What used/new DSLR with good allaround lens with 1k budget?

[fooit]

If you have a budget total of CAD$ 1k - what used/new DSLR with good all around lens would you get?

Checked prices on Craiglist and it is possible to get Nikon D5000 (asking prices $500-$800) with 18-105 (asking prices about $300).
Maybe D60+18-105?

New Pentax K-x is $699+tax - I just wait to see some reviews and comparisons with Canons and Nikons.

Main use of the camera - family indoors and outdoors. Camera should have very good auto mode for wife and kids to take good pics.
I thought to wait till Xmas hoping to see D90 w/18-105 dropping to 900-1000 prices but not sure I can wait.
Thanks in advance!

[mk5gti]

may i suggest either Sigma 18-50 F2.8 or the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 on any of the entry level body?

[fooit]

may i suggest either Sigma 18-50 F2.8 or the Tamron 17-50 F2.8 on any of the entry level body?

Because these are faster than kit lenses and thus better for indoors?

[Winkle]

Because these are faster than kit lenses and thus better for indoors?

Any low light situation really, plus the constant f/2.8 gives you more options when playing with field of depth.

[fooit]

Any low light situation really, plus the constant f/2.8 gives you more options when playing with field of depth.

Please recommend me what body to get?
A body with LiveView is preferable.

[Slimfast]

Go to a store and handle each body to see what you like. That's probably the most important factor. I find it's almost futile to compare specs. In the end they all produce stunning pictures. I really wanted a Canon XSi or XS until I handled one in a store. The grips are tiny and cause my hand to cramp up after extended periods.

I would say pick a body you like, start off with the kit lens and a fast prime lens for indoor shooting. Later on buy a wide or zoom as you figure out what you like photographing.

I'm going through this choice myself right now! Best of luck.

[AzureD]

I'll sell ya my K10D + lens (tamron 17-50 2.8, 50mm f1.4, 55-300 f4-5.8) :)
No live view though

[slomo]

An Olympus E-520 with 2 lens kit (14-42 and 40-150 lenses) that would cover 28 - 300 mm eq focal length would cost just about $600 nowadays. Spend another $125 -$140 on a bounce/swivel head external TTL flash and you are all set up well under $1000 which you can use to buy carry bag, tripod, extra CF card and spare battery.

It has live view and IS in body, so all the lenses are stabilized. I got the kit for $600 last year on boxing week. Stocks of E-520 is dwindling as it is being replaced by the E-620 which costs about $100-200 more.

http://www.thecamerastore.com/products/cameras/digital-cameras/digital-slr-cameras/olympus-e-520-14-42-mm-lens

http://www.thecamerastore.com/products/lenses/slr-lenses/zoom-lenses/olympus-ed-40-150-mm-f40-56

http://www.henrys.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ItemsDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&departmentId=10404&categoryId=10429&itemID=243303

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TTL-DIGITAL-FLASH-FOR-OLYMPUS-E-410-E-510-E-550-E-500_W0QQitemZ190342911912QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDigita l_Camera_Flashes?hash=item2c515257a8

[Kasakato]

D3000 + Tamron 17-50 2.8 + SB600

[kennyluo]

a sony alpha has the best live view implementation atm (i guess live view is for your wife/kid)

[andrew_plamondon]

Canon 40D can be had for around 650-700$ used. Get the Tamron suggested above and you could go for 300$ used or 400$ new (prodigital2000 on ebay).

[joejoo]

a sony alpha has the best live view implementation atm (i guess live view is for your wife/kid)

Of course, what serious photographer would want live view? :lol:

Nice assumption!

[kennyluo]

Of course, what serious photographer would want live view? :lol:

Nice assumption!

If you have a budget total of CAD$ 1k - what used/new DSLR with good all around lens would you get?

Checked prices on Craiglist and it is possible to get Nikon D5000 (asking prices $500-$800) with 18-105 (asking prices about $300).
Maybe D60+18-105?

New Pentax K-x is $699+tax - I just wait to see some reviews and comparisons with Canons and Nikons.

Main use of the camera - family indoors and outdoors. Camera should have very good auto mode for wife and kids to take good pics.
I thought to wait till Xmas hoping to see D90 w/18-105 dropping to 900-1000 prices but not sure I can wait.
Thanks in advance!


i assume you read before you reply

a camera is just a tool, it can be used seriously, or not...

also, i would like to add that a "serious" macro photographer would use live view

[joejoo]

i assume you read before you reply

a camera is just a tool, it can be used seriously, or not...

also, i would like to add that "serious" macro photographers would use live view

You are the one that made the silly comment in the first place, "i guess live view is for your wife/kid)".

I use live view in my studio. ;) If you knew who I was you would consider me a serious photographer... :)

[kennyluo]

You are the one that made the silly comment in the first place, "i guess live view is for your wife/kid)".

I use live view in my studio. ;) If you knew who I was you would consider me a serious photographer... :)

that comment does not mean it excludes the op for using live view if you like read sentences that way;)...

[fooit]

Guys, please, lets stay on topic, and please help me to make an educated decision about equipment I buy.

I may or may not use LV, same goes for wife and kids - it's up to them to use it or not, I just want this option to be available if they want it because we've used P&S for the last 6 years and got used to it.

