Want to spend $1100 on photography, What should I get?

[Sarmad]

[FONT=lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif]Deleted.[/FONT]

 

[Patriot]

what do you already have? $1100 isnt going to get you much. High quality lens can cost more than that. Even if you want a cheaper alternative $1100 still wont get you as much as you think. I would just save up and get a great piece of glass.

 

[bratkinson]

Starting from scratch, I'd be looking for a good/great condition body, lens, and flash, all in the used market. Given your location in Pakistan, I would not be surprised if it might be more difficult to obtain used than new.

Since I am a Canon fan, I'd go with either a 40D or 50D body, perhaps an EF-S 18-135 f3.5-5.6 IS USM, and a EX 430 II flash. My first lens when I switched to a DSLR was the 18-135 and found it gave great results in any situtation except indoors, when the external flash was a necessity. Popup flashes on cameras have about a 10 foot (3 meter) range, that's why an external flash is a must. As an alternative to the 18-135, you may want to consider the EF 24-105 f4.0L IS in it's place. The image quality of the L lens is noticably better then the 18-135 and autofocus is near instantaneous. The 24-105 is the lens I use the most on my 60D.

And for macro, get a couple of extension tubes. Don't waste your time or money with screw-on "close up" or "macro" lenses. They're all junk. Been there, done that.

 

[Sarmad]

Starting from scratch, I'd be looking for a good/great condition body, lens, and flash, all in the used market. Given your location in Pakistan, I would not be surprised if it might be more difficult to obtain used than new.

Since I am a Canon fan, I'd go with either a 40D or 50D body, perhaps an EF-S 18-135 f3.5-5.6 IS USM, and a EX 430 II flash. My first lens when I switched to a DSLR was the 18-135 and found it gave great results in any situtation except indoors, when the external flash was a necessity. Popup flashes on cameras have about a 10 foot (3 meter) range, that's why an external flash is a must. As an alternative to the 18-135, you may want to consider the EF 24-105 f4.0L IS in it's place. The image quality of the L lens is noticably better then the 18-135 and autofocus is near instantaneous. The 24-105 is the lens I use the most on my 60D.

And for macro, get a couple of extension tubes. Don't waste your time or money with screw-on "close up" or "macro" lenses. They're all junk. Been there, done that.

Well I was thinking about getting a New Nikon D90 alongwith 18-105mm lens...... Nothing else except a lens hood.... How's that?

 

[TheBiles]

Have you considered Micro Four Thirds?

 

[Sarmad]

Have you considered Micro Four Thirds?

Not yet, not really into mirrorless interchangable lens system, I don't consider them as reliable as DSLR's

 

[Mully]

Have a look around ebay... maybe someone in Europe would be close.

 

[kundalini]

Have you considered Micro Four Thirds?

Not yet, not really into mirrorless interchangable lens system, I don't consider them as reliable as DSLR's

Based on what?

 

[Sarmad]

Have you considered Micro Four Thirds?

Not yet, not really into mirrorless interchangable lens system, I don't consider them as reliable as DSLR's

Based on what?

My silly mind.....

 

[unpopular]

When on a tight budget, don't be tempted to think newer is better. Often times you can good a great mid range body for the same amount or significantly less than a new model low-end body. Don't be tempted by the alure of "brand new".

 

[IByte]

Look at dpreview.com, go to a store feel which body feels good in your hands. Go to keg.com look what you can get. Since it is holiday season, save your pennies until you find a great deal. If you can wait a little longer, you can not only building up your budget; but also after Xmas sales usually have fantastic deals.



Sorry afternoon pints are on my mind. I meant to say keh.com. Also, window shop around Adorama in their used department, guaranteed you will become a fan very quickly.