Looking to purchase my first dslr but need help.

[pcolaheadbussa]

Hi, I have been wanting to get into photography ever since i was around 12 (21 now). I have always loved seeing awsome shots and can remember always wishing I could have a camera of my own to get out there and see what I could capture. Well now that I have been working and living on my own for a few years I finally have the money to spend on a camera! I am willing to spend around $1500 for a camera and lens/lenses. I started looking through different cameras a while back now thinking it would be easy to find the one i wanted, boy was i wrong! There is just a crazy amount of seemingly great beginner dslr's out there. After wasting a lot of time looking through all the brands i decided to cut it down to nikon and canon since i plan on buying used lenses and figured those would be the easiest brands to come across. After reviewing i am considering going with the nikon d90 with a 50mm prime, not sure on the f1.4 or f1.8 since i am not knowledgeable enough yet to know how much of a difference it would make. My question though is, is the d90 a good choice to go with considering how long its been out when there are cameras that have come out much sooner such as the d3100?

I really didnt think it was going to be this difficult to pick a camera but they all seem to have good reviews. BTW, i dont just plan to use my camera on occasion. I really plan on diving deep into photography and see how far i can take it. I already love taking pictures with my gf's point and shoot but i have long outgrown that wanting more control and flexibility with my pictures. Thanks for any advice you guys can give me. This money is burning a whole in my pocket and i have almost just went and bought a dslr on impulse multiple times now but i need advice from some experienced photographers before i do.

 

[RockstarPhotography]

nikons newest camera, the d7000 is getting some major attention.

 

[pcolaheadbussa]

thanks man, its honostly more than i would like spend but still in the price range i can afford. What i like about it is its made of a tougher material! Thats the main thing that has been concerning me with the entry level dslr's is their ruggedness because i do alot of very strenuous hiking and plan to bring my camera along with me. I will have to look into this camera some more.

 

[flatflip]

Go to snapsort.com to compare the D90 and the D3100. I like the larger viewfinder of the D90 and the built-in focus motor. I think the D3100 is better for hiking because it's lightweight and very ergonomic (to me).

Adorama.com had some refurbished D90 bodies for $600. Check Dealnews.com day and night for a D3100 for less than $600 with a lens. Also look on craigslist.

 

[fsquare]

For $1500 i would get a refurbished or used D90 ($600), a used 80-200mm F2.8D ($800) and a 50mm f1.8 ($100)....then i would save up for a standard zoom in the 17-50 or 24-70 range...this all really depends what you want to shoot.

 

[SlickSalmon]

When thinking about modern digital camera equipment, the camera itself is just a small part of the total package. At the very least you have to consider post-processing software, a computer and a printer of some kind. A lot of people do without the printer, but no one with higher aspirations in this business can do without software and a good computer to run it on. That computer requires a good monitor and monitor calibration equipment. So, as you're considering how much to spend on a camera, think about the cost of the whole rig and then plan accordingly.

 

[daarksun]

There are some great deals and camera's out there for an awesome price.

Pentax has an excellent new Pentax Kr model at 12.3pm and some excellent features. decent priced lenses are avail as well. Pentax is one of the most underrated systems avail. You could also check out the K7 which will soon be replaced. May be able to get a deal on one with the K5 being released.

Canon excells in starter cams that are more starter/intermidiate. The T1i and T2i and new T3i are supreme. t2&3 come with an impressive 18mp, decent AF sytem and a quality build.

Nikon just put out the new D3100. I would not bother with the D5000 which is now below the 3100. 3100 has a 16mp system, and nice features.

Sony starter cams to feel plastiky but has a great live view system that beats all the others if you like to view through the display. None of the other brands can touch this feature. The image quality is as nice as the others and their lenses quality is very very nice. The new a33/a560 & a55/a580 models are state of the art nicely priced with large frame rates. The a550 is also a great starter camera.

You can also check out the new Sony NEX5. It has a 14.6 APC sensor like the big boys, Can use the entire line of ALPHA lenses. I have a friend with the NEX5 and it's an awesome littel machine that you can take everyone with the cool 18-200 lens.

The amount of avail models and styles is outstanding for starters and these starter cameras allow the user to move into the intermediate without needing an upgrade. Good luck with your choice and you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[Ginu]

I love my D90 and would like to upgrade to a FX camera so I would suggest going with either a D90 or a D7000 which is better and newer than the D90 but I would not even consider buying a D3100.

There is a ton of features which are a drawback on the D3100 like internal af motor (primes like the 1.8 1.4 will not AF unless you go for the G version which is costly) no LCDdisplay on top (this is a big one for me) lower ISO capability and the list goes on. I suggest save a little more and go with the D90 or save a little more and go with the D7000 skip the entry level cameras if you can.

In terms of lenses, this is a personal preference as everyone has a different budget and different shooting habits. Some love primes and will shoot with primes only, some have a higher budget and over time they invested in some nice G glass and some are on a budget using 18-200 AFS (do it all lens).
In my case I sold the kit 18-105 which came with the D90 and upgraded to a 18-200 which I love (most established photographers will not be caught dead with such range on a lens)and I picked up a used 50mm 1.8 older lens for 90$ which I love and it sits on the body most of the time, but If I'm outside and have the light in my favor I will normally run the 18-200.
.
I would love to upgrade to G lens like the 12-24 2.8, 24-70 2.8 and a 70-200 2.8 along with a gripped D700. Would make my day and I would be happy for years to come but lets be realistic who has 6k or so to spend all at once on photo equipment...

