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10/19/2005 11:56:47 AM · #1 |
On not only equipment but places to go shopping. I need to upgrade my equipment and having held both a Nikon and a Canon the brand doesn't really matter to me (OMG!) but price will. Now while I would love that lovely little camera I got to play with Sunday (I still get excited when I think about it) I don't have that kind of budget.
I'm looking at possibly $1000 for camera, flash unit, a maybe a lens or two. I want to be able to do portraits, candids, indoor, outdoor. Macro isn't a factor as of yet, but telephoto will be.
Ideas? Suggestions? Are there cameras that are just below the DSLR level that you can put different lenses on?
Thanks!
Deannda
Been looking but want more ideas please? |
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10/19/2005 11:57:28 AM · #2 |
Oh and someone teach me how to spell? SOrry bout the typo in the title.
Deannda
dang keyborad, alwyas msesing up my worsd |
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10/19/2005 01:22:33 PM · #3 |
Wake UP! your dreaming !!
"I'm looking at possibly $1000 for camera, flash unit, a maybe a lens or two. I want to be able to do portraits, candids, indoor, outdoor. Macro isn't a factor as of yet, but telephoto will be"
If thats all the money you have - start thinking "USED" equipment. Which is not a bad idea if you are just getting into Photography. There are only 2 main catagories of cameras at this time Point & Shoot (P&S) and DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex). If you get into DSLR's you are going to be spending more money, for more lenses etc.
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10/19/2005 01:31:19 PM · #4 |
For your budget you'll probably have to prioritize the items on your shopping list.
Whichever body you go with you could get a 50mm lens as your starter lens (get the fastest one you can afford - smallest fstop like 1.8). This one would do you for portraits, candids indoor and outdoor shots.
Flash units can be expensive so one might not fit your budget right now. Also, a zoom might not fit the budget right now either.
Listing things in the order of preference will help you decide what to get first especially with a limited budget.
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10/19/2005 01:36:14 PM · #5 |
| Olympus is selling their two lens kit real cheap with their E-300 and E-500 DSLRs. The E-300 two lens kit has recently been sold for as low as $615 and you won't have to worry about cleaning the sensor with Oly cameras. The E-500 is going for more, as it was just released. I think you can get it for about $900. Either one has very good image quality and better body build than the entry level Canon Rebel. That will leave you some money over to purchase an Olympus FL-36 flash unit. That cost $199. No dreaming with Olympus...it's a reality now. |
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10/19/2005 06:23:20 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by setiprime:
Wake UP! your dreaming !!
"I'm looking at possibly $1000 for camera, flash unit, a maybe a lens or two. I want to be able to do portraits, candids, indoor, outdoor. Macro isn't a factor as of yet, but telephoto will be"
If thats all the money you have - start thinking "USED" equipment. Which is not a bad idea if you are just getting into Photography. There are only 2 main catagories of cameras at this time Point & Shoot (P&S) and DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex). If you get into DSLR's you are going to be spending more money, for more lenses etc. |
Okay, first, no need to be rude or sarcastic or to yell. I'm not dreaming, I'm being very realistic. I know I will more than likely have to go with used equipment, I don't have a problem with that.
Second, I'm not just getting into Photography, been doing it for some time now too, though I'm still on the learning curve when it comes to lenses and just what they can do for me. But I am willing to learn if the teacher is nice. ;)
Third, I may have a larger budget, the $1000 is the low end estimate but the less I can spend the better and the more it leaves for marketing.
Deannda
Do you any actual suggestions as to what would be best as far as equipment? |
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10/19/2005 06:25:03 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by cpanaioti:
For your budget you'll probably have to prioritize the items on your shopping list.
Whichever body you go with you could get a 50mm lens as your starter lens (get the fastest one you can afford - smallest fstop like 1.8). This one would do you for portraits, candids indoor and outdoor shots.
Flash units can be expensive so one might not fit your budget right now. Also, a zoom might not fit the budget right now either.
Listing things in the order of preference will help you decide what to get first especially with a limited budget. |
Thank you, this is a great suggestion. So I know I want the body of the camera first (LOL) and I notice that most come with an 18-50mm lense, this would work well for the portrait and candid stuff? As long as I'm not too far away? I'm still confused on this stuff, should have picked more brains on Sunday when I had the chance.
