Which SLR should I get?

[Just_Ice]

So I have gotten to the point where I have decided I will throw caution to the wind, and get an SLR.
This decision has been 3 years in the making, so I know whats on the market.

I do not want to spend more than about R7000. I have used a friends Canon 350D before, felt good. I have also played around with the Nikons in the stores, also feels good. So I am open to both Canon and Nikon options. The video features are nice to have, but is just that, I am not too worried by this in my decision.

I have come across 3 options, all have their pro's and con's. So, I ask, which would you pick? Or do you have any alternatives?
What ever I get now will have to last at least 3 years, because I wont be upgrading anytime soon.

Option 1: Canon 550D and 18-55 IS lens, 8gig card and a bag (R6999) - SA Camera

Option 2: Nikon D3100 with 18-55 IS lens and 55 -200 lens, 4GB card and bag (R6500) - Makro

So do I get the better body (the 550D in my opinion) at the expense of a lens, or get the the extra lens and the expense of the body? That is my major decision...

Option 3 is more of a side thought at the moment rather than a solid option, as the body is quite old now but maybe you feel differently:
Canon 500D with 18-55 IS lens and 75-300 lens (not sure what this lens is like either) for R6000 at SAcamera.

What is a man to do....

 

[Dolby]

... before anyone tells me that this site is inaccurate at times, I think it's a decent guide :

http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_550D-vs-Nikon_D3100

You decide what is important to you - but I'd go for the Canon.

 

[bwana]

What is a man to do....

flip a coin.

 

[Dolby]

flip a coin.

bwana, support our brand ...

@ Just_Ice - he'll go for the Canon too

 

[kolaval]

Having the same issue..

Considerations:
1. Makro does not have stock of the D3100, period (and they don't know when they'll be getting any according to centurion branch).
http://www.makro.co.za/live/content.php?Query=D3100&x=0&y=0&Action=search&Session_ID=027d77f288461f2d136c7a758373daea

2. http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon_EOS_550D-vs-Nikon_D3100 rates the 550D higher.

3.Two buddies of mine (canon 450D and nikon D80) both bought something like 18-200mm lenses, and rarely use their 18-55 and 55-200 lenses
AFAIK the 18-200 covers both the 18-55 and 55-200 in angle and zoom
(Speaking under correction here, I'll confirm with them tomorrow)

 

[mikef]

Don't forget that Canon will have some specials at their Expo on 9-11 Dec.

The 600D starter kit at R7499 is not bad value and includes a 16GB SD card as opposed to the 8GB included with the 550D above.

See link for specials:
http://csaexpo.co.za/Price-list.pdf

 

[hilton]

Also the 75-300 lens is crap. In case you didn't hear me, it's crap.

Oh, did I mention it's crap?

Not to dissuade you from buying a DSRL but have you considered the Nikon V1 or J1?

 

[Dolby]

Don't forget that Canon will have some specials at their Expo on 9-11 Dec.

The 600D starter kit at R7499 is not bad value and includes a 16GB SD card as opposed to the 8GB included with the 550D above.

See link for specials:
http://csaexpo.co.za/Price-list.pdf

Bundles are good - but some are those specials are expensive?

The 7D at 15,999 and 24-70 at 12,999?

And something looks wrong here ?

BG - E5 Battery Grip ... says normal price at 999.00 and selling at 99.99 - but Orms have it at 2,095?

 

[kolaval]

3.Two buddies of mine (canon 450D and nikon D80) both bought something like 18-200mm lenses, and rarely use their 18-55 and 55-200 lenses
AFAIK the 18-200 covers both the 18-55 and 55-200 in angle and zoom
(Speaking under correction here, I'll confirm with them tomorrow)

Ok, confirmed, the one with the 450D, never use his 18-55 anymore after getting a 18-200.

So I would search fr a special on the body, and the 18-200 as a bundle or separate

Can anyone with a 18-55 and 18-200 maybe give some insight as well?

 

[Just_Ice]

Well so far I have decided on the following...
I would rather get the 550D with 1 lens, than the 3100D.
I figure I could always save up and get another lens in the future, as at least this body will last me a long while.

As for the 18-200 that Kolaval mentioned, I'll have a look around, but since I need the camera by Friday (going away), I'll probably go with the 18-55 for now. Going for a body only and then a lens separately also works out to be a lot more expensive. Although it lacks range, it is a fairly decent lens.

Unfortunately I wont make it to the expo, as I'm not in JHB at the moment, and will only be back after christmas which doesn't really help.

 

[Dolby]

Can anyone with a 18-55 and 18-200 maybe give some insight as well?

I don't have both - but as the 18-200 already covers the 18-55 range, why'd you want the 18-55?

Both are 3.5 at the wide and 5.6 at the long, so the 18-200 would probably be even wider than the 18-55 at 55mm

 

[Re83L]

Some place in CT had a special a while back:
Nikon D90 + 18-55mm VR Lens + 55-200mm VR Lens + 8GB Lexar + Bag: R7000

I forwarded it to ORMS and they gave me the same price.
Two weeks later my brother-in-law wanted one, as well as a friend, they did it at that price again..
You could also get it with a 55-300 instead of 55-200, which works out R8000

PM me, I might be able to get it for you at that price again, I have to buy another for my parents.
You won't get anywhere near a D90 + lenses for R7000 at the moment, I;m very chuffed with myself

 

[MongooseMan]

Orms has the D3100 with 18-55 and 70-200 (and bag and SD card, etc) for R6490.

 

[BigAl-sa]

I don't have both - but as the 18-200 already covers the 18-55 range, why'd you want the 18-55?

Both are 3.5 at the wide and 5.6 at the long, so the 18-200 would probably be even wider than the 18-55 at 55mm

Sigma & Tamron 18-200s are f/6.3 at the long end.

 

[Dolby]

Sigma & Tamron 18-200s are f/6.3 at the long end.

Assumed he meant Canon, sorry

 

[bwana]

bwana, support our brand ...

@ Just_Ice - he'll go for the Canon too

Why? I don't have shares in Canon so it makes no difference to me. In fact the more people who choose nikon the more canon is forced to up their game and the better my cameras will be in the future.

TBH the only things that really matter are how comfortable the camera is in the owners hands and the ease they can navigate the menus.

 

[diegoa]

Get a Canon EOS 600D

 

[Just_Ice]

So my mind is made up, I am getting the 550D with 18-55 IS lens, 8 Gig card and lowepro bag - R6495.
Just waiting to see that hi-fi corp dont come out with a special for it on thursday that beats that.
If not, then Thursday is D-day

 

[The Voice]

So my mind is made up, I am getting the 550D with 18-55 IS lens, 8 Gig card and lowepro bag - R6495.
Just waiting to see that hi-fi corp dont come out with a special for it on thursday that beats that.
If not, then Thursday is D-day

Nice one! Can't go wrong with the 550D! I got the same bundle (from Game, though), and am totally happy with it. Just need to get hold of a 18-200mm now...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[metro_digital]

The 550D is a decent camera to start out on. Good choice. It pays to invest in decent lenses, as there will always be better camera bodies, but you can keep your lenses for a long time, and upgrade the camera body as you grow in your photography.