Which Canon DSLR and lens should an amateur pick? Please recommend!

[Hoky]

zac, stoned is right.
i shld just get the bare basics first.
hmm so it will be d50 with either 18 70 lens/18 135 lens then battery /charger.

is sb flash necessary?

sighs.i am all so tired. already. eyes are poppin like popcorns in the sockets.
and i think you peeps are tired too. sorry kaye.

thank you everybody. thank you so much.

Use the built-in flash first... Then as you go along, BBB....

 

[jbma]

Guys please be realistic. 50mm for a beginner? Just buy a low end DSLR (Canon or Nikon) with a kit lens. Play around with it and get to know the camera well before buying additional lens.

 

[zac08]

zac, stoned is right.
i shld just get the bare basics first.
hmm so it will be d50 with either 18 70 lens/18 135 lens then battery /charger.

is sb flash necessary?

sighs.i am all so tired. already. eyes are poppin like popcorns in the sockets.
and i think you peeps are tired too. sorry kaye.

thank you everybody. thank you so much.

They should do for the start. But as you go along, which I guess you'd be shooting a few hundreds per day... by which time, you'd start wanting more and more accessories...

Flashes are good to have when you need good lighting indoors or when you need fill-flash outdoors (but do remember that you have a pop-up flash which can be used when needed)

 

[zac08]

Guys please be realistic. 50mm for a beginner? Just buy a low end DSLR (Canon or Nikon) with a kit lens. Play around with it and get to know the camera well before buying additional lens.

And why not?? You guys really need to learn composition...

And not to crop after taking shot after shot... Well, it's up to you... We can only advise, but in the end, you're the ones taking the photos and enjoying it...

 

[peapilot]

I think the TS asked a simple question and got a whole lot more than he/she expected. The budget is 1.4k I think it's best that the advise given hover around that range. It's unrealistic to suggest something twice the budget because it would serve not much purpose. It's much akin to a lomo user asking where he can get a wide angle attachment and people telling him he should get a full frame pro body with an ultrawide L series lens so he can get much better body, clearer sharper pictures etc. You get the point.

For the threadstarter:

It's simple really, with your budget, and assuming you want canon, get a 400d or even better a 350d with a kit lens. Use the rest of your money to get a camera bag, tripod, battery and maybe an extra cf card. All these should fit quite comfortable in your budget. If you still have money left over invest in a 50mm 1.8 as your first prime so you can slowly explore the difference.

This set up should last you quite a while until you master the basics of photography. After which you should probably realise more or what you need. For example if shooting for a while you realised you'd like more reach on your lens then straight away you know you want to get a telephoto, or if you find your kit lens not wide enough and you have to constantly move back to get your subjects into frame then you know an ultra wide's up your alley.

There are superzooms out there like the tamron 18-200 as well and if you like you could consider getting that instead of the kit lens as it offers only 18-55.

By then you'll be more comfortable with the terms and jargons used here and probably be able to come to a more informed choice as to what equipment to add to your inventory, or simply choose to stick with what you have.

Good luck with your purchase.

P.S Like other suggests, a Nikon D40 is not too bad a deal as well and will save you even more money for future upgrades. As for which lens to get I'd stick to the similar practice of starting out with a cheap zoom lens to get a feel for what I want to shoot before taking the dive into purchasing a more expensive lens of the focal length I want.

 

[eloera]

I think the TS asked a simple question and got a whole lot more than he/she expected. The budget is 1.4k I think it's best that the advise given hover around that range. It's unrealistic to suggest something twice the budget because it would serve not much purpose. It's much akin to a lomo user asking where he can get a wide angle attachment and people telling him he should get a full frame pro body with an ultrawide L series lens so he can get much better body, clearer sharper pictures etc. You get the point.

For the threadstarter:

It's simple really, with your budget, and assuming you want canon, get a 400d or even better a 350d with a kit lens. Use the rest of your money to get a camera bag, tripod, battery and maybe an extra cf card. All these should fit quite comfortable in your budget. If you still have money left over invest in a 50mm 1.8 as your first prime so you can slowly explore the difference.

