[JLS]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

I have been using a point and shoot camera with 28-300mm lens and a really tiny sensor (3 mm diagonal). this was purchased in 2005 for $600.

Attachment 1223249


That camera has given up the ghost and I am looking for a replacement.

Noticed that an entry level DSLR (EOS 1100D) with

1. 18-55mm + 55-250mm lenses
2. 26mm Sensor

is available for just 27k.

Is there a catch or is this a reasonable price for kit?


http://www.flipkart.com/canon-eos-11...md37hqu6ck5a5t

You will find slightly better deal than this on Amazon perhaps.
There is no catch other than 1100D is almost obsolate, if you spend few thousands more, you will get more current camara body with same lens set.
You may want to explore comparable Nikon cameras also, as you are not locked with Canon. You may find some very good deals for around 30K.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

JLS

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by JLS

There is no catch other than 1100D is almost obsolate,

Thanks for the pointer, it is definitely long in tooth (seems that it is a 2011 model). That explains deals on this (and 600D). Getting 600D with these two lenses for 41k.

Originally Posted by JLS

if you spend few thousands more, you will get more current camara body with same lens set.
You may want to explore comparable Nikon cameras also, as you are not locked with Canon. You may find some very good deals for around 30K.

Can you help me with model numbers? I don't have preference to any particular brand.

Thanks for the help.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Thanks for the pointer, it is definitely long in tooth (seems that it is a 2011 model). That explains deals on this (and 600D). Getting 600D with these two lenses for 41k.



Can you help me with model numbers? I don't have preference to any particular brand.

Thanks for the help.

On Amazon.in
1100 D with these two lens is available at 25670, check the link.
http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00G...d_i=1320006031

I would suggest N3200, which is entry level DSLR from Nikon and is the more current body.
Price with two lens kit would be close to 35-37 K.

Another one you can consider is Nikon 5100 - though old it is slightly heigher than entry level model - available in same price range

Problem with Nikon is that they have changed mount in recent past, and have two set of lens - one with focussing motor and other without one.
Lens with motor work on both older and newer bodies and lenses without motor work with bodies which has focussing motor. So be careful and study which one you are buying

Actually Canon 600D is also not a bad idea - many times there are deals with two lens kit which are closer to 35 K.

On the other hand, you can not go wrong with any DSLR from Canon/Nikon including older models(1100D included).
Newer models have more pixels - which you really do not need - 12 MP of 1100D would be more than sufficient to print A3 size.

I have 350D Canon ( bought in 2005) and still I do not have much issues, I regularly print A4 and A3 is also not an issue, it is an 8 MP camera

With new models, the processing and high ISO (read low light) performence improves.



So consider all these and take your pick

Hope this helps

Regards,

JLS

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by .sourov

My canon EOS 600D had to visit the service today as my 50 1.8 lens got stuck to the body. But i was shocked to find out that i have to pay Rs 3000 to get it resolved even though it was not my fault. The service center guys put this under physical damage, but i searched out in the internet that it is a common issue with the lens and many have faced it. Please let me know what to do, both the camera and lens are under warranty.

Normally in such situations you have to make an airtight case and approach higher management
- Do a research on the net and collect proof that this is a common problem and that Cannon has not charged for repairs
- Find the address of Canon higher management in India, Asia and HQ.
- Write a polite e-mail stating your problem and what you think should be done - in this case repaired free of charge under warranty.
- Attach; to the e-mail; a reasonable number of cases substantiate your claim
- E-mail it to all the Canon higher management.
- Wait at least for a couple of weeks and if no reply comes, resend the mails.

If you keep up the pressure via e-mails, the management will finally relent. Just be patient, as the Japanese Management takes a long time to respond and solve the problem.

