Recommend a Digital SLR camera

[doubleace]

Hi Guys

Need some advise from all the experts. I wanted to get a camera to shoot on my fish, wild life scenario and overseas tour. Any recommendation on the brand, model, lens, kit, accessories and etc.

My budget is around 2k. Thinking of getting a 400D since 450D has launch and the price of 400D has drop. So waiting for the next IT show to get it. From some bros that recommend me to get a second hand set and is much cheaper and save alot.

Would like to hear more advise from the bros here.

Thanks.

[trident]

As for brand, Nikon or Canon will do lah, both also good and got a wide range of accessories available.
The 400D body is good, important is get a good lens to go along with it. For your budget, get a second hand, save some money for lens and flash.

[SCOPE]

Richard, how much is on average on a second hand 400D?

[Wackytpt]

Andy,

I believe this thread will be of used to you.

http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...ad.php?t=36801

Basically as I explained to you. With a 2k budget you can get a decent set to start shooting.

Cheers

[trident]

Richard, how much is on average on a second hand 400D?

Joe,
Saw some buy/sell posting at cs selling the 400D around $900-1000 with kit lens.
Saw one post for $750.00 body only, good bargain.

[doubleace]

Yup.. i have read your thread.. Try to get more advise. Richard need more of your inputs...

[trident]

doubleace,
will help if I can. I also newbie, only took up photography end of last year
Do you intend to shoot those small and cute fishes in your tank?

[Goondoo]

Hi Guys

Need some advise from all the experts. I wanted to get a camera to shoot on my fish, wild life scenario and overseas tour. Any recommendation on the brand, model, lens, kit, accessories and etc.

My budget is around 2k. Thinking of getting a 400D since 450D has launch and the price of 400D has drop. So waiting for the next IT show to get it. From some bros that recommend me to get a second hand set and is much cheaper and save alot.

Would like to hear more advise from the bros here.

Thanks.

For all my friends looking for a digital camera for general use, I would recommend them to get a prosumer camera. Such as Lumix FZ50. Its easier and cheaper in long run unless you are looking into specialising in certain field such as Wide, Macro etc.

Imagine you travelling with a wide lens and you saw an spider waving hi at you, or mounted with a 180mm macro lens and witness an extremely nice scene. Only a prosumer camera can give you the options in nearly all situation. That said, many extremely nice pictures I saw on Flickr are taken not by DSLR, many wide pictures too. So unless you are ready to crazily get involve in a certain specialty, forget about a DSLR. Another example, I will never forget how "worry free" I was when I was diving with my Olympus c5060. My diver friends with DSLR will always "pray" the wrong subject won't appear underwater...

Again, for all of my friends looking for a camera for general use, I would recommend them to get a prosumer camera. For you, I would recommend the same

[Merviso]

Like what Billy has said, do consider Prosumer Camera too. Like you, I was planning to buy a DSLR until I read an interesting article in CLUBSnap comparing DSLR and Prosumer.

I end up buying the Canon S5 IS as a start. Best part is I can now take video of my fish in action too... and when I'm ready to go into DSLR, some of the accessories like Flash and tripod can still be usable... and the prosumer will still remain as my general camera.

[doubleace]

doubleace,
will help if I can. I also newbie, only took up photography end of last year
Do you intend to shoot those small and cute fishes in your tank?

That is one of the reason too..

[doubleace]

For all my friends looking for a digital camera for general use, I would recommend them to get a prosumer camera. Such as Lumix FZ50. Its easier and cheaper in long run unless you are looking into specialising in certain field such as Wide, Macro etc.

Imagine you travelling with a wide lens and you saw an spider waving hi at you, or mounted with a 180mm macro lens and witness an extremely nice scene. Only a prosumer camera can give you the options in nearly all situation. That said, many extremely nice pictures I saw on Flickr are taken not by DSLR, many wide pictures too. So unless you are ready to crazily get involve in a certain specialty, forget about a DSLR. Another example, I will never forget how "worry free" I was when I was diving with my Olympus c5060. My diver friends with DSLR will always "pray" the wrong subject won't appear underwater...

Again, for all of my friends looking for a camera for general use, I would recommend them to get a prosumer camera. For you, I would recommend the same

Like what Billy has said, do consider Prosumer Camera too. Like you, I was planning to buy a DSLR until I read an interesting article in CLUBSnap comparing DSLR and Prosumer.

I end up buying the Canon S5 IS as a start. Best part is I can now take video of my fish in action too... and when I'm ready to go into DSLR, some of the accessories like Flash and tripod can still be usable... and the prosumer will still remain as my general camera.

Billy, Merviso

You guys mean that Prosumer can do video and photo shot at the same time? What are the example of prosumer?

[doubleace]

Seriously speaking I've been using 400D most of the time with Tanrom 90mm lens but haven try using external flash yet to take my fishes. The camera is loan from others so that is the reason why i want to get a 400D.

[Goondoo]

Billy, Merviso

You guys mean that Prosumer can do video and photo shot at the same time? What are the example of prosumer?

There was a link in my previous post....

[valice]

Always remember. A DSLR is not the end to a problem. It is the start of a much bigger problem.

Anyway, since you have been using one, then look at 2nd hand market. More cost effective. Especially for bodies. They are coming new ones after every 18months product cycle.

Seriously speaking I've been using 400D most of the time with Tanrom 90mm lens but haven try using external flash yet to take my fishes.

Want to try your hand at using a 40D with 100mm with ST-E2 and two flashes firing down at one apistogramma?

[Wackytpt]

Always remember. A DSLR is not the end to a problem. It is the start of a much bigger problem.

Want to try your hand at using a 40D with 100mm with ST-E2 and two flashes firing down at one apistogramma?

Good advice and serious temptation.. hahaha...

Welcome to the dark side andy

[celticfish]

I would advise going for the 350D first.
Then when you have the base equipment and experience, go for the newer camera.

Why?
My own experience on this.
First bought 350D second hand at $1350 in first quarter 2006.
Almost two years later and lots of procrastination on my part at practice... its price is now $600+.
There's not much more to drop from this price while to learn.

Over about the same time..
420EX - bought $270, now about $250
580EX mkI - bought new $680, not about $500-550

The above illustrates the basic on the depreciation on the electronics you buy.
Second hand is an economical cost to take to investigate your inetrest the hobby.
Once you establish your interest spend away!

I do agree with Goondoo's points on the prosumer camera.
Though I have a DSLR I still have a prosumer more size and convenience.
Especially if this will be your first camera.
The "bang" for your buck goes longer.


@ Goondoo,
You still cannot forget that spider, huh?

[hwchoy]

I end up buying the Canon S5 IS as a start. Best part is I can now take video of my fish in action too... and when I'm ready to go into DSLR, some of the accessories like Flash and tripod can still be usable... and the prosumer will still remain as my general camera.

unless you bought a tripod that is way oversized for your S5IS, it will not work for your DSLR with a good size lens.

[Merviso]

Hi Uncle Choy, yes I agree totally. My thoughts were that by the time I'm near to getting my DSLR, it should be time to change to a better Tripod anyway... So I'll try to get one with the DSLR requirements in mind..

Hi doubleace, yes, my prosumer camera can take video and I have taken a few for my fishes... here is my first lousy video that I have posted earlier YouTube - Hillstream Loach - Bornea Sucker - Mating? ...

[doubleace]

nice video Merviso first time saw hillstream loach matting..

hmm... 40D very tempting.. die la so many choice to choose.

So most of you recommend getting a second hand to master a skill first before getting a better set?

[Merviso]

haha... Actually it is not mating, just some small fighting as pointed out by some bros...