Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax?

[Omar]

I've had my Nikon D40 for 15 months now. I started with the 18-135 non-VR and bought the 18-200VR (love the VR and the extra range, but I actually like handling the 18-135 better) within 6 months. Some thoughts.

I love this combination in medium lighting conditions. Bright lighting is fine, but the 2.5" screen is still washed out in many conditions. In low lighting, the D40 with a 5.6 lens is limited. For example, in a gymnasium trying to photograph my kids doing their KungFu.

I want to add the 50mm 1.8 lens because it's a cheap way to get better low light options, but of course, it won't auto focus with the D40. There are finally 50mm lenses coming out that will auto focus, but they are a LOT more money.

If I were starting again, I would look seriously at the D90 (better screen, better high ISO, and focusing with all the lenses; I also believe it has Commander mode for off camera flash control). Then, I would add the cheapest starter lens (18-135VR or even the 18-55; look for used as some others might have upgraded). Later, I would add the 18-200VR and a couple prime lenses. In the long run, I believe I would end up spending less total money than the path I took (cheaper autofocus on the primes, and less expense to get off-camera flash).

The main reason I would stick with the D40/D60 is if I found that the D90 was physically too big for my walk-around needs. This all said, I really do like the D40.

[GEli]

Originally Posted by ToPpS

Plus the kit lenses that come with the Nikon are the DX lenses that have been designed to work with the digital sensor and therefore retain their focal length. I think it's the same with the pentax lens as well.

No, that's not how it works. Focal length is focal length is focal length. A Nikon DX lens on an APS-C size sensor will still have to be converted to "equivalent focal length" if you want to think in 35mm terms (as is common practice).

[krypticide]

Like GEli said, focal length is focal length. The difference with digital-only lenses is that the image circle is smaller, so that it covers the APS-C sensor sizes, but not full frame or medium format. Crop factor is used to give "effective" focal length for the same framing. That is, framing the image the same way on a full frame and cropped sensor means that you have to stand closer for the full frame camera.

[Lee Sacrey]

Excellent, I think I have it. Between GEli and krypticide I now understand. Lenses both standard and digital have the focal length shown as if they were for 35 mm or Full Frame. The Camera's sensor (APS-C) is smaller (unless it is a full frame DSLR) which is why there is the crop factor. Digital Lenses have a smaller image circle to match the smaller Sensor but, the factor still applies. Also, the reason for those lenses still having a crop factor on a full frame DSLR is the fact that the image circle is smaller. Which means my original crop factor comments were correct. I now know why my digital lenses would still crop on a full frame DSLR. Great. I am sorry that I seem to have gotten everyone side tracked though. The question was which Camera to buy and I may have started that to becoming a crop question. Based on what I have seen in the reviews it would be between the Sony A200 and the Pentax from the original list. I again would consider the Olympus Evolt E-520 with the 14 to 42 mm and I would look at an Olympus 9 to 14 mm for landscape shots.

[mtlost]

Originally Posted by crunch

Also try www.outdoorphotoshop.co.za. They sometimes have very good specials. And depending where you are in SA, you can always collect (they're in Pretoria).

Thanx alot for this website. I'm based in Pretoria and I would prefer to go and buy than to order over the net.

I will mainly shoot landscapes, buildings, family photos and smaller objects. Sport will not be one of them as I'm not much into many sports.

Someone asked what I'm considering and why not the Olympus or Pentax. The reason is that I want to go for something that is freely available in the area I'm staying in. It seems like Nikon and Canon is dominating the field here. I haven't seen much other brands. The pentax I saw was at a photo printing shop, and thats the ONLY dlsr they have. No extra lenses, nothing. It's mainly a photo print shop.

Outdoor photo seems to stock only Canon and Nikon. The other shop I went to stock, nikon, canon, sony and Panasonic. Extras though is where they fall out of the tree. They do have lenses but its after market lenses and not some brand I know/heard of. So the main reason why I'm REALLY considering Nikon is because its available locally and the Canon just doesn't feel right.

Does anyone know if the 18 - 55mm Nikon kit lense has IS? btw, what is VR as I see some people mentions IS and VR together?

Thanks for all the help guys.

[ToPpS]

VR (Vibration Reduction) and IS (Image Stabilization) are essentially the same thing but each company refers to their technology with a different name due to copyright/trademark reasons.

Yes the lit lens does incorporate VR/IS (Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor), just make sure that it is the VR kit offering and no the older kit.

[JerBear]

If you are looking to the future, I would invest in a camera that you can build upon. Spend the money in the lenses as they will transfer to the new and better bodies as they come out.

I would stay with the major brands, check on the availability of service and supplies as well. You do not want to have a system down for weeks because you have to "Send it in"

Good Shooting

JM

[DoctorN]

Pentax is the best
Nikon is for egotists and posers
Cannon is for beginers
Sony is for kids and girls

Darren







just kidding - don't hate on me

[mtlost]

Originally Posted by JerBear

You do not want to have a system down for weeks because you have to "Send it in"

True, very true.

I'm seriously thinking of going with the Nikon D60. Is there ANY major down sides to the Nikon D60 that I must know of?

[sayshh]

Recently I was helping one of my friends to buy a DSLR. I learnt a few things out of that experience. If I were you, I would have bought Nikon D60. To me image quality & handling matter the most. Others like features, cost come in later.

If D60 feels good to use, go for it, as you use the camera more and more.. you will be happy that you are holding a camera that is a pleasure to use.

The reviews at www.dpreview.com should help you. You can pick up any of their "Highly Recommended" DSLRs and never regret about your decision. Look for cons, check if they matter to you. This is what lead us (my friend & I) to go for Nikon D40 with kit lens.

Check for prices of lenses, narrow down on the lenses you would need... e.g. 18-55, 55-200 (with / without image stabilization). Try to calculate and see which would work out cheap & best for you in the long run.