Upgrading to a DSLR later in the year.

NorthstaNder · 19 May 2011 at 12:10

Hi,

Have been using my Fuji S6500fd for four years now and will be looking to upgrade to a DSLR later in the year (when funds allow).

My main question at the moment, before I begin reading reviews and checking out various models, is whether Canon is generally cheaper than Nikon when it comes to lenses?

I'm not adverse to either make, but would prefer to stick to one or the other due to them having a better and more plentiful range of accessories and lenses (esp 2nd hand market).

My budget will be around £800 - £1000 and for that I'd like to get the camera body with kit lens, plus another lens which will take me up to around 300mm.

Thanks in advance.

bigredshark · 19 May 2011 at 12:42

As a Nikon user my take is there are Segments of the market where Canon produce cheaper glass - however they're mainly the very high end. For instance:

Nikon 35/1.4 prime is ~£1400 and the Canon 35L around £1150

Nikon 24-70 f/2.9 is around £1250 and the Canon 24-70 around £1000

The lower end is less clear cut and I know less about it but the Canon 18-200 is significantly cheaper than the Nikon 18-200 (I can't speak for the quality of the Canon but the Nikon is pretty good for the focal length it covers).

Canon are generally cheaper though in my experience. For your budget either will offer something, for Nikon the D5100 fits the bill, maybe with the 70-300VR , which is very good indeed. Though personally I'd really want a D7000 over the lower end options myself. The Canon options are more varied, either the 600D or 60D would probably fit into the budget with an extra zoom of some kind.

That is only new of course, others will advocate the second hand route but my personal view is that the new bodies are worth the premium they command (I value the high ISO performance personally, among other things), second hand glass is worth looking at though if you can find a reputable place to buy.

Alpherah · 19 May 2011 at 16:02

Nikon D90 (just gone EOL .. its cheap if you buy now!) with 18-105 kit lens for £699.

Throw in a Nikon AFS DX 55-300 for £237.

Total: £937 from the Rainforest.

Ksanti · 19 May 2011 at 16:26

Canon 550d (little need for the 600D imo unless you're doing video) c. £500
Canon 50mm f/1.8 c. £90
Canon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS c. £250
Canon 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS c. £160
£1000

Canon 5d MkI second hand c. £650-800
Canon 50mm f/1.8 II c. £90
Sigma 70-300 DG f/4-5.6 APO Macro c. £150
£890-£1040

Two I could think of off the top of my head

the shadow · 19 May 2011 at 16:56

op what subject would you like to be shooting? you might need to consider flash/bag/etc

NorthstaNder · 19 May 2011 at 18:11

Thanks for your replies so far folks.

I mainly shoot when I'm out and about on walks, so landscapes, buildings & general shots of places I visit etc.
I also like shooting macros (mainly flowers) and I have a Raynox DCR250 (I think) that I hope to utilise until I can afford a dedicated macro lens. Plus, my 21 month old daughter (she'll be 2 by the time I get the camera), which is one reason why I'm moving up to a DSLR as the continous shooting on the Fuji is dire.

Will need to factor in memory cards and a spare battery into my budget too.

I do have a lowepro backpack at the moment which i have a few bits in (raynox, beanbag, gorilla pod etc) but I may need something a little bigger eventually.

the shadow · 19 May 2011 at 18:48

Buy the time you are ready a used mint D90 will be 400quid a used 70-300VR under 300.used 50.1.8 75quid kit 18-55 vr 70 quid leftover change for a flash+books
The jump from a Fuji S6500fd to a D90 WOW

Ksanti · 19 May 2011 at 18:56

NorthstaNder said:
Thanks for your replies so far folks.

I mainly shoot when I'm out and about on walks, so landscapes, buildings & general shots of places I visit etc.
I also like shooting macros (mainly flowers) and I have a Raynox DCR250 (I think) that I hope to utilise until I can afford a dedicated macro lens. Plus, my 21 month old daughter (she'll be 2 by the time I get the camera), which is one reason why I'm moving up to a DSLR as the continous shooting on the Fuji is dire.

Will need to factor in memory cards and a spare battery into my budget too.

I do have a lowepro backpack at the moment which i have a few bits in (raynox, beanbag, gorilla pod etc) but I may need something a little bigger eventually.

With that sort of shooting, I'm not quite sure I see the use of a 300mm lens? It sounds like a wide angle, and a nifty fifty will suit you? (It's a little more, but maybe a 5DMkI + 17-40L for landscapes and architecture, then the 50mm f/1.8 for your daughter, with the Raynox for macro? Then maybe get a Tammy 90mm f/2.8 macro for a dedicated macro lens/portraiture lens later on?

D.P. · 19 May 2011 at 19:31

NorthstaNder said:
Hi,

Have been using my Fuji S6500fd for four years now and will be looking to upgrade to a DSLR later in the year (when funds allow).

My main question at the moment, before I begin reading reviews and checking out various models, is whether Canon is generally cheaper than Nikon when it comes to lenses?

