Semi-experienced shooter needs advice on new gear
 

Some may have read that recently my camera gear was stolen from my car. Body, lenses, memory cards, bag, everything. I will be getting a check from insurance and will be looking at a new camera but it gets tricky. Since I have nothing Canon left, there is nothing keeping me to the brand and I am considering making the move to Nikon.

I am looking to spend ~1000 for a body and then the appropriate lenses which I desire, being a lower range say 18-55, 50mm prime, and a higher zoom lens.

Contenders from Canon
40D
50D
T1i (dont like the layout much but it has video)
Used 5D mk1 maybe

Contenders from Nikon
d90
d300 used

My friend Steve (howielong) has a D300 that I toyed with a few times and I like it, good ergonomics, weight, layout, and the results seem good as well. I've played with the 40D and 50D before as well and like them, and the t1i seems similar to the XTi I once had. The D90 is on the list because its inexpensive and has video.

I've been shooting for about a year but haven't had to look at bodies, only lenses, so I am lost ATM. I will also be buying an off-shoe flash with everything else.

Advice?

How much are you able to spend including the 3 lenses?

I'd like to be in the 2500-3000 for a body, lenses, and a flash. This should get me decent equiptment that I can use for a long time without upgrading. I wouldn't even be back in the market but I miss going to events, family parties, and having a camera to work with. I went to NYC this weekend and had to work with my friends P&S, I thought I was going to kill myself.

well if you are gonna buy a flash, the d90/300 support cls, which is nice if you want to get the flash off camera. i havent had any problems with my 90 since i bought it.

D90 D90 D90!!!!

i just got one a few weeks ago and i love it! so much more than my old 20D. CLS is awesome because you dont (necessarily) need to hook up pocket wizards for off camera flash. the video is great to have...The kit lens is Very decent IMO. (18-105 VR)

with this one, i picked up a nikon SB600, and i think im going to buy a SB800 very soon

Here are 2 potential packages I'm looking at

Canon:
Canon 50D
Canon 70-200 f/4 non-IS
Canon 18-55 kit
Canon 50mm 1.4
Canon 580ex2

Nikon: courtesy of Chaz
Nikon D90
Nikon kit lens
Sigma/tamron 70-200 2.8
Nikon 50mm 1.8
sb600

With either I'd have enough for a bag and memory and still fit to my 3k budget. The only thing I like about the 90d is the video feature though I don't know how good it really is, I know it's nothing like the pro video cameras so I don't know if it's worth it.

I hear a ton of good about the D90 from people that I know into photography.

Go with this:

5D: $1500 (maybe cheaper)
430EX II: $270
70-200/4: $650
50/1.4: $400
28/1.8: $450

Little over $3000, but a real nice kit


Or if I were you I'd get a 5D and 1 or 2 real nice L primes and just save the rest until I can afford good glass

Thanks Chris. I mean I can get a 5Dmk2 and a cheap kit lens and a 50 1.8 but I dunno if that's what I want.

it kinda depends on what you are shooting. if you don't need the weathersealing and magnesium body of the d300 then go for the d90 for sure, but if you plan on having the camera take a bit of abuse then go for the d300.

I haven't used any of the 3rd party 70-200 f2.8's but i would imagine they are pretty solid. Another option if you want to save a bit of cash would be to get a 70-300VR. I shoot it on my d700 and its great for what it is!

The 40D and 50D are looking real good. The D90 seems to be the best value for the money, even with the video aside, but from the video's I've seen it looks kinda small.

If you go Canon, get the 40D. 50D has more MP, but the 40D has better noise levels.

i just bought the t1i its pretty nice so far

d40 -> xti -> t1i

I've been reading and hearing this. What are the other differences, and what do you shoot with?

i personally have the d90 with the kit lense and a sb600. Wish i had more glass but funds are a little low anyway its a great camera decently easy to learn, alot of features. Canon lenses normally do give you more bang for your buck..

