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Trouble Deciding On DSLR

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skinub
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10

i know there have been a lot of dslr threads and i have searchbared and read many of them. But I am still having trouble.

I either want a nikon or canon and my limit is pretty much $1000. So basically i am debating whether to get a lower end dslr like a d40/d60/rebel xt and getting a nice lens for it. Or getting a more advanced one like a 40d or d80. (50d and d90 may be pushing the money limit). However I would get a rather low end lens for it because od money issues. Then once i get some more money, upgrade to a nicer lens which will probably be in a year or two. And by that time the camera may be slightly outdated.

I want to get one in the next few weeks because i am leaving for europe in three weeks and spending 4 months there, so waiting for prices to drop isn't really an option. I have also debated the xti and new t1i. And no i don't care if  a camera has a video mode or not. This will be my first dslr camera but i have used them before and am quite familiar with cameras in general. so basically my question is, is getting a lower end camera with a good lens better than getting a good camera with a not so good lens?

May 25 2009 1:44PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
Criags list for a used older one that is good:
D80, D70, D70s on the nikon end, and 20D, 30D, 40D on the Canon end.
then get a nice lens.
May 25 2009 3:09PM
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skinub
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
thanks. I'm just a little hesitant buying a used one.
May 25 2009 5:19PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
if this is your first dslr, DO NOT get a 30d/40d/50d/d80/d90. they will all be to advanced.
May 25 2009 5:21PM
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thegoat
Posts: 518 - Karma: 11
how so?
they are no more complicated then their consumer brothers (40D 60d, rebel series)
May 25 2009 5:29PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
Eh not really.

I would buy something that has more than what you want vs. under what you want.

Anyone can pick up a d90 or 50d and take pictures.

That being said, i have heard good reviews on the 40d and 90d

I personally am a nikon user so I like them over canon but tomato tomato.
May 25 2009 5:33PM
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skinub
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10

ok so what i'm thinking is getting a lower end one and getting a nice lens for it. Then after a few years once i get a used to it, upgrade to a nicer body. 

Now from what i have read the d40 d40x and d60 are all practically the same camera. So i would probably go for the d40 as it is cheaper than the rest. Either that or one from the rebel series. Thoughts?

May 25 2009 5:48PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
get the canon rebel t1i that thing is bad ass and im pretty sure it is in your range
May 25 2009 7:40PM
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skinub
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
so i have basically narrowed it down to the d40 or xti. xti is more expensive leaving less money for a lens while the d40 is cheaper alowing me to buy a better lens. Any input?
May 25 2009 8:41PM
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Jordan
Posts: 4079 - Karma: 2,122
I say glass over body.



May 25 2009 9:23PM
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cab509
Posts: 806 - Karma: 34
I concur, glass > body

with that said I have to say I wish I got a D80 last year instead of my D60. Don't get me wrong I love my D60 but I've kinda outgrown the body now and want better high ISO ability and some more options. I'd also love a few more FPS then the D40 and D60 can get.

I'd say get a used D80 with some good glass and call it a day.

or get a D40 because I'm a Nikon person too.
May 25 2009 10:08PM
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skinub
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10

Yeah i keep going back and forth between cameras. D40 is begining to get outdated but the price is really atractive. The new d500 has also just caught my eye. But i may take your advise and get a used d80 with good glass.

May 25 2009 11:11PM
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followCam
Posts: 1907 - Karma: 446
the d5000 or whatever it is, is way over priced, you can get a d90 which is higher spec than the d5000.

the d40 actually isnt too bad, iv got a d40x and with some decent glass it'd be great, good beginners camera. but im looking to upgrade so im going to go all out for a d90 and 70-300 i think.
May 26 2009 12:53PM
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tom.skier
Posts: 817 - Karma: 392
i had the same kind of issue.  I've got a nikon d40 which may not be the most tech dslr in the world but its an ideal starter.  Then, once you become equipped with it, good lens and upgrades aren't majorally expensive.  For example, ive recently bought a 55-200mm lens for mine and it only cost me like £90 and it produces amazing quality images.  You can then also get other lens' etc without breaking the bank.  Then it leaves you more money to expand your lens collection and get tripod and filters etc (

hope thats some help anyway (:
May 26 2009 3:49PM
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followCam
Posts: 1907 - Karma: 446
a 55-200 £90 lense will not produce amazing quality images, unless you got it on the black market.

nothing is cheap in photography, there are no cheap deals on equipment
May 26 2009 3:56PM
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followCam
Posts: 1907 - Karma: 446
actually, let me take that back. the 55-200 may take some good quality photos.....but if your buying a cheaper body to spend more on lenses.....i wouldnt chose the 55-200 , go for the 70-300VR, and then a wide angle.....
May 26 2009 3:58PM
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K2skipunk
Posts: 2837 - Karma: 111
im kinda in the same situation, and i think i may purchase a canon rebel xsi, ive used FRODO's this weekend, and its really simple to use, but it also has many features and manual settings to play around on.
May 26 2009 4:27PM
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Aaaron.
Posts: 11817 - Karma: 903
the XSi is definitely a solid choice.
plus it will keep it's value better than a used nikon.


