Tips on Camera Choice

[jin222]

Hey guys,

Thought i might put out the question, going overseas soon, would love to get back into photography again. Can anyone suggest any cameras?? something easy to use, since i aint going professional.
I'm leaning towards Canon 450D. Never used it before tho, looks good.
Suggestions would be great..

[moggy]

I've heard good things about the Nikon D90 which also incorporates a video mode. At the end of the day it's what you'll feel comfortable with.

Bob.

[gillottine]

I'm very happy with my Nikon D60, easy to use but still have the option on playing with the numerous settings... and they're cheap!!!! for a DSLR

[tangcla]

Firstly, decide if you want to go Nikon or Canon. This choice is probably best dominated by what your friends have (ease of upgrade/borrow/acess of equipment)
Canon have better lenses, but Nikon has a better wireless flash system.

Then, decide on your budget.

Then, decide if you want to buy secondhand or new.

I'm assuming you'll be looking for a whole package with a kit lens?

[jin222]

Package will be nice, together with 2 lenses. Hopefully HK will be alot cheaper.

Thinking it will be Canon, which model tho? will need to research more...


thanks peeps!

[jp928]

We went through this same process almost, recently. Already had a Canon 350d for a couple of years. Looked at going up to 450. Pros - dust removal stuff, a few better features. Cons- changed the card type to SD!
Looked at a 40D - physically bigger (no problem), MUCH bigger lcd screen, which is much better to see from an angle than 350 - great! Also has a MUCH bigger battery. Uses CF card same as 350d. Has a bigger speed range also. Best part is its only ~$200 more than a 450d, which sold it for me. Try to get a specific lens, not just a std package -I got mine with a 28-135 - the std 18-55 is crap. Wife had a 24-105L on the 350, which she moved to the 40d, and loves it. Dont forget to get GST back as you go through immigration. Shop around on the web and ebay for the best prices.
just my 2c worth.
jp 08 gtb wagon

[senator]

Package will be nice, together with 2 lenses. Hopefully HK will be alot cheaper.

Thinking it will be Canon, which model tho? will need to research more...


thanks peeps!

got my 400d twin lens kits (non IS lenses) from HK earlier this year with 4 gig card for $700 aud..... it pays to shop around in hk,

[swingn]

Hopefully HK will be alot cheaper.

Me thinks the drop in the AUD has probably killed off hope of that sadly

[subnub]

Both make good cameras, and both have their fans - tangcla's suggestion of seeing what you can scab off your mates is a good starting point haha

I am definitely not a professional, but I found that the 400D twin lens kit suited me perfectly. The twin lens kit gives you an 18-55mm and a 75-300mm lens IIRC, which are good enough for my purposes, though I'd love to be able to afford some higher-end ones. It's a brilliant bit of gear, particularly for the money - it's certainly capable of taking much better pictures than I am. It'll do long exposures, short exposures down to 1/6400 I think, heaps of expandability (lenses and flashes etc are interchangeable with the higher-end models so there are plenty out there), manual aperture, remote firing, etc etc etc. It even comes with software that you can use to run it with a laptop, which is good for lightning shots for example - better than standing there pressing the button every few seconds. Spend the $150 or so on the 50mm F1.8 prime lens, along with a spare battery and a few filters if you like, and you have a pretty decent entry-level setup. A speedlite makes a huge difference once you learn how to use it too, I personally got the 430EX because I don't need to run a slave flash, and if I ever do, I'll buy a 580EX and use the one I have now as the slave.

By the sounds of it, IMHO I'd say you're spot on with the 450D

[CJ1177]

Package will be nice, together with 2 lenses. Hopefully HK will be alot cheaper.

My sister works in a professional camera shop specialising in Canon, & with the dollar being so low they are actually exporting cameras to HK
PM me if you want details

[smythie]

Try to get a specific lens, not just a std package -I got mine with a 28-135 - the std 18-55 is crap.

A mate of mine works for Canon in Sydney repairing anything from compact digital cameras up to the highest spec SLR's (film and digital) and all associated lenses. He reckons that the 28-135 you mentioned is actually a slightly better lens optically than the much lauded 17-85 which makes up the enthusiast kit.

[jin222]

got my 400d twin lens kits (non IS lenses) from HK earlier this year with 4 gig card for $700 aud

any chance you remember where bouts? thanks

Thanks everyone for the input, hopefully i'll know how to use the damn thing

[senator]

got my 400d twin lens kits (non IS lenses) from HK earlier this year with 4 gig card for $700 aud

any chance you remember where bouts? thanks

Thanks everyone for the input, hopefully i'll know how to use the damn thing

connex at sham shui po, kowloon.... inside the computer centre 1st floor

btw the exchange rate then was at 7 hkd to 1 aud, my last visit about 2 months ago was around 6ish

[jin222]

lol. suks for me.

thanks!

[jp928]

I found it well worth while reading some of the lens tests/comparisons on the web when looking. When a major reviewer says if he had to choose just ONE Canon lens for all purposes, he would use the 24-105L, it makes sense. And we agree with him. Some tests are very picky, but after reading a few, you get a feel for what the best you can afford are. FWIW, everybody recommended IS lenses, as they will give you at least 1 and many times 2 stops more opening and still produce a sharp image.
Also our impression of the 40D is that the picture processor is better than that in the 350d.
jp