What SLR for a beginner?

[ananth]

Hello, I'm looking forward to buy a new D-SLR next month. Would be traveling to California next month for a project transition and so would like to buy the SLR in the US (Cheaper!).

I'm a complete newbie when it comes to Photography / D-SLR's. Need your inputs in selecting the best camera for me. I would prefer Canon anyway, but given a budget of 800$, I'm not able to shortlist to a particular camera. My Options:

(With the default 18-55 IS Kit lens)

* Canon EOS 500D (Rebel T1i in US) ~ 768$

* Nikon D5000 ~ 725$

Requirements: Mega pixels does not matter, but the camera should be user friendly / easier to use for a amateur like me. The cost mentioned above is with the 18-55 IS Kit lens and would like to upgrade the lenses only after living with (learning) the lens for at least 6 months.

Let me know if i have any other camera to consider. My budget is 800$ at the max.

Thanks,
Ananth

[KrishnenduKes]

Query Approved

[rio008]

If you are planning to buy a nikon go for D90. its user friendly and a semi-prof camera. I am using D60 right now and if i am upgrading in future i may go for D90 or D300.

[Aryan]

If you want to get a Canon, then get the 500D! :)

[srikeerthi]

Rule out Nikon 5000 from the list. A Canon 500D or D90 is what you should look at.

PS: There has been a recent advisory from Nikon also for 5000 model for over heating or something.

[ananth]

Query Approved

Thanks for the approval Ken.

If you are planning to buy a nikon go for D90. its user friendly and a semi-prof camera. I am using D60 right now and if i am upgrading in future i may go for D90 or D300.

Not really brand specific, i just need to get a value for money SLR. :)

If you want to get a Canon, then get the 500D! :)

Yeah.. looking forward to the 500D.. If not for a Canon, do you suggest any other model?

Rule out Nikon 5000 from the list. A Canon 500D or D90 is what you should look at.

PS: There has been a recent advisory from Nikon also for 5000 model for over heating or something.

Thanks for your inputs Sri.. Firstly D90 is out of proportion as it costs over 1000$ (D90 Kit) and not within my budget. :(

And yes, i also saw the Nikon D5000 Service Advisory (http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/D5000-Service-Advisory.page).. I hope the newer cameras rolling out of the factory will not have the power control problem, and for sure it would take its own sweet time.

[rio008]

Not really brand specific, i just need to get a value for money SLR. :)

Yeah.. looking forward to the 500D.. If not for a Canon, do you suggest any other model?

if not canon then there is ONLY NIKON :)



Thanks for your inputs Sri.. Firstly D90 is out of proportion as it costs over 1000$ (D90 Kit) and not within my budget. :(


unlike other cameras D90 is coming with a 18-105mm (i guess) kit lens. so you dont have to buy an extra lens for a while.
normaly 200$ cost for a cheaper lenses, so its worthy if you pay 1000$ for D90.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

check out the olympus range and the pentax range.
the recent Km series kit is just great for starter ppl.and since you have said that you are a complete newbie,the olympus 520 or the pentax k20d or oly 620 will do fine.

for the time being if you can,buy body+kit lens+one wide+one tele.

that way you can enter the photography foray on a full basis.my opinion is that buying a DSLR only with a kit lens and then bragging that one cant afford a tele,then there is no point.

enjoy your buy.

anvancy

[KrishnenduKes]

I am enjoying the way this thread is shaping up.

@Anvancy: Thanks for your inputs. I have absolutely no idea about anything beyond Canon and Nikon. You seem to keep yourself abreast with other brands as well which I tend to ignore unfortunately. It would also be nice if you could include some lenses with these too! :D Or am I asking for too much? :)

[ananth]

if not canon then there is ONLY NIKON :)

unlike other cameras D90 is coming with a 18-105mm (i guess) kit lens. so you dont have to buy an extra lens for a while.
normaly 200$ cost for a cheaper lenses, so its worthy if you pay 1000$ for D90.

Thanks for the info. My budget is around 800$, but would not be able to extend to 1000$ :(

check out the olympus range and the pentax range.
the recent Km series kit is just great for starter ppl.and since you have said that you are a complete newbie,the olympus 520 or the pentax k20d or oly 620 will do fine.

for the time being if you can,buy body+kit lens+one wide+one tele.

that way you can enter the photography foray on a full basis.my opinion is that buying a DSLR only with a kit lens and then bragging that one cant afford a tele,then there is no point.

enjoy your buy.

anvancy

Oh. Your post has given a new dimension! I saw the Olympus E-620, but sadly there is no video feature in it. I would require the video option, not for a professional or HD experience, but just to take a video when required at that point of time. And I'm not ready to invest 800$ on Pentax :confused:

"if you can,buy body+kit lens+one wide+one tele"
Since everything wont come under 800$, should i downgrade the model and go for:

http://www.pyxiscamera.com/item.php?package_id=285

Total Package: 764$

Canon 450D + Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide Angle + Tamron 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Zoom Telephoto Macro Autofocus Lens + Wide Angle Autofocus Lens + 2x Telephoto Lens + Two 8 GB SD Memory Card + SLR Pro Carrying Case + UV Filter + 2 Tripods.