[KorruptioN]

If you knew who I was you would consider me a serious photographer... :)

Name-dropping always works... :|

[frogger]

Consider the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 lens as well if you need a little more range than 17-50mm.

[xtracrispy123]

you can buy a brand new nikon 18-200mm for ~650 on sale at blacks.

use the remaining 350 and lowball someone for a D40/D60 body on craigslist :P

[fooit]

you can buy a brand new nikon 18-200mm for ~650 on sale at blacks.

use the remaining 350 and lowball someone for a D40/D60 body on craigslist :P

I've read reviews about these super-tele-uber-expensive-zoom lenses and in my uneducated opinion there are too many compromises.
I understand that's probably the best walk-around lens like those x10 P&S cameras, but I really doubt it can compete indoors even with 18-105 not to mention these 17-50 F2.8 lenses.

I might be wrong but I don't think I need more than x4 zoom while indoors.
Outdoors is another story and that's why I will get a good zoom lens later in the game.

[joejoo]

you can buy a brand new nikon 18-200mm for ~650 on sale at blacks.

use the remaining 350 and lowball someone for a D40/D60 body on craigslist :P

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

Don't encourage people to lowball on Craigslist, it's bad enough as it is...

[Dr_luv]

Thinking of selling my 18-105mm VR.... Send me a PM :D

[VMalska]

If Live View is something really desirable for you, may I recommend the Sony Alpha 500/550? The reason I suggest them is because they have a much better Live View implementation framing-wise than, for example, the A330/380 (never mind the 330 and 380 have terrible grips), which only show 91% of the frame. There typically are no good Live View implementations for cameras on the lower end...if framing with 91% does not bother you, go right ahead...but go for A300/350. Black's currently has a promotion on the A300...it will cost you 469.99 with an 18-70mm lens: http://www.blackphoto.com/blacks/jump/product/3307/Sony+A300+w.+SAL+18-70mm+f3.5-5.6/cat40008/DSLR+Cameras/product.jsp?skuId=3307&prdId=3307 . There is also a promotion on the A350, but the only difference between the 300 and the 350 is the megapixels.

Edit: You'll also save tons on future lenses due to a) the army of old Minolta lenses; b) Sony having in-camera stabilization, allowing for cheaper, lighter lenses.

Second Edit: Personal opinion here: Sony has THE BEST kit lens. Period. Apparently all staff at Henry's agree with me on that point...but Sony does have a great kit lens for its 200/230/300/330/350/380 cameras. A great second lens to get would be the Sony 75-300mm lens...gorgeous thing for the price (you could get a store to price match it for about 230). Don't forget the bag though, the filters, the memory card, the spare battery (maybe), the spare memory card (maybe)....Also, an external flash and possibly a diffuser is something to consider...although I don't see what a person using a camera for all-around casual purposes particularly gains by throwing out 400 bucks on an external flash.

[fooit]

Thinking of selling my 18-105mm VR.... Send me a PM :D

Sure thing, I'll PM you if I get my hands on a Nikon DSLR body.
What do you replace it with?

[Dr_luv]

I want to get a wide angle and a 50mm. I'm on a strict budget.

[gotak]

I've read reviews about these super-tele-uber-expensive-zoom lenses and in my uneducated opinion there are too many compromises.
I understand that's probably the best walk-around lens like those x10 P&S cameras, but I really doubt it can compete indoors even with 18-105 not to mention these 17-50 F2.8 lenses.

I might be wrong but I don't think I need more than x4 zoom while indoors.
Outdoors is another story and that's why I will get a good zoom lens later in the game.

the 18-55 kit will do perfectly for indoors. Especially with flash.

[fooit]

How's Nikon D90 with 35mm 1.8 for indoors?

[trixstar]

you can buy a brand new nikon 18-200mm for ~650 on sale at blacks.

use the remaining 350 and lowball someone for a D40/D60 body on craigslist :P

a d50 can be found for around 250 on craigslist..

[kottmeier]

If you have a budget total of CAD$ 1k - what used/new DSLR with good all around lens would you get?

Checked prices on Craiglist and it is possible to get Nikon D5000 (asking prices $500-$800) with 18-105 (asking prices about $300).
Maybe D60+18-105?

New Pentax K-x is $699+tax - I just wait to see some reviews and comparisons with Canons and Nikons.

Main use of the camera - family indoors and outdoors. Camera should have very good auto mode for wife and kids to take good pics.
I thought to wait till Xmas hoping to see D90 w/18-105 dropping to 900-1000 prices but not sure I can wait.
Thanks in advance!

Well I would strongly recommend getting a used Nikon D200. It has everything you could possibly want in an excellent digital SLR. I bought mine used on eBay (as I did with my previous D100) for about $800 about 2 years ago. I'm sure they're less now so you should be able to get one with a good basic lens for under $1,000. I primarily use an 18-200 mm Nikkor that I paid about $650 about a year and half ago; I doubt you could get that plus a D200 for under $1,000 but the 18-200 mm allowed me to sell a fixed focal length lenses to cover the cost. Feel free to PM if you have more questions. Canon also makes great gear of course but I'm a solid Nikon fan, their equipment has never let me down.

Good luck!