I'm not adverse to either make, but would prefer to stick to one or the other due to them having a better and more plentiful range of accessories and lenses (esp 2nd hand market).

My budget will be around £800 - £1000 and for that I'd like to get the camera body with kit lens, plus another lens which will take me up to around 300mm.

Thanks in advance.

I would wait until nearer the time before deciding, prices will come down by xmas and more gear will appear 2nd hand or at discount.

My vote would got for a Nikon D90 or preferably a D7000 with either an 18-105 or preferably 16-85 lens plus a Nikon 70-300VR or Tamron 70-300VC. If you can add either a 35 1.8 or 50 1.8 then you are all set for a well rounded system.

Of course there are comparable Canon setup but the Nikon D90 and D7000 are amazing bodies.

D.P. · 19 May 2011 at 19:34

Ksanti said:
With that sort of shooting, I'm not quite sure I see the use of a 300mm lens? It sounds like a wide angle, and a nifty fifty will suit you? (It's a little more, but maybe a 5DMkI + 17-40L for landscapes and architecture, then the 50mm f/1.8 for your daughter, with the Raynox for macro? Then maybe get a Tammy 90mm f/2.8 macro for a dedicated macro lens/portraiture lens later on?

A 70-300mm lens is great for landscapes and architectural detail. You don't always want to go wide, it is quite a challenge to get good compositions with ultrawide lenses. Although i absolutely adore wide-angle landscapes I am rally struggling with this aspect of my photography and I am having much more success focusing on details.

An Exception · 19 May 2011 at 19:56

NorthstaNder said:
Thanks for your replies so far folks.

I mainly shoot when I'm out and about on walks, so landscapes, buildings & general shots of places I visit etc.
I also like shooting macros (mainly flowers) and I have a Raynox DCR250 (I think) that I hope to utilise until I can afford a dedicated macro lens. Plus, my 21 month old daughter (she'll be 2 by the time I get the camera), which is one reason why I'm moving up to a DSLR as the continous shooting on the Fuji is dire.

Will need to factor in memory cards and a spare battery into my budget too.

I do have a lowepro backpack at the moment which i have a few bits in (raynox, beanbag, gorilla pod etc) but I may need something a little bigger eventually.

If you can I would aim for the D7000 over the 5100 as it can AF with more lenses.
atm the D7000 is the best crop sensor camera imo and UK stock can be had for £855 delivered.
I'd then get a Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 as it can do most things really well, it's also pretty good for macro, although not quite as good as a dedicated lens.

Then maybe you could look into getting some faster glass like a 50mm 1.8d or 1.4d as they are very good for things like portraits because you can blur the background to isolate the subject, and also shoot in lower light.

Below is a sample from this morning of my D7000 & 50mm 1.4d.

NorthstaNder · 19 May 2011 at 20:27

I am tempted by a D90 I must admit (notice I haven't mentioned megapixel count, as I don't believe it's the be all and end all).

Of course, the D7000 is also appealing and perhaps there will be some nice deals around in a few months.

The only reason I'd like a lens that goes up to 300mm is because it's what I'm used to with my Fuji. It would certainly be versatile and it's to zoom in on the detail in a landscape. However, i'm open minded and flexible and would be willing to compromise.

the shadow · 19 May 2011 at 21:02

The sensor size is smaller on the fuji,300 would means nothing it might be eqv to 200 don't quote me
D90 will be enough for your needs trust me

Ksanti · 19 May 2011 at 21:10

the shadow said:
The sensor size is smaller on the fuji,300 would means nothing it might be eqv to 200 don't quote me
D90 will be enough for your needs trust me

The Fuji is 28-300 equiv.

If you want to be shooting the same thing, I'd say go Nikon D90, Tamron 18-270 PZ1D (24-405 equiv). That'll have you sorted for general use. Add a Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D to that and you've got a decent prime, and your raynox will pair reasonably well with that. You could also consider a Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G, which comes out at 52.5mm, which is essentially 'normal' equivalent.

Obviously a superzoom won't give you the image quality of an army of primes or low-range zooms, but it's practical for normal use, and you can get into primes later if you want to expand your creativity options

the shadow · 19 May 2011 at 21:19

Silly me multitasking (on phone) i did type don't quote me

NorthstaNder · 20 May 2011 at 19:50

I'm very tempted with a 550D at the moment, plus a 55 - 250 zoom lens and a nifty fifty. It seems to have the right spec, at a price that will be within my budget with additional lenses, plus cards and spare battery.

Just got to hold one now and have a play around with it.

I'm not so sure on the D5100 (aimed at the beginner a little bit too much for me) and the D7000 is really going to stretch (or break) my budget. A D90 is a possiblility, but it'd be nice to get something a little newer (I know, the 550D isn't much newer!)

Still, we shall see. I shall have a play around with a few cameras and I'm bound to change my mind about 57 times between now and the big day!