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12/17/2005 10:48:00 AM · #1 |
Yesterday we had a cristmas party and I got to play around with my friends D100 - 70-300mm lens and SB800 flash. Seeing that I was having fun, she was kind enough to let me play with it for the entire evening and it was just awesome!! Everything I clicked with spot on, atleast on the LCD (will post some pictures once she sends me the CD).. and I had so much fun that I didnt keep the camera down for a moment!
So is that enough justification to buy myself a DSLR or I should look into other things before I order one?
I was thinking about D50-with 18-55mm lens kit
BTW, I blame DPC for getting the idea in my head at the first place ;) .. |
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12/17/2005 10:54:54 AM · #2 |
It's easy to justify if you can afford it. Can you? If you're single, you probably can both "afford" and "justify" it without any difficulty; you can afford it by cutting back somewhere else (if you're a smoker, quit smoking, if you're a drinker, cut back, if you eat out 3x a week, stop doing it, you get the idea) and justification is not an issue really.
If you're married, justification is more difficult unless you can easily afford it. If you have kids, they work well as "justifiers" because the dSLR will produce wonderful kid photos and youc annot put a price on those. Its primary advantage is the instant-on aspect of it and the fact that there's no shutter lag; press buttoin, picture happens right then and there. The viewfinder's optical, not electronic, so it just beats the heck out of the viewfinder/shutter lag in most point 'n shoots.
R. |
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12/17/2005 10:59:27 AM · #3 |
The best reason to buy a dslr is you can upgrade it. The investment is much more prudent in that respect, whereas a point and shoot cannot be upgraded and when you feel the itch, you will then have to buy a complete new camera other than just a lense or attachment.
Rose |
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12/17/2005 11:04:26 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Rose8699:
The best reason to buy a dslr is you can upgrade it. The investment is much more prudent in that respect, whereas a point and shoot cannot be upgraded and when you feel the itch, you will then have to buy a complete new camera other than just a lense or attachment.
Rose |
Jaysus, Rose.... LOL... for most people that's the main reason NOT to get a dSLR; it ain't the initial purchase that kills ya, it's the continual "upgrading" that leeches all available funds out of your pocketbook.
(In case you don't know me well enough to tell, this post is in good fun :-)
R. |
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12/17/2005 11:06:37 AM · #5 |
I am single and luckily with no other addiction than DPC, so I do think I can afford it, but the way you put it Robert it justifies the reason why I can afford it.
I loved the instant feel you get using a DSLR, almost no delays ..everything you want to capture you get it.
@Rose, yeah that is definitely an advantage of having an SLR, I wouldn't be craving for another camera for a long time. |
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12/17/2005 11:08:39 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
for most people that's the main reason NOT to get a dSLR; it ain't the initial purchase that kills ya, it's the continual "upgrading" that leeches all available funds out of your pocketbook.
R. |
Oh yeah and that too makes me take a step backwards, I am already looking into that amazing flash she had on camera SB800 and another additional lenses..and things just seem to keep adding ! |
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12/17/2005 11:15:38 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by bear_music:
Originally posted by Rose8699:
The best reason to buy a dslr is you can upgrade it. The investment is much more prudent in that respect, whereas a point and shoot cannot be upgraded and when you feel the itch, you will then have to buy a complete new camera other than just a lense or attachment.
Rose |
Jaysus, Rose.... LOL... for most people that's the main reason NOT to get a dSLR; it ain't the initial purchase that kills ya, it's the continual "upgrading" that leeches all available funds out of your pocketbook.
(In case you don't know me well enough to tell, this post is in good fun :-)
R. |
Well, I had considered the Samsung Pro 815. It has a nice 15x zoom, decent other add ons, but alas, its a point and shoot. I know eventually I will want better and so I prefer to have the ability to upgrade rather than continuous buy a new camera. The Pro 815 runs around $800 or a bit more. For a few more dollars I can get an entire package of the Rebel XT with the 70-300, the 18-55, the USB port reader, card, camera body, case, etc. Then it is just a matter from there of getting extra filters and lenses according to my tastes. If I go with the Pro 815, and want to change things later, its a whole new camera and cost. So to me, the better investment is in the upgradable cameras.
If you look around, the prices aren't really that bad for upgrades. That Rebel XT package I am getting is only just over $1000.00, where as even at wal-mart, the camera with standard lens is %957.00 with no card or accessories. The lens of all types for it (big, small, and indifferent..LOL), I have found for $200 and less with a lot of research. So it isn't that you have to buy everything from the manufacturer or camera shop or top of the line at all times. It's worth looking into other options of purchase.
