Official "What Gear Should I Buy?" Thread

[break80]

In the market for a nice (mid-level) digital slr package with 2 lenses. Leaning towards the Nikon 5100.. since we have a heck of a lot of great pix posted here, thought this would be a popular item to weigh in on.. Discuss

[danewilson77]

Moved to Photog....just since that's where the pros hand out...

[Alphatek45]

The D5100, which I own, is really entry level. As a complete beginner I am very happy with it.
I can't speak for Canon but when I researched this very topic I came up with these answers.
1. The difference between the 2 is minimal. ( similar price ranges)
2. Go to a store and mess around with both. Buy what feels better.
3. More experienced photographers that shoot with either brand, do so because they kept buying the brand they started with.

I can see myself shopping for a better body next year. It will be a Nikon for sure.

Hope this help and good luck.

[break80]

thx, just realized my wifes old camera is a canon rebel (film) and even though the old zoom telephoto would be manual, it will still work with the new digital canon bodies..may as well go with canon

[break80]

btw car pic looks great..still on the hunt for my first zhp

[Marcus-SanDiego]

There you. The Canon already makes sense. Now you just have to figure out which one. Good luck!

[jreyes19]

the t1i, 2i, and 3i
are all great cameras

i have been getting used to the Nikon d3100 (been to best buy like 5 times already lol)

canons look great though

[Alphatek45]

First. Do we need a general photography thread in Casey's Corner? My instinct was to put this there, but it really wasn't appropriate.

Anyway. I'm looking to pick up a new lens and wanted some input. I have the Nikon D5100 (w/ kit lens). I also picked up the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 that I use for portraits.
I'm looking for something non-prime (I think) that's versatile. Mostly for Car shots, Landscapes (not super wide) and maybe multi-person portraits. Am I asking too much of one lens?

Any suggestions? I looked at the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 Im not sure that my skill level or camera body warrants a $1600.00 lens though. Im sure I can shave 60% off that going with a Sigma.Not sure if that's smart.

Figured Id throw it out there before dropping the cash. Thanks!

[pleasecorrupt]

Best multipurpose lens is 18-200 imo...

[UdubBadger]

^youre not gonna get the same quality glass out of a lens with that much zoom though.

I say look for a lightly used 24-70 2.8 on amazon or fredmiranda.com and save a few hundred bucks, but get the real deal if you plan on doing photography as a serious hobby or possibly to shoot for pay or print for pay.

[C Withers Media]

another viable option is a Tamron 17-50 2.8.

For the record, any photography or camera related post is always welcome in Casey's Corner and you will find that we have a very solid knowledge base who is always willing to help out in a constructive way.

[danewilson77]

Unable to move on phone. Recommend move from off topic to Casey's Photog Forum.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Gheybe]

I suggest 17-40 (im canon so I dont know for nikon)and the 24-70 would fit you fine I suppose. It's also relatively fast.

[Washburn]

Not an expert at all, but how about the 18-200 Nikkor VR II?

[Alphatek45]

Thanks for all the input, fellas. Don't think ill be needing the zoom on some of the suggestions. I'm still on the fence and doing research. Tried to rent a few but I cant get a local place to return my friggin calls! :crying

[wsmeyer]

Have you checked out lensrentals.com ?


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.855633,-118.398232

[Alphatek45]

Have you checked out lensrentals.com ?


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=33.855633,-118.398232

I haven't. But I will now, thanks. I tried aperturents.com 2 times this month and they haven't returned my voice or e-mails. No clue how they are in business...

[UdubBadger]

try borrowlenses.com then. I used them while on my honeymoon in hawaii. a little pricey but worth it.

[Alphatek45]

^ Thanks man. They are on the list now

[bimmer848]

My wife and I would like to buy a camera. we mostly take pics of the little one and everyday life, but we also go to races and the track and would like to handle fast moving stuff as well(two year olds are fast too!) im looking for suggestions. our budget is hopefully under $1k. should i go pre owned?? i would love to take pics of the cars too and what should i have in my iMac for fun with editing?
-Cheers

Darren

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Darren, I think we need to get a "What Should I buy" thread.

I will create one.

[imola red zhp]

Darren, I think we need to get a "What Should I buy" thread.

I will create one.

Cool!!

[bimmer848]

thanks Marcus!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

My pleasure, Darren.

[UdubBadger]

My wife and I would like to buy a camera. we mostly take pics of the little one and everyday life, but we also go to races and the track and would like to handle fast moving stuff as well(two year olds are fast too!) im looking for suggestions. our budget is hopefully under $1k. should i go pre owned?? i would love to take pics of the cars too and what should i have in my iMac for fun with editing?
-Cheers

Darren

Darren...

First off, :drool on your Mtech front, I always wanted that on my E90 also.

