Buying my first DSLR Camera

[Gaurav Prabhu]

As the title reads, I'm going to buy my first DSLR camera in coming times. I'm an intermediate photographer & wish to do career in Photography. I love to shoot in ambient light & avoid flash most of the times. My subjects are often candid(dimly lit) & landscape shots. I'm looking for a camera which serves me good for coming 3-5 years & I don't grow out of it. My budget is still not decided but it will definitely not cross Rs.50,000 INR. I'm confused between the newly launched Canon 550D & the old Nikon D90. What do you suggest for the first DSLR? I won't be upgrading it anytime soon & it should make a decent investment for maybe 3-5 years.Also do you suggest swapping the default 18-55mm kit lens(If I go with Canon) for something like 18-135 or so?

[vbhakuni]

Hi Gaurav,

Please find head on comparison of the two DSLR:
* Max resolution for D90 (INR 58950/- with standard kit lens) is 4288*2848mm & for 550D (INR 51,995/- with standard kit lens) 5184*3456mm.
* D90 is 12.3mp & 550Dis 18mp.
* Flash range 17mts for D90 & 13 mts for 550D.
* weight 703 gms for D90 & 530 gms for 550D.

If u c the comparison 550D hv an edge, but i hv also heard that D90 is one of finest Nikon DSLR & most of the Studion photographer use this DSLR.

Now its u whos gonna decide.

[Gaurav Prabhu]

@vbhakuni - Thanks for the prompt response.
I'm in confusion as Nikon D90 is comparatively older than 550D but yet offers impressive low light performance. I have read thousands of reviews of both the cameras & have discovered even the 550D offers a good low light performance considering the extra pixels over the tiny APS sensor. That's why I'm confused.

Furthermore Nikon provides a respectable 18-105mm kit lens while Canon is still stuck with 18-55mm kit lens. I think going for 18-105mm makes sense as it would save from hassles of changing lens every now & then. I do intend to buy a good telephoto lens & I'm thinking about the Sigma 70-300mm. How is it? Some say it doesn't has AF motor? Does that means I'll have to focus manually?

[vbhakuni]

Hi Gaurav,

Yaar its on u now....I know its really difficult to decide.....one thing there wont b much of a difference in both the DSLR....but if u c the Max resolution & MP (for image quality).....Canon 550D has an edge & Canon have their own manufactured sensor & D90 has of Sony.

Even after having Nikon D3000....I'm more inclined to buy Canon 7D....its like that, if u buy Nikon....u will later feel that u sud hv bought Canon & vice versa.

arey haan one more thing Nikon D90 was INR 83,000/- 3-4 months back n now its 58,950/-

But i were to decide i wud go for a new Canon 550D.....

[vbhakuni]

Hey, one more thing don't go for Sigma 70-300mm (Poor Performer), rather go for Tamron 70-300mm (Avg. Performer) but for extra 10,000/- to 12,000/- u can get Nikkor 70-300 mm (a gud lens).

I' using Tamron 70-300mm, u can check my album for the results, but yeah its a bit slow

[Gaurav Prabhu]

Saw your gallery. Nice pics. Some look a bit soft though, maybe a slow coz of slow shutter speed. How much is the cost of Tamron 70-300? Or Should I get the 50-250mm from Canon?
I'm now thinking of getting Canon 550D itself. Will have to consider cost of other accessories too.