In any case, I do believe, investment wise, the dslr is the way to go, and I would never recommend a point and shoot IF photography is going to continue to be your passion for many years to come.
I know most of your posts are in good fun :)
Rose |
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12/17/2005 11:50:43 AM · #8 |
I just got the D50 and its a super little camera it really is, I use it for back-up on jobs and my fiancee has decided that is also HER new camera too. I did not get the kit lens with it because I already have a fair collection of good glass but any AF-S lens from Nikon is going to be great.
As Rose said you have more options with a DSLR than with a P&S camera... go for it. |
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12/17/2005 12:04:12 PM · #9 |
| Because you want it! And you are now going to keep on wanting it. Eventually you will get it. So why not now? Save yourself some pain. |
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12/17/2005 12:21:00 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by emorgan49:
Because you want it |
First thing I thought of when I saw the subject. No more reason necessary if you ask me. |
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12/17/2005 12:31:30 PM · #11 |
I've thought about a DSLR also...as for not needing/wanting to upgrade because you don't have a P&S anymore, what about wanting a new camera body. For example, you start with a Canon 350 Rebel, then you want a 20D, or start with a Nikon 50D, then want a 200D, etc...
That's my concern. Will I be happy a year from now with what I've purchased (DSLR body), or will the uncontrollable urge to upgrade hit once again! ;^)
There's always a "better" toy out there - the hard part is knowing when to say when, and getting the best you can when you finally jump in.
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12/17/2005 12:32:42 PM · #12 |
I ordered
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD
hope its not a bad decision !! |
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12/17/2005 12:35:44 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by vikas:
I ordered
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD
hope its not a bad decision !! |
Should make you happy, *for starters*... (wicked laugh)
R. |
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12/17/2005 12:36:15 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by vikas:
I ordered
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD
hope its not a bad decision !! |
Nikon??????? BAD decision!
June
PS. J/K
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12/17/2005 12:36:32 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by vikas:
I ordered
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Camera w/ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G
Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 LD
hope its not a bad decision !! |
Alright! I think you will enjoy it alot! But now the bugs bitten ya, you will be spending much more! |
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12/17/2005 12:46:10 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
I've thought about a DSLR also...as for not needing/wanting to upgrade because you don't have a P&S anymore, what about wanting a new camera body. For example, you start with a Canon 350 Rebel, then you want a 20D, or start with a Nikon 50D, then want a 200D, etc...
That's my concern. Will I be happy a year from now with what I've purchased (DSLR body), or will the uncontrollable urge to upgrade hit once again! ;^)
There's always a "better" toy out there - the hard part is knowing when to say when, and getting the best you can when you finally jump in. |
Once yo make the move to a dSLR, the body upgrade will not be as strong as the glass upgrade - once you try the good stuff, you have to have more. THAT's teh dangersous part.
This time last year i decided to get a dSLR. Got the rebel, 50 1.8 and inexpensive tamron 28-80 all for $950 or so.
Since then....this year mind you, I've added a Metz 54 flash ($300), a tamron 18-50 2.8 EX ($440), sigma 70-300 APO ($200), tamron 24-135 SP ($400), tamron 70-210 2.8 ($300) and i started with 1 256Mb CF card..I have have that and 1 1Gb and 5 512 cards ($250 or so for them), and a couple of extra batteries, a strap, a bag to carry it all in....a new tripod to support the weight of it all, so the $800 or so the camera itself ran is a small part of the money spent. Rough calculations show $1600+ in 'upgrades'...and of course the 'wants' list is still bigger than the 'haves' list.
Simply sell everything else you own on ebay so you can 'afford' it!
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12/17/2005 01:04:43 PM · #17 |
I am getting the feeling
you can checkin anytime of the year but you can never leave
with all the wicked souls smiling, grining and talking among themselves, we captured a new soul!!
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12/17/2005 01:18:59 PM · #18 |
A lot of people seem to be saying that all the upgrades you'll want eventually are going to run up the cost, which is probably true to some extent, but think of it this way: You buy a DSLR body and a walkabout lens (i.e. the 18-55mm), you've already covered the functionality of any P&S you could buy. Most people with point & shoots (at least in my experience) seem to buy a new one every few years as the technology evolves, so each accessory you buy for the SLR is sort of like replacing a P&S to upgrade it and probably has fairly similar financial impact. Even when you're ready to upgrade your body, you can significantly reduce the cost by selling your old one (unless you want to go pro and need a backup, in which case you can justify it as a business expense ;-) ).
