[tsk1979]

The 15-85 is an awesome lens if you want to do landscapes.
I have the 18-55, and 18mm is not wide enough on a crop body.
So I suggest, get a body first, grey will be cheaper, and ask a friend to get the 15-85 from US in holiday season.

[kkr2k2]

A friend of mine suggested the following lens apart from the 18-55VR but cost is on the other side of 10k:
1. sigma 17-70 f2.8 to 4.5 (around 18k)
2. nikon 18-105 VR f3.5 to 5.6, its the same thing which arun has on his D90. (around 18k)
3. the new tamron 17-50 f2.8. This one might be heavy and pricey!!! (around 21k)

PS1: I was told to avoid nikon 18-135!!!

PS2: For the budget constraint, just buy the 18-55 VR!!

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

What??? upgrade!!!

Is your lens back in working condition? Last i remember is that its beyond repair!! In that case I would suggest 18-55 VR lens.

[rhandle]

I have sony Alpha 200. I want to buy lens, for it. I got to corbett very often and then the zooming options kill me big time.

Now the issue is DO NOT KNOW a Thing about cameras and other things. I am starting out right now. What is the suggestion from below link:

Digital SLR Camera Lens : Digital SLR : Sony India

Will the below lens be good enugh for a starter like me?

SAL75300 : Zoom : Digital SLR Camera Lens : Sony India

[rkbharat]

Originally Posted by kkr2k2

A friend of mine suggested the following lens apart from the 18-55VR but cost is on the other side of 10k:
1. sigma 17-70 f2.8 to 4.5 (around 18k)
2. nikon 18-105 VR f3.5 to 5.6, its the same thing which arun has on his D90. (around 18k)
3. the new tamron 17-50 f2.8. This one might be heavy and pricey!!! (around 21k)

PS1: I was told to avoid nikon 18-135!!!

PS2: For the budget constraint, just buy the 18-55 VR!!

if you have budget constraint, stick to 18-55 VR, and look for some deals at right time.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by lazy

Congrats rkbharat.


ok, the selected lens: EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM.
Problem: costs USD 800 (canon site), & Blore ~ Rs.40k.
And the budget for which I have approval is 40K.
(almost fixed. Any more and "but dear, at around 50K we can get the new side-by-side refrigerator ...... with much more utility"...So, increasing budget may actually make it vanish)

Next, lens choice: EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.
Costs: USD 500 (canon site) & Blore ~ 17K.

PS: Don’t know how USD800 become Rs. 40K & USD500 become 17K. Blore prices are via phone enquiry to Blore shop.

Now, 2 questions:
1. Is this a good idea - new USM lens above + used body (400D or 450D)?
If I wait until Dec. offers (in US) might get within USD700 (32K). Rest for a used body. Get a friend to carry for me.

I am no guru also in research state but let me chip in.

Why 400D /450D /500D and why not 1000D with the above lens ? it fits very much in your budget.

500D is 46K with Bill and warrenty in Bangalore at GKvale now and US price is 749$ already on Amazon.

Originally Posted by rhandle

I have sony Alpha 200. I want to buy lens, for it. I got to corbett very often and then the zooming options kill me big time.

Now the issue is DO NOT KNOW a Thing about cameras and other things. I am starting out right now. What is the suggestion from below link:

Sony uses Minolta mount and you can use any lens which fits Minolta.
Sigma / tamron have minolta mount zoom lenses. Good thing is that you have a choice of cheap lenses.
Actually Sony is derrived from Minolta and Samsung GX-20 is Pentax K7 rebadged so one should not ignore these options..

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by rhandle

..... What is the suggestion from below link:

Digital SLR Camera Lens : Digital SLR : Sony India

Just had a shock of my life looking the prices of those lenses.

Converter lens for 44,990/- ???

I guess you have the 18-70 kit lens. Thats a very good lens.

