would buy a better lens for that money)? Canon India sells the 1000D with the non-IS lens for 33k. If you just choose the body, you can get the IS lens for about 8k? It will still work out to around 31k abroad. The 450D will cost you around 49k here maybe 45k abroad. Its your pick.

Personally, I end up shooting in auto mode most of the times because neither my parents nor my girlfriend appreciate the fact that I get down, try to take pics from weird angles, doing stunts to achieve the same and at the end of it all take up 15 mins to get the shot right. To them clicking a pic is a 20 secs job. So expect a lot of brickbats coming your way if you try doing that with company around.

At times its so irritating to listen to people bickering to you that you decide one of these days you are going to take a break and spend time with just the camera (after having paid a bomb to buy it in the first place). That in turn again causes troubles back home .

[finneyp]

Thanks Mclaren & GD for the info.

For 18-200, I have to stretch my already stretched budget

Whatz your opinion on 18-105?

[amitoj]

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

I honestly wouldn't fret even if the view finder was a tad smaller than it already is. But I think its good enough, rather big enough. I have used a 400 & 450D too. Its not something I would complain about.

Yes,higher frame rate is always better, but look at it cost wise. Does it make economical sense to spend 10-15k more just for this one thing (I would buy a better lens for that money)?

Well, what if i have enough budget to go for 450D AND a decent lens? I am ok with waiting for a while before i go get a 50-250mm lens. Its not as if i am off to the Serengeti tomorrow.

I dont want to put in 20-30 Ks to save on money now and later say, "wish i had gone for something else". Because, like Suman said, i wont be buying a DSLR everyday.

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Also, what you need to keep in mind is that this camera cannot be used daily. If you are finicky about capturing photographs the good way, by sleeping on the floor, by changing exposure, shutter speed values at all trust me teacher will be quite mad at you. The only real use of this cam is when you have nobody to bother you, nobody to rush you up, more so when you are all by yourself and all you want to do is shoot what you think would be the best shot even if it takes hours and hours to get it right.

Isnt that true for no matter what dSLR one gets? Even on my current camera its been ages i used an auto mode. most of the times its on Aperture priority. Its just that now i am hitting the limitations of the camera in terms of exposure control that i am thinking of going the dSLR way.

And the teacher has no problem whatsoever in the amount of time i take to get the settings right.... as long as i am not putting her in the frame and asking her to stay still

[Samurai]

If the telezoom is not part of the lens kit, don't bother buying it right away. I did that mistake and then had to upgrade to another telezoom after few months. Now I have two dSLR combos because of all the upgrading.

E3 + 12-60mm + 50-200mm + 50mm + 25mm tube + 1.4x TC (home setup)
E-500 + 14-54mm + 40-140mm (office setup)

[mclaren1885]

Originally Posted by amitoj

Well, what if i have enough budget to go for 450D AND a decent lens? I am ok with waiting for a while before i go get a 50-250mm lens. Its not as if i am off to the Serengeti tomorrow.

I dont want to put in 20-30 Ks to save on money now and later say, "wish i had gone for something else". Because, like Suman said, i wont be buying a DSLR everyday.

Then go for it. I just didn't want you to buy the 450D and later wonder, damn I should have gone in for the 1000D, since for the kind of photography I do I could have saved that money and spent it on a nice holiday to Goa or some place with teacher. The 1000D would have sufficed.

Isnt that true for no matter what dSLR one gets? Even on my current camera its been ages i used an auto mode. most of the times its on Aperture priority. Its just that now i am hitting the limitations of the camera in terms of exposure control that i am thinking of going the dSLR way.

And the teacher has no problem whatsoever in the amount of time i take to get the settings right.... as long as i am not putting her in the frame and asking her to stay still

Hehe. Lucky you! I meant think twice before you take the Dlsr leap, because there are some unforeseen hazards in buying one .

Originally Posted by gd1418

Mclaren, that last 2 para were hilarious. I too experience the same but plug my ears for all external noise...he he. I take photographs the way I want, even if I have to crawl spread-eagled in the middle of the road.

Thats the advantage of being married . You wont get a divorce for spending too much time with a camera. But when you are dating, and your girlfriend thinks you spend more time and energy on your car (or atleast used to) and then she finds out that a camera has just been added to that list, she wont take it lightly . I am so going to get killed when she reads this.