Also, photography gear makes great holiday/birthday presents, so that's a good way to expand. Something for your camera is much more exciting than a sweater. There's a huge range in accessory prices (from little $10 doodads to multi-$1000 vibration reduction telephoto lenses), so there's usually something anyone in any budget range could give you as a gift. Between my wish list at B&H and just knowing I have a Nikon, my parents, etc. seem to have had a much easier time shopping for me than I have had for them this Christmas. |
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12/17/2005 01:19:38 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by vikas:
you can checkin anytime of the year but you can never leave |
interesting...that just came on my playlist... |
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12/17/2005 01:26:00 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
This time last year i decided to get a dSLR. Got the rebel, 50 1.8 and inexpensive tamron 28-80 all for $950 or so.
Since then....this year mind you, I've added a Metz 54 flash ($300), a tamron 18-50 2.8 EX ($440), sigma 70-300 APO ($200), tamron 24-135 SP ($400), tamron 70-210 2.8 ($300) and i started with 1 256Mb CF card..I have have that and 1 1Gb and 5 512 cards ($250 or so for them), and a couple of extra batteries, a strap, a bag to carry it all in....a new tripod to support the weight of it all, so the $800 or so the camera itself ran is a small part of the money spent. Rough calculations show $1600+ in 'upgrades'...and of course the 'wants' list is still bigger than the 'haves' list.
Simply sell everything else you own on ebay so you can 'afford' it! |
I am so glad I didnt read this post before, I would have never ordered seeing all those big numbers ...now I have to find a buyer for what I already have .. ebay seems the place to go! |
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12/17/2005 01:30:11 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by kearock:
Also, photography gear makes great holiday/birthday presents, so that's a good way to expand. Something for your camera is much more exciting than a sweater. There's a huge range in accessory prices (from little $10 doodads to multi-$1000 vibration reduction telephoto lenses), so there's usually something anyone in any budget range could give you as a gift. Between my wish list at B&H and just knowing I have a Nikon, my parents, etc. seem to have had a much easier time shopping for me than I have had for them this Christmas. |
Thats a good idea !! Actually from last 2 birthdays I have been selling my old one and buying a new camera .. |
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12/17/2005 01:45:23 PM · #22 |
Another thing you might try
Buy a used DSLR on ebay or fredmiranda. For instance, you could prob get a 300D rebel with the kit lens for $500 or so. If it turns out that you love it and want to upgrade from there you could always sell it for no less than 100-200 less than what you paid if you take care of it. |
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12/17/2005 01:59:45 PM · #23 |
Vikas - If you want to save some on the flash try the SB 600. It is almost as good as the SB 800 and if it is the only flash you are going to use it is a better deal. The big diff of the SB 800 is it can act as the master for multiple flash units, the SB 600 can not. But the SB 600 can be used remote from the camera by using the on-board flash as the master so it works for most people.
Have fun with the new toy! |
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12/17/2005 02:07:55 PM · #24 |
Hello Vikas,
You may want to consider the 18-70mm lens instead of 18-55mm lens. It is much more well built (see contacts between lens and body). Also it is faster (3.5-4.5 instead of 3.5-5.6). It is a pretty good lens to start with. I am not sure if the D50 can be sold with the 18-70mm.
Something you may want to check is the D70 camera. It is a 15% bigger than the D50, but can be easily hold. Prices are going down , since the D70s tends to replace little by little the Nikon D70.
The D70 is a serious camera. Try to avoid the Canon Rebel, it looks pretty cheap and the plastic is just awful (at least to my mind).
Also, a much better camera that you may want to consider is the Canon EOS 20D, but more expensive. Nevertheless, prices of the EOS20D are also going down.
Maybe a good solution will be to buy a second hand DSLR. You might get lucky.
Maybe this link will be helpful:
link 1
link 2
Care
Max
Message edited by author 2005-12-17 14:09:47.
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12/17/2005 04:01:52 PM · #25 |
It's christmas... go for it :)
I started with Canon a (300D) two years ago, but I don't take this brand rivalry too seriously since I also have a Nikon D70 at work. Both are great.
If there is a chance for you to borrow lenses from your friend, buy a D50 ;) ... if not, buy a D50/350D with kit lense and a 55-200 just to get you started. Don't go spending too much now. |
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