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09/22/2004 05:28:50 PM · #1 |
So, I'm torn. We finally saved up some decent $$ for camera equipment and want a digital SLR, but man alive, I could easily spend twice that! What would you buy including body, lenses, supplies?
We have a microdrive (1GB) and a 512MB fash card, and several sets of rechargeable AAs.
Best bang for my buck?
ALL INPUT APPRECIATED! |
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09/22/2004 05:33:20 PM · #2 |
20D, and the sigma 105mm macro. thats $1500 + ~$400= $1900
thats what i would buy atleast
Message edited by author 2004-09-22 17:33:58.
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09/22/2004 05:36:54 PM · #3 |
disposable camera and $1990 of beer.
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09/22/2004 05:38:45 PM · #4 |
UPgrading from a Dimage 7 you'll probably be more than happy with either a 10D or a D70, both cheaper than the 20D and leaving considerably more of your budget for lenses, filters and other accessories.
We upgraded from the Dimage 7i to the D70 and are very happy.
As to whether you opt for the Canon or the Nikon (or a DSLR from another manufacturer) I'd suggest you consider which system you imagine you'd most like to be tied into longterm - when you upgrade the next time it would be nice to keep the same lenses etc.
We were coming from Minolta film SLRs and a Minolta digital and were therefore not tied to a DSLR manufacturer.
We chose D70 based on features for price and comfort and ease of use (shape, access to menus and controls etc). That's a very personal thing so you need to check them out in person.
I really wouldn't suggest splurging on the 20D at this point in time, but that's just my opinion.
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09/22/2004 05:40:19 PM · #5 |
With the new, Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D, and Pentax *ist DS yet to come out and the flood of people buying the 20D and selling there 300DRebel, and 10Ds this is the best time to wait and see.
When the new cameras come out the current batch of dSLRs could start moving down in price.
Remember that there are also offerings from Sigma, Olympus, Nikon, Kodak, Fuji also.
I know that I'm going to wait for the new ones to come out before commiting to a new camera system.
Message edited by author 2004-09-22 17:41:24. |
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09/22/2004 05:44:55 PM · #6 |
Price of 10D has certainly dropped hugely recently, was £1000+ in April, is now <£800.
It can be an endless game waiting for the models that are not yet on the market but have been marketed to an extent by their creators unless there's a set launch date that's in the not too distant. Else you'll wait till they come out and by then something else will be just about to come out so you'll wait and then...
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09/22/2004 05:46:41 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by longlivenyhc:
20D, and the sigma 105mm macro. thats $1500 + ~$400= $1900
thats what i would buy atleast |
At least being the operative word! I've had my £750 300D for 6 months now and that outlay represents only one third of my bag contents. I very quickly learnt that buying a dSLR can be an expensive hobby. Whilst it is pretty clear a dSLR will knock spots off a p&s quality of image wise it doesn't mean you will become a better fotog.
As its your first dSLR you should look to the future and the glass you would like to own, cams will change regularly, the glass seems to stay resonably static. That said I'd suggest getting an entry level dSLR and spend the extra $$$$'s on glass - I'm happy with my 300D and am busy replacing my first set of lenses.
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09/22/2004 06:02:24 PM · #8 |
Nikon D100 and a 50mm f/1.4 lens. So 1500 + 270 = 1770
Polarizer, UV-haze filter, lens cap, camera bag = the rest :D
Thats what I would get if I had two grand stashed away
Message edited by author 2004-09-24 14:29:33. |
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09/23/2004 08:48:35 AM · #9 |
i personally feel you'd be best served with a d70 kit, and then 600 dollars left over for more memory, and a decent zoom lense, or a macro, or wide-angle if that's your thing. you'd still have money for a bag and tripod as well.
at this time, i'd not bother with a d100 or a 10d. yes they are excellent cameras, but the 10d has already been replaced, and the d100 replacement is coming soon as well (supposedly). the d70, or the 20d, are newer cams... and with the $2000 budget, i'd focus on one of those.
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09/23/2004 08:57:55 AM · #10 |
There's no way I'd buy a D100. WAY old technology now - you'd be better off with a D70..
If it's a $2k purchase as a one-off (you won't be spending more money in six months' time) I'd recommend either a 10D or D70, and some quality glass for it. (Namely L-range for Canon, or ED (?) for Nikon.)
If it's a $2k purchase now but you expect to spend maybe another $1k in the next 6-9 months, I'd say got with the 20D. It's more expensive, but it's a much better camera. You may not have all the glass you need straight away, but you'll get there in the end and the 20D will probably last you longer.
