Buying DSLR - limited budget

[SebC]

Originally Posted by ma-skis.com

What is this sweet spot for what type of card?

Huh? Don't know what it is currently. Just comparison shop and find the card with the lowest price per gig... for whatever type/speed card you need.

Flash space scales linearly, it's not like say, resolution where you can't just buy 5 megapixels and add another 5 megapixels later. That's really all I'm saying.

E.g. for SD card if it's $5 for 2 GB, $10 for 4 GB, $16 for 8 GB, $30 for 16 GB, $77 for 32 GB (prices estimated from shopbot.ca, not including shipping), then I'd go for a 16 GB card.

[Titan]

thanks Sebc
I agree smaller is better then if you lose or corrupt one you don't lose everything.

Found this data out there re capacity:

Considering 4BG of storage capacity:
4288x2848 - NEF (RAW) - 10.6MB - 268 pictures - 268 pics buffer
4288x2848 - NEF+JPEG (Fine) - L - 16.7MB - 180 pictures - 7 pics buffer
4288x2848 - NEF+JPEG (Fine) - M - 14.0MB - 210 pictures - 7 pics buffer
4288x2848 - NEF+JPEG (Fine) - S - 12.1MB - 238 pictures - 7 pics buffer
3216x2136 - NEF+JPEG (Normal) - L - 13.4MB - 215 pictures - 7
3216x2136 - NEF+JPEG (Normal) - M - 12.3MB - 235 pictures - 7
3216x2136 - NEF+JPEG (Normal) - S - 11.3MB - 252 pictures - 7
2144x1424 - NEF+JPEG (Basic) - L - 12.0MB - 238 pictures - 7 pics buffer
2144x1424 - NEF+JPEG (Basic) - M - 11.5MB - 250 pictures - 7 pics buffer
2144x1424 - NEF+JPEG (Basic) - S - 11.0MB - 259 pictures - 7 pics buffer
4288x2848 - JPEG (Fine) - L - 5.9MB - 549 pictures - 63 pictures buffer
4288x2848 - JPEG (Fine) - L - 3.3MB - 969 pictures - 100 pics buffer
4288x2848 - JPEG (Fine) - L - 1.5MB - 2100 pictures - 100 pics buffer
3216x2136 - JPEG (Normal) - L - 3.0MB - 1000 pictures - 100 pics buffer
3216x2136 - JPEG (Normal) - L - 1.7MB - 1800 pictures - 100 pics buffer
3216x2136 - JPEG (Normal) - L - 0.8MB - 4100 pictures - 100 pics buffer
2144x1424 - JPEG (Basic) - L - 1.5MB - 2100 pictures - 100 pics buffer
2144x1424 - JPEG (Basic) - L - 0.9MB - 3600 pictures - 100 pics buffer
2144x1424 - JPEG (Basic) - L - 0.4MB - 7700 pictures - 100 pics buffer

Based on this a couple 4gb cards should be fine.

I am going with the d5000 kit with the 300mm lens. I am contemplating adding the 18-105mm at a bump of about $300. I think it would give me the most flexibility. The 300 is a beast but even if the quality at the very end is not that great I don't have to go all the way or I would not have gotten the shot anyways. The short kit lens really does feel cheap but the guy said it is much better than they have been in the past and take pretty good shots.

I am also thinking of this bag:


Any thoughts?

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by Titan

And sorry to woohoo for hijacking his thread. Hope the info helps you too!

No need to apologize. This information has been really helpful. If anything I should be thanking you

[Titan]

Hey. Now that I think about you SHOULD be thanking me!

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Titan

I am going with the d5000 kit with the 300mm lens. I am contemplating adding the 18-105mm at a bump of about $300. I think it would give me the most flexibility. The 300 is a beast but even if the quality at the very end is not that great I don't have to go all the way or I would not have gotten the shot anyways. The short kit lens really does feel cheap but the guy said it is much better than they have been in the past and take pretty good shots.

I am also thinking of this bag:


Any thoughts?

All I can tell you about bags is that I've only had my DSLR for a year, and my bag is stuffed to the brim. That said, I chose one that was way too small and didn't really look into bags properly (decided to go DSLR before going on a trip, and had pre-researched cameras for when I'd have the impetus to buy, looked at lenses quite a bit after, but didn't really consider accessories until I went to the store).

But in terms of accessories I've picked up 3 filters, lens cleaning stuff, flash cards and a diffuser for my pop-up flash. Stuff you might not consider when looking at bags (didn't even know the flash diffuser existed, but for certain applications it's great - http://www.thecamerastore.com/produc...flash-diffuser but I've seen generic ones cheaper).

If you're considering the 18-105 I'd also consider the 18-200 instead of the 18-105 and 70-300 (since it's about the same price as those two combined). You'll lose a bit of range but you'll be able to travel lighter. Depends on if you'll be using 200-300 a lot. The 70-300 might be a bit soft in that range, but there isn't really any alternative without spending a lot more money. And the center will always be sharper than the corners, and you're not using the corners.

[Titan]

Is weight the primary consideration for you? I am thinking that the 300 has a better resale as it is not dx, as you mentioned. It is definitely big but that is why I am getting the 105.

I did look at the bag today and it seems to have a ton of room for stuff. I take your point that you don't know until you start stuffing crap into it though. the 200 bag seemed quite a bit bigger.

Thanks.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Titan

Is weight the primary consideration for you? I am thinking that the 300 has a better resale as it is not dx, as you mentioned. It is definitely big but that is why I am getting the 105.

Weight is fairly big for me. When I bought the 18-200, I took it backpacking through Japan (thanks cmyden!). I also don't have a car, not that I was really considering that.

Also as a DSLR noob I'm not really comfortable with the idea of exposing my sensor and then cleaning it, especially when travelling. I also wanted something versatile for my first lens as I didn't really know exactly what I wanted. I knew I wanted the 18mm but that was pretty much it. I knew I wanted to start with a travel/walkaround lens though so the 18-200 fit the bill.

Not trying to talk you out of the 70-300 or anything, just wanted to point out that the budget 18-105 + 70-300 is enough that if you wanted to you could go for the 18-200 instead.

[Regulator75]

I also own the 18-200 Nikkor, it's a fantastic travel and all in one lens.

I have other lenses that are faster and sharper but none are as versatile.

Here is a link to my photos.

[FurnaceFace]

I'm a card carrying member of the "carry on only" club when traveling.

I have a Sigma 18-200 for my Canon and it's the only lens I use. I have a lowepro Sideline waist bag which I wear when I travel. the camera with lens attached fits inside and I have room for a filter or two. There is room either in the lid or in the external zip up pocket for batteries and cards. All the cables and other junk going in my carry on bag with my clothes and laptop.

The freedom of just carrying around one thing far outweighs any limitations. I don't have to fumble around changing lenses on the fly or ever worry about getting dust in it or cleaning the sensor. If you're plan is to take pics of your family, they aren't going to stop their lives while you swap lenses to the more optimal one. The 18-200 lets you get the landscape shot and then turn around and capture your kids playing a few feet away.

The only trip I've been on where 200mm would have be incredibly inadequate was a trip to Africa but then the 300mm would still have been short.

[ricosuave]

keep your eye on the dell days of deals thread

they usually run a DLSR package

[smoothpops]

www.adorama.com i got a wicked deal on a canon t1i, it was refurbished, but it came in wicked shape. and now with the t2i hitting the markets, the prices on the t1i, have dropped again