This set up should last you quite a while until you master the basics of photography. After which you should probably realise more or what you need. For example if shooting for a while you realised you'd like more reach on your lens then straight away you know you want to get a telephoto, or if you find your kit lens not wide enough and you have to constantly move back to get your subjects into frame then you know an ultra wide's up your alley.

There are superzooms out there like the tamron 18-200 as well and if you like you could consider getting that instead of the kit lens as it offers only 18-55.

By then you'll be more comfortable with the terms and jargons used here and probably be able to come to a more informed choice as to what equipment to add to your inventory, or simply choose to stick with what you have.

Good luck with your purchase.

P.S Like other suggests, a Nikon D40 is not too bad a deal as well and will save you even more money for future upgrades. As for which lens to get I'd stick to the similar practice of starting out with a cheap zoom lens to get a feel for what I want to shoot before taking the dive into purchasing a more expensive lens of the focal length I want.

thank you pea pilot and zac

i think i am settling for

1.first hand nikon d50 body only with second/first hand 18 70mm lens, battery, charger, camera bag, tripod
2. first hand canon eos 350d body only and maybe second hand 18 70mm, lens, battery, charger, camera bag, tripod

cos i heard really bad reviews abt canon's 18 55 mm lens?
okaye that's it. no more no more.

 

[eloera]

woah this is bad.
there's no more first hand d50s . i think nikon stopped exporting to singapore or something? i called cp and ap and they said NO MORE! ):


and canon 350d cost 1250 freebies 1 gig cf
and canon 400d cost 1350 freebies 1 gig cf


do you guys think sitex will have nikon d50?

and for the prices of the canon cams right, i doubt the prices will vary much, just that they
probably bundle in more freebies right?

 

[westwest1]

woah this is bad.
there's no more first hand d50s . i think nikon stopped exporting to singapore or something? i called cp and ap and they said NO MORE! ):


and canon 350d cost 1250 freebies 1 gig cf
and canon 400d cost 1350 freebies 1 gig cf


do you guys think sitex will have nikon d50?

and for the prices of the canon cams right, i doubt the prices will vary much, just that they
probably bundle in more freebies right?

the price of the D200 have just drop quite a lot...why dun give that a try...

 

[zac08]

the price of the D200 have just drop quite a lot...why dun give that a try...

Way above her budget...

If there's no more new D50's, I dun think you can get it from the Sitex too. Then you can either consider second hand D50's or new D40 or D80 (but do remember, D80 is above your budget too)

 

[westwest1]

Way above her budget...

If there's no more new D50's, I dun think you can get it from the Sitex too. Then you can either consider second hand D50's or new D40 or D80 (but do remember, D80 is above your budget too)

oh...haha...i thought is above 1400??

 

[eloera]

i found only one shop so far that sells brand new D50 at 1160 it's aint too bad a deal i wld say. i dont know if i shld wait till sitex or grab it now?

then another shop sells d5o too? BuT it's second hand and they are selling at $1100 cos it has extended warranty of 3 years? and they refuse to tell me abt shutter count and and how old is it?
it's so dubious!

what's the usual warranty period for nikons! one year right?

 

[zac08]

oh...haha...i thought is above 1400??

D200 = $2250 ??
D80 = $1960??
D40 most comfortable for her ($1000 or so...)

So let her choose lor... anyway, there's always Canon.

 

[zac08]

i found only one shop so far that sells brand new D50 at 1160 it's aint too bad a deal i wld say. i dont know if i shld wait till sitex or grab it now?

then another shop sells d5o too? BuT it's second hand and they are selling at $1100 cos it has extended warranty of 3 years? and they refuse to tell me abt shutter count and and how old is it?
it's so dubious!

what's the usual warranty period for nikons! one year right?

Well.. if you like it, then go for it... $1160 is reasonable.

And yes, camera warranty is 1 year.

 

[jbma]

I think the TS asked a simple question and got a whole lot more than he/she expected. The budget is 1.4k I think it's best that the advise given hover around that range. It's unrealistic to suggest something twice the budget because it would serve not much purpose. It's much akin to a lomo user asking where he can get a wide angle attachment and people telling him he should get a full frame pro body with an ultrawide L series lens so he can get much better body, clearer sharper pictures etc. You get the point.

