Request for advice on Digital SLR

[essdee1972]

Hi, Folks,

I was looking for a decent DSLR, budget 1000 USD, i.e. 40-45K INR (was getting it from US through a friend). Need some advise on the same. Use would be landscape, wildlife, general photography, fast shot capability required (I take shots from inside moving cars, trains, etc.)

Should I go for basic DSLR (Canon EOS 500D, Nikon D3100, D5000, say about 30K INR) plus a good zoom lens, or should I go for a superzoom (FZ28, etc., much cheaper, 18-22K INR)? I understand the convenience of a superzoom as compared to DSLR, but SLRs have always had the manual adjustment factor going for them (as well as the show off factor, but that is secondary).

Currently I have a Canon A660 point and shoot digital camera, a Canon EOS 500 film SLR (got it for 2500 INR, but that is another story!), a Sony handycam (early generation, 2002, very low pixels / resolution on stills) and my first camera, Kodak KB10.

I use the camera mostly on "Landscape" or "kids and pets" mode.

[fantumfan2003]

If I were you, I'd go for a Nikon D3100 or Canon 550D basic kit (with 18-55 lens), but upto you if you want to spend more.

The above kit will take care of all the genres you want to shoot.

M.

[Rijo Joseph]

Am having an EOS450D with 18-55kit and 18-200Tameron...I have heard from reviews that EOS550D is much better compared to EOS500 try to buy it from India if you are planning to use it here, as there will be some international warranty criteria...if your get it from abroad, if your dealer allows only body purchase then go for it and make a research on lens with experts and buy one that covers your focal lengths (canon white lens is best you can buy but bit expensive )

Nikon don't have much idea..

BR
Rijo

[pumbaa_g]

Hi EssDee,

I have been researching DLSR's for some time now however, never manage to take the plunge due to the high cost involved. As per your requirements Canon EOS 550D will be a great companion to you. Apart from this you will require to decide (depending on your budget) if you want a additional zoom lens or a all purpose lens.

You will already be aware that in DSLR's the Camera is just the starting price. The Lens decide your budget, you have lens for Sports Photography, Wildlife Photography Macro Photography etc etc etc

A simple 18-55 Kit Lens will cost you 6k a decent zoom will be another 16k but don't expect miracles, you get what you pay for

Let me know if you require any additional inputs on this

[essdee1972]

Thanks folks!

Will go for Canon EOS 500D with basic 4X lens (off the shelf kit) as of now. Will keep upgrading to better stuff slowly.....

[vmanicks]

Essdee,

Give up the idea of buying camera's in US as their warranty is usually not valid in India. www.eBay.in gives the best deals for DSLR in India and cheaper than the regular camera stores.

Please don't opt for outdated models like (Canon 500D or Nikon D5000)

Try to spend the few extra bucks and move on to the updated models like Canon 550D or Nikon D7000.

Another advice, please don't dive into the spree of buying lens before you understand your kit lens completely.

I have seen people buying DSLR with kit lens 18-55mm, and opting for 50MM Fixed lens & Sigma or Tamaron 70-300MM Zoom along with their purchase which makes the seller to make the extra monies into his pocket.

At any point a Sigma or Tamaron would give 70-300mm lens at 6K to 7K and they work only for the money that you pay. (When you try to focus your lens barrel moves back and front 3 times to lock on your focus point). Initially the focus time makes you feel that the lens is doing a great amount of work rather it drains your battery off. So please take time before you buy a Zoom lens, read several reviews and opt for Canon or Nikkor Zoom lens with IS - Image Stabilizer or VR - Vibration Reduction. If you want to be a serious photographer and if your Kit lens is serving the purpose please consider buying a 18-200 lens which would cost close to 30K which would be the price of your camera.

Currently I own Nikon D5000 with 18-55Kit lens, Nikkor 35MM AF-S lens

My last deal was a Canon 1000D with 18-55, Canon 50MM Lens, Sigma 70-300MM Lens. Bought them in a rush and sold them off less than a month.