I can't use the D90 and similar cameras because of their size, just way too small for my hands. I had an XTi, then got a bigger one, tried shooting with an XTi, couldn't do it.

I like ChrisPA's suggestion the most and I'm a Nikon guy. But honestly, what he listed is what I am looking to play around with as well. I want to get a 5D and a couple of L lenses and thats it. Purely as a backup camera, but just so much fun.

I say 5D MK1
and go from there.

Another idea is a D300 with a 50 1.4, keep the budget lower and get a brand new feature packed camera, i love it's layout, etc. CLS doesn't sound bad either

go FX if you can swing it financially! Skip the d300 altogether

d300s check it out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why??

-Cleanneon posting from another acct.

because fx generally has better dof and high-iso. im not sure about the canon FX options though. the downside is that you need glass that works with the body, which can definitely add to the overall cost

I mean why skip the D300

Just got back from NY Camera Video. Tried the 50D and D300 side by side. Price difference aside I still feel more at home with the 50D. Will probbably end up with a 50D, grip, and 50mm 1.4 to start, then add lenses later.

50mm f1.4 on a crop body sucks for general low-light shooting IMO. Get the 35/1.8 if you go DX Nikon, 35/2 if DX Canon. You'll be able to handhold them to the same exposure and it's a better field of view for walking around.

I say go with what Chris_PA said, that 5D kid can't be beat for the price.
If you NEED better autofocus than the 5D, or want a better burst rate, get the used D300, 35/1.8, used 80-200, used wide angle (take your pic), and SB600 if you want a flash. Plus you can use it with CLS which is cool.
Slow normal zooms are boring. With a fast 35 (DX) or 50 (FX) you'll be set in the normal range.

I agree with Chris. When the funds arise I will be getting a 5dMK2 as well.

I would get a 5D kit like chris pointed out. the 5D is much better than the 50D IMHO. All in all once you have a nice solid performing body you can add glass as you can afford it. sometimes it's better to hold off and get quality then to fill your collection on a budget.

after a weekend of shooting, ive come to realize i love my d90.

i got mine at the best buy in quakertown for 1149. the kit lens is actually surprisingly good (for a kit lens). plus all their SD cards were on sale plus they offer the added warranty (which was just a little cheaper for 4 years over nikon's 2 year warranty). i think for just over 2K i got the D90 kit w bby warranty, 8Gig SD Card (extreme 3), SB900, Then headed to Dans in allentown for a stofen for the SB, a lowe pro backpack, UV filter for the kit lens and a circular polarizer)

What about the T1i...I've come to realize I don't want to spend a lot of money on gear quite yet, and that its more about the lenses than the camera so I don't need a pricey body.

if you dont like the size of a d90 then you wont like the t1i.

I know they are both small cameras, but it's something I may be willing to deal with. The T1i and D90 both have enough features to overcome that in my book, at least for a while till I'm ready to upgrade to bigger better things.

don't go with any rebel series, you already had the xti and got rid of it. go with a 5D/70-200/sigma 50f1.4/and something else. you can 5D's for around 1k if you look hard enough. that leaves you 2k for lenses/flash which is PLENTY

I'm only getting 1000 from insurance for my stolen gear, so I have to make due with that.

there was a 50D for sale on TST for around that price, you should snag it.

i thought you said you were spending 2500-3k?

Decided not to drop that much cash just yet.

so you're gonna spend a grand on a body, and then have no lenses? buy another 30D?

I was gonna get the t1i and 50 1.8 which would come to around 850

Yerp. Get a 20D or 30D or D80 or D200 (~$400) and any combination of 35mm f2 ($250-300), Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 ($350-400), slow tele and/or slow wide angle.

I just think that a T1i and 50/1.8 is going to be really limiting, and the viewfinders are way better on the older, once-mid-range cameras, but i might be wrong, do what think you'll be happiest with.

do whatever you want but im telling you that you wont like the T1i. Get a 30D and a sigma 50f1.4