Final Thread (I think): Which camera?

[Respital]

Okay well after a bet with my dad to lose x number of lbs by sept 1st i look like i'm going to win and i get to choice a camera, the problem is i don't know which one i want and should get.

Somethings i need to consider are;

• Bang for my buck
• Is it going to be outdated quickly?
• How good the lenses are
• Overall performance

Any help would be appreciated!

[Ramomar]

• Bang for my buck Pentax
• Is it going to be outdated quickly? Photography gear doesn't really get outdated quickly. Any DSLR will let you take good photos. Of course unless you really want all the newest gadgets and features...
• How good the lenses are As far as lenses go, each brand has their "Entry" lenses such as the zoom 18-55mm (or 18-70mm for Sony) and the 55-200mm telephoto (or 50-200mm for Pentax) lenses. All brands also have their quality lenses, and a wide variety to choose from. In this area, you should really think about if auto-focus or image stabilization is important to you. Lenses' prices will vary A LOT depending on these factors. Obviously the simpler the lens, the cheaper.
• Overall performance Don't know anything here since I don't own a DSLR yet

Do you currently own a camera? If so, how much experience do you have with it? Have you played around with the Manual settings?
I voted Pentax for the heck of it. I haven't had much DSLR experience but I'd like to try a Pentax.

[tremmor]

i bought a couple yrs ago a Canon S3IS. it also made all attachments affordable. it was also about from a hobby standpoint. I really liked the Canon Rebel but the price was very expensive for that and all attachments.
mine was macro lens, wide angle and zoom.

[Laquer Head]

Get a Canon!

Depending on your price point....the 50D is a slick SLR

[Respital]

Originally Posted by Ramomar

• Bang for my buck Pentax
• Is it going to be outdated quickly? Photography gear doesn't really get outdated quickly. Any DSLR will let you take good photos. Of course unless you really want all the newest gadgets and features...
• How good the lenses are As far as lenses go, each brand has their "Entry" lenses such as the zoom 18-55mm (or 18-70mm for Sony) and the 55-200mm telephoto (or 50-200mm for Pentax) lenses. All brands also have their quality lenses, and a wide variety to choose from. In this area, you should really think about if auto-focus or image stabilization is important to you. Lenses' prices will vary A LOT depending on these factors. Obviously the simpler the lens, the cheaper.
• Overall performance Don't know anything here since I don't own a DSLR yet

Do you currently own a camera? If so, how much experience do you have with it? Have you played around with the Manual settings?
I voted Pentax for the heck of it. I haven't had much DSLR experience but I'd like to try a Pentax.

Okay i was just looking for confirmation on the outdate-ing, my dad was a little worried about it, I'm not really looking for the best but i'm willing to take a step up if it's worth it say from the D60 to the D90.

Lenses - I heard or rather read that someone here said that the entry level Nikkor (Nikon) lenses are better then the Canon, from what i can see most of the packages from Nikon with lenses have VR which i believe is image stabilization. Me and my dad also were thinking of getting matching cameras say both Nikon D5000s and sharing the lenses so we wont need one of each (Macro, Zoom, Regular). Can someone point me to a good macro lens for the Nikon ? Also are all of the lenses for Nikon compatible with all of their DSLRs? .

Right now i have a Nikon Coolpix L3 I've changed the settings a bit but there aren't really that many (Macro mode, White Balance, Exp. +/-, Continuous shooting, BSS (?!?!?), and Color options) and i don't have a manual so i have no idea what most of them do. (I can sort of figure it out with experimentation but it doesn't make a big difference to the picture.

[Ramomar]

Yes VR is essentially image stabilization.

If you're starting out, the Nikon D40 or the Pentax K2000 have excellent in-camera manuals and helping tips. This would leave you a lot of $$$ for lenses which are really what contribute more to the quality of pictures.

So your dad will be getting a camera also? That's a good idea, that way as you said, you won't have to buy lenses twice.

As for the macro lens, this is what I would buy also one if not the cheapest Nikkor macro lens:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-60mm-Mic...0118762&sr=8-2

[Respital]

Originally Posted by Ramomar

Yes VR is essentially image stabilization.

If you're starting out, the Nikon D40 or the Pentax K2000 have excellent in-camera manuals and helping tips. This would leave you a lot of $$$ for lenses which are really what contribute more to the quality of pictures.

So your dad will be getting a camera also? That's a good idea, that way as you said, you won't have to buy lenses twice.

As for the macro lens, this is what I would buy also one if not the cheapest Nikkor macro lens:
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-60mm-Mic...0118762&sr=8-2

Well i'm just starting in the DSLR range of cameras but my dad has owned an SLR for over 20, maybe 30 years so it's nothing new to him except the digital. So i think he'll teach me a lot about them unless DSLR is a ton different then SLR...and i think the D40 mite be a little low and mite get outdated faster then the 60 or 90?

And, how do you feel about the D5000? In some cases i see it's the same price/slightly cheaper/expensive then the D90 but not by much.


Still looking for some more votes keep them coming!

[Respital]

Originally Posted by Ramomar

If you're starting out, the Nikon D40 or the Pentax K2000 have excellent in-camera manuals and helping tips. This would leave you a lot of $$$ for lenses which are really what contribute more to the quality of pictures.

Wouldn't it be more worth it to spend an extra 50$ and get the Nikon D60?

http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/sto...001&sort=price

[Ramomar]

^ Yeah all the way. It's just that the D60 doesn't have the in-camera help system. But since your dad will be teaching you everything, I don't think you would need it, although you mentioned your dad doesn't know anything about digital. It's up to you.

As for the D5000 vs D90, either would be an awesome choice. Just have something in mind, cameras don't "outdate" like computers, at least not at the same rate. a D40 will let you take almost the same picture a D90 would. But again, the more expensive the camera, the more features (most of the time) it has to make it easier on you and some features that you may not even need. Also, the D40 is very different than the D90 in terms of body shape/weight. The D90 is a lot taller and heavier. You should go to a store and try them out, see which one feels better on your hands, how comfortable it is plays a big role.

[bomberboysk]

Not sure what the prices are like in canada, but have you taken a look at the Canon T1i? Its basically an improved model of the Xsi(Which is also an excellent camera for the price).