beginner's dslr: Nikon+lens OR Canon+lens questions

[hymanshu]

Hi,

For over a month, I've been in a dilemma of buying a DSLR, and after going through man reviews and suggestions, I've decided for D5100 or 550D. My question is not for the camera, I know both are good, and have advantages over one another. If it had been just the body, I'd gone with D5100 as it has better sensor and low light capabilities. The flip screen of D5100 is a "must-have", but as 90% of DSLRs don't have flip screens and you guys have been shooting with it so far with good results, I guess I can also do without it.

My dilemma starts with lenses. I can't buy lenses above $200-250, my family just won't allow me to spend that much. I am in India, and lenses are expensive here.

My purpose is general photography as hobby i.e. landscape+macros+indoors+bit of birding.FYI, I won't be upgrading lens for the next 3-4 years. If changing lenses becomes a hassle, I might go for a "Walk-around" lens such as 18-200mm. The Nikon one is way too expensive than Canon (approx $200), so will go for Tamron or Sigma way in future (say 2-3 years later).

So here's my camera and lens options (In order from more expensive to least):

1. Nikon D5100+18-105mm kit + Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC) + prime (35mm or 50mm )

2. Nikon D5100+18-55mm kit lens + Nikon 55-200mm VR + Nikon 35mm AF-S prime (or upcoming 50mm AF-S)

3. Nikon D5100+18-105mm kit lens + Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC) + Nikon 35mm AF-S prime (or upcoming 50mm AF-S)

4. Canon 550D+18-55mm kit + Canon 55-250mm IS + 50mm prime

5. Canon 550D+18-55mm kit + Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC) + 50mm prime.

Questions:
1. Which above kit do you recommend?

2. How's the performance of Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC)? Users of thei lens do drop your feedback. Without VC, theoretically it sounds not a good option, but still I'd like to know how good or bad it is.

3. The low noise capabilities of D5100 are better than 550D, but are they noticeable in general pictures, and for a person who shoots for hobby?

 

[nelsonal]

As for picking between Nikon and Canon, I'd say how you like the button locations and using either camera is probably going to be more important than any difference in image quality.

I'll say this from my experience, birding is very hard, and it's well worth learning on a subject that has a less steep learning curve. While I might consider availability of birding lenses when considering a system, I wouldn't reccomend buying a lens primarily for birding in the initial purchase (unless you're buying a package with a discount).

Finally, it's well worth considering used lenses if you're on any sort of budget, since if they're available, they can generally be resold for what you paid for them so you can try far more lenses.

As far as a good starting package, my pick would be the Nikon package with the 18-55, 55-200 and 35mm prime (I wouldn't wait for the 50mm prime), though it's only a very slight preference, any of your packages mostly come down to personal preference.

 

[baloo_buc]

You are throwing all your money in the body and let nothing for good lenses. A good lens, with some exceptions, would cost much more than $200.

Nikon 18-200 mm VR is more expensive since it way better than Canon version.

As for birding you will find out that you need long and fast lenses. This means that they are heavy and very expensive. With your budget I would postpone anything in this direction.

Nikon has a better offering at kit lenses with a versatile and good 18-105 mm VR while Canon has not a very good 18-135 mm IS (that is more expensive).
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[beagle1]

Hi,

For over a month, I've been in a dilemma of buying a DSLR, and after going through man reviews and suggestions, I've decided for D5100 or 550D. My question is not for the camera, I know both are good, and have advantages over one another. If it had been just the body, I'd gone with D5100 as it has better sensor and low light capabilities. The flip screen of D5100 is a "must-have", but as 90% of DSLRs don't have flip screens and you guys have been shooting with it so far with good results, I guess I can also do without it.

My dilemma starts with lenses. I can't buy lenses above $200-250, my family just won't allow me to spend that much. I am in India, and lenses are expensive here.

My purpose is general photography as hobby i.e. landscape+macros+indoors+bit of birding.FYI, I won't be upgrading lens for the next 3-4 years. If changing lenses becomes a hassle, I might go for a "Walk-around" lens such as 18-200mm. The Nikon one is way too expensive than Canon (approx $200), so will go for Tamron or Sigma way in future (say 2-3 years later).

So here's my camera and lens options (In order from more expensive to least):

1. Nikon D5100+18-105mm kit + Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC) + prime (35mm or 50mm )

2. Nikon D5100+18-55mm kit lens + Nikon 55-200mm VR + Nikon 35mm AF-S prime (or upcoming 50mm AF-S)

3. Nikon D5100+18-105mm kit lens + Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC) + Nikon 35mm AF-S prime (or upcoming 50mm AF-S)

4. Canon 550D+18-55mm kit + Canon 55-250mm IS + 50mm prime

5. Canon 550D+18-55mm kit + Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC) + 50mm prime.

Questions:
1. Which above kit do you recommend?

2. How's the performance of Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC)? Users of thei lens do drop your feedback. Without VC, theoretically it sounds not a good option, but still I'd like to know how good or bad it is.

3. The low noise capabilities of D5100 are better than 550D, but are they noticeable in general pictures, and for a person who shoots for hobby?

Canon 550D (T2i) and 18-55IS + 55-250IS and 50mm 1.8 or Sigma 30mm 1.4
http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2010/05/camera-test-canon-eos-rebel-t2i

 

[miatamich]

Unless you plan on using a tripod, I would definitely recommend a 70-300 lens with VC or VR. Also, what kind of indoor photography do you like?

You may want to consider the Nikon body with the 18-55 VR lens and a 70-300 Tamron or Nikon with image stabilization. The 18-55 stabilized lens and/or using the built in flash would allow you to shoot indoors in most situations and with a longer lens you likely won't be happy with the results unless you have the VR or a tripod.

 

[Winged Jiat]

hi friend,

Get Canon 550D+18-55mm kit + Canon 55-250mm IS + 50mm prime

You do not need 300mm and low noise lenses, make no different to me. Sounds like you like Canon more, don't you?

Best Regards

http://jiatphotography.blogspot.com/

 

[Chris59]

Questions:
1. Which above kit do you recommend?

No 4.

2. How's the performance of Tamron 70-300MM F/4-5.6 Di LD (without VC)? Users of thei lens do drop your feedback. Without VC, theoretically it sounds not a good option, but still I'd like to know how good or bad it is.

Don't know - sorry.

3. The low noise capabilities of D5100 are better than 550D, but are they noticeable in general pictures, and for a person who shoots for hobby?

Noticeable, yes, big difference, no. Unless you are shooting regularly at very high ISO and enlarging your prints, low noise high ISO performance is not an important consideration in my opinion.