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09/23/2004 09:14:51 AM · #11 |
| I'd by the 10D (Canon), but that's just because I just did! lol. I've never had a better camera and I saved up for a year for it, and it dropped in price the day before I got it too. How fortuitous? Seriously though, it's one of the best semi-pro cameras on the market. I would have bought the 1D if I could afford it, but I could never be disapointed in the 10D. Go for it. |
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09/23/2004 03:28:22 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Kavey:
UPgrading from a Dimage 7 you'll probably be more than happy with either a 10D or a D70, both cheaper than the 20D and leaving considerably more of your budget for lenses, filters and other accessories. |
I am leaning this way as well.
Originally posted by Ecce Signum:
As its your first dSLR you should look to the future and the glass you would like to own, cams will change regularly, the glass seems to stay resonably static. That said I'd suggest getting an entry level dSLR and spend the extra $$$$'s on glass. |
Good point, and something of a conundrum for me. Where do I go about researching the pros and cons of difference lenses? I use dpreview for cameras, but they don't seem to have much on lenses.
Originally posted by PaulMdx:
If it's a $2k purchase as a one-off (you won't be spending more money in six months' time) I'd recommend either a 10D or D70, and some quality glass for it. (Namely L-range for Canon, or ED (?) for Nikon.)
If it's a $2k purchase now but you expect to spend maybe another $1k in the next 6-9 months, I'd say got with the 20D. It's more expensive, but it's a much better camera. You may not have all the glass you need straight away, but you'll get there in the end and the 20D will probably last you longer. |
Very excellent point. If I have more money to spend in a half year, I'd want it to go to a decent flash and lighting system, so this adds to the "skip the 20D" option.
I'm planning a trip to the local camera shop this weekend to see the goods. I'm so used to shopping online, it's strange to need to window shop first. |
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09/23/2004 03:43:21 PM · #13 |
Check FredMiranda.com for reviews of lenses. An excellent site! Also, after FredMiranda, go back to dpreview.com and check the forums for discussion of any lens you find interesting at FM...
-len |
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09/23/2004 04:02:25 PM · #14 |
20D, Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di (amazing lens hardly ever comes off my camera) $1500+$500=2000
That would be an amazing setup to build upon. Personaly I would rather have just one good lens like the Tamron and a 8.2 MP than a 6.3 MP camera and a bunch of lenes. Of course you will want more lenses but you can always save up while your learning you new camera. besides if you use your camera while you save up for your next lens you will have a much better idea of exactly what other lenes you want. Rather than trying to guess at what you want now beforeyou even useyour new camera.
Message edited by author 2004-09-23 16:02:50. |
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09/23/2004 04:05:22 PM · #15 |
| If you want to read an excellent article on lenses for Canon DSLE's thenck out review of lenses for the Canon EOS 300D and EOS 10D Digital SLRs I find it interesting reading. |
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09/23/2004 06:20:57 PM · #16 |
Since the 20D isn't readily available anyway, I'd save up another $100 and get the 20D and Canon's new new 17-85mm EF-S image-stabilized lens. That should give you a better zoom range (especially on the wide end) for an all-purpose lens.
It all depends on your needs, though. The Rebel is the most popular camera on this site BY FAR- and for good reason. For the vast majority of users, it has everything you need and allows you to budget for better lenses and other goodies. The aforementioned Tamron lens, the 50mm f/1.8, the 70-200mm f/4L, etc... |
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09/23/2004 07:00:30 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Since the 20D isn't readily available anyway, I'd save up another $100 and get the 20D and Canon's new new 17-85mm EF-S image-stabilized lens. That should give you a better zoom range (especially on the wide end) for an all-purpose lens.
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One of the reviews I read recently, may have been DPReview, said that that body/lens combination was good enough that the author would take that with him if he went on vacation with a sing;e body/lens combination only.
I admit I like that as an idea for casual weekends away where I am not there for photos but want the camera on hand.
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09/23/2004 07:13:05 PM · #18 |
Okay, please don't forget... you want to get a good, protective carrying case for your camera. You will need a battery, back up battery, perhaps a flash, maybe a circular polarizer?
Have you used an SLR before? If you want to make the jump to the 20D do it! But, if you just want to learn and have an excellent camera, go for the 10D, get your bag (there are threads on bags in the forums), get your extra batteries and your necessary filters. I also carry a lenspen, cable shutter release, and a star filter with me.
Oh, don't forget about getting an extended warranty (if you are into that). They can cost a few hundred. I have a 4 year full replacement and repair warranty from Adorama on my new 20D (which will hopefully be shipped soon).
As for lenses, they are the most important part of the camera, in my opinion. Get yourself some GOOD lenses. I have a Canon 28-80 and a Canon 70-300 and they are just kinda crappy at times. Yes, they are Canon, but they were cheap and above all, they are zoom lenses. So, the quality is really not very high. Go for a solid 50mm, maybe one zoom or telephoto to 300mm and do some lens research in the forums here.
There are tons of posts that I have read in the past giving great advice on lenses and showing you examples of photos taken with them!!!
Best of luck to you!
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