New to DSLR - Buy new or Used, Canon or Nikon?

[chagoi123]

Hi folks, i am new to both clubsnap and DSLR. I am picking up digital photography as a hobby and wonder what should be the first DSLR to buy?

Some people tell me to buy as high a range as possible, while others tell me that maybe I should start with a used set first and then trade upwards. Any advice from veterans to a newbie?

i am reading up also on cameras. told to check out the Canon 50D or the Nikon 90... was also told that canon has more cost effective lens selection.

Help!!

[tanjonhan]

people can tell u a thousand and one things...haha...

hmm, basically between nikon and canon, both are seriously about the same...if u start another of the thousands already available threads of which to choose, ppl will just go on and on again about their chosen systems when both are pretty much "equal", in the sense that they both allow u to ultimately capture the image...

To a small extend....yeah canon may have more cost effective lens....their lens happen to be slightly cheaper comparatively...and they do have a wider range to choose from(this is coming from a nikon user by the way)....cause take for example the 70-200mm lens...

canon has the f/4 version, f/2.8 version (VR and non VR), whereas nikon only has one current lens in that range...(taken that there are other comparable ones, but those are all discontinued alr)

Then again, the gap in cost between canon and nikon lenses are somewhat narrowing...as nikon is slowly revising its prices recently...so basically, hmmmmmmmm.......u cant really get a clear answer as to which to really choose....it really depends on the user yrself....on yr preference...and more often than not, it will end up base on which make u started to use and get used to first which u would likely stick to...at least for most of us

[tanjonhan]

okie in terms of camera choice....canon 50d and nikon d90....first of all you cant really compare both of them square on...why?

Canon's 50d is a semi pro range camera...whereas d90 is more of a serious enthusiast camera....if u are very new to the hobby, many would not advise to go for the semi pro range as it is harder to use somewhat if u are new to all the controls....though i can see where some of the ppl are coming from when telling u to get the highest range possible....cause if u were to end up being pretty serious in it, it will be a natural path to move on to next level....and having to start of with another camera(lower model) first will incur u extra financial commitments....

It shouldnt be a prob managing a "more pro" camera la...just that initial learning curve would be steeper....yeah so no harm in getting that....

second hand or brand new....that seriously depends on yr budget too...if u have over flowing reserves of cash....just buy new...no need to think....if u wanna save money...second hand is always the best choice! they work fine anyway...

Dun forget to consider yr lens as well...no use getting a good body with crappy lens...cause its the lens that really matters in most cases.

[gymak90]

Buy new or used, depends on what is your budget.
Also if you want warranty or not.
Some users take good care of their stuff. Buying from them is still fine. And old stuff may work well too.

Canon and Nikon aren't the only manufacturers making cameras. You should also look at other brands.

In addition to lens selection, you should also compare flash selections. After all, you don't just buy a camera, you buy a system.

Cost-effective is hard to say. What do you want to achieve? Something can only be said to be effective, if it allows to you achieve is your objective.

[chagoi123]

Thanks! Is there a good shop to go to that you can be quite won't get "ge-toh" and get good service, ie can ask lots of questions before i settle on the camera that i should buy.

Do most shops also sell used and new?

i saw a shop at funan where there are lots of people in there and the customers seem to be pretty happy. i think shop name is something like 3:16.

i checked a few places on the web, sony seems to be cheaper in their dslr range. what are the trade offs buying sony? there are not well known in this category but better in the campact/ tiny/ handy cameras.

[gymak90]

Originally Posted by chagoi123 Thanks! Is there a good shop to go to that you can be quite won't get "ge-toh" and get good service, ie can ask lots of questions before i settle on the camera that i should buy. Do most shops also sell used and new? i saw a shop at funan where there are lots of people in there and the customers seem to be pretty happy. i think shop name is something like 3:16. i checked a few places on the web, sony seems to be cheaper in their dslr range. what are the trade offs buying sony? there are not well known in this category but better in the campact/ tiny/ handy cameras.

Usually people here would recommend shops like Cathay Photo, MS Colour, TK Foto etc.
Ask as many questions as you like. Some salesman are friendly and very willing to help. Of course in their hearts, they hope would buy.

As a consumer, it is your right to ask until you clear all doubts, and feel satisfied when buying. Never feel itimidated by salesman's attitude. Come on, who's having the money?

No, most shops are specific in what they sell. Either new or used. Rarely both.

I would believe it is John 3:16.

Sony dslrs are pretty popular. In terms of trade-offs, I don't see any. Maybe others would like to give their input on this.

[shahrulesa]

Go to Jb and get yourself a brand new Canon 40D kit.. Their promo now is cheaper than some of the bns

[thomas990]

Originally Posted by shahrulesa Go to Jb and get yourself a brand new Canon 40D kit.. Their promo now is cheaper than some of the bns

JB which shop by the way?

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by shahrulesa Go to Jb and get yourself a brand new Canon 40D kit.. Their promo now is cheaper than some of the bns

but anything you got to send the camera body back to malaysia to service for free as no warranty is covered in sg other then lens/flash.

