Which route would you go?

Baaaark · Jan 25, 2011

If you were getting into photography and had about $1000 to spend, would you go out and buy a new camera with one lens and go, or get an older, cheaper body with lens, and then buy another lens, a flash or both?

Example: I could get a d90 with kit lens and be done. Or I could get something like a d70, a 50mm 1.8, some cactus v5 triggers, and a couple of vivitars and stands.

What route would you take?

tirediron · Jan 25, 2011

Buy the best equipment you can afford; you'll be much better off in the long-run with a little bit of good equipment than a lot old/cheap gear. There's nothing wrong with buying used (I buy a LOT of my gear used) BUT don't buy sub-standard. The D70 was a good camera in it's day, but compared to a newer camera with better high-ISO capabilities and a higher-resolution sensor is money well spent.

dxqcanada · Jan 25, 2011

That is not an easy question to answer ... but I will give my two cents:

I have not purchased a new (D)SLR in 25 years.
I purchase used cameras and spend my money on lenses.
I also purchase used lenses ... though I have acquired some new as the used items were not available or over-priced.

I try to continually upgrade by selling the old one to partially pay for the newer one (I gave up long ago the habit of keeping camera bodies ... too many laying around, though I usually like to have two on hand).

dxqcanada · Jan 25, 2011

Ah, as Tirediron stated ... do not by used equipment that is too sub-standard unless there is a very large price difference (give away).

... and as some on this forum have shown, you do not need the best camera to take the best photograph.

D-B-J · Jan 25, 2011

Buy used, but buy used reasonably. A d90 is much better than getting the d70, and as stated, having some good gearr is better than having alot of ok-ish gear.

Regards,
Jake

Baaaark · Jan 25, 2011

My thoughts were to get the d70 because it was a great camera for its time. I figure if it was taking great photos a few years ago it can now, right?

blazerj · Jan 25, 2011

If you're only at $1,000, get the best camera you can and a kit lens or whatever lens you can currently afford. With a few prime exceptions, lenses tend to cost $500+, so it will be expensive to upgrade, but not too bad to establish a good baseline.

reznap · Jan 25, 2011

5D classic with a 50mm f/1.8 is the best bang for that buck. There isn't an comparable Nikon system in that price range. I'm by no means a Canon fanboy either.

Jakefreese · Jan 25, 2011

I bought a Canon 40D with a 28-135mm IS USM lens. I was going to wait and buy a 7D and the 24-105L lens but got the 40D for $700, so I could get in it. I got mine from B&H since they have a 30day warranty on it. I figured the 40D would get me going until I could get the body I want and by then I will have some better glass and other gear to go with it.

Ryan L · Jan 25, 2011

I wouldnt expect someone just getting into photography to really utilize multiple manual flashes and wireless triggers. I would get the best body you can afford, and I would buy used. Most things I buy are and as long as you thoroughly look them over you should be safe....most of my things break right after the warranty expires anyway!

RockstarPhotography · Jan 25, 2011

camera body's will come and go....good glass can last a lifetime. I still use some of my grandfathers lenses he got back in the 70's Theres no autofocus or light meter, but they still take phenomenal photos! So I would concentrate on good glass. you can always upgrade the body later. Also, glass will hold its value, even go up in value sometimes.

Baaaark · Jan 25, 2011

I'm not new to photography, just new to DSLRs and artificial lighting.

I think getting a full, inexpensive setup sounds like a good idea at first, giving me room to upgrade.

digital flower · Jan 26, 2011

I love my D70 and still use it sometimes but would recommend getting a newer camera body. As stated the ISO/noise performance is somewhat lacking in the D70. I don't know how your eyes are but the viewfinder and LCD screen are also kind of bogus on the D70. There isn't a lot of difference but I would recommend the D70s model over the regular D70.

Village Idiot · Jan 26, 2011

Baaaark said:
My thoughts were to get the d70 because it was a great camera for its time. I figure if it was taking great photos a few years ago it can now, right?

It can, but a used D90 will have better IQ, ISO performance, and overall features.

Baaaark · Jan 26, 2011

I just don't know. I really really want to get into taking the proper steps to learn artificial lighting and composition, but on my budget that won't be an option unless I only spend about 350 on a body.

Anything would be better than the camera I have now. It is a 5mp point and shoot without a hot shoe.

Sigh.