Nikon D50 good first SLR?
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Personally, I found it the best. Others prefer the Canon system/feel.
I would recommend you go to a camera shop, and play with the various models available. Nikon D50, Canon 350D, Sony Alpha, Pentax *ist DL-something or other...... Research what lenses are available for each model, and how much you might end up spending in the future.
The 18-70mm is a fantastic lense, I've used my old man's on his D70. I went for the kit 18-55mm, and bought a cheap Tamron 70-300mm Tele-Macro. Then I bought a Nikon f/1.8 50mm prime, now I'm looking at the 500mm zoom Sigma's....it will get expensive. I've had the camera a month
I found the 350D to be just too small to hold comfortably, so I went for the D50. Also, Nikon DSLR's can use pretty much any Nikon lens from 1977-onwards, some newer Canons cannot use lenses made 2 years ago (so I've heard).
Do a lot of research, go play with them in the shops, and then decide....
I would recommend you go to a camera shop, and play with the various models available. Nikon D50, Canon 350D, Sony Alpha, Pentax *ist DL-something or other...... Research what lenses are available for each model, and how much you might end up spending in the future.
The 18-70mm is a fantastic lense, I've used my old man's on his D70. I went for the kit 18-55mm, and bought a cheap Tamron 70-300mm Tele-Macro. Then I bought a Nikon f/1.8 50mm prime, now I'm looking at the 500mm zoom Sigma's....it will get expensive. I've had the camera a month
I found the 350D to be just too small to hold comfortably, so I went for the D50. Also, Nikon DSLR's can use pretty much any Nikon lens from 1977-onwards, some newer Canons cannot use lenses made 2 years ago (so I've heard).
Do a lot of research, go play with them in the shops, and then decide....
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Looks a bit like that.......
easyrider said:Hi,
Wanting to get a good camera start a new hobby
What about the lens?
18-50mm
18-70mm?
Any advice and comments would be great
Hi,
I have the D50 with 18-70 and 50mm F1.4 and the SB-800, best purchase i made so far
1
I said it before and I'll say it again. OLYMPUS E500!!!
I was ni the same position as you not too long ago. I tried out the Nikon D50, the Canon Digital Rebel and the Olympus E500 but the Olympus beat them both hands down. The camera felt so much better and the twin lens kit was fantastic value. I'd say the only area where the Olympus is a little weaker than those two is in High ISO noise, but this doesnt really matter much as you'd expect to sort any noise out in PP anyway.
Seriously, don't be drawn in by Nikon and Canon, check out the Olympus - you will not regret it!
For a review check out this:
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/olympus_e500/review.html
I was ni the same position as you not too long ago. I tried out the Nikon D50, the Canon Digital Rebel and the Olympus E500 but the Olympus beat them both hands down. The camera felt so much better and the twin lens kit was fantastic value. I'd say the only area where the Olympus is a little weaker than those two is in High ISO noise, but this doesnt really matter much as you'd expect to sort any noise out in PP anyway.
Seriously, don't be drawn in by Nikon and Canon, check out the Olympus - you will not regret it!
For a review check out this:
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/olympus_e500/review.html
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King_Boru said:
D50 user also and bought it for the same reasons. Friend also has a D70 so able to borrow a bit of kit if needed from time to time
King_Boru said:
Olympus E-500 SILVER PACKAGE (with 14-45mm lens & Lithium Charger Set)+ FREE 1GB Sandisk Ultra II Card + FREE 30 Months Warranty
£499.99
Nikon D50 Digital SLR Kit (with Nikon AFS-DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens) BLACK
£419.99
Yes the Olympus is slightly more expensive but trust me, it is worth it. But at the end of the day it is down to personal preference. Just don't get caught up in the Nikon vs Canon hype!
I've said it before, but I'll say it again that assuming you've an active interest in photography, the choice of body is only part of the story.
Once you make it past the first few months of ownership, and if you have the inclination and budget, you'll be lusting after some nice glass. That's when things get a lot more complex and the choice of your initial body can have a big impact. For example, Canon clearly have a very wide set of options on glass, and also bodies to upgrade to.
Sony have the back catalogue of Minolta gear, but no up range body as yet. I get the impression that Pentax and Olympus are more limited on glass. Nikon have a good wide range, but don't have Image Stabilisation as an option, etc etc.
What I'm saying is that it's a lot more complex than just "which body is best". If you're sticking with it for years, and don't intend to upgrade, then yes, the best approach is to go handle all of them and pick the one you like the feel of. For me, that would probably be the Nikon. However, it can have implications longer term that might tie you into a manufacturer that simply doesn't support what you want.
Once you make it past the first few months of ownership, and if you have the inclination and budget, you'll be lusting after some nice glass. That's when things get a lot more complex and the choice of your initial body can have a big impact. For example, Canon clearly have a very wide set of options on glass, and also bodies to upgrade to.
Sony have the back catalogue of Minolta gear, but no up range body as yet. I get the impression that Pentax and Olympus are more limited on glass. Nikon have a good wide range, but don't have Image Stabilisation as an option, etc etc.
What I'm saying is that it's a lot more complex than just "which body is best". If you're sticking with it for years, and don't intend to upgrade, then yes, the best approach is to go handle all of them and pick the one you like the feel of. For me, that would probably be the Nikon. However, it can have implications longer term that might tie you into a manufacturer that simply doesn't support what you want.