[Aroy]

If you are not averse to spending a bit more, get the latest DSLR. I bought a Nikon D3300 with the kit lense for Rs.33,500 from Snapdeal, they had a scheme going. The two lense kit is around Rs.39,400/.
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/niko...78133?pos=7;43

The advantages of the D3300 over the older Canons are
- Better sensor. Nikon's new sensors have 13.5EV DR, while Canon sensors have a lower DR.
- The Nikon sensor is 24MP, while the Canon sensor is 12MP for the 1100D and 18MP for the 600D
- Though it may not matter now, Nikon cameras can use the older manual focus lenses in manual mode, while that is not possible with Canon. What this means is that you have a huge selection of older pre-owned lenses, which can be acquired for quite a modest sum. In many cases a specialist lense (of an older design) would be perfect for those rare occasions (like super telephoto, macro ultra wide), but cannot be justified for new purchase.

Here are some comparisons between D3300 and 600D
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-600d-vs-Nikon-D3300

http://www.dxomark.com/Cameras/Compa...3300___692_928

[Bluu]

Originally Posted by Bluu

Which lens will pair well with the D7100 for low light/street/landscape photography? Is the 18-135mm kit lens versatile enough or is an investment in the 35mm (or 50mm) prime lenses required for aforementioned needs?

No video, sports or wildlife requirements.

Anyone? There are some decent discounts being offered at present that I want to take advantage of.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by JLS

I would suggest N3200, which is entry level DSLR from Nikon and is the more current body.
Price with two lens kit would be close to 35-37 K.

Another one you can consider is Nikon 5100 - though old it is slightly heigher than entry level model - available in same price range

[quote=Aroy;3398163]If you are not averse to spending a bit more, get the latest DSLR. I bought a Nikon D3300 with the kit lense for Rs.33,500 from Snapdeal/QUOTE]

Thanks for the pointers on models and lens mounts. I am looking at Canon 600D and Nikon D3300. Will buy

1. DSLR + Kit lens 18 -55
2. 55 - 200/250 lens if available as dual lens Kit
3. 50 mm prime lens (f/1.8) for indoor low light


Body + dual lens seems to cost around 36-40k for both cameras and prime lens seems to cost around 5-6k.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

1. DSLR + Kit lens 18 -55
2. 55 - 200/250 lens if available as dual lens Kit
3. 50 mm prime lens (f/1.8) for indoor low light

Invest in good body with kit. Dont go with 55-250. Wait for the time. A better approach would be to get the 50mm prime in due course instead.

[WindRide]

All this 'which camera to buy' and exposure related chatter makes me quote the lovable Mr Ken Rockwell ;-)

"For the first 15 years I was an idiot. I thought the way to get better pictures was with a better camera. I thought the camera was responsible for metering and making the correct exposure. I was too inexperienced to realize that, like driving a car, you always have to apply intelligent corrections to get perfect exposure, just as even the best cars need a driver to keep them in-lane."

If i REALLY want to learn photography, i would buy the most basic camera body that has full manual controls and take it one step at a time. No wonder the agricultural Pentax K1000 was held in such high regard among both students and teachers, despite being such a brick.

But i digress.

[Aroy]

For D7100, the ideal low light lense will be the 50mm F1.8D. This is now below 6K on many sites.

For D3300, unfortunately the "D" lense will not autofocus, so if you do not want to manually focus, then the 50mm 1.8G is what to buy.

I would also advise against buying the 55-200 (or other long zoom) as the quality is quite sub par, and the aperture is quite high, normally 5.6 or more at the long end. The 18-55 VR-II kit lense supplied with D3300 is excellent for general photography, with 50mm added for low light you are good for quite some time.

In case you need telephotos for shooting wild life, then primes are much better (though more expensive) options, as in most of the cases you will be shooting at a great distance (that is why telephoto) and unless it is an elephant at 10 meters, the animals/birds will rarely fill your frame. You need maximum sharpness and at times low light capability to shoot wild life.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by ampere

Dont go with 55-250. Wait for the time. A better approach would be to get the 50mm prime in due course instead.

Originally Posted by Aroy

For D3300, unfortunately the "D" lense will not autofocus, so if you do not want to manually focus, then the 50mm 1.8G is what to buy.

I would also advise against buying the 55-200 (or other long zoom) as the quality is quite sub par, and the aperture is quite high, normally 5.6 or more at the long end.

Thanks for the input on D lens, will drop 55-200.

