[IronH4WK]

Originally Posted by amitk26

@Iron4hawk : well it is firmware upgrade , Firmware itself is safe but you should follow proper procedure while flashing from SD card. You can get all the information on CHDK

As with any firmware upgrade if anything goes wrong for example battery goes down in between or you copied wrong batch file to indicate start/end address you risk bricking the device. But risk is worth I would say so read up and try.

thanks Amit, will try out!

guys, i recently bought a EF-S55-250mm IS for my 400D and i'm looking for a ET-60 lens hood, but haven't been able to find one. anyone knows where in Bangalore i can get this?

[Gandhi]

I need advice to enter into the dSLR foray.

Here are my requirements -

1) Hard limit on budget - 30K INR (I can get the camera from US through a friend)
2) Good enough sensor with not too many pixels stuffed on it
3) Good AF system
4) Good low light capabilities
5) Image stabilization, either in camera or through lens

Nice to have but not essential at all (I wouldn't pay for these if there is an option to avoid)

1) Live view - I am a viewfinder guy. Don't use Live View even on my prosumer digital camera. However I do need decent LCD to be able to verify the images on the spot.
2) Video - I am not too much into video. My mobile takes good 720p vidoes at 30 fps.

What options do I have? I am not a person who pays for brand. I am OK with cameras other than Canon or Nikon too.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

What options do I have? I am not a person who pays for brand. I am OK with cameras other than Canon or Nikon too.

Pentax K-x or K-r fit all your requirements but it has a serious limitation of non-availability of warranty service in India. Also if you need to purchase lenses then importing them from US is a good option.

having said that don't discount the live view , It is the future there is no specific need to keep the optical view finder which is more of a historical legacy.
Look at the mirrorless cameras like Olympus EPL-1 /EPL-2 , Sony NEX ( don't forget to purchase Alpha to Nex mount adapter for 199$).

I feel Sony NEX 3 + Electical Adapter + Few Minolta lenses are good buy for an APS-C sensor based system.

Or a EPL-1 with Micoro 4/3 sensor + lens adapters + MF lenses are best bang for the buck.

If you want to go the traditional rout purchase Canon 1000D + a Canon 15-85 IS USM lens rather then latest greatest D60. If want it little cheaper buy the refurbished from Adorama.

Want still cheaper refer to my old posts on this thread on how you can use MF lenses on Canon EF-S mount

[Samurai]

I request all the potential dSLR buyers to consider EVIL cameras first. Only if you find EVIL camera inadequate for some reason, then look at the dSLRs. I have owned SLR/dSLRs since 1989, and believe EVIL cameras to be the future.

Some reasons for rejecting the EVIL cameras are as follows:

• Want a heavy camera for steady holding.
• Want optical viewfinder.
• Want huge lens choice or very fast or very cheap lenses.
• Want either Canon or Nikon, and nothing else.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/gadge...l-cameras.html

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

I need advice to enter into the dSLR foray.

Here are my requirements -

1) Hard limit on budget - 30K INR (I can get the camera from US through a friend)
2) Good enough sensor with not too many pixels stuffed on it
3) Good AF system
4) Good low light capabilities
5) Image stabilization, either in camera or through lens

Nice to have but not essential at all (I wouldn't pay for these if there is an option to avoid)

1) Live view - I am a viewfinder guy. Don't use Live View even on my prosumer digital camera. However I do need decent LCD to be able to verify the images on the spot.
2) Video - I am not too much into video. My mobile takes good 720p vidoes at 30 fps.

What options do I have? I am not a person who pays for brand. I am OK with cameras other than Canon or Nikon too.

1. Get a camera of a generation or two older with a 1MP screen.
2. A 12-14MP sensor will be good enough.
3. Most of the Nikon and Canon cameras have good AF, but speed af AF depends on their lenses.
4. Low light capabilities today are dependent on the lenses, faster lenses (lower max aperture) focus faster than slower lenses, because the AF is at full aperture more light is available for the camera sensors.
5. IS is lense dependent, except in a very few bodies.

Baring Medium Format and Range Finder cameras, most of the bodies using CMOS sensors have live view. Cameras with 1MP screen will give you best preview.

Unfortunately in the 30K market you will not get High Resolution Screen, they start at 40k without lense - Nikon D90, Canon 550D. The US prices are very near Indian prices, and you get International Warranty here.

What you should be bothered about more is the cost of lenses. Lense are usually long term investment, as you will retain the lenses after a couple of body changes, budget in future acquisition of lenses you would want.

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by Aroy

Unfortunately in the 30K market you will not get High Resolution Screen, they start at 40k without lense - Nikon D90, Canon 550D. The US prices are very near Indian prices, and you get International Warranty here.

You forgot 500D which is now nearly 30K and has very high resolution screen much better then D90

[Gandhi]

Originally Posted by amitk26

Pentax K-x or K-r fit all your requirements but it has a serious limitation of non-availability of warranty service in India. Also if you need to purchase lenses then importing them from US is a good option.

Do these cameras need regular servicing or something? Actually Pentax K-x tops the list so far for me followed by equivalent Canon and Nikon in the same range. I can get Pentax K-x with two kit lenses (18-50 and 55-300) in the same price compared to Canon or Nikon with only one 18-50 lens.

having said that don't discount the live view , It is the future there is no specific need to keep the optical view finder which is more of a historical legacy.

