Kit lenses descent on the 350d, 400d, D40?

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

06/27/2007 10:21:01 PM · #1

Ive been on here a lot for the past few weeks and till undecided on what to buy for my first real cam. How are the kit lenses for the Canon xt,xti and Nikon d40. Im looking for the best camera for closeups and landscapes but only have about $600-$700 at the most. Will these lenses and cameras get me good shots to blow up? What about the high end advanced P&S cams like Panasonic FZ50, G7, canon S5
Any thoughts
Thanks for any help

rex

Canon PowerShot SD780

06/27/2007 10:31:51 PM · #2

I have an photo I took with a 3.2MP Canon S1 IS above my fireplace. I had it printed through DPC Prints at a size of 16X20. No pixelation what so ever. Unless you are printing billboards no need to worry about megapixels.

The best advice I can give is go to a camera store and hold them. Buy the one that feels best in your hand. You don't have to buy at the store but at least go feel them. Then come home and decide if you want to go P&S or DSLR, then decide if you want to go used or new. You can find tons of used stuff at good prices.

The kit lens is an ok lens but I would save the money and opt out of the kit lens if you decide on a DSLR. The camera in a DSLR system will be the small investment. I have finally realized myself that the glass is where to spend the money.

Message edited by author 2007-06-27 22:49:11.

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

06/27/2007 10:32:58 PM · #3

The biggest issue with the Canon kit lens is the build quality. It's plastic, and the front element rotates during focusing, which makes it really difficult to use a polarizer on.

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

06/27/2007 10:37:05 PM · #4

I heard D40 kit lens is not bad and it is within your price range. Go for it.

Message edited by author 2007-06-27 22:37:18.

06/27/2007 10:50:12 PM · #5

Is there not much dif. between the D40 and the 350, or the D40x and the 400d. All seem to have good reviews and it seems there are a lot of users on this site.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

06/27/2007 10:54:09 PM · #6

Difference between the D40 and 350D:

Only a few lenses will haev autofocus with the D40, while the 350D will work with all Canon's EF/EF-S lenses and third party EF lenses.

wsl

Nikon D80

06/27/2007 10:56:20 PM · #7

you'll get different responses based on who owns what brand. Honestly, the photographer takes the photos, the camera is just a tool.

The D40 kit lense is the 18-55mm DX lens, so its good glass. People will bring up that unless you buy the newer AF-S or AF-I lenses that they won't work, but its just the autofocus that won't work. Its helped me by having to manual focus, cuz its trained my eye to know when the picture is focus instead of relying on the camera. But everyone has a different preference. I have relatives that love their canon's, and others that love their nikons. The photographer still has to make the shot.

06/27/2007 11:02:54 PM · #8

What about the advanced P&S? I understand a lot of them (8-10meg and 8+zoom) have a lot of noise and blowing them up might not work.

06/27/2007 11:07:48 PM · #9

Originally posted by Gmit:

What about the advanced P&S? I understand a lot of them (8-10meg and 8+zoom) have a lot of noise and blowing them up might not work.

If you shoot everything in bright light, the advance P&Ss are great. They don't have the dynamic range or low light capability as a dSLR, but they do their jobs.

FWIW, I loved my Nikon Coolpix 8700. I don't think I would have bought it, if I had it to do all over again. I was still kinda unsure what direction I wanted to go with digital photography ( I kinda fought giving up film). Really, the price difference between the advance P&S and a beginner dSLR isn't enough to warrant the advanced P&S stop and you can always buy glass as you go.

chimericvisions

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

06/27/2007 11:10:06 PM · #10

My dad has the Canon S5, which he _just_ got. Very happy with it, but the problem with P&S is, as you said, noise. Even the brand new S5 has a 1/2.5 crop, instead of the 1/1.6 on most dSLRs.

The P&Ss offer more features, like movies, but if you want SLR quality and upgradability, they're no substitute.

06/27/2007 11:12:02 PM · #11

What about the dif between the 350 & 400, or D40 & D40x. Is there a big dif in pic quality (with kit lenses) to upgrade to those?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

06/27/2007 11:16:52 PM · #12

Originally posted by Gmit:

What about the dif between the 350 & 400, or D40 & D40x. Is there a big dif in pic quality (with kit lenses) to upgrade to those?

You won't notice a lot of difference. I really don't believe the performance of the 400D over the 350D is worth the price difference. I'd save the extra for more glass. :-)

Message edited by author 2007-06-27 23:17:28.

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

06/27/2007 11:25:04 PM · #13

Digital isn't a cheap route to go. To get good quality you not only need a camera, but also a computer. Then you have to learn both camera technique and post processing to get anything decent.

