Need help with DSLR purchase...

Rob S. · « **on:** 26 Nov 2009, 06:32 pm »

Hi,
After repeated attempts to encourage my wife to spend some $$ on a hobby ( and make me feel better about spending on audio ) she's saying she wants one of the DSLR cameras. I know little about Dslr's, but have used several <$300 nikon cameras over the last 10yrs. I doubt she will go much past a few basic "theme" settings, and will likely shoot mostly in "auto" mode. Seems like some of the cameras have some great deals on zoom lenses w/ camera purchase.

Two that have made my short list so far are: Nikon D5000 or Canon EOS rebel T1i. I'm hoping to keep total purchase around $1k.

Any thoughts or suggestions for me?

Rob S.

Pez · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 07:10 pm »

Unfortunately $1K is not a lot for someone who wants to get into photography. You can easily sink that much into a telephoto lens. That said I think you have the right idea. I would sy the nikon d5000 because I think the entire Nikon DSLR line is solid. Again the problem you are going to run into is what to do about accesories. That is where your money will fly out the window.

guest46813 · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Nov 2009, 07:49 pm »

You can also look at Olympus like the E620 is ~$800 with the 14-42mm kit zoom. Olympus kit zoom is smaller and has much better IQ than the most kit lens out there.

Women likes smaller camera, and you can also look at the Olympus E450 which is still one of the smallest DSLR out there.

Olympus DSLR are 4/3 format, their sensor size is slightly smaller than the APS-C sensor (in the DSLR you mention). Olympus buil in their anti shake inside the body, so you are not dependent on lens with anti-shake functions like Canon or Nikon. They also pioneered the Live View function

The other alternative to DSLR is the new micro-4/3 like the Olympus EP-1 or Panasonic G1, GF1. They will be sub $1K. While they do not look like an SLR, they have interchangeable lens as SLR do. They use the same sensor as the 4/3 SLR. Their bid advantage is the tiny size of the lenses next to an APS-C based lens.

I am not affiliated with Olympus, but have used them on-off since the OM-1.

jqp · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 12:46 am »

I recommend the Nikon D90 for $1,031.89 from Amazon

This comes with a nice lens - 18-105mm, which is a very nice lens for a beginner!

The D40 is an excellent choice for half the price, if she really doesn't want to get into photography too much. It makes great pictures and is a simpler interface. Also it is smaller and lighter than the D90 but still excellent quality..

The D90 is an excellent camera, and is a better deal for the money than the D5000

ecramer · « **Reply #4 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 12:48 am »

Quote from: jqp on 27 Nov 2009, 12:46 am

I recommend the Nikon D90 for $1,031.89 from Amazon

This comes with a nice lens - 18-105mm, which is a very nice lens for a beginner!

The D40 is an excellent choice for half the price, if she really doesn't want to get into photography too much. It makes great pictures and is a simpler interface. Also it is smaller and lighter than the D90 but still excellent quality..

The D90 is an excellent camera, and is a better deal for the money than the D5000

That's the answer i would have gave also both nice cameras

ed

droht · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 01:07 am »

The D90 is certainly a better option if she is going to get pretty serious about the hobby. Given the OPs comments, it sounds like the D5000 or T1i would make as much or more sense. The T1i has been available on Amazon with kit 18-55mm + 55-250mm for less that $800 shipped. Leaves room for a memory card or two and a bag within the $1000 budget. Nikon and Canon fans will certainly argue the D5000 vs T1i with regard to image quality, but one benefit of the Canon seems to be the video mode, if that is any kind of priority.

WerTicus · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 04:13 am »

Canonikon is a load of rubbish, a rip off and not that good, unless your going for the full frame bodies and spending way more than you want to spend on lenses. They use 'halo effect' marketing very well to sell junk, entry level cameras.

Why not buy the obvious best option? The Pentax Kx. It out performs everything in the entry
level space and outperforms most of the semi pro bodies as well.

Canon 7d 100% $1700usd body only:

Nikon d300s 100% $1700 body only:

Pentax Kx 100% $600 with 18-55mm:

At under 1/2 the price you can afford the BEST of the best Pentax lenses to go with it and the quality margin will be even more MASSIVE. Pentax lenses are half the price of Canikon ones, and you get in body stabilization. You're going to get miles better photos and spend half as much money doing so than all the sheeple.

I have one, its brilliant and has resolved all previous weaknesses that Pentax has had in the past.

WerTicus · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 04:19 am »

Coming to an audio forum for camera advice and being advised to buy Canikon is like going to a Camera forum for audio advice and being advised to buy bose.

JohnR · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Nov 2009, 02:56 pm »

Quote from: Rob S. on 26 Nov 2009, 06:32 pm

Any thoughts or suggestions for me?

What you may have deciphered from the posts here so far is that the real decision is whether this is a purchase to get into a camera system or if it's just a single camera+lens combo. If the latter, then a DSLR may well not be the best solution.

It may be worth you enquiring of SO what type of photography she intends to pursue. Flowers? Landscapes? People/portraits? Black and white? Just a few shots of the family vacation? Will she be printing them? How large? This question is really more about the lenses than the body - digital bodies will be obsolete next year, lenses will last a lot longer (how long depends on which system...)

