Can anyone suggest me a DSLR with lens, My budget is $1100.

[MTVision]

If you're shooting just portraits for your kids, you probably don't need to spend $1100 on a camera either. A tripod means you can use longer exposures, instead of higher ISOs, which Nikons are much better at reducing shutter speed noise than high ISO noise.

Composing with a tripod isn't categorically different, but it requires a lot more thought, since you don't want to continuously set up and take down a tripod.

If you can have a tack sharp shot at 1/15 a second, zoomed to at least over 55mm, with just VR, you're better than most. I've talked to plenty of pros who say that even with steady practice, shooting after breathing, etc they don't feel comfortable doing much more than double the inverse rule with VR.

I guess we just disagree there though. Though I will say, pretty much every book you read about that, even in the VR/IS age, say that most types of photography are drastically benefited by a tripod.

I didn't say shooting portraits for my kids. I said portraits or kids. Child photographers probably don't use tripods that often since kids move around a lot. Maybe in the studio a tripod is useful. I never said a tripod wasn't useful but I think a person should figure out what type of photography they want to do before they drop money on a good tripod.

 

[svarmasagi]

Okay thanks a lot for your input. So, what do you say if i am planning to buy below kit.
Nikon D5100 body + Nikkor 18 - 200 mm F 3.5 -5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX + 4 GB SD CARD + Digital Case + High speed SD CARD Reader + Full-size Tripod +++ (Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S OR 35mm f/1.8 )

 

[kundalini]

Often the kits on offer provide substandard accessories. Get a body, a lens and a memory card. Pick and choose wisely after that.

 

[svarmasagi]

So which lens(Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S OR Nikon 35mm prime f/1.8 lens) need to be added to below kit
Nikon D5100 body + Nikkor 18 - 200 mm F 3.5 -5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX + 4 GB SD CARD + Digital Case + High speed SD CARD Reader + Full-size Tripod.

 

[MTVision]

Why aren't you considering the 50mm f/1.8? Why only the 50 1.4? The 50mm 1.4 is around 300 more than the 50 f/1.8 and the 35 f/1.8......

 

[MTVision]

The tripod that comes with that kit will probably be worthless. You shouldn't put your expensive camera on a cheap tripod

 

[LightSpeed]

Get a good camera and lens and learn how to use them before you worry about getting a tripod.

I disagree pretty heavily there. To me, the two biggest things that have made a difference in my photography was learning how the controls on my camera work, and how to properly use a tripod. Real photography is 75% done on a tripod and 23% of the other 25% of when it's not on a tripod (or monopod) it's because it just can't practically be shot on a tripod. As well, you can develop some bad habits early on by hand shooting for too long. I think it throws your sharpness eye off, and you get used to too much noise. A big part of learning to become a photographer and not a snapshooter (along with composition and lighting) is learning how to compose with a tripod.

Go try to get something like this with a tripod. Over 80% of my stuff is gotten without a tripod. Does this mean that one never needs a tripod or that it's not a good idea to have a tripod? NO.
But the assertion that 75% of REAL PHOTOGRAPHY comes off a tripod is a JOKE and completely out of line and in my opinion bad advice. You wouldn't have had time to get this shot off a tripod OR a monopod no matter how fast you are.

If I were the OP I would seriously consider the Pentax K5 at around 1000.00 til the end of this month. I feel at that price that it's the best bang for the buck BY FAR and leaps and bounds ahead of the Nikon 5100

 

[svarmasagi]

I am getting below kit with 18 -55 mm lens added for 1150.
Nikon D5100 body + Nikkor 18 - 200 mm F 3.5 -5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR DX + 4 GB SD CARD + Digital Case + High speed SD CARD Reader + Full-size Tripod.
I thought i will sell 18 - 55 mm lens and pick one among other lens like (Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S OR Nikon 35mm prime f/1.8 lens Or 50mm f1.4).

 

[svarmasagi]

Just for your information. I was looking deals at this website. "Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) W/ 1-Year USA Warranty"

 

[MTVision]

You won't get very much for the 18-55 kit lens. It doesn't make any sense to get the 18-55 and the 18-200

 

[LightSpeed]

Read up above your two posts , here. If you got your heart set on the Nikon 5100, by all means go for it.
As crop sensor cameras go, you would be hard pressed to get anything better than the Pentax K5. It is a superb piece of equipment.