For the threadstarter:

It's simple really, with your budget, and assuming you want canon, get a 400d or even better a 350d with a kit lens. Use the rest of your money to get a camera bag, tripod, battery and maybe an extra cf card. All these should fit quite comfortable in your budget. If you still have money left over invest in a 50mm 1.8 as your first prime so you can slowly explore the difference.

This set up should last you quite a while until you master the basics of photography. After which you should probably realise more or what you need. For example if shooting for a while you realised you'd like more reach on your lens then straight away you know you want to get a telephoto, or if you find your kit lens not wide enough and you have to constantly move back to get your subjects into frame then you know an ultra wide's up your alley.

There are superzooms out there like the tamron 18-200 as well and if you like you could consider getting that instead of the kit lens as it offers only 18-55.

By then you'll be more comfortable with the terms and jargons used here and probably be able to come to a more informed choice as to what equipment to add to your inventory, or simply choose to stick with what you have.

Good luck with your purchase.

P.S Like other suggests, a Nikon D40 is not too bad a deal as well and will save you even more money for future upgrades. As for which lens to get I'd stick to the similar practice of starting out with a cheap zoom lens to get a feel for what I want to shoot before taking the dive into purchasing a more expensive lens of the focal length I want.

Good advise.

 

[pRoLoS3r]

i found only one shop so far that sells brand new D50 at 1160 it's aint too bad a deal i wld say. i dont know if i shld wait till sitex or grab it now?

then another shop sells d5o too? BuT it's second hand and they are selling at $1100 cos it has extended warranty of 3 years? and they refuse to tell me abt shutter count and and how old is it?
it's so dubious!

what's the usual warranty period for nikons! one year right?

$1160 seems to be a good deal.
If you prefer Nikon, I think you should get it.
Because D80 is out your budget and D40...
According to some ppl say cannot use prime rightZ? Therefore, it might be better for u to get it, as there will not be D50 according to u.

the second hand model ... extended warranty of 3 yrs is by ??? if its by NSC.. I dont think it might be a problem. Maybe someone else can give a better advise.


But of course, get something you like, regardless its canon or nikon. .

 

[eloera]

latest updates!
i found another shop that's offering me $1188 for nikon d5o with 1 gig card,camera bag and they are throwing in a filter as well?
but lol what's a filter for?

and i was trying to haggle the price with the shop owner by telling her that the other shop's offering me at 1160 and lol but she was telling that the shop's offering cld be an export set and that the warranty will not be applicable to the agent in singapore?

is it true? and does anyone here has a export set and has bought a cam from LORD's t lucky plaza before?

 

[pRoLoS3r]

Maybe this will help u to make a wiser decision. or worst still confuse u ;p.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm

But i think u will be more incline to D50 compared to D40 aft reading it.

1GB SD card(I suppose he/she is giving u a 20X sd card?)... i think is relatively cheap in the market now. Especially the Sitex show is coming :bsmilie:.
52mm UV.. I think B&S can get at $5

Those freebies seems decent... for the $28. :bsmilie:

 

[FilterFunk]

the filter is used to protect the front element of your lens

as for export set, iirc, its true that the warranty will not be recognised by NSC should you need any servicing.
as a canon user, if you are going for Nikon, please get the D50. D40, is not worth the $ for the amount of 'gimmicky' pns functions ported over from pns originally. hm

 

[eloera]

the filter is used to protect the front element of your lens

as for export set, iirc, its true that the warranty will not be recognised by NSC should you need any servicing.
as a canon user, if you are going for Nikon, please get the D50. D40, is not worth the $ for the amount of 'gimmicky' pns functions ported over from pns originally. hm

what's pns and iirc!

and what's with 20x sd card? hmm what's so special abt 20x or hmm. heh i always just think sd cards are well sd cards? heh heh heh

 

[zac08]

what's pns and iirc!

and what's with 20x sd card? hmm what's so special abt 20x or hmm. heh i always just think sd cards are well sd cards? heh heh heh

PnS = point and shoot (used to describe the standard simple cameras these days)
IIRC = if I recall correctly

20X this refers to the speed which the card can be read or written on. The base speed should be 150KB/s, so 20 x that speed... you do the calculations.