| Author | Thread |
|
|
10/02/2008 03:12:49 PM · #1 |
After singing the blues, I've decided I'm ready to upgrade and get a real camera and lens. Here are my requirements:
- Camera with newer bells and whistles like continuous focus.
- Good general purpose lens (typically I shoot outdoors, street photography and architecture)
- Good noise management at high ISO
- Well supported/highly compatible/easy-to-use/lightweight/bla bla bla -- yes, I want it all
- Under $500 for camera and lens (slightly used or refurbished is fine)
My first thought was the Olympus E-510, but other members raised their eyebrows at this, and I guess I should explore other options.
Any ideas?
|
|
|
|
10/02/2008 03:15:58 PM · #2 |
Do a side by side of cameras with the features you want on dpreview. That should help you decide tremendously.
... and check out the reviews of the cameras you short list.
|
|
|
|
10/02/2008 03:21:04 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by bvy:
- Under $500 for camera and lens (slightly used or refurbished is fine) |
IMNSHO you're really hamstringing the exercise right here.
At best, you'll get the absolute bottom of the scale in new or refurb at this price.
Save your money 'til you have at least double that to get a decent body and one walkaround lens.
Your only really decent option at that price is to find a good deal on a nice used unit from someone that needs money badly.
You'll have to work at it, but you may find something, just probably not readily.
|
|
|
|
10/02/2008 03:23:16 PM · #4 |
B&H has a new Canon XT with kit lens for $479....not a bad deal
You can also get a used XTI with kit lens for $539 (would be my preference)
I am sure there are similar opportunities with other brands, but these are pretty good deals for a good camera. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 03:41:55 PM · #5 |
I said this earlier in another post last month, but here is goes again:
Last month when I was shopping for my first DSLR, a Rebel XT kit caught my eyes. It was under 500, with a kit lens (18-55mm). Then I saw another deal at Costco for the XSi+2 lenses (18-55mm, and 75-300mm).. all for 799 and a free 2GB SD card. I ordered that online. And the very next day cancelled the order after discussing on DPC... I decided to get just the XSi body and a general purpose lens (28-105mm 3.5-4.5f USM) and a 4GB card and a bag for about $860.. delivered (from buydig.com).
So like  NikonJeb put it, if you want a decent lens, just get the body separately.. but it may cost a bit more than your budget. You can also consider a new camera body but used lenses.
P.S. I had almost bought a floor model for XTi at a local CircuitCity with the kit lens for about $350.. only to realise that the sensor was exposed with no lens during display and the mirror had visible gum like spots.
Message edited by author 2008-10-02 15:46:16. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 03:45:43 PM · #6 |
| Take a look at the Pentax range. All Pentax lenses fit the camera range, plus with a cheap adapter, all M42 screw mount lenses can be used:) |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 03:54:09 PM · #7 |
IMHO you should consider the pre-owned market for all of the above. Buy from reputable people on the Fredmiranda.com site and you can easily get a decent lens and body for what you are looking for. There is very little I buy new anymore. I let someone else take the loss on buying new.
Looking at my bag today, I have the 1DMKIII I bought new, and the 70-200 lens. Everything else I have is second hand. Just yesterday my 180L arrived. It cost me $975 delivered to my house. The lens was bought new for almost $1300 just 5 months ago.
Matt
|
|
|
|
10/02/2008 04:08:18 PM · #8 |
Under $500 is fairly limiting, but you can get a basic entry level SLR for that. As I said in the other thread, I think the E-510 is a good choice, but make sure you will want to stick with the 4/3 lens system before plunking down.
$500 is too much to pay for a Rebel XT. Many of the big box stores are still offering it for that price, but Canon no longer considers it a current product and you can get it for much less if you shop carefully. I got mine for $327 in February.
You will also need to budget to have that Olympus P&S bronzed. I think it deserves it. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 04:15:49 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by MattO:
IMHO you should consider the pre-owned market for all of the above. Buy from reputable people on the Fredmiranda.com site and you can easily get a decent lens and body for what you are looking for. There is very little I buy new anymore. I let someone else take the loss on buying new.
Looking at my bag today, I have the 1DMKIII I bought new, and the 70-200 lens. Everything else I have is second hand. Just yesterday my 180L arrived. It cost me $975 delivered to my house. The lens was bought new for almost $1300 just 5 months ago.
Matt |
Agreed, I bought my 1DMkII with 15K shutter actuations about a year ago from a guy on FredMiranda. No way I could have bought a new one and since the MkIIn was out and the MkIII had been announced, I got a great deal on an incredible camera. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 05:07:36 PM · #10 |
I'm a bit like Matto. Second hand market for me for almost all my gear except some lenses and a flash that I picked up when in America (which is way cheaper than in Australia).
My first camera was a secondhand Canon 350d which had a Sigma 18-200 lens with it. A year later I sold the body and lens separately and got the same money back. Added a couple of hundred dollars and purchased a used 30d body (was only six months old and had an extended 5 year warranty). Was happy with the 30d but a year later I had the opportunity to upgrade to a 40d for no outlay. I purchased the secondhand 40d with a 17-85 kit lens for an amazing price (all only 5 months old and had the extended 3 year canon warranty). Sold my canon 30d body to a friend for a great price and sold my own 17-85 and kept the new one. The sales covered the cost of the new camera.
