Need otai2 out there for some dslr buying guide..

[sars]

hi there..i really need some help here buying a dslr..
i've been using p&s for a long time..& now i'm planning to use a dslr since i got the chance to feel the performance of my friends' dslr::D the canon 350D, nikon D70s, & D50. but i really need some help on deciding which one is the best.:redface:

i kinda narrowed down the choices to nikons since the grip of the camera (on my hand lah..) felt better..ergonomically, i like it. but i'm not so sure about the model. should i go for a d70s, d50, or d80?

i kinda new to the system of dslr (i mean, the practical side of using it), but i do understand how dslr works & i believe thru practices, things would be easier & better. yakah? hehe..think positive..

i get to know this particular place selling:

D80 + kit Lens, SB600, MC 1GB + 1GB, xtra bateri, & Nikon bag at RM5,500

is that a good price?

oh..by the way..i'm planning to get serious into this hobby of photography & maybe in 10 years time, earning some serious money or even bussiness from photography after i gained enough skills & guts:redface: to jump into the world of bussiness. that's the reason of me having difficulties on deciding which model should i start with. i'm quite afraid that the d80 is too complex for me, but i do wonder if the model is good enough for me in the long run? (instead of the limited d40 / d40x). or are there any other better camera kit combinations should i start with?:?

any reccommended shops should i go to ?

and..my budget can go up to 6k (if things go thru as planned in this two weeks time...):floaty:


(posting this thread in the middle of the nite..its 3am in the morning & i'm still surfing the web for the best choice..cannot sleep maaa..thinking about this dslr...haiyaaa...help..help...:0)

[The Dark]

Hi, If you are serious into photography and have the budget, D80 is a good choice. Do not feel intimidated by its features as you will find out the features very handy later as your skills grow. As you're an aspiring Pro-photographer investing a little bit more for a D200 as it may benefit you in a long run. Do remember a camera is just a tool for your creative mind. I wish you good luck in your ambition.:D

[ShaolinTiger]

If your budget is 6k get a D200 (Now is around RM4800) + a 18-70mm second hand (around RM600) and a 50mm f/1.8 new (Around RM380).

[sinister]

yeah.. if ur serious.. den better get d200...

[sars]

D200? waahhh...:0

now i'm confused which one should i choose.
should i leave out the external flash & invest on the two lenses?
if so,does it means that the external flash is not too important for a start?

[noruazumi]

D80 (body only) + Tamron 17-50/2.8 + SB-600 + 2GB SD...
get these 4 items.
and forget the nikon bag.
get yourself a decent Lowepro which is for all-weather.



get D200 if you can add-up a few extra ringgit for the flashgun.

[reds]

if you can get D200, do so by all means. D80 is good too and you can learn some skills which are required to be mastered due to its limitation. if your hands are good with D80, you can work wonders with D200.

but what kind of photography you want to do? seriously, buying a brand based on the grip is not a decision-making process i am familiar with. you should decide what area of photography you want to focus and see how the selected system supports this. nikon is well known for its CLS while canon takes pride in high ISO performance and oly with live preview. therefore which technology you want to harness?

[riz1ty]

i bought d80 kit lens, sb600, 2gb ultraII, extra batt, sto-fen for sb600, hoya filter and other free gift like nikon bag, tripod RM5440

[ykgen]

y d200 is way expensive than 30d?

[ShaolinTiger]

y d200 is way expensive than 30d?

Same reason D80 is way more expensive than 400D.

But then again difference between 30D and D200 is even bigger! :firing:

You can even compare D200 to 5D and it will still win in every way apart from high ISO performance.

[ckchowov]

y d200 is way expensive than 30d?

Y 30D is way cheaper than D200 ?:P:D

[sars]

i bought d80 kit lens, sb600, 2gb ultraII, extra batt, sto-fen for sb600, hoya filter and other free gift like nikon bag, tripod RM5440

where did u get that price riz1ty?

& i'm just a bit curious..can anyone lighten me up on the advantage of getting the Tamron 17-50/2.8 instead of the kit lens? & what about the 18-70mm lens?

[reds]

where did u get that price riz1ty?

& i'm just a bit curious..can anyone lighten me up on the advantage of getting the Tamron 17-50/2.8 instead of the kit lens? & what about the 18-70mm lens?

i know 2 people using tamron 17-50 f2.8 -my brother and my boss. images are very sharp. only 2 problem- some vignetting at f2.8 and some very mild CA. otherwise it's great.

[noordin]

yeah.. if ur serious.. den better get d200...

Might as well start in the middle! :D

[faridooi]

Hai there,
My 1 post in this forum... before this I walk around the forum like PhotoMalaysia,etc... to look the best DSLR suit for me.
Im thinking to take picture in wedding occasion or something like that...

Im thinkin :?
D80 RM3500(body only)
17-50mm Tamron RM 1500
50mm f1.8D Nikkor RM 390
SB 800 RM1400

It is worth for beginner? :0

Thanks in advance...:redface:

[ShaolinTiger]

That's a very good start faridooi, I would just add some kind of decent diffuser for your flash like the Demb or GF Lightsphere, then you are set for weddings/events.

