Thread: Beginner question

IMO I sugest to you to keep away from kit lens regardless of which brand of camera you get.
Looking at the type of photography tath you are looking to be involved in the future my options will be:

Bedore looking into the camera bodies or lens:
1) Good tripod with ball head. This is the most important equipment if you like sharp images and shots during the "magic hour"
Lens:
The 50mm f/1.8 have to be among the best value for indoor shots with bad light
In a crop body (1.5) will be a 75mm which is very good.
Landscaping lens:
My choice is the Tokina 12-24 f/4
Walk about lens:
The new 24-120mm f/4G VR FX or the 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR FX look a very good option. Waith for the reviews
They will be a great combo with the 12-24 f/4
Wild life:
This is very expensive! The cheap option is the fantastic 300mm f/4 with the X1.4 converter which bring it to a 420mm very sharp lens.
Body:
1st option)A D300 used in excellent condition before the D3000
2nd option)A D90 body, they are going for less that $1000 in USA

Cheers

Technology moves so quickly, the body will quickly outdate.
My favourite Nikon money wise is the D90 and my fav lens for all/most applications is the 18-200 nikkor.
Its not the fastest but the D90 will shoot at 3200, so low light is easily overcome and its not grainy either.

Get a camera you can easily carry, its quick on start up, has a very good lens with it and you use good quality fast to download cards.

Shoot in RAW also to enable you to use photoshop of some kind.

Also, Canon I feel personnally are the leaders in affordability and great colour.
That what I have been reading on forums etc.

But you know what forums can be like.

I agree with the above. I would buy a D90 body and get the correct glass from the get go. Check out DWI, they are VERY reasonable - thats where I (and others here) my lens from.

If you think you are going to use it often and seriously (not just for b'day parties) as you say above, then go the pro-sumer with the right lens, else kit lens set up with a d3000 may prove frustrating in the longer term. I am already wanting to upgrade my D80 to a D300s

Originally Posted by buddha D2

.......... and looking at getting into the world of DSLR.

Having been through this in the last year I offer my 2 cents worth. Assuming you have the same budget constraints as the rest of us, I'd go the best amateur DSLR (Canon of course) you can afford with the best kit lens.

ie I took the 18-200mm kit lens with my 500D. A versatile but cheap build lens.

Yes the kit lens are cheap but at least you're on your way. After getting used to the new camera you can then look around for better lenses.

I've recently got the Sigma 10-20 F3.5 for landscapes and am looking around (read saving) for a replacment(s) for the 18-200.

I recommend DWI as well. You'll save a bundle.

If you are not in a hurry I would wait a couple of months. The replacement for the D3000 is the D3100 and there is a replacement of the D90 about to be announced.

The specifications of the D3100 are a quantum leap over the D3000 and it will still be available with the kit lenses. The D90 replacement will be a similar leap forward. Not that the D90 is a poor camera, far from it.

I would seriously look at the D90 if the money can stretch far enough or a second hand D300s if you want to buy now. If you can wait I think the D3100 will prove to be a very good entry level DSLR.

Whilst kit lenses aren't fantastic they are better than they used to be and will let you save and decided what you need to buy. With EXIF data on images you can review what focal lengths you tend to use and then get a good lens (or two) that suits.

Many thanks to those who have replied.....it isn't easy entering this world.

I can't believe the price differences for the same equipment from retailer to retailer. DWI is looking the goods regardless of choice at the moment.

I am working towards the D90 at this stage. If I was to settle on that, the question is which lens should I look at to get me going, given my interests in photographic subjects listed at the start? Once I am comfortable with the basics, I can then look at a more specific lens/lenses to expand my use.

Gags

Like I have already said, don't worry too much about the lenses. You can always upgrade once you know more about what you want. The 18-55 + 55-200mm kit really is a good starting point as is an 18-200mm or the 16-85mm.

for your indoors portraits get the 50mm f/1.8 for less than $350.
Awesome optics for the price and then get familiar with the camera and think in more lens.