Regards,
Manicks

[essdee1972]

Thanks Manicks!

Will call up my US contact NOW, as he was planning to buy in the Thanksgiving sale!

Already decided on Canon EOS 550D (sorry wrote 500D in my last post by mistake)

Will stick to 18-55 mm kit lens as of now, upgrade later. BTW, the kit lens (18-55) on my Canon EOS 500 film camera will fit the 550D also. Is there any point in purchasing only the body, using this old lens, and purchasing a better lens (difference between only body and full kit is about 6-7K)?

Cheers!

EssDee

[vmanicks]

Canon 550D is well built and Canon holds a better market share in India in terms of after sales service, warranty, etc. However I was completely disappointed with their base model Canon 1000D it was so fragile and built was completely plasticky.

Try to research around the lens compatability of your old 18-55 lens. Probably you can save few thousands by using your old lens.

[kanwar76]

Are you gettign international warranty? (I've doubts about that) If not then how much is the difference between US and INDIAN price? If its not more that 5-6K then my advice is to buy from INDIA. You will get 2 years warranty and some goodies also and IIRC you will get some free services etc also.Please take a look at jjMehta and comparea the prices.

-Inder

[xl_target]

Re: using your SLR lens:
A normal film SLR lens covers a wider area than the digital lens in a DSLR so you should be OK there. This is because, generally, the sensor in a DSLR covers a slightly smaller area than one frame of 35mm film would. Keep in mind that this is changing as more manufacturers have come out with full size sensors. What you have to look out for, if you want to use your old SLR lens, is that the contacts on the camera body will mate with the contacts in the lens. If they do not mate properly, the autofocus, the shutter speed and/or the aperture would not be able to be set automatically.
One of the nice things about todays DSLR's is that a lot of them will do HD video, and very well too. With digital memory cards getting cheaper all the time, this is a handy option to have. Go to some of the DSLR sites on the internet and do some reading. Read the reviews on the particular model that you are interested in.

[mannvikram]

Since you already use canon film camera it will be a good idea to buy digital slr from canon too, so that any lens you buy can be used on both bodies, but remember EF-S lense they give with the camera can't be used on film cameras they are just not competible, and any EF lens for the film camera can be used on digital but you need to multiply the focal length with 1.6 which means it's easier to have more zoom power than wide angle. So choose your lenses carefuly and go for canon

[essdee1972]

Hey, thanks a lot guys!! I was researching for quite some time, and believe you me, I did not get information in this concise and comprehensive form, all over the net, as I have got in these few replies!!! And I asked the question on a fancy, after looking at the thread called "Wildlife Photography"!

Lucky day for me I joined this site.

Hooray for IFG!!

[miss_3006]

As you are in Mumbai, please visit J J Mehta Store at Fort. They have a huge range if cameras and optics and will give you the best deal and service.
You can see their website also at jjmehta.com

[hvj1]

Hell Essdee
I was about to ask you to check out Wildlife photography... but then you have already done so. I am really glad to know,, that it inspired you to go in for photography. Now if you peruse the photographs, you will know what each of the camera's results are. I am very happy with my camera the Nikkon D5000 and frankly the technology levels of the camera are far higher then the demands made by me as a wildlife photgrapher. This is an aspect which most people fail to understand less appreciate. Its like buying a purdies gun for a crore of rupees, to shoot a boar, which an IOF 3006 can also achieve.
My advice is buy in INDIA, (what ever you want) you get warranty and after sales service, finally the 70mm -300 mm lens is extremely good if you have just started of into amateur wildlife photgraphy. The whole package - D5000, 18-55 and 70-300 lens cost me 46 Ks.
Think about tt and hope to see some action photographs from your end soon. Also read up Ken Rosewall Wild life Photography, you could pick up some usefull tips there.
Regards

[xl_target]

If your budget is US$1000, one camera to look at is the Nikon D7000. List price is slightly over $1000 but the street price should be lower. As hvj1 says, it is more camera than 99% of us need but what the hey..., it has some cool features.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/ ... ay-d7000lm