Disclaimer : the image I posted was NOT shot with a K5.
It was shot with a Pentax K7. The K5 is 10 times better. If I wasn't thinking about going full frame, I'd have one in my arsenal TOMORROW.

 

[RichardsTPF]

You shouldn't put your expensive camera on a cheap tripod

:thumbup:
I have the 18-200mm glass. This lens is very convenient for traveling. Quality-wise, it's not sharp as prime lens and other high end zoom lens. You get what you paid for.
A cheap tripod is not steady enough for shooting at 200mm. If you are serious about this hobby, you will buy a good tripod sooner or later. So why waste money on a cheap one?

 

[MTVision]

Get a good camera and lens and learn how to use them before you worry about getting a tripod.

I disagree pretty heavily there. To me, the two biggest things that have made a difference in my photography was learning how the controls on my camera work, and how to properly use a tripod. Real photography is 75% done on a tripod and 23% of the other 25% of when it's not on a tripod (or monopod) it's because it just can't practically be shot on a tripod. As well, you can develop some bad habits early on by hand shooting for too long. I think it throws your sharpness eye off, and you get used to too much noise. A big part of learning to become a photographer and not a snapshooter (along with composition and lighting) is learning how to compose with a tripod.

Go try to get something like this with a tripod. Over 80% of my stuff is gotten without a tripod. Does this mean that one never needs a tripod or that it's not a good idea to have a tripod? NO.
But the assertion that 75% of REAL PHOTOGRAPHY comes off a tripod is a JOKE and completely out of line and in my opinion bad advice. You wouldn't have had time to get this shot off a tripod OR a monopod no matter how fast you are.

If I were the OP I would seriously consider the Pentax K5 at around 1000.00 til the end of this month. I feel at that price that it's the best bang for the buck BY FAR and leaps and bounds ahead of the Nikon 5100

THANK YOU!

And I must be better than the rest......

My picture edited by Keith (KmH)


1/6 F/7.1 ISO 100 - this one was shot at 55mm. I do have some other shots like this that are zoomed in but I'm not at home so this is the only copy I have.

 

[LightSpeed]

I disagree pretty heavily there. To me, the two biggest things that have made a difference in my photography was learning how the controls on my camera work, and how to properly use a tripod. Real photography is 75% done on a tripod and 23% of the other 25% of when it's not on a tripod (or monopod) it's because it just can't practically be shot on a tripod. As well, you can develop some bad habits early on by hand shooting for too long. I think it throws your sharpness eye off, and you get used to too much noise. A big part of learning to become a photographer and not a snapshooter (along with composition and lighting) is learning how to compose with a tripod.

Go try to get something like this with a tripod. Over 80% of my stuff is gotten without a tripod. Does this mean that one never needs a tripod or that it's not a good idea to have a tripod? NO.
But the assertion that 75% of REAL PHOTOGRAPHY comes off a tripod is a JOKE and completely out of line and in my opinion bad advice. You wouldn't have had time to get this shot off a tripod OR a monopod no matter how fast you are.

If I were the OP I would seriously consider the Pentax K5 at around 1000.00 til the end of this month. I feel at that price that it's the best bang for the buck BY FAR and leaps and bounds ahead of the Nikon 5100

THANK YOU!

And I must be better than the rest......

My picture edited by Keith (KmH)


1/6 F/7.1 ISO 100 - this one was shot at 55mm. I do have some other shots like this that are zoomed in but I'm not at home so this is the only copy I have.

You're most welcome.
In my opinion, the K5 Pentax is best crop sensor camera available.
It rivals the full framers in high ISO noise and image quality.
It is an extremely nice COMPLETELY weather sealed body with a whisper quite shutter.
Before it's all said and done, I may end up with one.

Pentax lenses are things of beauty, by the way.

 

[fjrabon]

That zoom wouldn't work for weddings. It's slow and horrible in low light. A lot of people who shoot weddings use 2 camera bodies - with 2 different lenses. The 70-200 f/2.8 is a great zoom but it's super pricey.

There is a 50mm f/1.8 af-s for about 220.00 and it will work on the d5100. It is a much better lens than the 35mm f/1.8 and from what I've read its better than the more expensive 50 f/1.4

Yeah, I mean it's hard/impossible to shoot weddings at that price point, regardless. I think that lens is the best you can do at an $1100 total price if you are trying to do weddings, outside of just renting glass for any weddings you do (and come to think of it, that's probably his best bet to get started, right?)