Choosing your first dSLR

[Hankosaurus]

.
Trying to decide about that first dSLR? Here\'s a link to an article written by JJMPF Member Vandit Kalia. It is well worth reading before making the plunge:

http://www.photosafariindia.com/articles/beg1-slr.html

Have questions after reading the article? Bring them here and post a thread with your concerns. The JJMPF Membership will be only too helpful as you grow into this hobby that we all love.

 

[Rovingeye]

On JJM site Karthik has also provided the useful links to most manufacturers\' sites. Take a look and use them to your advantage:

http://jjmehta.com/weblinks.html

[Hankosaurus]

On JJM site Karthik has also provided the useful links to most manufacturers\' sites. Take a look and use them to your advantage:
http://jjmehta.com/weblinks.html

Thanks, Rabin.

That\'s useful stuff. Here is another one that appears to be pretty helpful too:

http://photo.net/equipment/choosing-a-dslr-camera/

 

[srinjoy.biswas]

Hey, me too looking for my first DSLR... very interested and enthusiastic abt photography. Point is, I\'m looking for a complete package (with lens nd all) which serves all types of phography and is within 50K. I know its tough to find one, then what are my other options?

[srinjoy.biswas]

i also know Nikon DSLRs are the best nd are available in the grey market in Kolkata at Esplanade Metro Gali for almost 50-60 % of the original price. Please suggest.....

[Brendon]

i also know Nikon DSLRs are the best

Try telling that to Canon\'s managing director !

[srinjoy.biswas]

 
dat ws cool brendon.
No seriously, Please suggest me the Best DSLR that i can begin with, learn with and can carry forward for at least the nxt 4-5 yrs. Also the best possible lens kit 1 or 2  lens which can cover all types of photography.
I am looking at a total cost package of around 30Ks, I know its tough. If possible,,,is it wise if I can get some good used stuff,,plz suggest me on that part also....thnks

[kausik]

[size=12]Wow! 30K is a lot of mullah dude! I\'d suggest you pair a 24-70 F2.8 with 70-200 F2.8, that should cover 90% of situations. If you feel constrained, think of adding a 12-24 and 200-400 on either end. If you are a fast prime snob, consider 200 F2 or 300 F2.8. 135 F2 DC for guys who want to pay more for blurry images! Snap\'em on a D3X and you are ready to rock. Couple of SB 900\'s later, you still have money for your trip to Bahamas I guess!

OOPS! did you mean INR 30K? Sorry buddy, I keep forgetting that I\'m back from my onshore posting.  :\'( [/size]

[kausik]

[size=12]On a more serious vein, I suggest everyone to look up this months \'Better Photography\' magazine. For a change, there is an excellent supplement that covers most of the basics about the technology and techniques in a lucid and illustrated manner. That\'s about all that most of us will need to get started.

Welcome to the forum Joy, we are like this only!!!

If you are OK with old lenses and not going to fret over megapixels, I can suggest a D40 body+ used 18-70 Af-S + 50mm 1.8 (will focus manually) as a starting point within 30K. If you use the kit regularly ang follow the basic teaching, soon you can get results comparable to more expensive systems. Subsequently you can add to it.[/size]

[Image]

Couple of SB 900\'s later, you still have money for your trip to Bahamas I guess!

[size=10]You are not done yet.

You will need at least one cheap (most likely Marumi  - Made in Japan) filter in front of each lens.

A Circular Polarizer is needed to "darken" the sky.

And then you will need to spare Rupees 1,000 for a "good" tripod and ballhead.

And after all that we are still here if you get dark photos, blurry photos etc. Heck, we can even get you a manual from the internet.

Mein Hoon Naa  [/size]

[Rovingeye]

If possible,,,is it wise if I can get some good used stuff

Ahh !! there you are.....the \'Mint Condition\' at \'bargain price\' routine. You are most welcome at the \'Buy & Sell\' section. 

However, if you\'re prone to a certain \'green dot\' disease, you can also follow the \'good old days\'. Whenever interested in photography....just hire someone for the dirty shooting. \'Lift a finger\' only for pointing. Safe.  Enjoy like the Don, with hired sharpshooters....for landscape, for macro....whatever !!   

[srinjoy.biswas]

I do understand dude.....however I just checked out that a Nikon D60 + a Nikon AF-S 18-55mm DX VR  G ED Lens + Sigma or Tamron 70-300mm Macro Lens, which almost completes my requirement, costs around 55K in actual market price with 2 yrs dealers warranty. Just wanted to know how much would the whole package be for in the grey market.

[srinjoy.biswas]

Hey Kaushik......U r online????any feedback?

[Image]

[size=10]Its impossible for anyone to overlook the 18-55 DX and the 70-300 (most questions are around "Should I go for Tamaron or Sigama?".)

Read this article. http://naturelyrics.com/pages/articles/equipment_buying.html

You will also get there, sooner than later.[/size]

Joy, Next question pls

[sumitlathwal]

Hi All,

I am an amateur hobbyist photographer planning to buy my first DSLR. I currently use Canon IXUS 950 IS. My budget is upto Rs 50K and I dont mind buying from the grey market.

Please suggest which camera I should go for.

[Rovingeye]

 

Let\'s start at the very beginning.................







of this thread !!

[Image]

[size=10]Oh Well !!  [/size]

[kausik]

[size=12] @Joy,
I\'m mothballing some of my lenses, selling others to raise money for a 85mm 1.4 and some strobes+softboxes+brolly. I wouldn\'t care for 200-400 even if it were free. Given my dogmatic nature, I am not the best person to seek advice from. :-)

With the confusion that reigns these days, my standard advice to anyone would be to buy D80/90 body+50mm/35mm 1.8 only (or equivalent Canon/Pentax/Minolta/Oly). Shoot with that for a year & then you will yourself outgrow this question. And for anyone aquiring these shiny black tools, don\'t treat them like a trophy wife, but extract service from them like a maid. Please read up about trinity of exposure, composition rules, visit gallerys in pbase/flickr/POTN/DPR etc to develop an \'eye\'.[/size]

[kausik]

[size=12]OOPS!
Just realised \'shiny\' and \'maid\' are best avoided in the same post.[/size]

[Brendon]

Hey Joy, if you want to buy new only, you can consider the Sony A200 + Tamron 70-300mm for 31k (23k + 8k) which will cover 90% of your photography. After that you can add a 50mm f1.7 lens (used) for about 2.5k.

I have the A200 and the Tamron 70-300mm and I am quite satisfied with it since it even has a 1:2 macro magnification mode and Tamron has lesser sample variation compared to Sigma.