Thread: New DSLR

Originally Posted by vnx205

If you are carrying it in a County, then the following Pentax feature might be important.

The body is fully weather sealed, cold and dust proof as is the optional grip, and all K-3 camera/lens kits marketed by Pentax come with weather sealed lenses to complement the body as it should be.

Read more at: Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

This reviewer seems pretty impresses with the new K-3.

Targeted mainly at advanced photographers and enthusiasts, the K-3's improved key specifications are now on par with (or better than) those of the Nikon D7100, its closest competitor within the DSLR realm.

Read more at: Pentax K-3 Review - Introduction - PentaxForums.com

However there is a lot to be said for using a setup that you have become accustomed to. The one you learn on seems right and any other way of doing things seems strange. A bit like converting from Windows to Linux.

Thanks. Looks like a nice bit of gear, but need to include at least one lens within the budget

Steve

Originally Posted by dullbird

Or a Nikon the autobiography

And the D7100 is weather sealed so I would be surprised if the D7000 wasn't

All this sophistication...
I only got rid of my Cosina CT1-G about 5 years ago. Fits with the County image I guess

Seriously again though, pretty much decided it will be the D7000 body, but stuck on the lens side of things.
It was definitely more convenient with the single 18-200 lens on our daughter's camera than when we used to take 2 lenses to cover the same range with our Olympus.
A body together with the Nikon 18-200 f3.5-5.6 VR lens would pretty much consume the budget.

Any comments from those who have been down both paths (single lens or 2 lenses to cover the same range)?
In this case the single lens is more expensive than the 2 separate ones.

Steve

IMO the quality of a photo - assuming user skill is the same on all gear - the body makes very little difference. (So good choice in buying the one she already knows). The lens quality makes all the difference. The greater the zoom adjustment (focal length), the worse the quality of the lens. Of course this is a generalisation and I'm sure there are some excellent lens that have a wide range of adjustment, but say you spent $500 on a lens. I believe a $500 fixed 18mm lens will take a much better photo than a $500 18-200mm lens at 18mm.

I.E. I believe there is a good reason people carry 6 lenses, and not 1 big wide range zoom lens. And you get what you pay for.


Edit: The main difference between bodies is the feature set. (For beginners, all the stuff you don't use!)

Go the Nikon. No seriously go the Nikon haha

I've got a Nikon D300 fitted with a Nikon 18 -200 lens. Use this combo 98% of the time. Have many other lenses but this is my favorite. Would like to move up to the newer Nikon 18 - 300 lens when budget permits. These lenses are of a better quality than what you get in the twin lens kits anyway. Twin lens kits are built down to a price.

Also you don't have to worry about dirt getting in whilst changing lenses with the 18 - 200.

Gary

IMHO when thinking in purchasing a photography equipment for the first time the way to go is as follows.
1) Look for a camera brand that the body can be upgraded using the old lens.

2)Get the best lens that you can afford according to the type of photography in mind.

3) If a serious landscaping photography is in mind, select the best tripod that you can afford. Sharp images are a must if you like quality.

4) select the camera body.

I am a Nikon user for more than 40 years because the quality of the glasses and bodies and more important because I can keep my old lens when upgrade bodies.

The Nikon 300s gives me very good results and because I like landscaping and fauna photography I have a Tokina 12-24 f/4 and a superb Nikon 70-300VR and a CF Manfrotto tripod.

The Nikon 7000 is a very good camera. Look if you can get a D300s for less money which it is an excellent body as well.

Cheers

Originally Posted by 33chinacars

Go the Nikon. No seriously go the Nikon haha

I've got a Nikon D300 fitted with a Nikon 18 -200 lens. Use this combo 98% of the time. Have many other lenses but this is my favorite. Would like to move up to the newer Nikon 18 - 300 lens when budget permits. These lenses are of a better quality than what you get in the twin lens kits anyway. Twin lens kits are built down to a price.

Also you don't have to worry about dirt getting in whilst changing lenses with the 18 - 200.

Gary

Thanks Gary.
Great to hear from someone that's actually using that lens and is very happy with it.
The dirt ingress is a good point to. I hadn't considered that.

Steve

Dirt ingress is not an issue if your concious of it just make sure you always point your body downwards when changing lenses and try and avoid changing lenses in dusty conditions....

if you are faced with that condition change it in the car or simply take a punt and pick the best lens and keep that one on during the conditions...

I would also say spend some money and get a decent dust proof water proof box its not a must but I wouldnt be without one..you might see I just upgraded my vanguard....this also helps keep dust and crap out of your gear when travelling

Originally Posted by steveG

Thanks Gary.
Great to hear from someone that's actually using that lens and is very happy with it.
The dirt ingress is a good point to. I hadn't considered that.

Steve

I use my D200 and D300s in harsh conditions including dust,sand, rain and sea mist. I have never have a problem with dirt inside the cameras.