Really? All the reviews suggest that auto focus is terribly slow in live view (same as point and shoots). Optical view-finder and larger sensor are two main reasons I want to move to dSLR. Otherwise I am very happy with my Canon S3IS + Macro lens combo.

Look at the mirrorless cameras.

Frankly speaking I haven't considered mirrorless cameras so far. A friend of mine told me they come with smaller sensor and only advantage to P&Ss is inter-changeable lenses. Let me take a look at options you have given.

If you want to go the traditional rout purchase Canon 1000D + a Canon 15-85 IS USM lens rather then latest greatest D60. If want it little cheaper buy the refurbished from Adorama.

Want still cheaper refer to my old posts on this thread on how you can use MF lenses on Canon EF-S mount

I'm not comfortable with refurbished items (have had some bad instances), so I won't go that way.

[raju2512]

If you are keen on DSLR only , look at Sony Alpha series also. I recently got a A500 body only for Rs22,000 from US (ebay). It is more advanced than entry level Canon/Nikon. You have plenty of lens options from Sony and Minolta . In fact used minolta lenses (A mount) are available at very good prices online.

Have a look at Pentax K-x series also.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Frankly speaking I haven't considered mirrorless cameras so far. A friend of mine told me they come with smaller sensor and only advantage to P&Ss is inter-changeable lenses.

I think you can safely ignore your friend's advice, considering he is totally ignorant about EVIL cameras. The EVIL cameras have the same size sensor as their dSLR counterparts.

The cameras shown below have the same size sensor.

[swami69]

Hi Gandhi,

Recently one of my colleague bought a Nikon 3100 with a 18-55VR lens kit for approx Rs. 34000 from Chennai.. It has got most of the required features in it, google and read some reviews on it and may be it suits you and it is a Nikon

swami

[amitk26]

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Do these cameras need regular servicing or something? Actually Pentax K-x tops the list so far for me followed by equivalent Canon and Nikon in the same range. I can get Pentax K-x with two kit lenses (18-50 and 55-300) in the same price compared to Canon or Nikon with only one 18-50 lens.

Well they don't need regular service except may be sensor cleaning which you can DIY or get it done at any good repair shop but then who knows if something goes wrong. Like you attach an old incompatible flash with high trigger voltage to blow up few circuits or drop the cam on hard ground etc.

If you are sure that you will handle carefully then go ahead and buy there is no better DSLR at that price point.

Originally Posted by Gandhi

Really? All the reviews suggest that auto focus is terribly slow in live view (same as point and shoots). Optical view-finder and larger sensor are two main reasons I want to move to dSLR. Otherwise I am very happy with my Canon S3IS + Macro lens combo.

several internet arm chair experts mix up things , In Canon with live view you have contrast detect AF which is slower then Phase detect AF but then slow contrast detect on live view is still fast on a lens with DC motor and you will see difference in lens with USM only.

About your friends advice ignore it convinently and check what can be done with mirrorless and adopted lenses here

Olympus PEN E-PL1 review diary

huge thread from one of the best nature photographer in any Indian forum I have seen.

Sony NEX series and Samsung NX have same sensor size that is APS-C but I would not advice Samsung Camera to anyone except Samsung GX1 which is a re-badged Pentax.

Micro 4/3 from Olympus and Panasonic have slightly smaller sensor with crop factor of 2 but it is still huge compared to any P&S.

Originally Posted by Gandhi

I'm not comfortable with refurbished items (have had some bad instances), so I won't go that way.

refurbished from Adorama are different then usual refurbished they are returned to the stores and then repacked by Canon USA with 90 day warranty after full testing. As you know most stores have no questions asked return policy and once box is open store does not sell it as new.

PS: I get a feeling that you are working in SISO ? If yes we can meet and discuss

[rajatsingh78]

Originally Posted by Aroy

..... The US prices are very near Indian prices, and you get International Warranty here

Nikon India only honors warranty on lens, speedlight and certain accessories. Nikon bodies bought elsewhere in world wont have any warranty in India. I have a written confirmation on this from Nikon India, Gurgaon, it was their response when I contacted them regarding warranty on the D90 body that I wanted to buy from US

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by raju2512

If you are keen on DSLR only , look at Sony Alpha series also. I recently got a A500 body only for Rs22,000 from US (ebay). It is more advanced than entry level Canon/Nikon. You have plenty of lens options from Sony and Minolta . In fact used minolta lenses (A mount) are available at very good prices online.

Have a look at Pentax K-x series also.

In a world of Canikons, others will be little noticed whether or not they are better than entry level Canon / Nikon.

I wanted to upgrade from A200. Is A550 available in India? If so any ideas about its selling price?

Those who are looking at basic 1000D + kit lens kind of stuff, have a look at the dual lens pack A290 - I saw a pack of A290 body, 18-55 lens and 70-200 lens for Rs 34500 at a camera shop in Trivandrum last weekend.

[kkr2k2]

Originally Posted by raju2512

If you are keen on DSLR only , look at Sony Alpha series also. I recently got a A500 body only for Rs22,000 from US (ebay). ....

Wow!!! thats a fantastic deal!! Thats a mid-range DSLR!! It came with auto-HDR feature.

ebay?? was it a new one or used one!!

[ashok_lat]

Any one have any idea about Nicon D3100. How can you compare Nicon D3100 with EOS 550 of Canon. Which is the better one..?