Fujinon 28-300 lense that I have in current camera drops the aperture to F7.1 at long end (Camera has 3 mm sensor).

dpreview sample at long end is here:

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/re...review-samples

Originally Posted by WindRide

If i REALLY want to learn photography, i would buy the most basic camera body that has full manual controls and take it one step at a time.

Agree with that.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay

Agree with that.

Agreed. But one more point to look at it is:

- If at the back of your mind you know for sure, you are going to spend quite some with the camera and use it quite extensively, then you should also take care that you don't outgrow the camera very soon. I am not saying switch from low end to the high end. But at least invest in a body (at a reasonable price) which will last longer in terms of your needs.

Example instead of spending on a 55-250 along with 1100D, spend on 600D and get a kit lens. You can look at upgrading lens later.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by ampere

Agreed. But one more point to look at it is:

- If at the back of your mind you know for sure, you are going to spend quite some with the camera and use it quite extensively, then you should also take care that you don't outgrow the camera very soon. I am not saying switch from low end to the high end. But at least invest in a body (at a reasonable price) which will last longer in terms of your needs.

Example instead of spending on a 55-250 along with 1100D, spend on 600D and get a kit lens. You can look at upgrading lens later.

Here is my take on the lower end cameras. I got the D3300 and here are my thoughts
. If you want to do every thing manual then this camera does it. It will accept all the Nikon F mount lenses.
. If you want camera to meter, then this camera will not do so for all the "non CPU" lenses. Thus for all the older manual focus lenses you are in full manual mode. This is not so with the higher end models - D300, D610, D800 etc, where if you set the maximum aperture values the camera will meter.
. If you want the flash to be controlled by the camera (TTL ?), then you need at least the "D" capability (which sends the distance of the focus) in the lenses. So with older lenses you are in manual flash mode.

Then what do you get?
. Excellent 24MP sensor.
. A wide DR of 13EV
. Idiot proof modes for beginners
. A light and small DSLR ideal for travel
. Lastly a solid platform to learn photography. Once you master this camera, you can then upgrade (if you want to) to a camera which has features you want, mainly to ease the task of taking photographs.

In the Nikon line there are 3 new, 24MP DX cameras - D3300, D5300, D7100. Each one has similar sensor, but as the price goes up (from 33K to 75+K), you get more features. For a beginner I suggest the D3300. Once you have used it for sit to twelve months, you will know whether you want more features or this will do. At 32K with kit lense and a future resale of at least 20K, you do not loose much.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Aroy

In the Nikon line there are 3 new, 24MP DX cameras - D3300, D5300, D7100. Each one has similar sensor, but as the price goes up (from 33K to 75+K), you get more features. For a beginner I suggest the D3300. Once you have used it for sit to twelve months, you will know whether you want more features or this will do. At 32K with kit lense and a future resale of at least 20K, you do not loose much.

What I was trying to point out, was not to put money on many lenses at the start. Invest that cash in a better body if possible. More from a Canon line for example, instead of 1100 with 18-155 and 55-250, its good to get 600D +18-55.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by ampere

What I was trying to point out, was not to put money on many lenses at the start. Invest that cash in a better body if possible. More from a Canon line for example, instead of 1100 with 18-155 and 55-250, its good to get 600D +18-55.

I would go the other way. Bodies come and bodies go. Every quarter there is a new body, but lenses are upgraded at a much slower pace.

What is more important is to acquire good lenses which will last long. That means good fast FF primes, fast zooms with good IQ. Definitely not low end consumer zooms, which you will wish to upgrade quite soon. That said, the basic kit 18-55 lense for both Nikon and Canon is excellent value for money. As these lenses are sold in huge quantities (bundled with the bodies), the manufacturers are able to keep their prices quite reasonable.

As far as I am concerned, we have quite a few of ordinary zooms acquired over ten years. No is the time to gravitate to better lense. Here is what I will be adding, in the order of acquisition :
. 300mm F4 + TC 1.4
. 200mm F4
. 28mm F2.8
. 14mm F2.8

This is a long term plan, and I may add an FX body around the time I get the 300mm.