For the 75-300, you can look at Sigma 70-300 APO DG MACRO. Its rated better than the SAL75300

[Sankar]

I got a Canon 400D for trials from a friend, i borrowed it to get a feel of the camera. I had a Nikon F65 which i bought during 2003 and later sold to a friend. With the Canon 400D i'm not getting the ergonomics right, i mean the grip really does feel thin and i don't seem to get a comfortable grip on the camera. My memories tell me that the Nikon F65 was much more comfortable to hold and shoot with. Does anyone else who have used both Nikon and Canon entry level SLR cams feel the same? Is 450D ergonomics any better than 400D?

If i go for a D3000 instead of the 450D will that be a bad decision?

[finneyp]

Nikon Dslrs has good Ergonomics compared to Canon, one main reason I went for a Nikon!

[bmw_m5_titus]

Finneyp, same here!

Sankar, I presently have a Eos 350d and Nikon D200, the grip on the Nikon is far better of the two. And this holds for Dslrs like D60,D80 etc too

The grip on the 400/450/500d is quite similar. But again the entry level Nikons lack AF motor.

[it_inspector]

We cannot compare 350d with d200, completely different breed/category of dslr's. Although nikons do have better egronomics it comes to individuals hands. Small hands and canon entry level feels better but it has improved fro
350d to 500d fair bit but still lacks the feel nikon has.

IMHO nikon d90 is simply the best in this scenario with d5000 coming next. Havnt touched d3000 so cannot comment. Higher levels like 7d, 5d, d300, d300s, 1dx, dx all have good ergonomics since they are designed to be used for long periods of time and needs to hand holded. Tru shooting portraits with 500d for a whole day, even with grip hands start to hurt after few he's but with larger cameras it's very easy to do so.

Cheers

[bmw_m5_titus]

Originally Posted by it_inspector

We cannot compare 350d with d200, completely different breed/category of dslr's. Although nikons do have better egronomics it comes to individuals hands. Small hands and canon entry level feels better but it has improved fro
350d to 500d fair bit but still lacks the feel nikon has.

IMHO nikon d90 is simply the best in this scenario with d5000 coming next. Havnt touched d3000 so cannot comment. Higher levels like 7d, 5d, d300, d300s, 1dx, dx all have good ergonomics since they are designed to be used for long periods of time and needs to hand holded. Tru shooting portraits with 500d for a whole day, even with grip hands start to hurt after few he's but with larger cameras it's very easy to do so.

Cheers

it_inspector,
True, the D200 is definitely of a higher bracket. But what I meant was that things don't get much better than the 350D even if you go for 500D. When I was to buy my camera, I was looking out mainly for a Canon Eos, I have been a Canon guy and am very comfy with it. But the grip of even the entry level Nikons were a revelation and kinda turned me around to go for a Nikon. Ultimately Canon and Nikon have their respective strengths in Image quality as well as Ergonomics and it is upto each one to select according to priorities.

[extreme_torque]

Tried the Canon 7D at Canon lounge yesterday. Fantastic camera, the best IMHO in the semi-pro DSLR range. Brilliant high ISO performance, Dual Digic IV, 8 fps continuous shooting, 19 cross type focus points and the lot. Finally there is competition for the Nikon D300 and what competition!

[Sankar]

Nope not another Canon vs Nikon war

I just wanted to know if Nikon is indeed better with ergonomics and comfort compared to Canon or if it is just with me. More comfortable means more time with the camera and more photos.

I feel both, D3000 and 450D, produce decent quality images but with a slight difference in colour tone and high ISO performance. A lot is dependent on personal tastes.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by Sankar

I just wanted to know if Nikon is indeed better with ergonomics and comfort compared to Canon or if it is just with me.

It's you who's going to use it finally. So that call is entirely yours. Because as you said..

More comfortable means more time with the camera and more photos.

A lot is dependent on personal tastes.

You're talking about bottom line.

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

It's you who's going to use it finally. So that call is entirely yours.

Yes Sir!

I think i should go the Canon 450D/500D way because they make a better (fuller/complete) entry level SLR. I think ergonomics i can get used to in the long run.