[Vid6639]

Planning to buy a digi cam soon. D-SLR's are not my cup of my tea as I have no idea of photography. Need a simple camera to learn first. Have these 3 in mind. Tilting towards the panny.

Sony DSC-H50 Digital Camera Resource Page: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H50 Reviews & Info

Panasonic FZ-18 Digital Camera Resource Page: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18 Reviews & Info

Canon S5-IS Digital Camera Resource Page: Canon PowerShot S5 IS Reviews & Info

[navin]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

As long as a lens is giving L like image quality, why bother about resale. For somebody who keeps lenses for 3-4 years, resale is no big deal.
As for FF and EF-S lenses, that is not possible due to 2 reasons
1. Technically, the mirror will hit against the lens due to lens design
2. EF-S lenses are very poor in corners. They are optimized for center 1.6 circle.

Wide open the 17-55 is almost as good at the 24-105. at f/4 both are tack sharp.

The Nikon D3 already offers DX compatibility albeit at a lower resolution. Only the central part of the sensor will be used so the camera will function like a 6MP APS-C camera when used with a DX lens.

Originally Posted by vid6639

Sony DSC-H50

Panasonic FZ-18

Canon S5-IS

I'd take the Canon only because I am tired of Panny's noise algorithim.

[navin]

Originally Posted by kb100

What I meant is that 'I' intent to resist the 'UPGRADITIS' disease for the next five years.
INDOORS 50%

Get the 17-55IS and forget about upgraditis for 5 years. add a 70-300 USM when able.

Then after 5 years get the FF 6D (or 5D MkII) with a 24-70/2.8 IS, 70-200/2.8 IS MkII, and 50/1.4.

[kb100]

Originally Posted by navin

Get the 17-55IS and forget about upgraditis for 5 years. add a 70-300 USM when able.

Do you read minds too Navin??

[married2speed]

When we talk about buying the L series, I think we are talking more towards serious photography and when that happens, a thought like "almost as good as" would leave the picture as well "almost as good as.. it could possibly get".
I would say if you have the money to buy the L series, go for it. If not, save the money and go for it later.

[watfor]

I am going to buy the Canon S5 IS. I was thinking of getting it from the US where it costs approx 300$ which comes to around 13k INR. It is available on Rediff shopping for 16k. Has anyone tried shopping from them?

Option 2 for me is to buy it directly from a camera dealer in Bangalore.
Can anyone point me to some dealer who can give me a nice deal on them?

[navin]

Originally Posted by married2speed

When we talk about buying the L series, I think we are talking more towards serious photography

when we are talking about L lenses we are really talking about reliability along with IQ but there are many lenses like the afore mentioned 17-552/8 that can hold up against an "L" in IQ.

Remember the build quality of an L lens comes at a price; WEIGHT. If you are carrying a 1kg body along with a 1.5kg L lens and 1kg of battery pack and flash (with batteries) around for a while it starts getting heavy.

[navin]

Originally Posted by watfor

Can anyone point me to some dealer who can give me a nice deal on them?

RK Photoguide is one option.

[kb100]

The deed's DONE!!

I have just placed the order for a 40D with the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.0 and a Hoya 72mm Filter kit (with UV, Circular polariser, and a' warming filter')

I as usual was going overboard with the kit, and decided this time to take the middle path.

This lens comes with reams of reviews - all of it good! I picked it for its sheer versatility. For a beginner like me it gives me some of everything..

Its wide-17mm, and is fast till 21mm - f2.8, it has range - 70mm so is quite a walkabout lens, it has macro ability - 1:2.3 - which I am told is not quite 1:1 - but decent enough. So this is as good as two, if not three lenses for me. what it does NOT have is IS. Seems to be something I can use well and learn before I decide what I need MORE of.

Having said all that I hope I am doing this right!

[gkrishn]

Congrats kb, on finally making the purchase...

[reignofchaos]

Congrats Kb. 40D is an excellent camera... though now with 5D at 1900$, many folks would think about going full frame.

[kb100]

Thank you Gkrishn & ROC.

5D.... ??... I dint want to buy a Jumbo to learn to fly!!

[tsk1979]

Why the filter kit??
Just get the Circular polarizer. The warming filter can be easily done in PS, and the UV filter is pretty useless.
However the CPL is the best filter you can buy.
BTW 40D body now retails for 930$, even I am getting tempted

[navin]

Originally Posted by kb100

Do you read minds too Navin??

No but I could tell what your heart was thinking.

Originally Posted by kb100

I have just placed the order for a 40D with the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.0

Having said all that I hope I am doing this right!

Stop worrying. Start shooting. In most cases the equipment is not the limitaion (I beg forgiveness of Rudra ji).

Originally Posted by reignofchaos

though now with 5D at 1900$, many folks would think about going full frame.

At -$2K the 5D is a nice start in FF. But going FF also means FF lenses and added weight. The 24-70/2.8 or 70-200/2.8 are not cheap nor light.

I have seen the results of the EOS1 and 40D on a large LCD and there is a difference but if one did not see the EOS1 output one would never know.

[Rudra Sen]

Originally Posted by navin

(I beg forgiveness of Rudra ji).

Hello SIR!! What have I done wrong here?