But if all of that is too much... just get the Nikon

Andrikos · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 12:53 am »

Wow, lots of fanaticism here...
The Bose analogy is completely absurd, but I'm sure you wrote it tongue in cheek...

I'm not going to tell the OP what to get, but this is what I did when I was in the DSLR market as a digital newbie:

I did a LOT of research not only on the bodies but, more importantly, on the glass.
One brand clearly came on top with most available lenses, most available accessories, best prices and a large market share that would ensure plenty of used availability.

If your research points you differently, by all means go ahead.
Use your own knowledge to make a decision, not what some dude told you on the interweb. After all, it's your money...

Good luck!

thunderbrick · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 01:10 am »

Quote from: JohnR on 27 Nov 2009, 02:56 pm

Quote from: Rob S. on 26 Nov 2009, 06:32 pm
Any thoughts or suggestions for me?

What you may have deciphered from the posts here so far is that the real decision is whether this is a purchase to get into a camera system or if it's just a single camera+lens combo. If the latter, then a DSLR may well not be the best solution.

It may be worth you enquiring of SO what type of photography she intends to pursue. Flowers? Landscapes? People/portraits? Black and white? Just a few shots of the family vacation? Will she be printing them? How large? This question is really more about the lenses than the body - digital bodies will be obsolete next year, lenses will last a lot longer (how long depends on which system...)

But if all of that is too much... just get the Nikon

Obsolete is too harsh a term, IMO. My wife LOVES her old D70 (thank goodness!), and I have no desire to move up from my D200 and D300. As long as they work as intended, that ain't obsolete.

SET Man · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 05:55 am »

Quote from: Andrikos on 10 Dec 2009, 12:53 am

Wow, lots of fanaticism here...
...

Hey!

Ain't that the truth.

I would say that if you are going to buy just 1 or 2 regular entry level zooms and not couple of the top higher end lens/zooms model one than you shouldn't worry much about which brand.

These days all DSLRs under $1K are very capable. Depend on your and your wife need just look for one that you and her like. I guess if your wife is going to be using it than maybe it is good idea to just go to a good camera store with her and check them out. I think something light and easy to use would be a good start for her and you.

Well, good luck and have fun.

Take care,
Buddy

Doublej · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 12:01 pm »

www.dpreview.com will serve you well.

woodsyi · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 01:17 pm »

Rob,

Let me check and see what lenses I can include but I have a Rebel XTi that is just gathering dust. I have some Canon primes and Sigma zooms that I don't use since I got the L lenses. They are all in like new condition. You know the price will be good.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 01:22 pm »

Quote from: SET Man on 10 Dec 2009, 05:55 am

Quote from: Andrikos on 10 Dec 2009, 12:53 am
Wow, lots of fanaticism here...
...

Hey!

Ain't that the truth.

I would say that if you are going to buy just 1 or 2 regular entry level zooms and not couple of the top higher end lens/zooms model one than you shouldn't worry much about which brand.

These days all DSLRs under $1K are very capable. Depend on your and your wife need just look for one that you and her like. I guess if your wife is going to be using it than maybe it is good idea to just go to a good camera store with her and check them out. I think something light and easy to use would be a good start for her and you.

Well, good luck and have fun.

Take care,
Buddy

+1

Years ago I worked in an old-fashioned, rather high-end, camera store, and our suggestion was always to buy the camera that was most comfortable when you pick it up. If it is intuitive fresh from the gate, that will be the one you will be most successful with. Excluding junkers like Miranda, Praktica, and Vivitar SLRs, of course.

JuanR · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Dec 2009, 01:41 pm »

Remember, with the nikon d90 and 5000 you can do video(7min interval) the 90 is 0.5 fasrte than the 5000, in my opinion not a big difference. The good thing about Nikon is in the future if you change camera or upgrade you always can use the older lenses. Also the d40 was replaced by the 3000. I do not know if the 90 will be discontinue and replace by the 5000.

jqp · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Dec 2009, 06:23 am »

The D90 is a better camera than the D5000

The D5000 falls between the D40 and the D90

WerTicus · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Dec 2009, 08:15 am »

the d5000's sensor is the same one as in the Kx a sony exmore sensor.

It is a really amazing sensor that comes close to the d700's full frame noise and dynamic range.

http://falklumo.blogspot.com/2009/12/lumolabs-sensors-of-nikon-d700-d5000.html

SET Man · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 Dec 2009, 06:07 am »

Quote from: Doublej on 10 Dec 2009, 12:01 pm

www.dpreview.com will serve you well.

Hey!

I wouldn't base my DSLR or P&S cam from just dpreview.com. It is a one man's opinion. What he value might not be what you value and vice versa.

Take care,
Buddy

drphoto · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Dec 2009, 05:41 am »

Good photos are the product of a good eye, not good cameras. The best camera in the world will not design your shot or light it.

I hope I don't come off sounding like a smartass for saying that. I'm not tying to be one. Probably most entry/mid level SLRs would work for the average enthusiast.

Lets put it this way. I'm an amateur guitar player. I have a cheap Carvin and an expensive american made Fender Strat. (see avitar) I don't sound one bit better on the Fender!

That being said, I would look for something w/ low noise at high ISO settings, as existing light photography is a lot of fun.

Need help with DSLR purchase...

guest46813