Semi-experienced shooter needs advice on new gear

[arkadyzv]

Originally Posted by djb5118

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

Why??

-Cleanneon posting from another acct.

[djb5118]

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

[CleanNeon98]

I mean why skip the D300

[CleanNeon98]

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.

[sisforsurfing]

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.

[Kiet]

Originally Posted by Chris_PA

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

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

[grimm]

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.

[twizhimself]

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)

[CleanNeon98]

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.

[jspek]

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

[CleanNeon98]

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.

[97TurboDSM]

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

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by 97TurboDSM

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.

[grimm]

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

[97TurboDSM]

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

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by 97TurboDSM

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

Decided not to drop that much cash just yet.

[97TurboDSM]

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

[CleanNeon98]

Originally Posted by 97TurboDSM

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

[sisforsurfing]

Originally Posted by CleanNeon98

...its more about the lenses than the camera so I don't need a pricey body.

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.

[97TurboDSM]

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