Camera Buy
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- ********
Is this a good buy? I've been trying to find a perfect match for me to get started with, and here are the options I've landed on:
Nikon D3000 - http://www.getitdigital.com/pack… (nice variety of lenses to learn on at what seems like a good price)
or
Canon XSi 450D - http://www.getitdigital.com/pack…
(similar lens offering at a similar price)I'm still pretty confused about the options out there now. I looked at the D5000, but I just don't see myself using the video much, so I started looking more at prices than anything else. This is meant to be a starter purchase, but I did want to get a package with a variety of lenses to learn with.
Thanks, I really appreciate it.
- ********0
I looked at this D5000, but I really don't think I want to push up on $1k.
- plash0
unless i am reading it wrong; links says its body kits only (no lens)
- nthkl0
On Amazon, get either "body only" and a 50mm prime to start. It'll save you a few hundred bucks and a lot of cheap-o lens frustration.
- mg330
Thoughts: The Nikons above the D3000 and D5000 (like the D90) beat those cameras simply because of the visible settings on top of the camera.
I have the D90 and feel like I'd hate to depend on the LCD screen to see my settings, turning it on and off and on and off. It wouldn't "feel" like a true DSLR. Seeing my settings there and being able to change them on the fly and not have to activate the screen except in certain circumstances (changing photo modes, controlling D-Lighting settings, etc) is really great.
- ********0
Ok, looking at just picking up the D3000 body and the 50mm (f/1.8) lens for now.
Any recommendations on a good starter flash for this camera, or should I skip that and use the body flash for now?
- jaylarson0
if you;re thinking of the D3000, wait for the D3100, it looks like quite the buy: http://dpreview.com/news/1008/10…
- nthkl0
SB-400 is a great starter flash. Anything more is great (600/800/900), but I think the cost alone defeat the affordability you are looking for.
Just check to make sure that you're body hot shoe is compatible with it.
- But the D3000 has a pop up flash, sure it'll be fine for now unless you really want a hot shoe flash for a project.nthkl
- Samush0
i wouldn't worry about a second lens just yet, you are not so likely to carry it around when you're shooting.
save the money now and get something better than the Nikon 55-200mm when you are ready.- for that matter dont worry about the 3rd lens either!
just get a case and a couple of decent SD cards.Samush
- for that matter dont worry about the 3rd lens either!
- daveglanz0
Right - wait for the Nikon D3100, assuming you're going Nikon. Or better yet, wait for the D90's replacement, which should be out next month.
- ItTango0
I agree. D3100 already available:
http://www.calumetphoto.com/item…
- ********0
The 3100 looks like it would put me over my spending cap once I throw in a card, lens and flash. I think the 3000 is fine for now, and if I get serious about this, I can always upgrade again later once the price drops.
This seems like a fair starter kit, eh? —
- I never shop based on the idea that I will upgrade later. Just a thought.ItTango
- ********0
You dont need any of that.
Camera + good lens + SD Card
Bag, flash etc, dont need it until you feel comfortable with the basic set.
- ********0
I would actually spend the money on getting a 1.4f instead of all the other junk.
- ********0
Okay, thanks JSK. I guess the bag was more of a "what if I drop this or it's raining" fail safe. Gonna drop the flash and the bag now and look at the f1.4 50mm.
- Good stuff. Depending on what you shoot, consider 35mm also and 85mm.********
- Since you will be using a cropped sensor.********
- Good stuff. Depending on what you shoot, consider 35mm also and 85mm.
- ********0
I've got it down to the camera body, and the f/1.4 lens. The only thing stopping me from hitting "SUBMIT" is that the damn SD card is $70. Is there a real need for this card, as opposed to a non-"Extreme" SD card? NewEgg has SD cards for $15 a pop for 8GB cards—$55 cheaper for slower transfer speed I'm assuming...
- d_rek0
I dunno. If this is your first DSLR i would just buy a basic body + 18-55mm zoom lens kit. I would buy a basic entry-level kit - something in maybe the 500-600$ range versus 800 or 900 and get familiar with the action and feel of a DSLR. Play around with it for a few months and then once you feel like you're ready to graduate sell it and get a bigger / better model.
Something to consider as far as accessorizing...
For a bag you may want something to house a few lenses and misc. gear (cables, cards, etc). Canon has some pretty decent bags out there. Really though I wouldn't buy anything too small because it's probably a better investment to get something you can grow into (because lets face it, you are probably going to purchase a new lens or two somewhere down the line).Also... and just throwing this out there... you might even want to get a used model from someone off of craigslist / ebay. Just a thought.
- I agree. Learned with a D50 and loved it. Learned from friends and still miss that body.nthkl
- ********0
I had a D70 a few years ago and really loved it. I had to get rid of it when I moved to SF, because I had very little moving funds.
As far as CL, I would prefer to buy off of there locally only, and the CL listings in my area are weak. The only cameras on there are old early 00's 1st gen point and shoot junk.
- d_rek0
Also, is it completely necessary you get the newest DSLR model from either of those lines? The consumer level DSLR's pretty much stay the same year-to-year.
- outside of adding more megapixels... which doesn't necessarily equate to better picture qualityd_rek
- I really don't know man. I did a bunch of research this weekend, and ended up at those two.********
- ********0
SD card speed is quite effective if you want faster read from your camera to your card so you wont get delays after you are shooting.
Also, pain in the ass when uploading your files to your computer.
You can live with a slow speed. Just take time on each shot. I would say Extreme but I personally prefer Lexar 133x
- d_rek0
As far a lenses go you can also buy those used. Especially if it's something you're not keen on dropping a couple hundo on. Me and a friend of mine used to find lenses on the bestbuy outlet website for ridiculously cheap. Never once had one that was in bad shape. But it could be a good way to familiarize yourself with some glass before investing lots of money into something you may not like or use all that often.
- You can also goto local camera shops and ask to test a lens.d_rek