Why can't I pull the trigger?

[moppety]

I've spent weeks researching the net, reading reviews and lurking over here. I want to move up into DSLR-land. Admittedly, I'm an uber novice and have a lot of learning to do.

Even though the hubby is partial to the XTi, I decided on the d40. I think I even narrowed down the additional lens candidate to the 55-200mm VR. B&H will let me have that for $694. Not horrible for my first step, right? But I just can't seem to hit the "order" button. I think I fear hitting the button and having a screen pop up saying "Foolish child, you chose... poorly".

What to do? I can't be the first to have experienced this, right?

 

[jann1033]

guessing you have seen the camera in person, held it and played with it somewhat and like it and of course you know about the lens "limitation" business...so no matter what anyone else might feel/say/ do if you think it's the right one for you, go for it! is it the 40 or 40x? only thing is i have seen a little better comments about the 40x but not sure how big a deal they are. i had a mag. around here that rated the 40x as one of the best buys for entry level but can't seem to find it right now to see why they said the x in particular...( hub cleaned up my study to help me and now , well no telling where all my stuff is )

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Go with your gut. Congratulations. Hope to see you on The Learning Curve thread.

 

[moppety]

guessing you have seen the camera in person, held it and played with it somewhat and like it and of course you know about the lens "limitation" business...so no matter what anyone else might feel/say/ do if you think it's the right one for you, go for it! is it the 40 or 40x? only thing is i have seen a little better comments about the 40x but not sure how big a deal they are. i had a mag. around here that rated the 40x as one of the best buys for entry level but can't seem to find it right now to see why they said the x in particular...( hub cleaned up my study to help me and now , well no telling where all my stuff is )

Oh yes, I have made numerous expeditions to the local Wolf/Ritz and laid hands on both. I've been leaning toward the 40, but could be swayed to the 40x. I think the biggest difference is the 40 being 6 MP to the 40x at 10 mp, and the 40x is about $100-ish more. There are a few other differences that, due to my experience level,are totally Greek to me. I really don't blow anything up, so I don't know if I need more than 6 MP.

By lens limitation, I'm hoping you mean the "AF motor is in the lens" issue?

 

[moppety]

Go with your gut. Congratulations. Hope to see you on The Learning Curve thread.

Hee! I've been lurking there lots, and it has been a HUGE help! I figured I wouldn't even attempt the "Curve" until I knew what I was going to be working with

 

[ghost1000]

I'm the same way but I'm still debating between three or four different variations of camera

At least I know they are all good and regardless the lenses will be future compatible (if I stick with the same brand...)

 

[YEKCIM]

I really don't blow anything up, so I don't know if I need more than 6 MP.

I've got a D50 (6MP) and a D80 (10MP) and, IMO, you do not need more than six, even if you do make some enlargements. I've had some 19" X 13" digital prints made and I can't tell the ones made from D80 shots from ones made with the D50. Apply that extra hundred to glass. Do you think you could stretch and get the 70-300vr instead of the 55-200vr? Both are very good lenses, but the 70-300vr will give you more reach, which is often very useful. You won't miss the small "gap" between 55mm and 70mm.

~Y

 

[WVDisGeek]

I too agonized over when " to pull the trigger". DW and I have been wanting the extra capability the DSLR will give us and have been researching for quite some time. We went with the Pentax K200D, primarily because I used their film SLRs back in my youth and have a fair collection of lenses which I can use on the new camera. However, I liked the additional features that the Pentax had over the Nikons and Canons. Two friends at work shoot Nikon D200s (they have more disposable income!) and one that just bought the Canon XSi. I think it comes down to what feels good to you. All of the entry level cameras are going to have similar capabilities and will be a large step up from whatever P&S you have been using. Go with your gut, but "pull the trigger" soon. You won't regret it. I finally did and my K200D arrives Monday and I am going crazy with anticipation!!!
Good Luck with whichever you choose!

 

[moppety]

Do you think you could stretch and get the 70-300vr instead of the 55-200vr? Both are very good lenses, but the 70-300vr will give you more reach, which is often very useful. You won't miss the small "gap" between 55mm and 70mm.

I could probably swing that. One question for you: how are these guys in a low light situation?

 

[YEKCIM]

I could probably swing that. One question for you: how are these guys in a low light situation?