So., Is downgrading to 450D from 500D a better choice?

I am enjoying the way this thread is shaping up.

@Anvancy: Thanks for your inputs. I have absolutely no idea about anything beyond Canon and Nikon. You seem to keep yourself abreast with other brands as well which I tend to ignore unfortunately. It would also be nice if you could include some lenses with these too! :D Or am I asking for too much? :)

I'm enjoying too, but the more i google for reviews, the more confused I am!

[srikeerthi]

Sorry for using harsh words again, but junk those lens from your list. Get only 1 good lens if that is what you can afford.

[ananth]

Sorry for using harsh words again, but junk those lens from your list. Get only 1 good lens if that is what you can afford.

Good that you were frank :D

My mind goes for the 500D with the default 18-55 IS lens. Would upgrade the lenses after getting used to the SLR and the lenses.

[Aryan]

@Ananth: That Tamron 75-300mm lens is real crap. The autofocus is real slow, and the picture quality is no great shakes, really.

And as for other camera brands, I haven't used anything else other than Canon (although I do use the Nikon D80 from time to time, but that is just for some-time). If not Canon, then I do not have much idea which D-SLR can you get!

[nelson_sanjoy]

How about this ?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/619440-REG/Nikon__D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

Also get a Nikon 50 f/1.8 for around 100$ which makes 1 camera and 3 good lenses - enough for a beginner.

[ananth]

@Ananth: That Tamron 75-300mm lens is real crap. The autofocus is real slow, and the picture quality is no great shakes, really.

And as for other camera brands, I haven't used anything else other than Canon (although I do use the Nikon D80 from time to time, but that is just for some-time). If not Canon, then I do not have much idea which D-SLR can you get!

Aryan., I just gave the links as a reference, i was not interested to buy all those lenses. Just a link to match with what anvancy refered to buy normal kit + tele + wide angle lenses :)

As for now, The choice remains Canon 500D., Since i need video recording. may be i could get a fair idea once i land there , and i could visit the shops for a better deal.

How about this ?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/619440-REG/Nikon__D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

Also get a Nikon 50 f/1.8 for around 100$ which makes 1 camera and 3 good lenses - enough for a beginner.

Thanks for that input. Anyway, I'm not really with the Nikon D60, If i would go for Nikon.. it should be a D5000 else i should extend my budget and get the D90 itself.

---
For now, budget is not a big problem., i was planning to spend 800$ for the camera and remaining for a new jacket / helmet / other riding gears :D
If i find a better deal with Nikon, i would got for it and shed off on the riding gear..

The sole purpose of creating a thread wast that, i was not aware of any brand other that Canon, Nikon or Olympus and that i needed to select the right cam for the budget i have which would help a newbie like me to get used to the new world of photography :)

[synn]

I may have been a little late to the thread, but the D5000 service advisory is applicable only for a certain set of serial numbers:

http://nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/D5000-Service-Advisory.page

These things happen and every manufacturer out there has issued service advisories some time or the other.

The D5000 comes with the same sensor as the D90, so if you're willing to forgo a few external controls, you're getting the same image quality more or less. The lack of a screw drive tends to put some people off, but in reality, almost any lens you need has an AF-S option these days.

As for other brands, on paper they put up worthy challenges, but when one looks at service backup, range of lenses, third party support, ability to hold prices in the used market, ease of selling away etc. The big two are the sensible options. You may consider this a controversial opinion, but its the truth nonetheless. On a very popular photography forum over here, I've seen Pentax's and Sony's sitting idle in the sell section for months. The Nikons and canons are taken in hours or a few days at most.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Oh. Your post has given a new dimension! I saw the Olympus E-620, but sadly there is no video feature in it. I would require the video option, not for a professional or HD experience, but just to take a video when required at that point of time. And I'm not ready to invest 800$ on Pentax :confused:

"if you can,buy body+kit lens+one wide+one tele"
Since everything wont come under 800$, should i downgrade the model and go for:

http://www.pyxiscamera.com/item.php?package_id=285

Total Package: 764$

Canon 450D + Tamron 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Wide Angle + Tamron 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD Zoom Telephoto Macro Autofocus Lens + Wide Angle Autofocus Lens + 2x Telephoto Lens + Two 8 GB SD Memory Card + SLR Pro Carrying Case + UV Filter + 2 Tripods.

So., Is downgrading to 450D from 500D a better choice?


http://www.adorama.com/IPXK2000K2.html

thats the pentax kit.the Km.ideal two lenses.easy to "start on".

but if you are looking video specific then canon nikon is ur way.u are on a budget.that automatically clears out some options.

i forgot to ask you that how "newbie" are u actually?

anvancy

[fatal_dezire]

500D! undoubtedly! but then if the video, 15mxp & the large screen are not that high on the list then 450D would be more justified..

[Bibudesh]

@ananth- I believe you have made up your mind for 500D in the start of thread itself since this is the only cam which fits your requirements/budget.

