Help me decide ....please!!!

Whoops, missed the bit about the type of shots taken.

But the accessories do add up. I recommend a second battery, and at least two memory cards so if you're out on a shoot you're never caught short.

Add up this lot:

- decent camera bag big enough for future kit
- second battery
- two decent memory cards
- tripod (for the landscapes)
- polarizing filter
- cleaning kit
- possibly image management software as well

and it'll be more than a casual purchase. That is what I would see as a reasonable starter kit to get the most out of a DSLR. Then of course you can just keep spending, but my point is leave a reasonable bit of room in the budget for the extras.

As a general rule I reckon even basic DSLR bodies produce wonderful shots with quality lenses. The main reason, for me anyway, to spend extra on a body is for action shots -- frame rate and buffer. Oh and weatherproofing.

When I bought my D80 it came with two promotional Nikon zoom lenses.[light weight.]
I conned one of the sales people to come out side with me and I shot a few photos with the light weights and also with the Japanease made 18-200mm zoom. Took the card home and processed them. The good lens was a fair bit heavier and definately shot better photos. Also, I now had only one lens to worry about. The camera mob credited the cheaper lenses.
The trouble is I now want a higher magnification again. But, how do you get past the Dept. of War / Financial controller?
Might just have to win Lotto - to that cause, pigs might fly too!

Tony :wheelchair:

I have a wish list for the Nikon D5000 (it has the same sensor as the D90) and a Tamron 18-270 zoom lens.

See comparison at DP Review between D60/D90/D5000

Nikon D5000 Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Tamron Lens

Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC Lens Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

One can only hope, but the chancellor mentioned Rims/Tyres - No you'r not getting that as well.

Ryall

OK I'll add my bit, totally unbiased, but I do have a D90 that I'm very happy with.
A D5000 is excellent, has a tilting viewfinder that could be very useful, and apparently has a very quiet shutter that could be very useful if shooting in a quiet environment. The negative is that for autofocus you must have AF-S lens with an inbuilt focus motor.
The D90 is very similar to the D5000, has a better viewfinder, but also has an inbuilt focusing motor that allows you to use older AF lens that are cheaper, and often come up on Ebay.
Personally I would forget the D300 except that it is more rugged, more weather resistant , and considerably larger and heavier.
The ultimate realistic option today is the full frame D700 that I would love to have, but it's again bigger, heavier, and requires full frame lenses.
As a matter of interest I have a 18-200 zoom purchased new that will work with all DX cameras, An AF-S f1.4 50mm lens that's great for low light conditions, and will work on all DX and FX cameras, plus a 105mm macro, and a 80-400 zoom that will only work on cameras with an internal focus motor. (Not on the D5000). The last 3 lens were purchased on Ebay, and have been a great success.
Best of luck
Greg

I have just forked out for a new D300. The other choice would have been the D90. Was tempted with the D90 but decided in the end on the D300 being more rugged. The D5000 reviews seem to have it as a bit lightweight and I wonder how long it will take for the hinged screen to get damaged. If the D90 had the magnesium body I would have been quite happy with the features. I need one for work so thanks MR Rood stimulus will get additional depreciation allowance to make the difference not worth worrying about and hope it last 20 years like my old F 801. Like others would love the D700 but the extra money weight and size does not seem worth it.

Thanks for all your feedback - I have settled on the D90.

Any comments on the probelms with buying one offshore (ebay?) - seems I could save 25 to 35% but concerned about Warranty issues. :confused:

Is it worth spending the extra $500 on a Australian version?:

I recommend these guys:

Camerasdirect.com.au - Digital Camera Store

Grey market imports, but great service and they do honour their warranty. My Canon 40D started failing when it was 9 months old and they had it fixed by Canon, at their cost, no questions asked. You may find cheaper prices on eBay, but you may find the aftersales service lacking. I find CD's prices can be beaten, but not by enough to make me take a risk on an unknown company.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sleepy

Thanks for all your feedback - I have settled on the D90.

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I just ordered a new Pentax K-7. Weather sealed magnesium body goodness for people who like to shoot in all weather conditions. Make sure you don't get your D90 wet!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by inside

I just ordered a new Pentax K-7. Weather sealed magnesium body goodness for people who like to shoot in all weather conditions. Make sure you don't get your D90 wet!

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I wouldn't be game enough to get any camera wet....especially if I paid a couple of grand for the body magnesium body or not I wouldn't want to expose the lens to the elements without any protection...either

if you want to give it a bit of protection though sleepy, it wont make it shower proof but will help with the dust etc gets some body armour

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dullbird

I wouldn't be game enough to get any camera wet....especially if I paid a couple of grand for the body magnesium body or not I wouldn't want to expose the lens to the elements without any protection...either

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Pentax make weather sealed lenses as well of which one I bought. Sure you're not going to go diving with it but some rain a little snow, even a bit of mud from some passing Land Rovers it should be OK. Pentax call it "splash and dust resistant". It is definitely something you want to think about when buying a camera if you plan on taking it to some places that it may get a little wet.