Help me choose a dSLR with lens!

[Hurk]

Hi all,

A while back I had a Canon XSi and I went through a handful of lenses and ended up with the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8. I sold all I had to go to school (again), and now I'm looking for another camera.

I'd like 1 lens for now, so I want something longer than 50mm for sure.
I'd like a decent burst rate, definately over 3fps.
I'll be shooting landscape, portraits, pets, and sports... so basically an all around lens.
I want to buy from a store, B&M so I can try them out.
I don't want to spend more than $1500 taxes in.

What I've looked at so far and options.


Nikon D90 w. 18-105mm f3.5-5.6G VR Lens - $1120.
-I loved how it felt in my hands, seemed more responsive than my old XSi, and I generally liked how Nikon images came out of the camera over my old XSi

Nikon D5000 w. 18-105mm VR Lens - $949.

Nikon D5000 (body) - $540 + 18-200mm VR II - $1320 (Price is a little high)

Canon T2i w. 17-85mm IS - $1350 (Price is a little high)

Canon T1i w. 15-85mm IS - $1362 (Price is a little high)

What other options am I missing?

Thanks for your input.

[kay188]

Why not buy used instead of new?

If you want longer than 50mm, then I would suggest the Canon 15-85 IS.
However, it's a bit on the pricey side.

I say stick with a used XSi. If you want to save money, $1500 limit, then stick with an XSi.
It leaves you more room for a nicer lens.

Or get a used T1i, or T2i, and get a used Canon 17-85 IS lens that's about $300-$350 on craigslist.

[Hurk]

Why not buy used instead of new?

If you want longer than 50mm, then I would suggest the Canon 15-85 IS.
However, it's a bit on the pricey side.

I say stick with a used XSi. If you want to save money, $1500 limit, then stick with an XSi.
It leaves you more room for a nicer lens.

Or get a used T1i, or T2i, and get a used Canon 17-85 IS lens that's about $300-$350 on craigslist.

As I stated, I want to buy from a B&M store, and used isn't an option.

The T1i's are lower in price, but a decent Canon lens puts me over $1300 without tax.

I'm really leaning towards the D90 with 18-105mm lens.

[ardant]

Your quoted prices are a bit high... make sure you check photoprice and PM.

[rivet]

Spend a bit more and get a T2i+15-85 is, if you really want to stick with low bugged, on the canon side, have you considered the 18-135 is lens? I would take 18-135 is over 17-85 is any time.

[AzureD]

Pentax Kx + Pentax/Tamron 18-250mm : ~$800

[Hurk]

Spend a bit more and get a T2i+15-85 is, if you really want to stick with low bugged, on the canon side, have you considered the 18-135 is lens? I would take 18-135 is over 17-85 is any time.

This goes over budget. If I want the 15-85mm, I need to get a cheaper camera.

Your quoted prices are a bit high... make sure you check photoprice and PM.

Great site, thanks.

So, after reading more articles and such, I was thinking Nikon D3000 with the Nikon 18-200 VR II. Sure, the body isn't the biggest, best and most feature packed, but for $360, it's hard not to weigh as an option. The 18-200 VRII is a pretty highly acclaimed lens, one I think I'd be fairly happy owning for a while.

Thoughts?

[pmc]

Not quite a DSLR but size/performace is pretty good.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/i-lov.../#post11144079

[Hurk]

Not quite a DSLR but size/performace is pretty good.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/i-lov.../#post11144079

That's interesting, I never really understood the M43's, but after a little research, I find them tempting. The 20mm pancake would be compact and useful, with the zoom lens in the kit, it would do well. I can't find many reviews on that 45-200mm lens though...

I did try out the Panasonic FZ35 (ultra zoom) and hated it... I returned it the next day putting me in the spot I am now.

[rivet]

Have you considered Xsi+18-200 is
http://estore.canon.ca/product_catal..._code=2756B016

It is $899 at Canon estore, if you want to try it out, Vistek have it for $969, you can see if they can match the price.

Anyway, that is just a good combo at a good price, I still think 15-85 is is a lot better than other lens you listed, but the new lens price seems to be too expensive in Canada, in US it is more reasonable around $700, since you own a DSLR before, you probably have a brand in your mind whether to go Canon or Nikon though.

As I stated, I want to buy from a B&M store, and used isn't an option.

The T1i's are lower in price, but a decent Canon lens puts me over $1300 without tax.

I'm really leaning towards the D90 with 18-105mm lens.

[faken]

wow! they brought back the Xti just for a few short days!
http://www.henrys.ca/Categories/61-D...R-Cameras.aspx

[Spinoza]

I bought my D90 with only 10 actuations and a tamron 17-50 f2.8 from someone off here for 1000. I couldn't be happier.

[Hurk]

I bought my D90 with only 10 actuations and a tamron 17-50 f2.8 from someone off here for 1000. I couldn't be happier.

Again, used isn't an option.

How do you like your D90? Is there any downfalls of the camera itself that another camera has that you're kicking yourself over not getting?

[Spinoza]

Again, used isn't an option.

How do you like your D90? Is there any downfalls of the camera itself that another camera has that you're kicking yourself over not getting?

D90 is an amazing camera. I can understand some people finding it too complicated to use though. You definitely gotta read the manual and watch the instructional video to get the most out of this camera.


The video is also pretty good, I was shooting last night with my 50mm 1.4g and it came out great. Especially at night.

[Jon Lai]

D90 is an amazing camera. I can understand some people finding it too complicated to use though. You definitely gotta read the manual and watch the instructional video to get the most out of this camera.


The video is also pretty good, I was shooting last night with my 50mm 1.4g and it came out great. Especially at night.

What video?