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by shahrulesa Go to Jb and get yourself a brand new Canon 40D kit.. Their promo now is cheaper than some of the bns

but anything you got to send the camera body back to malaysia to service for free as no warranty is covered in sg other then lens/flash.

[jnet6]

Originally Posted by chagoi123 Hi folks, i am new to both clubsnap and DSLR. I am picking up digital photography as a hobby and wonder what should be the first DSLR to buy? Some people tell me to buy as high a range as possible, while others tell me that maybe I should start with a used set first and then trade upwards. Any advice from veterans to a newbie? i am reading up also on cameras. told to check out the Canon 50D or the Nikon 90... was also told that canon has more cost effective lens selection. Help!!

You should compare canon 50D to nikon D300 as they are in the same range.

If you are new user and don't have friends who has experience in DSLR to help you.
Go for a new local set with warranty, as it will save you the money during the 1st yr.

[chagoi123]

Originally Posted by gymak90 Usually people here would recommend shops like Cathay Photo, MS Colour, TK Foto etc. Ask as many questions as you like. Some salesman are friendly and very willing to help. Of course in their hearts, they hope would buy. As a consumer, it is your right to ask until you clear all doubts, and feel satisfied when buying. Never feel itimidated by salesman's attitude. Come on, who's having the money? No, most shops are specific in what they sell. Either new or used. Rarely both. I would believe it is John 3:16. Sony dslrs are pretty popular. In terms of trade-offs, I don't see any. Maybe others would like to give their input on this.

Thanks for all the clue. Is it any cathay photo?

if there is one lens that will be useful for most purposes that i should buy with the camera what might it be? I kind of think that i will need one with a good zoom but clueless thereafter :-)

also need to buy flash or just use whatever that comes with the camera?

my heart seems to go with Nikon but i will see at the shop.

Thanks guys for all the hints!

[gymak90]

Yes, there is a Cathay Photo shop at Peninsula Plaza and another in Marina Square.

A multi-purpose lens, would be something like the 18-200mm. There is a Nikkor 18-200 VR. Sigma and Tamron also have their versions.
Bear in mind, such superzoom lenses usually won't give you superb sharpness. But the Nikkor sharpness is pretty good.

If you are unsure of having an external flash or not, then most likely you don't need it.
Unless you have a specific need in mind, then you can try buying.

[chagoi123]

Originally Posted by gymak90 Yes, there is a Cathay Photo shop at Peninsula Plaza and another in Marina Square. A multi-purpose lens, would be something like the 18-200mm. There is a Nikkor 18-200 VR. Sigma and Tamron also have their versions. Bear in mind, such superzoom lenses usually won't give you superb sharpness. But the Nikkor sharpness is pretty good. If you are unsure of having an external flash or not, then most likely you don't need it. Unless you have a specific need in mind, then you can try buying.

Thanks much! what might be a reasonable price to expect for a nikon D90 and canon 50D?

i read in another forum that some people said that Canon 50D is not too different from 40D and so if not pro should get 40D instead. any gem to this analysis?

by the way, what camera do you use?

[triharyanto]

Hi buddy,
For the camera, buy new one.
For the lens(es), buy used one(s).

Pluses and Minuses:
Canon DSLR bodies are relatively "cheaper" than Nikons (for more/less equivalent specifications).
New Canon DSLR bodies are not always compatible with old Canon lenses.
Canon DSLR bodies (to my personal hands-on exp) are not as strongly-built as Nikons.

Nikon DSLR bodies are better-built but are more expensive.
Most (almost all) of Nikon old lenses are compatible with newest Nikon DSLRs.
To my personal hands-on exp, Nikon bodies have better grip feel on hands.

So, is it Canon or Nikon?
Choose NIKON.

[chagoi123]

thanks for advice! where is a good place to buy used lenses?

[Redkangoo]

here lor at clubsnap..buy and sell corner!!!

[Octarine]

Originally Posted by chagoi123 thanks for advice! where is a good place to buy used lenses?

The best place for your first lens is: your kit package. Seriously, get the kit lens and start from there. Buy only once you have figured out WHAT you need and WHY you need it, with emphasize on 'need' instead of 'want'. On the way to find this answers you'll learn a lot. Equipment only enables you to do certain things, it never guarantees good pictures.

[littlegoldfish]

if this is the case, wat do you guys think of D40? cuz i heard that theres limited lens that we can use. Oh.. sorry. im also looking for a DSLR and am hunting around for one .. aimlessly to be exact as im also new to this.

[Octarine]

Originally Posted by littlegoldfish if this is the case, wat do you guys think of D40? cuz i heard that theres limited lens that we can use. Oh.. sorry. im also looking for a DSLR and am hunting around for one .. aimlessly to be exact as im also new to this.

All entry level cameras are able to produce decent pictures. Check the technical specs and limitations so that you know what the deal is about. You're right, D40 has limitations regarding usage of lenses. But other manufacturer also have good entry level cams. Go to she shops and have hands-on test. See what you really like to handle and to operate. All the technical specs are less important at this point.
And: read the forum here... lots of people have the same question.