Anyway, sounds like the camera body will be less of a concern of yours as the lens(es) will be. I would go for an entry level body such as a T3i (or even a T2i if you can save some $ finding one) if you want something "newer" or else you can try to find a gently used older Mid Level body such as a 40D or 50D and try to concentrate as much of your budget to glass as possible. Chances are for the baby pix a standard kit lens 18-55mm will do you just fine. For the track pics you'll want something with a longer focal length and if possible, a faster aperture (like an f/4 or even f/2.8), which also means you'll need some $ to play with.

I personally have no issues buying pre owned stuff because I tend to purchase them from places I know they were well cared for such as B&H or Fredmiranda.com forums (loaded with Pros who swap lots of well cared for gear). This path could easily save you some money to get better glass.

Lenses to consider (sorry if you like Nikon but I'm strictly a Canon guy so that's all I know).

All in 1 lens
18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
You'll get a lens good for baby pix and something with some distance but the distance might not be long enough for the track events depending on where you are. Also the aperture @ full zoomed in 135mm will be f/5.6 so you'll need a lot of light to keep your shutter speed up fast enough to catch a car @ 100+ mph. If you go this route I'd say pair it with a newer camera body that has lower ISO noise, like a T2i or T3i.

Length
EF 70-200mm f/4L USM

With price in mind, this is the least expensive and best glass you'll find for a track or sporting event application. You won't get your Image Stabilization (or a 2.8 version) on this and be in your budget with a camera body too (you can look used at the IS version if you want but expect at least $800 for a decent condition one) but you do get f/4 aperture throughout the focal range which will help you A LOT when you are shooting close ups from far away. You could get a 75-300mm but those won't give you f/4 all the way up so you can get closer, but you'll need more light somehow or to keep bumping up your ISO as you lose light. The trick with shooting moving cars is also to keep your shutter speed fairly high so you want a lower aperture to compensate there. Also @ 70mm it makes a nice close up portrait lens for baby shots.


See how you feel about those options.

[UdubBadger]

Oh and for basic editing I think the general consensus is Light Room 3 for beginner/intermediate users. Photoshop really isn't needed until you get into editing on the layering system.

[bimmer848]

WoW!
thanks for all that info! and yes without an mtec e90's just dont look as nice imo. so, i may need you to translate that a little better, lol!! in layman terms, i need to buy a Canon t3i with a 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 IS lens? is that one thing or a range to stay within? that lens is an add on to a normal camera or do i buy it equipped that way? sorry, im a point and shoot guy right now so this is greek to me.. thanks for all the help badger :rockon

i will do research on this, but i just didnt even know where to start!

[bimmer848]

this?...


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+EOS+Rebel+T3i+18.0-Megapixel+DSLR+Camera+with+18-55mm+Lens+-+Black/1980124.p?id=1218304066943&skuId=1980124&st=1980124&cp=1&lp=1&ref=30&loc=KW-1262&s_kwcid=TC|8113|canon%20t3i||S|b|6975373359this?.. .

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Nice camera. And don't forget: Best Buy is an affiliate of ours (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-4193730-10515365).

But our other affiliate, Amazon.com, sells that same camera and lens for about $125 cheaper here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004J3V90Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004J3V90Y

[bimmer848]

and this?..


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NEGTT2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B002NEGTT2

[bimmer848]

Nice camera. And don't forget: Best Buy is an affiliate of ours (http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-4193730-10515365).

thanks for the reminder!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

See my edit, Darren. Amazon.com sells it cheaper.

[bimmer848]

good lookin' out boss...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

No worries. Don't want you over paying.

[UdubBadger]

this?...

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Canon+-+EOS+Rebel+T3i+18.0-Megapixel+DSLR+Camera+with+18-55mm+Lens+-+Black/1980124.p?id=1218304066943&skuId=1980124&st=1980124&cp=1&lp=1&ref=30&loc=KW-1262&s_kwcid=TC|8113|canon%20t3i||S|b|6975373359this?.. .



yes thats a T3i with the kit lens. I'd look to see if they still have T2i's in stock to save some $ cuz its a pretty nice camera as well. Or you can check Amazon for T2i's or used 50D's.



and this?..


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NEGTT2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B002NEGTT2

That would be if you just want 1 lens. In that case you would look to buy a "body only" and not the "kit" which would include the 18-55mm lens.

If you wanted to get a long and fast lens like the 70-200mm f/4 L I spoke about, you'd need to get the kit with the lens so you have something short focal range for baby photos, car shots, ect... The 70-200 would be more of a close up portrait and sports lens application.

Maybe try looking for some images shot with an 18-55mm and a 70-200mm and get a feel for what focal length will produce what kind of shot.