[mclaren1885]

Was just checking jjmehta. 450D with the 18-55IS 44k with a 2gb card. Add to that a zoom lens, the whole thing will cost you around 60-65k depending on whether you chose IS or non-IS, if you buy it in India or abroad.

1000D, body only - 22k + 8.5k for IS lens = 32k with 2gb card.

[amitoj]

First off, apologies to Suman for hijacking the thread!

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Was just checking jjmehta. 450D with the 18-55IS 44k with a 2gb card. Add to that a zoom lens, the whole thing will cost you around 60-65k depending on whether you chose IS or non-IS, if you buy it in India or abroad.

1000D, body only - 22k + 8.5k for IS lens = 32k with 2gb card.

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Then go for it. I just didn't want you to buy the 450D and later wonder, damn I should have gone in for the 1000D, since for the kind of photography I do I could have saved that money and spent it on a nice holiday to Goa or some place with teacher. The 1000D would have sufficed.

I'd rather put in some extra cash right now and avoid a situation later on where i am thinking, "Damn, i wish i had gone for 450D so that i could take better action photos of that bird", because if that happens, i'll not only be regretting my decision but i will also start disliking what i possess. Thats a double whammy.

Besides, i dont think 10K is enough for a vacation in goa for us

Originally Posted by mclaren1885

Thats the advantage of being married. You wont get a divorce for spending too much time with a camera.

LOL. Dont be so sure about the divorce part my friend.

Originally Posted by Samurai

If the telezoom is not part of the lens kit, don't bother buying it right away. I did that mistake and then had to upgrade to another telezoom after few months. Now I have two dSLR combos because of all the upgrading.

E3 + 12-60mm + 50-200mm + 50mm + 25mm tube + 1.4x TC (home setup)
E-500 + 14-54mm + 40-140mm (office setup)

The 75-300 is a part of the twin lens kit, but Tanveer has already advised against going for this option, so, i am thinking of 450D + EFS18-55IS right now.

[gd1418]

If stretching more doesn't result in a tear, the go for [FONT=Helvetica]Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor D 18 - 200 mm f/3.5 - 5.6G DX ED IF VR. I'm sure you must have already visited this - Nikon 18-200mm[/FONT]

[FONT=Helvetica]Reading this will also help - Nikon 18-105mm VR[/FONT]

Originally Posted by finneyp

Thanks Mclaren & GD for the info.

For 18-200, I have to stretch my already stretched budget

Whatz your opinion on 18-105?

[tsk1979]

But the 450D kit, and later spend 12K and get the 55-250IS, or if you have the moolah, the 70-300, and if you win a lottery, the 100-400L IS from canon, one of the best birding lenses money can buy

[suman]

Originally Posted by amitoj

First off, apologies to Suman for hijacking the thread!

Originally Posted by Samurai

As long you buy 450D, he will forgive you.

Exactly....Samurai is dead right! Nah, just kidding, as long as we've helped you arrive at the correct decision, feel free to use this thread!

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Buy the 450D kit, and later spend 12K and get the 55-250IS,

I second that, that's my current combination (well, almost, since I'm still planning to get the 55-250 this weekend). Also, let me add fuel to the fire & suggest the 50mm 1.8 along with the kit 18-55 IS & the 55-250 IS

[finneyp]

Originally Posted by gd1418

If stretching more doesn't result in a tear, the go for Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor D 18 - 200 mm f/3.5 - 5.6G DX ED IF VR.

Thanks GD for your advise & the links!

[amitoj]

Thanks for all the tips and insights guys!!

By the way, i walked into a camera shop last weekend, and the person there was trying to sell me the Sony Alpha200 camera with twin lens kit, saying it is an absolutely sweet deal. I should stay away from him, right?

[suman]

Originally Posted by amitoj

By the way, i walked into a camera shop last weekend, and the person there was trying to sell me the Sony Alpha200 camera with twin lens kit, saying it is an absolutely sweet deal. I should stay away from him, right?

Completely....its in a different league altogether (downwards, unfortunately )

I may be flayed for this but for me, as far as DSLRs go, its like "Sony who????" (Mind you, no offense to any Sony DSLR users, I'm a Sony user myself - Handycam, TV & Audio)