I'm sure this has been asked many times before, but I'm going to ask it again. I want to get back into photography but need to buy a new camera. I took photography back in high school and loved it and now that I have some money saved up I'm looking to get back into it. I have about $1100 to invest in some equipment. I dont want to start a Nikon vs Canon war. I just want some honest opinions on what you guys think would the best choice for $1100. That money would be used for a body and at least one lense. Ive been looking at the Canon 40d (i read its a better buy than the 50d) and the Nikon d90. What other options do I have. Ive read on here that as far as bodies go, it takes a great lense to get great pictures. So should I get just a decent body and spend more money on lenses or get a better body and save later for lenses.

All in all, I'm just looking for opinions on a the best lens/body combo for $1100.

Thanks for your help,
Dustin

 

Dustin, any of the older bodies will suit you fine. If you can keep the body under $500 it will allow you to spend the money where it really counts. On glass.

Check Fred Miranda Buy and sell for something used to meet your needs.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/10

Dave

 

Dave, how safe is it to buy off that website?

 

Any opinions on these?

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50D-Digital-70...55313131&sr=1-7

and

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-105...55313922&sr=8-4

 

Jonboy, its as safe as possible given it is still the internet. That community is one of the best if not the best on the net. Chances are you will be buying from a pro or an advanced shooter. They dont mess around on there. I welcome you to lurk there for a while and see for yourself how it works.

If you dont want to go that route than used from either B&H or Adorama are good alternatives.

Good people there.

 

Buy used. Adorama is a trustworthy supplier and there are others.

As far as just getting back into photography, the current 50 mm f1.8 lens from any of the manufacturers is going to be MUCH better than you are for around $125. And you should learn to "foot zoom" before getting hooked on zoom lenses (zooms are not bad but they can lead to the poor habit of not moving yourself for the best angle or perspective).

 

DC, I reccomend if your going to choose canon to go with a 30d or maybe 40d, The 30d will set you back about $400-$500 and a 40d will set you back about $675-$750 leaving you from $350 to $600 for glass. The first lens you would want for a canon is the nifty 50mm 1.8 about $90 and than look for an 85mm 1.8 they can be had in the $350 range. For a genral zoom the kit lens 18-55mm is not a bad start and it can be had $125ish. The 50d is arguably not as good as a 40d and you do not need that much body to start with.

The nikon shooters should chime in here and give you options from nikon.

 

Thanks for your input so far. I'm leaning more towards Canon because to me the colors look better and the images seem sharper, but that's just from previous experience with the one I had and what I have seen online. I would still like to hear from some of the Nikon folk. I don't want to go into this purchase narrow minded, and I'm open to hear about both.

 

Hi DC,

I am here to offer some Nikon opinions. I use a Nikon D5000 & love it!

For starters, I'd pick this D3000 over D90:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Pr...5462/D3000.html

Here are indirect comparison between D90 & D3000:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0907/09...000handson.asp
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5000/

You can use the D5000 as benchmark for comparing between D90 & D3000.

The reason I'd pick the D3000 over D90 are:
1. D90 is still a crop-frame body (DX-format in Nikon speak).
2. Same 11-point AF system
3. Same Expeed image processor

The D90 is not without its merits:
1. Higher ISO (6400 vs. 3200)
2. 4.5 fps vs. 3 fps in continuous mode (which I've used only once).
3. 12.3 megapixel
3. In-body AF motor

However, these advantages can be negated if you don't use them. I haven't shot anything requiring an ISO over 800 (yet). I try to avoid that due to the increased noises from boosting ISO. Continuous mode, as I mentioned, I've only used it once and my memory card isn't fast enough to shoot at 4 fps.

The pixel count doesn't really matter unless you are cropping your shots. But if you are constantly cropping your shots, maybe you have to compose the shot better before taking it.

The in-body AF motor is tough. Because Nikon's DX cameras are commercially successful, Nikon has been introducing DX-specific lenses for these cameras (D90 included). Most of these lenses have AF built-in. The in-body AF motor is great if you want to go with a third party lens (Sigma, Tamaron, etc).

Given your budget, the D3000 is a great buy. For $599 you can get started with the kit (18-55 lens; same one I use). Save the $500 for later when you become familiar with your camera, and get lenses that suit you needs.

Right now, I am looking at this to replace my kit lens:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5456...5_6G_ED_VR.html
It has a slightly wider angle and more zoom, but the similarity in zoom range is holding me back even though the lens is of far superior construction.

Summary
Buy D3000 kit (or just the body). Save $500 for other lenses later.

My $0.02

 

Me again. Just remembered there was this thread talking about supported memory cards on Nikon.

Here is the link for D90:
http://support.nikontech.com/app/ans...ail/a_id/16104
Here is for D3000:
http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/d...2lkLypma1AtYktq

Something to take consideration into.