Various noob questions, and 500D or D90?

[rundaria]

Hey all, I'm a nub who's planning to get a DSLR soon. I've been using a borrowed Canon 450D and have loads of the usual questions!

I want to get a DSLR and be done with it for the next decade or so, totally don't plan to participate in any more body discussions, hopefully EVER AGAIN.

I'm planning to get either a 500D or a D90 soon and appreciate all advice. Currently some of my main issues are:

- To stick to amateur level camera or move up to semi-pro?

- More familiar with Canon, so stick to it and get 500D or change to D90 which has quite appealing Nikon features? (I don't own any lenses/equipment, but everyone I know who will share lenses with me is using Canon.)

THE QUESTIONS:

1. What are the fisheye options for Canon 500D (and where to get in SG)? - Settled on 10-17mm Tokina.

2. What does the Nikon D90 dual lens kit come with? Is it 18-55mm and 55-200mm? -Yes.

3. Is there a point getting a Canon 10-22mm for 500D? (Since cropped frame kills most of the SWA effect and I don't really urgently need a wide angle lens - good idea to defish fisheye shots to use as SWA?)

4. Where can I borrow/play with a D90 for really long? (I have no money to rent.) - Will be going to John 3:16 to grope cameras.

5. What kit lens!? (I want to get all basics at one shot.) ... Nikkor 18-55+55-200 better than Canon's? Or is this a myth? And is it a good idea to get these dual kits for respective bodies? Or 18-200? Or 17-70 or... (http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T1i-EOS-500D-Compared-to-Nikon-D90.shtml : "should get better zoom lens like 18-200 (for Canon)" )

6. Is this site accurate for 500D and D90 comparison? Because it looks like the 500D has better auto white balance and a sharper image, which shouldn't be the case according to specs. orz - Will go test, but please advise too.

Thanks in advance for all responses!

 

[Rashkae]

Honestly... Most of these questions are "up to you".

As for the lens, look on photozone.de

If you want to play with it and fondle it for a long time, try John 3:16.

 

[rundaria]

Thanks! Was trying to ask questions with solid answers (the numbered ones..) but apparently failed. Slowly going through site now.

Also, to clarify, I'm looking for a fisheye lens for Canon cropped sensor which will still have a fisheye effect but preferable no vignetting or circular picture (as in with black frame all around).

EDIT: Like Tokina 10-17mm and Sigma 10mm, any (CHEAPER) alternatives? Any info on Peleng? Can get in SG?

EDIT 2: Er nevermind.

 

[Rashkae]

Thanks! Was trying to ask questions with solid answers (the numbered ones..) but apparently failed. Slowly going through site now.

Also, to clarify, I'm looking for a fisheye lens for Canon cropped sensor which will still have a fisheye effect but preferable no vignetting or circular picture (as in with black frame all around).

EDIT: Like Tokina 10-17mm and Sigma 10mm, any (CHEAPER) alternatives? Any info on Peleng? Can get in SG?

Try a search on here for "Peleng". But it will not have the same performance as a lens designed for your camera.

Cheaper than Sigma or Tokina? Look for second-hand.

 

[rundaria]

Thanks, have decided on Tokina 10-17mm FE. Now to camp marketplace..

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

- To stick to amateur level camera or move up to semi-pro?

- More familiar with Canon, so stick to it and get 500D or change to D90? (I don't own any lenses/equipment, but everyone I know who will share lenses with me is using Canon.)

1. What are the fisheye options for Canon 500D (and where to get in SG)? - Settled on 10-17mm Tokina.

2. What does the Nikon D90 dual lens kit come with? Is it 18-55mm and 55-200mm?

3. Is there a point getting a Canon 10-22mm for 500D? (Since cropped frame kills most of the SWA effect and I don't really urgently need a wide angle lens)

4. Where can I borrow/play with a D90 for really long? (I have no money to rent.)

5. Nikkor 18-55+55-200 better than Canon's? Or is this a myth? And is it a good idea to get these dual kits for respective bodies? (http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T1i-EOS-500D-Compared-to-Nikon-D90.shtml : "should get better zoom lens like 18-200 (for Canon)" )

6. Is this site accurate for 500D and D90 comparison? Because it looks like the 500D has better auto white balance and a sharper image, which shouldn't be the case..

Why your questions, some numbered, some not?

- Up to you, honestly. Depends on budget and how much you prefer the extra heft (solidity) and functions of the higher-range camera.

- might make more sense to stick with Canon, if there's possibility to share lenses. If your Canon friends only own 18-55 kit lens, then no difference right? Nothing to share.

1. Fisheye is quite gimmicky, in my opinion. If you have an album of 20 consecutive fisheye shots, guaranteed your viewers will be bored. An ultra-wide angle rectilinear lens is the preferred option. UWA is more for changing the perspective by going really close to your intended subject, not for "getting it all in".