May 26 2009 4:51PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
IMO good glass will never be outdated, but a camera body over a few years will be.

i'd go for an xsi with some decent glass if i were in your shoes
May 26 2009 5:06PM
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skinub
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
thanks for all the help. +K

If i were to go canon would it be worth it to get the t1i over the xsi?
May 26 2009 5:24PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
I'm in a very similar situation, going between d40, xti, d80, and t1i.
May 26 2009 5:34PM
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chipkalback
Posts: 2255 - Karma: 30
just look around for reviews.. dpreview.com or popphoto.com are good starters
May 26 2009 5:58PM
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1080ski
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 191
may want to conisder...
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7633313&st=d200&type=product&id=1130987191339
nikon d200. its probably a little advanced for a beginner, but its 650 (check price in cart at bestbuy) and that would leave you 350 or so for a lense or 2. and, IMO, if you are going to get a d80, d200>d80, even though the d200 was produced in 2005 (hey, if it took good pictures then, it takes good pictures now, and it is very comparable, if not better spec'd, then the d80)
May 26 2009 11:48PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
the d40 would limit you to only half of nikons lenses, due it not having a af motor in it, so yes you can use the lens but you cant auto focus (you should learn to mf but af is nice to have when you need it). so i say xti and look around craiglsit for some nicer oldish lenses for cheap. 
May 27 2009 12:23AM
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*Fujative*
Posts: 8554 - Karma: 183
My first DSLR was a 20D, brand new when I first came out. I paid $1600 for it. I was 17.
Why shouldnt he? He might learn fast.
May 27 2009 12:31AM
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skinub
Posts: 101 - Karma: 10
weird
i was looking at the d80 on amazon and its $100 bucks cheaper to get it with a lens then just the body.

May 27 2009 9:25PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
i think an XSi would be the best choice for you, it's a good balance between entry level but with advanced shooting capabilities

in about a week i'll be selling an xsi body with under 2k actuations with 2 batteries, 3 sdhc cards, a card reader, a bag, original manuals, and a third party guide for it for like 525 if you're interested
May 27 2009 10:42PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
also compliment the body with a tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and you have a banger setup for under 1000, the 17-50 is a sick walk around lens with damn good quality
i'd suggest you expand to a 70-200 and some primes from there but that's an awesome start
May 27 2009 10:58PM
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niels043
Posts: 814 - Karma: 184
t1i is probably the most advanced rebel to date, respectivly. processor out of the 5d mark II, big screen out back, 3.4 fps (both of those are availible on the xsi), 15mp, and of course hd video. great camera.

in my opinion, get yourself an eos 30d for around 500$, then take the other 500$ and get some good glass... used ef-s 17-85mm IS USM. (~350$), then just start saving the rest for a 70-200 f4L USM (~600).
May 30 2009 12:31AM
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Chrris
Posts: 568 - Karma: 211
since were on the topic of somewhat beginners getting a new DSLR
With the d60 can you use all the nikon lenses because i read on here that the d40 can't?
May 31 2009 6:55PM
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niels043
Posts: 814 - Karma: 184
probably, i think with all nikon cropped sensors you can use all the nikon lenses, it's just with the full frames you can only use some lenses... same thing with canon.
May 31 2009 7:04PM
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josh.
Posts: 3469 - Karma: 42
you can but you wont be able to auto focus, same thing on the d40 d40x and the d60.
May 31 2009 11:52PM
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Chrris
Posts: 568 - Karma: 211
Okay.
That's what i wanted to know.
Thanks! +k
Jun 1 2009 4:17PM
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RileySnyderPhoto
Posts: 688 - Karma: 1,451
I personally have never used the t1i but I own a 40D and the t1i sounds like a perfect all around camera with video, 15mp, and all the manual settings. so my bet would be t1i with an ok lens that you can upgrade later
Jun 1 2009 4:38PM
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thisandthatfilms
Posts: 7714 - Karma: 526
d40.
Jun 1 2009 4:46PM
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