You could go a cheaper route and buy a film camera and start building your lens collection. A film camera with a descent 50mm lens and you'll have lots of money left over for film and processing.

Of course, you won't have the instant feed back so your learning curve will be steeper.

You can also go the used route and buy off ebay.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

06/27/2007 11:26:27 PM · #14

Originally posted by Nullix:

DO like me buy a 900 dollar Autofocus 16 bit 4000 dpi Nikon SCanner and get your film processed at 2 dollars a roll being shot from an autofocus canon you bought for 40 bucks lol.

06/27/2007 11:31:37 PM · #15

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

DO like me buy a 900 dollar Autofocus 16 bit 4000 dpi Nikon SCanner and get your film processed at 2 dollars a roll being shot from an autofocus canon you bought for 40 bucks lol.

I worry about your sanity at times :-P

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

06/27/2007 11:34:27 PM · #16

Already have a great computer and all the programs that I would need being a graphic designer. Going digital for sure.

RainMotorsports

Nikon D60

06/27/2007 11:40:52 PM · #17

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by RainMotorsports:

DO like me buy a 900 dollar Autofocus 16 bit 4000 dpi Nikon SCanner and get your film processed at 2 dollars a roll being shot from an autofocus canon you bought for 40 bucks lol.

I worry about your sanity at times :-P

Our Sanity is just find thank you!

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

06/28/2007 12:03:43 AM · #18

If you want to save some money and still get a quality product you don't have to buy new (or used). Consider getting refurbished from Cameta Camera off of Ebay for any brand you so desire. The items are like brand new (body and lenses) and have very little usage. I bought my Olympus E-300 with kit lenses (Olympus sells a 2-lens kit) from them and it only had 50 shutter actuations on it when I got it. Looked brand new and had all accessories that comes with it when new, including lens hoods and batteries and chargers. They are a brick and mortar store and since I live near to them, went down to pick up my stuff that I won on their Ebay auctions. Great bunch of guys and very helpful. I would highly recommend them. They'll save you a bundle.

Cameta Camera on Ebay

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon

06/28/2007 12:28:29 AM · #19

Thanks for the info. Was just looking at the 350,400,D40,D40x on B&H. Would love to have the 400 or D40x but they are pushing my budget. Still have to buy a few cards and xtra batt to. Ill check them out.

Sting11165

Canon EOS-20D

06/28/2007 03:58:51 AM · #20

Originally posted by Gmit:

Don't forget to check the used stuff on B&H. 350D body for $400, about the best price around with a 90 day warranty.

If you have $600-700 to spend, start with a 350D (or D40) and use the extra money for the accessories (which are very important). For example, extra lenses (get a cheap used telephoto to play with), a tripod, extra battery and memory cards, close-up lenses (or other macro method), filters, a shoe mount flash or two with off camera connection, etc. You are much better off with an XT and a bunch of accessories than a XTi and no tripod :)

I've started out with about the same amount of cash as you did. I've listed a lot of my hardware decisions (and my reasoning) on my blog:

//stanfordphoto.blogspot.com

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

06/28/2007 04:13:44 AM · #21

Originally posted by Gmit:

What about the dif between the 350 & 400, or D40 & D40x. Is there a big dif in pic quality (with kit lenses) to upgrade to those?

i heard that the nikon kit lens is the best of the lot.

skylercall

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/28/2007 04:19:16 AM · #22

I have heard this as well but I wouldn't buy an SLR camera just for the lens it comes with.

crayon

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH1

06/28/2007 04:32:01 AM · #23

Originally posted by skylercall:

I have heard this as well but I wouldn't buy an SLR camera just for the lens it comes with.

yeah but it would be nice to have a moderately good lens to start with, especially with 1st time owners with limited budget.

anotherday

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/28/2007 04:32:04 AM · #24

Well, I got the rebel XTi and the kit lens isn't very very good (better than what I could do with my old fuji), but I bought the canon EF 50mm f1.8 and it's a blast. For 100$ you'll get a very good lens. So it feels plastic, so what? The lens aren't ment to be droped. This lens is cheap, light and the quality is great. What more could you ask for?

So you can get Canon (XT or XTi) with the kit (it was like 60$ more than without) + the 50mm (great for closeups) and I think you'll be satisfyed until you can afford another lens. I know I am.

Now I am waiting to have the money to by the EF-S 10-22mm USM (this is great for landscapes :p)and the EF 100mm f2.8 USM macro and I think I'll be satisfied....for a while :) Yeah, that's the trick with DSLR, so many lenses to choose from :)

It depends a lot of what kind of photos you wanna take.

Good luck,

Bianca