You need suggestions for lenses now .. I would recommend you start a new thread for that. But I dont think given the budget you'll be able to purchase any extra lens other than 18-55mm kit.

@anvancy- The oly E520 is an excellent option and I have also recommended that to one colleague of mine. But the choice of thirdparty lenses is a little limited as compared to the two biggies. Even then I recommend the E520 bcoz the aftermarket provides only the 'good' and not 'all' lenses for this bayonet. Also the oly OEM lenses cover almost all varieties.

[nelson_sanjoy]

If its among the Nikon D5000 and Canon 500D then I would definately go for the Nikon .It has a superior sensor equivalent to Nikon D90 but >$300 cheap
(courtesy DXOPTICS website).

But a question ,whatever maybe the body - have you decided what you are going to shoot ? and have you decided the lenses accordingly?

Asking you since I have seen people buying 50D / D90 and expecting a fortune from cheap third party lenses.

[ananth]

I may have been a little late to the thread, but the D5000 service advisory is applicable only for a certain set of serial numbers:

http://nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-Advisories/D5000-Service-Advisory.page

These things happen and every manufacturer out there has issued service advisories some time or the other.

The D5000 comes with the same sensor as the D90, so if you're willing to forgo a few external controls, you're getting the same image quality more or less. The lack of a screw drive tends to put some people off, but in reality, almost any lens you need has an AF-S option these days.

As for other brands, on paper they put up worthy challenges, but when one looks at service backup, range of lenses, third party support, ability to hold prices in the used market, ease of selling away etc. The big two are the sensible options. You may consider this a controversial opinion, but its the truth nonetheless. On a very popular photography forum over here, I've seen Pentax's and Sony's sitting idle in the sell section for months. The Nikons and canons are taken in hours or a few days at most.

Thanks for the info Synn. I still have the D5000 in mind, I would look out for the best deal available and buy accordingly.

http://www.adorama.com/IPXK2000K2.html

thats the pentax kit.the Km.ideal two lenses.easy to "start on".

but if you are looking video specific then canon nikon is ur way.u are on a budget.that automatically clears out some options.

i forgot to ask you that how "newbie" are u actually?

anvancy

Well, I really don't know how to quantify my 'newbie' terminology! I had a Panasonic Lumix FZ28 for about 5 months, and you can view my picasa album here (http://picasaweb.google.com/teananth)

500D! undoubtedly! but then if the video, 15mxp & the large screen are not that high on the list then 450D would be more justified..

Thanks! I'm going in with the 500D, unless i get a very good deal with the D5000 :)

@ananth- I believe you have made up your mind for 500D in the start of thread itself since this is the only cam which fits your requirements/budget.

You need suggestions for lenses now .. I would recommend you start a new thread for that. But I dont think given the budget you'll be able to purchase any extra lens other than 18-55mm kit.

@anvancy- The oly E520 is an excellent option and I have also recommended that to one colleague of mine. But the choice of thirdparty lenses is a little limited as compared to the two biggies. Even then I recommend the E520 bcoz the aftermarket provides only the 'good' and not 'all' lenses for this bayonet. Also the oly OEM lenses cover almost all varieties.

Well, I havent fixed 500D when i created the thread and i was not aware if any other cam would fit in my 800$ budget. Anyway, but for now it seems like 500D is the SLR for me :)

If its among the Nikon D5000 and Canon 500D then I would definately go for the Nikon .It has a superior sensor equivalent to Nikon D90 but >$300 cheap
(courtesy DXOPTICS website).

But a question ,whatever maybe the body - have you decided what you are going to shoot ? and have you decided the lenses accordingly?

Asking you since I have seen people buying 50D / D90 and expecting a fortune from cheap third party lenses.

I'm not after cheap third party lenses.. I'm buying a SLR just for capturing the moments / places i tour every month. For now, it is just for the scenery's and occasional wild life photography. I would invest on a proper gear as and when i upgrade myself in the world of Photography! :)

[ananth]

Guys.. Thanks so much for all your valuable inputs & Suggestions... I finally got Dslrd.. Got myself a 500D with 18-55 IS Lens... In love with the camera, waiting for my next trip to explore her up :)

Costed me totally 38,000 INR - 500D + 18-55 IS Lens + BackPack + 4 GB card & With 1 year Local warranty..

Hope it was a good enough deal! :)

[shutterbug]

Ananth, congrats. Where did you buy it from? What was the price of the d5000?

[ananth]

Ananth, congrats. Where did you buy it from? What was the price of the d5000?

Thanks.. I got it from Chennai for 38k.. D5000 will be around similar price, I was quoted 35k without Bill & Warranty..

[KrishnenduKes]

Guys.. Thanks so much for all your valuable inputs & Suggestions... I finally got Dslrd.. Got myself a 500D with 18-55 IS Lens... In love with the camera, waiting for my next trip to explore her up :)

Costed me totally 38,000 INR - 500D + 18-55 IS Lens + BackPack + 4 GB card & With 1 year Local warranty..

Hope it was a good enough deal! :)

Congrats. Now show us what she and you can do together. Start a thread on Critique or Click and show.