Advice on entry/mid DSLR

[tRoN]

Hi Guys

I need advice on a DSLR. Finally I'm ditching the old P&S.
My budget can stretch to a canon EOS550D with kit lens.
I'd like to know if this is a good camera to go for?
What are the alternatives in Nikon to consider?
What are the pro's & con's of a canon versus Nikon.
Also which lens kit should I opt for as a beginner. I will be looking at mainly portraits and little holiday pics.
Is it better to get a camera body and a specific lens rather than a kit lens like 18-55mm

any advice appreciated.

PS where is the best place to purchase. I live in Durbs.

 

[undesign]

I can only comment on Canon. The 550D has been replaced by the 600D, but is is still a fantastic camera - you won't be disappointed.

The twin bundle specials are going for dirt cheap. I would suggest you learn to use the 18-55 and 55-250 kit lenses, see where your most used focal range is and get comfortable with the camera before you consider buying more expensive lenses. For "basic" lenses they are remarkedly good.

At the price you get the bundles you can easy offload the lenses on Gumtree later.

Re. Canon vs Nikon, it's by and large 6 of the one and half a dozen of the other. Canon is just a little bit better. ;-)

 

[Bismuth]

Don't forget your third option, the Pentax K-r, either. In pretty much the same price range as the 600D, kits for Canon & Pentax include 1 or 2 lenses, depending on your budget.

B

 

[Deezil]

550D will be 2 generations old within the next 4-5 months but don't let that bother you ... picture quality is still pretty awesome!

You don't really mention a rand and cents budget ... I'm assuming something in the R7000 region if you mention 550D? The 550D with twin lens kit (for about R9K) will take you a looooong way initially, don't worry about other fancy smancy lenses until you've mastered the basics.

In that price bracket you can also look at the Nikon D5100, Sony A33 and the mentioned Pentax K-r although I wouldn't really recommend either the Sony or the Pentax for somebody starting his DSLR journey, particularly in South Africa ... my main reason for saying this is the fact that you will struggle to find 2nd hand lenses locally (great source is the ODP classifieds)

Canon vs Nikon pros and cons would be Nikon is slightly more expensive (especially lenses) but you do get better local service (not that Canon is bad, Nikon is simply better), Canon has a slightly bigger collection of lenses and probably a bigger user base which will make 2nd hand lenses much easier to source ... you might wonder why I'm hammering the 2nd hand lens issue to death is the simple fact that lenses are horrifically expensive and you'll always get well-off hobbyists (or rich schmucks) getting rid of their perfectly capable "pro" gear simply to keep up with the latest and greatest. (also remember that camera bodies are semi-disposable, lenses last forever so rather invest in glass!!!)

I've been "in the game" now for about 4-5 years and knowing what I know now this Nikon D90 on special would be very, very high on my shopping list!

Here's a nice comparison to confuse you just a bit more

Don't know Durban but you can't go wrong with either Orms or ODP if you're willing to buy online (just make sure to call the ODP shop before ordering, their website prices isn't always up to date)

Lastly, as a Sony shooter myself (and ex-Canon user) trust me ... Nikon is just a little bit better ;-)

 

[Quantum Theory]

+1 on the D90.

This deal at Makro will keep you going for a few years.

 

[hilton]

550D will be 2 generations old within the next 4-5 months

Huh?

These bodies are replaced every 2 years and the 600D only came earlier this year so the 550D will be 2 generations old within the next 24 months only.

It's a good buy so go for it.

 

[Quantum Theory]

Huh?

These bodies are replaced every 2 years and the 600D only came earlier this year so the 550D will be 2 generations old within the next 24 months only.

It's a good buy so go for it.

500D released 2009
550D released 2010
600D released 2011

:wtf:

 

[undesign]

Some more good bundle specials, depending on what your budget is -

550D triple lens bundle - R9,999

550D starter bundle - R6,795

+1 on the D90.

This deal at Makro will keep you going for a few years.

I don't know the camera, but looks like a great bundle/price.

 

[undesign]

550D will be 2 generations old within the next 4-5 months but don't let that bother you ... picture quality is still pretty awesome!

