Please help me decide which camera is best value!

[mishoe01]

I'm in the process of purchasing my first digital SLR.

Here are the 2 options I'm looking at.....cost is comprable (w/in $90 with Canon being less) so am looking for the best bang for the buck.

1. Canon
Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT Body (Black) - EOS 350D
Special Double-Lens Platinum Accessory Kit for Digital Rebel XT / XTi (which includes the below):
2GB Compact Flash Memory Card
All-In-One USB 2.0 Card Reader
28-80mm F/3.5-5.6 Aspherical For Canon EOS, WIth 6-Year USA Warranty
75-300mm F/4-5.6 LD FS=62 For Canon, WIth 6-Year USA Warranty
800mAh Replacement /Extra Battery for Canon NB-2LH
58mm Multicoated UV Protective Filter--offers lens protection & clearer pictures
62mm Multicoated UV Protective Filter
Deluxe SLR Holster Case - DP4000
Digital Camera and Camcorder Screen Protectors for LCD's (pack of 12)
Three Piece Lens Cleaning Kit

2. Nikon
Nikon D40 Digital SLR Kit, 18-55 and 55-200mm Lenses, 2 DVDs and Free 1GB Memory Card
Sakar Digital Concepts 952AF TTL Power Zoom Flash for Nikon Digital

I know at some point I'd need to get a flash for the Canon, but not sure if that needs to be done right now.

I'd appreciate any thoughts!

 

[Master Mason]

I am a canon shooter. I don't particularly care for the 2 lenses that your getting with that package, on a 1.6 crop body, the 28 isn't going to be very open. That was I believe the standard lenes they were selling with the rebel film bodies. Also neither of these lenses will do a particularly good job in low light.

To me this looks like some of the bundles you see on ebay, and personally I would be very leary of anything like that from ebay merchants. There are way too many scam artists in the photo industry.

 

[mishoe01]

I am a canon shooter. I don't particularly care for the 2 lenses that your getting with that package, on a 1.6 crop body, the 28 isn't going to be very open. That was I believe the standard lenes they were selling with the rebel film bodies. Also neither of these lenses will do a particularly good job in low light.

To me this looks like some of the bundles you see on ebay, and personally I would be very leary of anything like that from ebay merchants. There are way too many scam artists in the photo industry.

Hi Gregg,

I agree w/ your thoughts on ebay. These are off the buydig.com site that was recommended to me by DISers on this board. May I ask what configuration you would recommend for a beginner?

TIA!

 

[Master Mason]

My personal recomendation is always to get the body and the kit lens, and possibly the 50mm f/1.8 which is under $100 (note the nikon version won't work with the d40)

Then use the camera, learn what it will do and decide from there what lens(es) you need to get the shots you can't get with the kit.

My reasoning is thus. If you do like I did, and get the camera, and then just jump in and buy a couple of lenses, before you have a full understanding of what you need, you'll end up with a few lenses collecting dust, and having to purchase other lenses that fit your needs. I have at least 3 lenses that I will most likely never use again, which could have funded one of the lenses I use all the time. It worked out ok, because my son is now using the old lenses with my old camera body, but it was a pretty expensive lesson for me.

I have known some folks that instead of the kit, they got something like the sigma 24-70 f/2.8 lens with a body only, this is a very nice lens that won't break the bank, gives you good low light capability.

 

[mishoe01]

My personal recomendation is always to get the body and the kit lens, and possibly the 50mm f/1.8 which is under $100 (note the nikon version won't work with the d40)

Then use the camera, learn what it will do and decide from there what lens(es) you need to get the shots you can't get with the kit.

My reasoning is thus. If you do like I did, and get the camera, and then just jump in and buy a couple of lenses, before you have a full understanding of what you need, you'll end up with a few lenses collecting dust, and having to purchase other lenses that fit your needs. I have at least 3 lenses that I will most likely never use again, which could have funded one of the lenses I use all the time. It worked out ok, because my son is now using the old lenses with my old camera body, but it was a pretty expensive lesson for me.

I have known some folks that instead of the kit, they got something like the sigma 24-70 f/2.8 lens with a body only, this is a very nice lens that won't break the bank, gives you good low light capability.

That all makes complete sense! Thanks so much. Will do some more research.