2. Yes D90 dual lens kit is 18-55 and 55-200

3. Same answer as 1.

4. Friends/family/stealing (not recommended)....

5. debatable point... Can argue till the cows come home. Both sets of lenses are decent la. 55-200 is not everyone's cup of tea. My dad's 55-200 sitting in the dry cabi for some time. Both of us never had the urge to use it. I prefer wider angles.

6. That's one of the resources you should check out... but don't focus too much on online reviews. Anyway sharpness is mainly to do with the lens. And as has been frequently said on CS, sharpness is overrated.

 

[Cartman2000]

Hey all, I'm a nub who's planning to get a DSLR soon. I've been using a borrowed Canon 450D and have loads of the usual questions!

I want to get a DSLR and be done with it for the next decade or so, totally don't plan to participate in any more body discussions, hopefully EVER AGAIN.

I'm planning to get either a 500D or a D90 soon and appreciate all advice. Currently some of my main issues are:

- To stick to amateur level camera or move up to semi-pro?

- More familiar with Canon, so stick to it and get 500D or change to D90? (I don't own any lenses/equipment, but everyone I know who will share lenses with me is using Canon.)

1. What are the fisheye options for Canon 500D (and where to get in SG)? - Settled on 10-17mm Tokina.

2. What does the Nikon D90 dual lens kit come with? Is it 18-55mm and 55-200mm?

3. Is there a point getting a Canon 10-22mm for 500D? (Since cropped frame kills most of the SWA effect and I don't really urgently need a wide angle lens)

4. Where can I borrow/play with a D90 for really long? (I have no money to rent.)

5. Nikkor 18-55+55-200 better than Canon's? Or is this a myth? And is it a good idea to get these dual kits for respective bodies? (http://www.digitalreview.ca/content/Canon-Rebel-T1i-EOS-500D-Compared-to-Nikon-D90.shtml : "should get better zoom lens like 18-200 (for Canon)" )

6. Is this site accurate for 500D and D90 comparison? Because it looks like the 500D has better auto white balance and a sharper image, which shouldn't be the case..

Thanks in advance for all responses!

P.S. This is my flickr. Please be nice, I know it's rather terrible.

You'll have to decide yourself if you are going to stay with an entry-level body or get a more advanced one. If you have people who are going to lend you Canon stuff, you should probably go with Canon.

1. Get the Tokina 10-17mm or the Canon 15mm fisheye for slightly more. Though I wouldn't bother with one until I'd gotten the basic lenses first.

2. Yes.

3. Why not? Excellent IQ and distortion control. 16mm is probably wide enough for most applications and in fact you'll have trouble deciding what to include in the frame and what to leave out.

4. There is no free lunch in the world. Either borrow from someone you know or go to John 3:16 :bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:

5. No comments, but I don't shoot >100mm myself unless I'm shooting sports.

6. Take the sites as general guides. Another brand to look into is Sony. Their A500/A550 is quite value for money especially at the advanced amateur level.

Btw, are you Jonathan's friend from MJC?

 

[rundaria]

Thanks guys for the help!

ZerocoolAstra:

The ones with dashes are the vague unanswerable 'issues' I'm looking at deciding between the two bodies, and the numbered ones are the questions I actually expected to get answers for. Interlude seems to have got lost in the copypasta.

- Which is why I'm trying to magic a D90 so I can grope it hurhur

- Okay this is complicated. I have friends with whatever pro L lenses, but not planning to kope lens often because the lenses I have should suffice for whatever I need the camera to do (shouldn't include anything that needs a $2k lens).

1. Was considering defishing the fisheye shots to use as SWA, (does this sound practical)? Mainly it's personal preference and I'd rather buy a fisheye that makes me happy with gimmicky shots than a SWA for other people to feel happy (if even).

5. Yes I'm reading my eyes out and every time I almost settle, someone pops in with something and I'm back to square one. Honestly even if I post here I'm mostly killing time before I can get my hands on a D90 to try for myself.



Cartman:

See above Canon lens borrowing issue..

1. Problem with fisheyes is that I usually can't tell what they did to sample pics, often people defish the shots and post them as fisheye shots. But apparently Canon 15mm FE's fishiness is insignificant on a cropped sensor body, misses the point for me. Or is this a lie too?!

6. To add to list of gropees.

Yup. Hi!

 

[KelvinDestiny]

Factors to consider based on your situation..

- How many Canon user are your friend & will they lend you or talk only? =p

- Which brand are you comfortable with? ie those setting buttons (not the menu), hand grip etc


some people likes canon shutter sound, those lens especially the L lens etc...

i was told by quite a few people that nikon entry level dont really worth the $$ and get a canon entry level ones instead.

Personally i saw it with my own eyes that john 3:16 did a low light comparison with kit lens on d90 and canon 500d/1000d, same settings, same focus point and it turn out canon is the winner slightly lesser noise.


For fish eye, i think the impact will be nicer on a full frame than a cropped as the "distortion" is lesser. experienced user do correct me if im wrong.

 

[rundaria]

KelvinDestiny:

- Will lend, serious. But don't really plan to borrow from them. (Just realised: Don't trust myself to handle stuff like L lenses.. Also looks quite sad with 500D body. Can probably kope if we go shoot together, but otherwise knowing myself I'll drop it by accident)

- Dunno also. Currently fine with 450D grip since I have small hands (which says nothing about 500D and D90...) Really need to go test.