[orionmystery]

Is this Tamron 17-50 the one that won an EISA Best Product Award 2006-2007 (consumer lens)? I saw it in a mag. The complete model no. is:

SP AF 17-50 mm F2.8 XR Di II

If so, I think i'll get one too when i get my D80 soon..:D (just body, tamron 17-50 and a macro lense, and of course, at least 2GB of memory card. No battery grip and external flash for now :()

Also, could all of you macro sifu out there plesae recommend some good macro lenses?

Thanks!

[ykgen]

good n reasonablly priced macro lens is none other than tamron 90mm f2.8!

the lens can be used as a portrait lens too... worth every penny!

[ShaolinTiger]

Yeah go for Tamron SP 90mm Di f/2.8 Macro lens, true 1:1.

Very reasonable price too at about RM1400.

[orionmystery]

Yeah go for Tamron SP 90mm Di f/2.8 Macro lens, true 1:1.

Very reasonable price too at about RM1400.

good n reasonablly priced macro lens is none other than tamron 90mm f2.8!

the lens can be used as a portrait lens too... worth every penny!

Thanks ykgen and ST. Now budget time LOL.
D80 - ~ 3400
Tamron 90mm - 1400
Tamron 17 -50 - 1500?
Total = 6300 :0
Filters, memory cards...whew...close to 7K! (pengsan)

[faridooi]

That's a very good start faridooi, I would just add some kind of decent diffuser for your flash like the Demb or GF Lightsphere, then you are set for weddings/events.

Thanks for ur advice.. :cool:
Will check it out...

Thanks ykgen and ST. Now budget time LOL.
D80 - ~ 3400
Tamron 90mm - 1400
Tamron 17 -50 - 1500?
Total = 6300 :0
Filters, memory cards...whew...close to 7K! (pengsan)

About the Tamron 17-55, last time i check the price on net RM1455 (shashinki.com) and on this site, stated that Tamron WON the Award and been selected as the winner of the EISA Photo Award – European Consumer Lens of the Year 2006-2007.

Maybe "pengsan" first... :Eyecrazy:
Let the pictures do the TALKING... hehe...

[sars]

fuhh..that's close to 7k..also looking for a dslr ye faridooi..same here.

oh ya..the kind of photography that i'm into are mainly functions..formal functions, gathering, university programs, & might as well wedding.

so..maybe tamron 17-50 f2.8 and a 50mm f1.8 would do the job better for a start?
but the price is a bit too high ya..
any advice ? or maybe it's a sacrifice that r worthwhile?

[faridooi]

fuhh..that's close to 7k..also looking for a dslr ye faridooi..same here.

oh ya..the kind of photography that i'm into are mainly functions..formal functions, gathering, university programs, & might as well wedding.

so..maybe tamron 17-50 f2.8 and a 50mm f1.8 would do the job better for a start?
but the price is a bit too high ya..
any advice ? or maybe it's a sacrifice that r worthwhile?

For me, i aledi went to Camera Shop and play around with all the camera, EOS400D, Nikon 40X and Nikon D80.
I hold them, feel them...
So I decided to kumpul my money for beloved Nikon D80.. :redface:

BTW, i just wonder if canon got the "L'" lens what Nikon had? (sifu2, plz give a lesson for a begginner like us):D:D

[ShaolinTiger]

Nikon has same and higher quality lenses than the 'L' series, they just aren't pretentious enough to have to give them a special designation :P

Those 'top lenses' are those like 17-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 VR (Previously 80-200mm f/2.8 prior to VR), 85mm f/1.4 , 105mm VR f/2.8 and 200mm f/4 micro.

17-55mm f/2.8 is also excellent but DX only for digital sensor.

[faridooi]

Nikon has same and higher quality lenses than the 'L' series, they just aren't pretentious enough to have to give them a special designation :P

Those 'top lenses' are those like 17-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 VR (Previously 80-200mm f/2.8 prior to VR), 85mm f/1.4 , 105mm VR f/2.8 and 200mm f/4 micro.

17-55mm f/2.8 is also excellent but DX only for digital sensor.

Thank for the info, It very useful for beginner...

Thanks.... :cool:

[orionmystery]

Couldn't agree more with faridooi....

A big THANK YOU to all of you helpful folks here...:D

I've narrowed down my choices to:

D80 body, Tamron 17-50, Tamron 90 macro. But my first choice is really K10D. However, Tamron doesn't hv 17-50 for Pentax mount. So unless i can find a similar lens in the price & performance range, I will have to stick with D80. I love the D200 too, but it's WAY out of reach lah...

[newbie]

hey, u should make up ur mind on which system to choose now.
my humble opinion, if still not late, will be start low go slow. why in hurry to build a gigantic system, but still havent master the basic system? unless a ameteur, or else play with kit lens, forget other assessories then only build it slowly.
btw u will learn more along the way... if money is the limitation.

best regars,
shawn

[orionmystery]

hey, u should make up ur mind on which system to choose now.
my humble opinion, if still not late, will be start low go slow. why in hurry to build a gigantic system, but still havent master the basic system? unless a ameteur, or else play with kit lens, forget other assessories then only build it slowly.
btw u will learn more along the way... if money is the limitation.

best regars,
shawn

Hi Shawn, thanks for your input/suggestion. I had a Minolta 700si before so I don't wanna start too low because I am sure i will be able to handle the camera. But that doesn't mean I'll be able to snap great pictures..Haha..

[macropixman]

Between the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and an equivalent Nikkor lens f2.8, do you think the wide price range justifies the difference in the quality of the picture.