None of 'em are low-light lenses. For really low light stuff, you need an f/2.8 or better lens, and you are talking an exponential jump in money. For example, the very excellent 70-200vr (see Gdad's "Happy-Happy" thread) is about $1700 online, compared to about $450 for the 70-300vr. You might also look at some of the Sigma HSM lenses, which have the AF motor in the lens. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is highly regarded and runs about $400 online, last I checked. Depending on just HOW low the light is, though, you might get away with ISO 800 or even 1600 with one of the "consumer" lenses (i.e., 18-55, 18-135, 55-200vr, 70-300vr). The VR will help some, too, unless you have subject movement, in which case VR will NOT help stop subject motion.

~Y

 

[elizke]

I too agonized over when " to pull the trigger". DW and I have been wanting the extra capability the DSLR will give us and have been researching for quite some time. We went with the Pentax K200D, primarily because I used their film SLRs back in my youth and have a fair collection of lenses which I can use on the new camera. However, I liked the additional features that the Pentax had over the Nikons and Canons. Two friends at work shoot Nikon D200s (they have more disposable income!) and one that just bought the Canon XSi. I think it comes down to what feels good to you. All of the entry level cameras are going to have similar capabilities and will be a large step up from whatever P&S you have been using. Go with your gut, but "pull the trigger" soon. You won't regret it. I finally did and my K200D arrives Monday and I am going crazy with anticipation!!!
Good Luck with whichever you choose!

Oooo, this is the one I am currently "focused" on. I keep changing my mind, but for now it's between the Sony A300, the Canon XSi, and this one. As of yesterday, it is definitely the Pentax K200 looking really fine to me. The only drawback is the weight; not sure I want to deal with that. I also want to make sure the viewfinder is good and that even auto is better than a P&S. I just don't always have time to think when I take a pic. When people say that it is a great camera, if you work at it, that just scares me off. There are times when I will work at it, but then there is life.

Please let me know how you like it when it comes, and congrats!

 

[moppety]

None of 'em are low-light lenses. For really low light stuff, you need an f/2.8 or better lens, and you are talking an exponential jump in money. For example, the very excellent 70-200vr (see Gdad's "Happy-Happy" thread) is about $1700 online, compared to about $450 for the 70-300vr. You might also look at some of the Sigma HSM lenses, which have the AF motor in the lens. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is highly regarded and runs about $400 online, last I checked. Depending on just HOW low the light is, though, you might get away with ISO 800 or even 1600 with one of the "consumer" lenses (i.e., 18-55, 18-135, 55-200vr, 70-300vr). The VR will help some, too, unless you have subject movement, in which case VR will NOT help stop subject motion.

~Y

Heh... maybe I should have made that low(er) light . I was hoping the VR might make a wee bit of difference. I don't think I should play with the really big ones anytime soon. I saw Gdads, and WOW! Just beautiful. One day...

 

[YEKCIM]

Heh... maybe I should have made that low(er) light . I was hoping the VR might make a wee bit of difference. I don't think I should play with the really big ones anytime soon. I saw Gdads, and WOW! Just beautiful. One day...

VR will help in low light, IF you have a static subject. For subjects in motion, you need a faster shutter speed and low light + small aperture usually precludes fast shutter speed, unless you can crank the ISO up enough to compensate.

~Y

 

[moppety]

I finally did and my K200D arrives Monday and I am going crazy with anticipation!!!
Good Luck with whichever you choose!

Good luck to you too! I'll keep an eye out for posts from you and your new tool/toy!

 

[JR6ooo4]

I think whichever you pick will have 80-90% the same features. And whichever brand or model you pick, another model will have one or two features you want. almost always.

Mikeeee

 

[moppety]

And whichever brand or model you pick, another model will have one or two features you want. almost always.

That is what I am most confident of.

That and the giant flashing "LOSER" pop-up upon ordering.

 

[ukcatfan]

Heh... maybe I should have made that low(er) light . I was hoping the VR might make a wee bit of difference. I don't think I should play with the really big ones anytime soon. I saw Gdads, and WOW! Just beautiful. One day...