And YEAH THE SHUTTER SOUND!! Nikons go SPLAT. Can't decide whether it's funny or annoying.

But is D90 entry level? Thought it's semi-pro?

And after reading so much, I'm quite jaded: maybe its the kit lens that's lousy.. or the kit lens lousy on the body or some weird thing like that.. But thanks loads, will ask them about it also.

For the fisheye, I think cropped frame cuts off the parts where the fishy is obvious at the sides, so just slightly fished shots no kick. Nikon has a fisheye specially for cropped but Canon doesn't. But I found the Tokina already so no probs there.

 

[rundaria]

MORE QUESTIONS:

7. Is the Nikon retouch function very useful? There's some inbuilt Fisheye function also right? Is it decent? (Actually I dunno what it does, make shots fisheyed or defisheye them??)

 

[tehzeh]

If I were you, I would choose D90. Because, it's bigger and more comfortable. I find the 500D pretty small.. and even lighter than a sony a330... and to me, more is more. So having the extra screen and dial would be great.

EDIT, and to be honest, I just bought my a330 and I find the single dial too little. :X rather troublesome... so get the best you can afford. imo.

 

[rundaria]

Hey thanks! Okay really just need to go test the D90 myself. Not sure if I have the skillz to make full use of two dials and the rest.

Actually (from holding the D90 for about 15 seconds at Best Denki, that kind of testing) I find the D90 grip kinda big. And weight is a problem for me because I'm quite scrawny, main reason I narrowed it down to those two and didn't include D300s etc. The 450D grip and weight are ok for me. Actually, maybe I should just steal the 450D and solve everything. Quite fed up with DSLR shopping.

 

[DonnyDan]

You can visit john3:16, they are very friendly and give lots of info. Beware, they tend to give alot advise and it take up time and when you have a brand model in mind example SONY, you will feel quite weird.

Btw in camera fisheye filter is different from fisheye lens.

 

[Cartman2000]

Thanks guys for the help!

1. Problem with fisheyes is that I usually can't tell what they did to sample pics, often people defish the shots and post them as fisheye shots. But apparently Canon 15mm FE's fishiness is insignificant on a cropped sensor body, misses the point for me. Or is this a lie too?!

I tried the 15mm fisheye yesterday and found that the effect was very diminished as compared to when it was used on my friend's FF body. However, it is a tack sharp lens even when shot wide open.

 

[VainKid]

Sorry to interupt but I'm curious why no one suggest TS to grab the D90 with 18-105 instead of twin lenses ? I'm stuck in between the choices of the two diff packages. TS pardon me pls

 

[tehzeh]

Sorry to interupt but I'm curious why no one suggest TS to grab the D90 with 18-105 instead of twin lenses ? I'm stuck in between the choices of the two diff packages. TS pardon me pls

I think it's because the range covered is bigger. and you might need the range to take telephoto.

 

[KelvinDestiny]

i have no idea of how nikon shutter sounds like haha im a canon user!! to me holding of the cam, design and accessibility of the function buttons is a factor to consider when buying a cam therefore i chose canon.

nikon all below d300 (semi-pro) are consider entry level same goes to canon below 40D,50D, xxD are consider entry level.

Kit lens wise, i do have seen some nice shots using that so dont be too disappointed. For me kit lens dont suit my needs .

KelvinDestiny:

- Will lend, serious. But don't really plan to borrow from them. (Just realised: Don't trust myself to handle stuff like L lenses.. Also looks quite sad with 500D body. Can probably kope if we go shoot together, but otherwise knowing myself I'll drop it by accident)

- Dunno also. Currently fine with 450D grip since I have small hands (which says nothing about 500D and D90...) Really need to go test.

And YEAH THE SHUTTER SOUND!! Nikons go SPLAT. Can't decide whether it's funny or annoying.

But is D90 entry level? Thought it's semi-pro?

And after reading so much, I'm quite jaded: maybe its the kit lens that's lousy.. or the kit lens lousy on the body or some weird thing like that.. But thanks loads, will ask them about it also.

For the fisheye, I think cropped frame cuts off the parts where the fishy is obvious at the sides, so just slightly fished shots no kick. Nikon has a fisheye specially for cropped but Canon doesn't. But I found the Tokina already so no probs there.

 

[KelvinDestiny]

Sorry to interupt but I'm curious why no one suggest TS to grab the D90 with 18-105 instead of twin lenses ? I'm stuck in between the choices of the two diff packages. TS pardon me pls

i assume that D90 twin kit are 18-55 and 55-200. Some ppl like to use shorter lens for their walkabout shoot etc due to easy storage in their normal bag and telephoto range up to 200mm (200x1.5=300mm on a cropped). 18-105 do have a limitation at the telephoto range of 105x1.5=157.5mm which is half of the 55-200mm.


Decide on your shooting style and what you want to shoot often.