[jreyes19]

hey guys i found a guy who is selling a

D5100 dslr (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V4IWHY/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004V4IWHY)
and 55-200mm f/4-5.6 VR lens (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O161X0/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B000O161X0)
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/pho/2687326728.html


talked to him, and he said he bought it a couple months ago, used it a couple times, has no blemishes exactly like new
in box and everything and warranty card has not been filled up

i can pull him down to 700 maybe less
my question to you guys is, if this is a good deal

[danewilson77]

I think that's a good deal.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

He's selling it for $750. You can get this one brand new -- with 18-55mm kit lens for the same price. This is a more practical setup than the 55-200mm kit lens.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V4IWKG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004V4IWKG

[jreyes19]

yes, he dropped it to 700 and i could probably get it for a bit less

so the 18-55 would be more practical

[johnrando]

He's selling it for $750. You can get this one brand new -- with 18-55mm kit lens for the same price. This is a more practical setup than the 55-200mm kit lens.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004V4IWKG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004V4IWKG

What size/type of SD memory card do you guys recommend with this type of setup? I've never shot with 16 mp before.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yes. The 55-200 is a telephoto lens. The 18-55mm is a lens that will be used more on a daily basis by you. You'll be shooting at an angle of view that is equivalent to 27-82.5mm with the 18-55mm lens (using a D5100 with cropped sensor). Most of my shooting is done at those focal lengths.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

What size/type of SD memory card do you guys recommend with this type of setup? I've never shot with 16 mp before.

John, my camera is 12.1MP. I use a 16GB card. I can take about 600 pictures shooting RAW.

[jreyes19]

ok thank you
i kind of fell in love with the d5100
and i may have found someone selling it new in box with the 18-55mm lense kit for $650
also do these cameras format the sd card or is that something you do before hand

[Marcus-SanDiego]

You format the cards in camera. There are two buttons you hold down simultaneously.

That's a good price on the D5100 with lens.

[jreyes19]

that is what i was thinking and if i really feel the need to buy the 55-200 lense then i saw some good prices on ebay
like this one (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574947307&toolid=10001&campid=5336776893&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FNikon-18-55mm-55-200mm-VR-DX-Lens-D90-D60-D5000-D300-%2F360406885997%3Fpt%3DCamera_Lenses%26hash%3Ditem 53e9eca66d%23ht_8869wt_1186)

also i will be traveling to new york in the beginning of december and was thinking of taking the camera with me and practicing my shots
is there a lens to look for or will the 18-55mm do the job

thanks guys you have, like always, been a tremendous help
I will certainly have more questions

[Marcus-SanDiego]

That auction includes both the 18-55 and the 55-200mm.

Josh, one lens will probably never be enough. But I am sure you'll be plenty fine with the 18-55mm in NYC.

[UdubBadger]

don't be over concerned with covering every single focal length gap. you could do a lot more with a 70-300 than a 55-200. generally a 55 and 70 won't be much different looking (on a crop sensor) but a 200 and 300 are very different.

[UdubBadger]

What size/type of SD memory card do you guys recommend with this type of setup? I've never shot with 16 mp before.

I only own 2x 8GB cards (one SD one CF for each on of my camera bodies) and a 4GB back up CF for my 5D. Never filled one up shooting RAW, only when shooting video - and by video I mean making a 5min movie, not like shooting my nieces kindergarten graduation. For that you'd want a lot more.

[jreyes19]

That auction includes both the 18-55 and the 55-200mm.

Josh, one lens will probably never be enough. But I am sure you'll be plenty fine with the 18-55mm in NYC.

I am starting to notice that one lens is never enough, by looking through what everyone posted in the photography equipment thread lol

I am still learning alot and thought this would be a good camera to start with and learn everything, plus i believe the technology in it will last me a little while :)


don't be over concerned with covering every single focal length gap. you could do a lot more with a 70-300 than a 55-200. generally a 55 and 70 won't be much different looking (on a crop sensor) but a 200 and 300 are very different.

thank you, I will do so, i am happy to be coming up with a plan for the future of the camera lol

[johnrando]

Looking at Nikon D3100 vs. D5100. I know it's tough if you don't have one of those models, but any extra thoughts you might have on these would be appreciated. Basic stats:
D3100 - $699 including 18-55 and 55-200 lens
D5100 - $749 including 18-55 lens

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I'd get the D5100 over the D3100. Here is a good comparison article. http://www.digitalrev.com/en/nikon-d5100-vs-d3100-vs-d7000-which-one-to-buy-8961-article

The guy also compares the D7000. The D7000 is a great camera. It's about $400 more (without lens) than you're looking to spend but it's no joke. It's a great camera.

[johnrando]

Many thanks Marcus... reading as much as I can. I'll check that one out.