To be brutally honest, if low light performance is desired AND the Sigma 30mm @ $400 is out of your price range, then you should NOT go with the D40, D40x, or D60. I would normally say Pentax b/c their 50mm f/1.4 @ $200 is incredible, but I am not sure of how you will make out on the total package b/c the bodies are not the best deals right now. They just released the K200D and K20D. The older models are hard to find, which equals almost full retail on the body to go Pentax right now. As much as I do not like the camera itself, the Canon Rebel XT is a pretty good deal right now. It all comes down to if you are trying to get into this cheap or willing to spend what it takes to get it right for you.

Kevin

 

[WVDisGeek]

To be brutally honest, if low light performance is desired AND the Sigma 30mm @ $400 is out of your price range, then you should NOT go with the D40, D40x, or D60. I would normally say Pentax b/c their 50mm f/1.4 @ $200 is incredible, but I am not sure of how you will make out on the total package b/c the bodies are not the best deals right now. They just released the K200D and K20D. The older models are hard to find, which equals almost full retail on the body to go Pentax right now. As much as I do not like the camera itself, the Canon Rebel XT is a pretty good deal right now. It all comes down to if you are trying to get into this cheap or willing to spend what it takes to get it right for you.

Kevin

Just FYI, the large jungle sounding online retailer (not sure if we can use names on here) has the K200D and kit lens over $100 off list. I think other e-tailers are pretty close to that as well. Unfortunately, my local shop doesn't carry the full line of Pentax stuff and just kept trying to sell me what they had in stock. Don't know if that makes a difference to the decision or not, but I thought I would pass it along. The 50mm f/1.4 is next on my "envy" list!

 

[moppety]

To be brutally honest, if low light performance is desired AND the Sigma 30mm @ $400 is out of your price range, then you should NOT go with the D40, D40x, or D60. I would normally say Pentax b/c their 50mm f/1.4 @ $200 is incredible, but I am not sure of how you will make out on the total package b/c the bodies are not the best deals right now. They just released the K200D and K20D. The older models are hard to find, which equals almost full retail on the body to go Pentax right now. As much as I do not like the camera itself, the Canon Rebel XT is a pretty good deal right now. It all comes down to if you are trying to get into this cheap or willing to spend what it takes to get it right for you.

Kevin

It's not so much the affordability factor, if I were super confident I'd buy both the Sigma 30mm and the 55-200vr/70-300vr and call my starter kit complete. I think.

What I'm mainly trying for as far as the low(er) light portion is for indoor stuff (the kiddos doing something terriby picture worthy, b-day parties, etc.) Optimally I'd like to get some of the low(er) light shots at DL later this month. I so sincerely need to learn with this camera. I think I'm just trying to figure out how much is too much for my first step, I'm not sure where to draw the line.

 

[handicap18]

It's not so much the affordability factor, if I were super confident I'd buy both the Sigma 30mm and the 55-200vr/70-300vr and call my starter kit complete. I think.

What I'm mainly trying for as far as the low(er) light portion is for indoor stuff (the kiddos doing something terriby picture worthy, b-day parties, etc.) Optimally I'd like to get some of the low(er) light shots at DL later this month. I so sincerely need to learn with this camera. I think I'm just trying to figure out how much is too much for my first step, I'm not sure where to draw the line.

What about the Nikon 18-135mm lens and the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. Then save up down the road for the 70-300 VR and/or the SB-600 flash.

I have all 3 of the lens I mentioned and the flash. When it comes to indoor stuff like you mentioned I usually use the 18-135 with the flash (with diffuser on it). When I want to get creative I'll use the 30mm f/1.4, but many times with kids running around and itching to get their hands on the cake and wanting to sing, creativity goes out the door.

For Disney the 30mm f/1.4 is excellent. Very helpful on indoor rides. At WDW I used it as a walk around lens in EPCOT. For DL I don't think you'll need anything longer that 135mm. I will admit though, that if your not going to use a tripod, the VR on the 50-200 can be helpful and get you handheld shots down to around 1/10th. Though for the best night shots your better with a tripod. For the night parades, the 30mm f/1.4 will be better than a VR lens. You can get decent night shots wide open at ISO 1600 with the 30mm f/1.4. I was able to get handheld (for me) shutter speeds with this ISO and f/stop around WDW. I would have preferred a tripod, but that wasn't an option with 3 kids, DW, father-in-law, sister and brother-in-law in tow (or actually, them towing me along as I kept stopping to take pictures).