Deannda |
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10/19/2005 06:25:54 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Olyuzi:
Olympus is selling their two lens kit real cheap with their E-300 and E-500 DSLRs. The E-300 two lens kit has recently been sold for as low as $615 and you won't have to worry about cleaning the sensor with Oly cameras. The E-500 is going for more, as it was just released. I think you can get it for about $900. Either one has very good image quality and better body build than the entry level Canon Rebel. That will leave you some money over to purchase an Olympus FL-36 flash unit. That cost $199. No dreaming with Olympus...it's a reality now. |
I heard about that and I do like the Olympus brand as I have had two of them and they are very well built and dependable cameras that I've had so far. Any links to actual reviews yet?
Deannda |
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10/19/2005 06:44:17 PM · #9 |
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT 8.0 Megapixel DSLR (Black) $714.95
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens $79.95
The total is only $794.90, which leaves you $205.10 for other goodies.
It's a good idea to select a camera brand based on the quality and selection of lenses that are available for the brand, and IMHO Canon is unbeatable.
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10/19/2005 07:00:26 PM · #10 |
Oh, thank you! I started a wish list there, think if I send it to all my family they might be nice and get it for me for Christmas? Nope, I didn't think so either.
Deannda
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10/19/2005 08:36:19 PM · #11 |
If you want to go canon, then this might be a list for you. You know, with a limited budget there will be compromises...
Rebel 300D, new body only $659
For the lens..the kit lens is OK, nothing spectacular. The other options are:
Sigma 2 lens kit for $259. It has their 18-50 and 55-200. Not great glass, but covers a wide range for the money.
Tamron 2 lens kit for $199 I have the 28-80 and it is acceptable. The 70-300 is not as good as the Sigma 70-300 APO but you get both for less than this one lens.
I went with the Tamron 28-80 and the Sigma 70-300 APO (bought both new on ebay - $50 and $170 if i recall).
Perhaps one lens..the canon 28-135 IS lens $400 after rebate. A tad over teh budget, but probably worth it in teh long run as this is a lens you will likely keep.
Since canon has their rebates going, and you can double them if you buy multiple items...the rebel 350, body only and the 28-135 lens, after rebates would be $1024. You can make do with one battery, but you'll want some memory...watch for the rebates (staples has good ones). Right now amazon has 1Gb ultra sandisk for $69 after rebate, a good card at a good price.
As for flash units..the Sigma EF-500DG for $239 is a good deal.
For portraits you'll want something in the 80-135 range. |
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10/19/2005 08:44:47 PM · #12 |
Here are some links for the Olympus cameras I mentioned above:
Comparison of Olympus E-300 and E-500
All Dell.com DSLRs and prices
Some things to consider:
-If you are going to be doing a lot of low light/indoor photography, then I would highly recommend you go with the Canon, as they are best at high ISO with low noise. The Oly E-500 has better high ISO performance than the E-300 and both cameras have wonderful color/tones and dynamic range. The Olys also have a "dust buster" that automatically cleans the sensor of dust particles everytime the camera is booted up, so that you won't have to worry about cleaning the sensor.
-Olympus has very good technical support and if your camera needs servicing there is usually only a one week turn around time (this is something I've experienced on a few occassions and others have also reported). However, one big advantage to going with the Canon is that there are many more Canon owners on DPC than for Olympus, or any other camera manufacturer, and you will be able to get free advice and information about your equipment from DPC members.
-The Canon camera listed above by Mick is for body only and the lens is just of one focal length (80mm 35mm equiv), so that you will have to purchase more lenses to augment your photography. The Olympus kit lenses are the 14-45mm (28-90mm 35mm equiv) and the other lens is 40-150mm (80-300mm 35mm equiv). So the two lenses that Olympus gives you take you from 28mm-300mm, a pretty good range that will probably meet 90% of your photographic needs.
-Canon has a huge selection of lenses for you to choose from, along with third party manufacturers, such as Sigma, whereas Olympus has about 20 lenses in total, since their 4/3rds mount is only about 3 years old.
-As far as best bargains go, you can't beat the Olympus 2 lens kit, but don't forget that Nikon, Konica-Minolta and Pentax also make very good entry level camera bodies at very reasonable prices.
Hope I didn't chew your ear off and this was helpful :).
Btw, you should wait for the Dell coupons to come out for the camera you choose since you will get it for even cheaper than what is listed in the link I posted above. |
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10/19/2005 08:48:17 PM · #13 |
We'll have to chat about this...I have put together Sarah's whole kit for pretty much $1000.
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