Huh?These bodies are replaced every 2 years and the 600D only came earlier this year so the 550D will be 2 generations old within the next 24 months only.

500D released 2009
550D released 2010
600D released 2011

:wtf:

6xxD won't be released in the next 4-5 months.

Besides, the D90 is a 2008 camera.

 

[Quantum Theory]

6xxD won't be released in the next 4-5 months.

Besides, the D90 is a 2008 camera.

I know, I was just saying that it is not every 2 years...

D90 is still superior. A friend bought the 550D at the same time I bought my D90. He tried to swing me onto the Canon too, saying that he is getting much better video and resolution. I don't care about that. My D90 is the better camera.

 

[Wyzak]

Have a look at the Nikon D3100, we had to choose between it and the Canon 550D if I'm not mistaken. We went to Makro and tried out both, and we eventually decided on the D3100. We've never looked back.

 

[Dolby]

The 550D hasn't been replaced ... it's running next to the 600D

It's a fantastic camera actually! It may not be *as* good as the Nikon D90 - but it really isn't far behind.

 

[undesign]

Mind you, at those price ranges you can just as well go new -

600D Twin Bundle - R9,495

A colleague of mine recently bought this special at Orms, they gave him a SD card, camera bag and photography class voucher with it.

Have a look at the Nikon D3100, we had to choose between it and the Canon 550D if I'm not mistaken. We went to Makro and tried out both, and we eventually decided on the D3100. We've never looked back.

And how's the medicine going?

 

[Dolby]

Have a look at the Nikon D3100, we had to choose between it and the Canon 550D if I'm not mistaken. We went to Makro and tried out both, and we eventually decided on the D3100. We've never looked back.

It depends on the user, I guess?

My bridge camera had AEB and at that stage I leanrt to play with HDR photos - but the 3100 offers nothing :/

Add to that the better screen of the 550D, the higher resolution and faster speed ... and it's pretty much up to the end user on his choice and what he photographs.

Basically - there's no clear winner

 

[hilton]

500D released 2009
550D released 2010
600D released 2011

:wtf:

Yeah sorry my mistake. Both are still good buys though.

 

[tRoN]

Thanks for the advice.

So for canon is it worth the extra to go for the 600D?

And what is the direct competitor in Nikon? (the d90 seems a bit dated in specs)

 

[Dolby]

but you do get better local service (not that Canon is bad, Nikon is simply better),

... on this point, I heard the exact same thing, however ...

But I bought a Canon bridge camera in March 2009 for a holiday up in Kenya. I took it over, took pics, got back home - and everything was great. A few weeks later the camera seems to malfunction and I emailed Canon about the issue.

The same day I received call from Canon SA saying I should go back and collect a brand new camera from Cats Digital - which I did and used for the next year before selling to get my 7D.

Again - I think service is probably subjective, as I cannot see how the service could have possibly been better

 

[Dolby]

Thanks for the advice.

So for canon is it worth the extra to go for the 600D?

And what is the direct competitor in Nikon? (the d90 seems a bit dated in specs)

Not sure about Nikon - so I'll skip that part ... but I think the major difference is that swivel screen and LCD screen. I miss my swival screen :/ but it's up to you

 

[bwana]

Thanks for the advice.

So for canon is it worth the extra to go for the 600D?

And what is the direct competitor in Nikon? (the d90 seems a bit dated in specs)

That's because it is. Compared to the 550d its got a smaller native ISO range, (marginally) lower dynamic range, and lower resolution sensor, why nikon hasn't EOL'ed it yet is beyond me. You could have a look at the d3xxx/d5xxx range for some of their newer models. Personally if I was starting over again, and without any sports aspirations, I'd probably grab a d7000 and their new 28-300 and be done with it.

Realistically you'd have to try fairly hard these days to buy a bad dslr.

 

[tRoN]

Hey guys I think I've narrowed it down to the 2 below...(went slightly above budget though)
Let me know your final thoughts...

https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/view-l...th-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-55-250mm-is-lens-lens

https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/photog...8-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-af-s-vr-55-200mm-vr-lens-kit