 

[Ginu]

There are some great deals and camera's out there for an awesome price.

Pentax has an excellent new Pentax Kr model at 12.3pm and some excellent features. decent priced lenses are avail as well. Pentax is one of the most underrated systems avail. You could also check out the K7 which will soon be replaced. May be able to get a deal on one with the K5 being released.

Canon excells in starter cams that are more starter/intermidiate. The T1i and T2i and new T3i are supreme. t2&3 come with an impressive 18mp, decent AF sytem and a quality build.

Nikon just put out the new D3100. I would not bother with the D5000 which is now below the 3100. 3100 has a 16mp system, and nice features.

Sony starter cams to feel plastiky but has a great live view system that beats all the others if you like to view through the display. None of the other brands can touch this feature. The image quality is as nice as the others and their lenses quality is very very nice. The new a33/a560 & a55/a580 models are state of the art nicely priced with large frame rates. The a550 is also a great starter camera.

You can also check out the new Sony NEX5. It has a 14.6 APC sensor like the big boys, Can use the entire line of ALPHA lenses. I have a friend with the NEX5 and it's an awesome littel machine that you can take everyone with the cool 18-200 lens.

The amount of avail models and styles is outstanding for starters and these starter cameras allow the user to move into the intermediate without needing an upgrade. Good luck with your choice and you can go wrong with any of them.

I agree with looking into Sony, but one thing I don't agree with is the resale factor of all the non Nikon/Canon and the fact that most photographers use Nikon or Cannon which makes it easier when picking up a lens or selling a lens.

 

[DVC Mike]

Get a Nikon D90 or wait for the D5000 replacement (D5100?) which should be announced fairly soon.

 

[pcolaheadbussa]

@ slicksalmon, you make a good point and that is the only thing stopping me from just getting the d7000 because i also plan to buy a new computer too since my current one is practically useless.

I want to stay away from used or refurbished bodies because with my luck something will go wrong and i will be out of luck. i will happily pay the extra money for something new under warranty.

As this will be my first dslr its hard to tell what lenses will suite me best but i know i want to start with shooting alot of street photography (live in las vegas so alot to look at around here) along with some portraits of some aspiring model friends of mine. @Ginu, you make a good point on the d3100. I dont like that it doesnt have the built in af versus the d90 having it which is a deal breaker right there for me. will save me money in the long run on lenses.

I guess the main feature with the d7000 i like is the fact its made of a better material. I am fairly clumsy so that would definitively come into play eventually. I compared the two and the d7000 other than more mega pixals over the d90 it has more af points which really doesnt mean much to me since i dont know how all they functions.

 

[flatflip]

@ slicksalmon, you make a good point and that is the only thing stopping me from just getting the d7000 because i also plan to buy a new computer too since my current one is practically useless.

I want to stay away from used or refurbished bodies because with my luck something will go wrong and i will be out of luck. i will happily pay the extra money for something new under warranty.

As this will be my first dslr its hard to tell what lenses will suite me best but i know i want to start with shooting alot of street photography (live in las vegas so alot to look at around here) along with some portraits of some aspiring model friends of mine. @Ginu, you make a good point on the d3100. I dont like that it doesnt have the built in af versus the d90 having it which is a deal breaker right there for me. will save me money in the long run on lenses.

I guess the main feature with the d7000 i like is the fact its made of a better material. I am fairly clumsy so that would definitively come into play eventually. I compared the two and the d7000 other than more mega pixals over the d90 it has more af points which really doesnt mean much to me since i dont know how all they functions.

Now that you're talking D7000 I'll say; The 39 focus points rock. I am also tickled about the 2 card slots and tons of external controls. The 18-105 kit lens is a very good lens. It's a good walk around lens and it should be easy to sell if you want to replace it with a faster lens. I got a winter 2011 catalog from Adorama and it lists the D7000 body with a multiple choice of lenses at a lens discount. When I got my D7000 I had to buy the kit lens because all other options were not "in stock" (so to speak) yet. My ideal purchase would have been to get the body with a fast lens and buy a kit zoom lens used. There was a seller on this forum that offered me a 18-55 VR and a 55-200 VR for $200. I probably would have got those lenses and a $1200 body.

 

[fsquare]

Get a Nikon D90 or wait for the D5000 replacement (D5100?) which should be announced fairly soon.

Refurbished items have full warranties. I've bought numerous refurbished items like ipods, lenses, cameras, stereo equipment...never ever had a problem

 

[flatflip]

Get a Nikon D90 or wait for the D5000 replacement (D5100?) which should be announced fairly soon.

Refurbished items have full warranties. I've bought numerous refurbished items like ipods, lenses, cameras, stereo equipment...never ever had a problem

Refurbished Nikons only have a 90 day warranty.

 

[pcolaheadbussa]

Now what exactly will a faster lense do for me? I can tell prices get way higher the lower the number is. I'll use an example. I have been looking at the 50mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4 but there is a huge price difference. What does the .4 difference allow you to do?