Digital SLR

[Cicatrix]

Anyone a DSLR nut?

I am looking to buy a new camera and a lens or 2. My price range is about $2000-$2500 AUD. My first thoughts are the new Nikon D90 or the Canon EOS 50D, and leaning slightly toward the Nikon.

Nikon do a lens that sounds like its pretty good (AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED) but would be interested if anyone can suggest otherwise. I have read a few reviews but am a bit skeptical about them as I'm sure there is some bias involved.

I take a lot of photos when I travel so its a mix of portraits and landscapes. Rarely sport. It might be a tall order but it would be great to be able to only take 1 lens. I also like the video capabilities of the Nikon for video diaries while away.

[justagirl]

I love my dslr! Some people have children, I have cameras!

Both are good choices, but based on what I know, go for the Nikon. Much more impressive camera and company.

I personally own a Pentax, and think it's pretty good, though in retrospect probably should have gone Nikon.

I do a bit of photography on the side and work in a local camera store if that helps.

[Zedicus]

I went with an Olympus, I liked the fact that it has:
in-body Mechanical Image Stabilization ( so the lenses are not as expensive )
vibrates to remove dust and other particles from the front of the image sensor ( No dust spots after changing lenses )

My version ( low end $1000 range ) does not have as many auto focus areas as the Nikon but I am trying to use manual as much as possible anyway.

[justagirl]

Olympus is also a good camera. They were the first to have the live view on the slr.

I have talked to a couple of photographers and they say it matters more what lens a person uses then the body of the camera. I recently bought a high end lens - let me tell you it made a world of difference. I thought the camera was my problem, but it turns out stunning images with this lens.

[FreOn64]

I use my Nikon D200+Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8+Nikon SB-800 about 2 years and do not regret this choice. When i make this choice Nikon D200 was much better than Canon EOS 30D and then I prefer Nikon.

Today I think that Nikon better than Canon too because as I think Nikon has better lensen in your price range.
I think that is not worth buying ultrazoom like 18-200mm because the picture quality is quite bad compared with two lenses with low focal length-range.

[Saint]

I use a Pentax K10D, and mostly take photos of people. (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)


Lenses are a boy's best friend...

[LionsPride]

I'm a Nikon lover myself, but I really feel it's about which camera is the perfect tool for the photographer. The layout and options built into my D80 were exactly what I wanted and other options seen in different cameras may have been great ones to others, but didn't mean much to me.

I agree about the lenses. No matter how amazing your camera, it can only be as good as the lens. So never skimp on those. With that said, if holding the camera and flipping through the options doesn't feel natural for you, try a different brand.

I liked this site for camera reviews (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). I felt they weren't biased and the cover a lot of info.

[SimplyOtter]

Canon EOS 50D is an excellent choice.
I did a BIG mistake for wanting a wide range "all inclusive" lens, now I'm going to buy a fixed 50 mm, 1.4 aperture (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.). It's a very good lens for travel and street photography, and really good indoor.
I'm learning that sometimes keeping it simple (an light!) it's much better. :)

[Saint]

SimplyOtter:

GET ONE. I bought a 50 1.4 and it is the best piece of glass I own. (and the most used!)

[SimplyOtter]

Thanks for the encouragement Saint! :)
I can't wait, but have to save up as I need to buy the camera first ...haha!

Last year I bought a Leica V-Lux for its amazing lens (35-420 mm at f 2.8) and for the very light weight (it's an advanced compact) but I payed it with the size of the sensor (just TOO small) and with an extreme slowness (it's not a reflex), plus the huge lens range is way over my necessities...
I'm taking a course in photography at the moment and my teacher suggested me the Canon 50D with that lens. Also, we did many lessons on history of photography and I realized that the best photographers (like Cartier Bresson) used just a fixed 50 mm.

So I decided I'm going to be the new Cartier Bresson :laugh:

[Saint]

Nikon do a lens that sounds like its pretty good (AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED) but would be interested if anyone can suggest otherwise. I have read a few reviews but am a bit skeptical about them as I'm sure there is some bias involved.

I take a lot of photos when I travel so its a mix of portraits and landscapes.

It might be a tall order but it would be great to be able to only take 1 lens.

I've used that exact lens (on a D80). It's pretty good, but I'd only get it as a "tourist lens." It's especially good for outdoor touristy photos (wanna get a wide landscape? wanna get that churchtower? check and check.) But it's not very useful indoors. So for your purposes I'd think it's great, but I'd also get a 28/50/80 fixed later down the line for 'real' portraits and whatnot.

[Cicatrix]

Thanks for all the advice. I went with my cash and an open mind to the camera store. After looking at about 5 cameras I bought the D90 with the 18-200 lens. I'm pretty happy with what I have. I am at that giddy point where I want to take photos of everything. Admittedly the lens is not perfect for all occasions but fits the bill perfectly when I'm travelling (albeit with me looking like the atypical tourist). However the quality of the movie mode on the camera is breathtaking.

I also had a peek at the Nikkor 50mm 1.4 while I was at the store and I think ill add something like that to the Christmas list. Its amazing how expensive the faster wide angle lenses get. I was eyeing off a 14-24 2.8 and the dude told me it retails for like 2.5k. Jesus.

[justagirl]

Congrats on your purchase! Have fun playing :) And definately go for the 50 mm lens - I have a pentax version and it my very favorite of my four lens.

You'll have to post some pictures :)