Hello Everyone. I have a question for those of you that own a DSLR (reading some of the photographic threads, some you have more than one ).
I am looking for my first DSLR, and had narrowed my choice down to a Nikon D5000 and Canon 450D.
However, yesterday, a work colleague who knew I was looking for a DSLR camera, informed me that he is selling his Canon 30D, witrh Canon 430EXII flashgun, and couple of lenses (Canon 50 mm f1.8, and Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6).
The colleague is selling his Canon 30D (plus above items) for almost half the price of Nikon D5000 DSLR with 18-55mm VR + 55-200mm Twin kit.
I am sure all of you will agree, the the Canon kit on offer is being sold at an excellentg price.
I am really tempted to go for the Canon 30D because of its fantastic build quility, and fantastic reviews it got at the time of its launch (even now some people rave about it). I am also not too worried about the 8.2 megapixel of Canon 30D verses the 12.2 and 12.3 megapixels of other two. However, I am not sure whether for a beginner DSLR user, I should go for the 30D?
I have a couple of questions for you DSLR users (if one forgets about the fantastic price of Canon kit):
Should I go for secondhand Canon 30D or one of the other DSLR’s mentioned above as my first DSLR? I have heard somewhere that DSLR’s are good for about 150000 shots before they start to give niggles? Is that true?
If you have ‘Liveview’ on your DSLR, how often do you use it, and will you miss it if you did not have this feature? Canon 30D does not have this feature, and as a beginner to DSLR photography, should I go for one of the ones mentioned above which do have the ‘Liveview’ feature?
Thanking you in advance for your answers and thoughts on the above.
I recently bought D5000 after trying D60 and D90. The live view funtion is really helpful if I want to take macro shots of insects or animals or flowers. I find it easier to see the grid and controls on a screen rather than looking to the camera.
Though I still think D5000 is not a starter camera. It is a bit advanced. However I love the video quality.
Do not be bothered too much by price. Set your budged and buy a fresh piece. A second hand camera might have some glitches that you discover later and might bug you.
A DSLR is sort of a long term investment. 150,000 shots is nothing for DSLR. My roommate just snapped 7,000 wonderful pics on his 2 week trip to Australia using his old Nikon D40.
You have to be very comfortable with handling of the camera. If you shoot outdoors alot, your wrists might start hurting after a few hours of constant camera use.
Look for features you would frequently use, specially the sort of lens available for the camera. DO NOT think what camera would suit a beginner (unless you have lots of money to spare for experiments). The technology is not that complex and people learn quickly. If you go for an entry level camera, you might miss some features which you require 6 months down the lane. Photography is not about learning the technical details but about composition and people do that with basic cameras too.
Aisha, Kakabali, thanks for the advice an details.
Havin thought long and hard, I have decided to go for the Canon 30D, with Canon 430EXII flashgun, and the two lenses it came with (Canon 50 mm f1.8, and Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6).
I guess, one of the factors was the excellent price of this kit my work colleague was selling for. With the money I am saving (just need to add a little extra), I will either get the 'Tamron **AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC' lens, or the EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens.
I recently bought D5000 after trying D60 and D90. The live view funtion is really helpful if I want to take macro shots of insects or animals or flowers. I find it easier to see the grid and controls on a screen rather than looking to the camera.
Though I still think D5000 is not a starter camera. It is a bit advanced. However I love the video quality.
D90 has live view as well as video. What did you find better in D5000 compared to D90 ??
Aisha, Kakabali, thanks for the advice an details.
Havin thought long and hard, I have decided to go for the Canon 30D, with Canon 430EXII flashgun, and the two lenses it came with (Canon 50 mm f1.8, and Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6).
I guess, one of the factors was the excellent price of this kit my work colleague was selling for. With the money I am saving (just need to add a little extra), I will either get the 'Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 VC' lens, or the EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens.
Any thoughts on which one?
Go with Tamron 18-270. I have the Nikon version. Its a great lens, and trust me the VC function comes in really handy :)
Canon 30D is good camera, learn and familiarize yourself with the camera before playing with it, post your pictures online and get feedback from other photographers. Also it depends what you wana to use it for, depending on your likes or projects you might feel Canon MKIV or Nikon D3 may be the answer for your creative needs. Pixel size 8.2MP is enough to start with, any thing over for the beginner is bonus. Live view is handy feature but it is more for the pro photographers who uses this feature for the speedy work, dance pics or at several other places. Canon 28-105 lens is a good lens. or if you can afford then go with Canon 28-70 f2.8.
Punjabi in USA & Mubeens bhaijan. Sorry about the ‘much’ delayed response.
Thank you for your suggestions. In the end I decided to go for two lenses, which I hope will not need to be replaced when I decide to upgrade to another Canon camera. I doubt I will ever go for a full frame camera.
The two lenses that I have purchased are:
Tamron AF 17-50mm f2.8; and Tamron AF 18-270mm f3.6-6.3 VC lens (as suggested by Punjabi bhaijan).
I must admit, having a constant maximum aperture of f2.8 (across the full range of 17-50mm) is really great.
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