 

[jann1033]

i just want to agree with mm.

and after you decide what you want for focal length, make sure you research the lenses you think you might want before you buy them...i have found a good lens is worth the wait if that's what it takes rather than rushing into a cheaper less well reviewed lens...when i have compromised and gone the cheap route i am always disappointed and want something better

....read some sites like fredmiranda...they seem pretty accurate on lenses (although naturally L glass biased for canon so to a degree you need to stay with in your price range, we'd all love $3000 lenses )

 

[mishoe01]

Does this combo make more sense??

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT Body (Black) - EOS 350D
Canon EF 28mm F/2.8 Lens
Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM Lens

jann1033 - I'll check out the reviews on fredmiranda ( I definately can let you know that the $3000 lens is waaaaaaaaay out of my price range )

 

[Master Mason]

That would give you good low light ablities, but no zoom at all. It isn't bad, but it is limiting.

If it were me I would go with this
http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=CNDRXT1855B

And if you wanted the nifty fifty...

Please also note, there is no correct answer everything is individual tastes.

 

[Anewman]

Does this combo make more sense??

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT Body (Black) - EOS 350D
Canon EF 28mm F/2.8 Lens
Canon EF 50mm F/1.4 USM Lens

jann1033 - I'll check out the reviews on fredmiranda ( I definately can let you know that the $3000 lens is waaaaaaaaay out of my price range )

IMO the two primes you are choosing are a bit close together in focal range, and remember that primes are not for everyone.

I would start with the 50mm 1.8 just to see if you are a good fit with primes and is much cheaper than the 50mm 1.4

And a decent zoom lens would help, I would not 100% rule out third party lenses. I really like the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 lens and it was really cheap.

 

[jann1033]

IMO the two primes you are choosing are a bit close together in focal range, and remember that primes are not for everyone.

I would start with the 50mm 1.8 just to see if you are a good fit with primes and is much cheaper than the 50mm 1.4

And a decent zoom lens would help, I would not 100% rule out third party lenses. I really like the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 lens and it was really cheap.

i see an ld and non ld model..which do you have? if i ever get my 40d, i want to get a lower light lens around that focal length since now my lowest is 3.5-5.6 and i like that lens but would like better light

just to make sure, i wasn't saying boo to 3rd party, i have a tokina i love but it is rated really well.

 

[Anewman]

i see an ld and non ld model..which do you have? if i ever get my 40d, i want to get a lower light lens around that focal length since now my lowest is 3.5-5.6 and i like that lens but would like better light

just to make sure, i wasn't saying boo to 3rd party, i have a tokina i love but it is rated really well.

I can not tell you what the difference is but I have the
TAMRON SP AF28-75mm F/2.8 XR Di LD ASPHERICAL (IF) MACRO


Just happen to have box on my desk.

 

[Groucho]

For value, IMHO, you simply cannot beat the Pentax K100D Super with a pretty darn good kit lens for $400 after rebate at Beach Camera. From there, there's a 50-200mm that is decent enough for maybe $225 or so and a spectacular 50mm F1.4 for just under $200. The Pentax has some features that others lack, like a top LCD, in-body image stabilization, etc. On the minus side, it has a smaller buffer so at maximum speed, it can take fewer pictures in a row.

They also have a just-released 18-250mm lens if you want an "all in one" solution - you can get the K100D Super body alone for $368 after rebate and add that lens, but I'm not sure what the price is yet. It's brand new so there's limited stock, but it should be available shortly. That lens is probably a little pricier though, my understanding is that it's an improved variation of the existing Tamron 18-250mm lens.

I have the same Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 lens as Anewman and it is pretty nice, but it would be even better if it was a little wider. 28mm is usually OK but 18 would add a good amount of flexibility. There are comparable ones that begin at 18mm but they usually top out around 50mm (speaking of the F2.8 lenses.)

Regardless of the way you go, I'd avoid the bundles that the places (including Beach/Buydig) put together. A 12-pack of LCD protectors? Junky Sakar flash? No thanks!

 

[Anewman]

Regardless of the way you go, I'd avoid the bundles that the places (including Beach/Buydig) put together. A 12-pack of LCD protectors? Junky Sakar flash? No thanks!

I agree 100% with gourcho, avoid the bundles or better yet make your own.

I have never seen them save any actual money from buying items separately and if there are no savings why not buy items of your choice instead?

 

[My2Girls66]

I use an 18-135mm on my D50- very useful all around focal range- IMO.