Mr_Sukebe said:
Whilst that may be a valid point, unless you are a pro user I don't think it is a major point. The big five dslr manufacturers all have great systems and lenses that will satisfy any prosumer - I doubt 99% of prosumer will either have the time, budget or will to invest in any real top end lenses (> £1000) or even more than 4 midrange lenses. that will mean any or those manufacturers will more than satisfy most of uis. So in the end it comes down to taste.
As I said before, don't be drawn in by the "Canon is the biggest manufacturer with the greatest range of glass so I'd better go for them or my investment will be worth nothing in 5 years" argument. Just go and get what feels best for you, but check out EVERY make - don't disclude any for the reasons above. Its pointless buying into a system that makes you feel secure when you don't enjoy using that body in the first place.
I went through the same thing, i narrowed it down to the Canon 350 and the Nikon D50. So i went to the shops and had a play with then both... i ended up with the D50 as it was easier to handle, "felt right" and was overall better construction IMHO. Im happy with it got no complaints at all...
Have you seen the cost of the lenses for the Sony Alpha system !!!
They make the Canon L range look like budget lenses.
Several expensive lenses have it fitted along with the superb Nikkor 28-200 VR
They make the Canon L range look like budget lenses.
Nikons version of Image Stabiliser (IS) is Vibration Reduction (VR).Mr_Sukebe said:
Several expensive lenses have it fitted along with the superb Nikkor 28-200 VR
I would be inclined to wait a few days until Nikon release the D80
I reckon it's likely the D50 will be dropped and the D70S will take it's place at the same retail price so you'll get more camera for your money (or a better deal on a D50)
I reckon it's likely the D50 will be dropped and the D70S will take it's place at the same retail price so you'll get more camera for your money (or a better deal on a D50)
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personally i think, as has been said already, the body is only a part of the story. Lens choice is much more important, in that respect I'd only really look at nikon or canon, they have much more choice of whats available and if you ever need/want to hire a lens for something it'll be much easier. Also, if you choose the olympus and one day want to upgrade to a better body then you've nowhere i know of to go.
I did the Nikon D70 vs Canon 20D 18 before the 350D came out, I ended up choosing the Nikon. Better handling, felt like it was better made, the menu system was clear and concise and very understandable, and I could just use all the controls on it straight away as if it was identical to my previous SLR... ecept I have never handled an SLR in my life. That feeling continued once I purchased it, everything just made sense. I barely looked at the manual. The otherthing was the Canon was comming with a rather limited 17-55mmm lens which wasn't that great, worth around £99, while the Nikon kit lens is fantasic, I practically never take it off. That and it was also cheaper and provided almost identical IQ and features. I was also concerned at some of the noise reduction features in the Canon which can leave an artifial look to portraits, kind of plasticy feel sometimes
Saying that, I'm sure I would have been happy with the Canon if it had been as compfortable to use.
Basically, the body isn't the important choice, the lens system is. With Canon and Nikon you are safe in that respectIt is said the price of the body is only about 1/4-1/6 of the price of a proper camera setup. Which is quite right: things you need to add-
Camera software, e.g. PS, NC etc. £200-500
UV filters for each lens
Carry bags- idealling a small bag that hold the camera with a lens attached, a larger case thing for travelling that can hold some spare lens and filters, and then a rucksack style thing for photo expeditions.
Large HQ tripod + small lightweight travelling tripod.
Polarizer filter - these are pricey, + some ND and ND-grad filters at a minimum.
Memory card and back up
SPare abttery
Lens cleaning kit
Sensor cleaning kit
remote/trigger cable
Portable storage device for long holidays and travelling (could be laptop).
Lenses: ££££££££, typically, even on the cheap, you will need soemthing like a 70-300mm elcheapo zoom (£200) + 50mm prime. You will then maybe want to add a macro lens, or a wide angle, or a high quality zoom with IS/VR (£800-1600).
Always try to spend your money on lenses, they last 2-3 bodies.
Saying that, I'm sure I would have been happy with the Canon if it had been as compfortable to use.
Basically, the body isn't the important choice, the lens system is. With Canon and Nikon you are safe in that respectIt is said the price of the body is only about 1/4-1/6 of the price of a proper camera setup. Which is quite right: things you need to add-
Camera software, e.g. PS, NC etc. £200-500
UV filters for each lens
Carry bags- idealling a small bag that hold the camera with a lens attached, a larger case thing for travelling that can hold some spare lens and filters, and then a rucksack style thing for photo expeditions.
Large HQ tripod + small lightweight travelling tripod.
Polarizer filter - these are pricey, + some ND and ND-grad filters at a minimum.
Memory card and back up
SPare abttery
Lens cleaning kit
Sensor cleaning kit
remote/trigger cable
Portable storage device for long holidays and travelling (could be laptop).
Lenses: ££££££££, typically, even on the cheap, you will need soemthing like a 70-300mm elcheapo zoom (£200) + 50mm prime. You will then maybe want to add a macro lens, or a wide angle, or a high quality zoom with IS/VR (£800-1600).
Always try to spend your money on lenses, they last 2-3 bodies.