Think very carefully about which brand you go with. Canon and Nikon have a greater range on the secondhand market than other brands. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 05:40:45 PM · #11 |
I love my E-510 :D
As a few reviews have pointed out, it's one of the few cameras that lets you take a pic, resize and it looks perfect, no real post-processing at all. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 06:31:54 PM · #12 |
| check out live.com and the cashback process. You can get 30% off a buy it now order from ebay if you use paypal. That means more camera and lens for your money. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 06:39:57 PM · #13 |
I LOVE my rebel, and I got it used for about $290 on Craigslist. This means that out of my original budget, I have $200-ish to go towards lens.
|
|
|
|
10/02/2008 08:57:23 PM · #14 |
Thanks for all this great feedback. I'm sure I sounded hopelessly cheap or just naive. Sorry about that. Truth be known, I am a budget shopper, and I do get satisfaction out of making the best of low tech equipment. Still...
How do we feel about the Nikon D80? |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 09:04:45 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by bvy:
Thanks for all this great feedback. I'm sure I sounded hopelessly cheap or just naive. Sorry about that. Truth be known, I am a budget shopper, and I do get satisfaction out of making the best of low tech equipment. Still...
How do we feel about the Nikon D80? |
Not a single person who has posted here has the D80, maybe hit the equipment list and PM some D80 owners. The question you should be asking yourself is, How do I feel about the D80. Its obvious you can make purty pitchers with a P&S, so a dSLR should be a good step for you. Thing is how does it feel in your hands, how do the ergonomics work with me. Am I comfortable I can buy a lens to go with it that will make me happy. Am I comfortable that in the future the lens that I will need to expand is in my price range, and readily available. Those are the things you need to consider. You are buying into a system not a camera. Can you live with what the system has now? Comfortable it will meet your needs in the future.
Matt
|
|
|
|
10/02/2008 09:07:47 PM · #16 |
To the OP: You may want to see this page.
Message edited by author 2008-10-02 21:08:45. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 09:30:46 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by bvy:
Thanks for all this great feedback. I'm sure I sounded hopelessly cheap or just naive. Sorry about that. Truth be known, I am a budget shopper, and I do get satisfaction out of making the best of low tech equipment. Still...
How do we feel about the Nikon D80? |
The D80 is a solid camera. I've used a friend's D80 a couple of times out shooting, and it was a nice camera to use.
The camera was very comfortable to use. The functionality and ergonomics were great.
But honestly, the best research you can do other than DPReview side-by-side comparisons, and forum reviews etc', is to go to your local camera shop and personally use some DSLRs that you are interested in.
It's one thing to get a bunch of positive reviews on one camera, it's another to personally use it and see how it feels and works in your hands.
But good luck in your purchase.
-AC
Message edited by author 2008-10-02 21:31:26. |
|
|
|
10/02/2008 10:45:51 PM · #18 |
| All good points. I've seen and held the D80, I've looked around at its images and read lots of reviews, and I'm convinced now that reading camera specs is hazardous to your health. Anyway, I thought I'd throw the name out there and see if anyone who's posted here or is following this thread has some more personal feedback on it. |
|
|
|
10/03/2008 12:39:56 AM · #19 |
Looks like you have almost decided your vote for D80:-)
In this test, the results showed that the D80 exposed an outdoor shot better, as compared to a Rebel 400D.
Another test showed that D80 is more resistant to noise at high ISOs. At another place, I read the D80 captures more vibrant colors.
I own a Rebel, so I am not really trying to talk you into getting the D80. But it does have some good reviews.
Rebel XSi, on the other hand, is said to have better image quality, live view, spot metering, among other things.
|
|
|
|
10/03/2008 01:03:55 AM · #20 |
I am a Fuji shooter, but one thing I like a lot, a biggie for me, is that most Nikon and all Fuji DSLR's are backward compatible with Nikon Nikkor lenses all the way back to the first Ai lenses made in about 1970. If you don't mind doing your own focusing, you can get great glass for a small price compared with the new ones. The oldies are all for "full frame" too, just in case you upgrade some time. I just got a 55mm f3.5 Micro Nikkor for $40 US a couple of weeks ago, and it's in perfect condition.
|
|
|
|
10/03/2008 01:09:52 AM · #21 |
| check craigslist in your area for used photo equipment.. a lot of people are selling Canon 30 and 40D's cheap to upgrade to the 50D.. I've seen them go for $400.. you could come accross a steal if you live in a big city and watch the listings for a couple days. |
|
|
|
10/03/2008 01:59:00 AM · #22 |
I'm going to post my usual response to friends who have asked me this question:
I don't get so hung up on particular brands, they all have their advantages and drawbacks, just do your homework and find which has the features you can't do without for your type of shooting.
If you splurge on anything, splurge on the GLASS, IMO you will be happier with the best optics you can afford on a middling body than having so-so glass on a top of the line body. |
|
|
|
10/03/2008 07:47:52 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by antares1966:
If you splurge on anything, splurge on the GLASS, IMO you will be happier with the best optics you can afford on a middling body than having so-so glass on a top of the line body. |
This sounds like good advice. It means I can make a more modest initial investment and work my way up.
Originally posted by Prash:
To the OP: You may want to see this page. |
This is a good tutorial. Thanks for posting it.
|
|
|
|
10/03/2008 08:30:33 AM · #24 |
| As a D80 owner I must say I'm very pleased with it. It's a great beginners camera! The only thing with it (that might not even be an issue for you, it hasn't for me) is that it's not very good beyond ISO 400... |
|
|
|
10/03/2008 10:37:10 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by hanserik:
As a D80 owner I must say I'm very pleased with it. It's a great beginners camera! The only thing with it (that might not even be an issue for you, it hasn't for me) is that it's not very good beyond ISO 400... |
As much as I feel that Nikon does have noise issues at higher ISOs, it's more a side effect of exposure.....get the exposure right for the ISO, and the noise isn't an issue.
I have the D70s, a 6.1MP camera, and I have pleny of decent images taken at 640 ISO+ that because of the exposure being right, are beautiful.
1000 ISO: [thumb]602552[/thumb]
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 12/27/2025 07:37:59 AM EST.
