Finally in position to purchase a DSLR--Help!

[Whoa_Nelly]

Am pretty sure I want a Nikon, and can spend $1500-$2000.

I found this D5000 at Costco


http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11480706&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=〈=en-US&s=1
and the speedlight for about $230

Is this a good deal, a great camera to get?

Please advise.

:hi:

[alfredo]

1. Nikon or Canon, you can't go wrong. Go here to

help you make a decision:

http://www.dpreview.com/

The camera you are looking at:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5000/

Pros and cons (conclusions)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5000/page33.asp

Canon in the same price range:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos500d/

Pros and cons (conclusions)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos500d/page29.asp

Olympus in the same range

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse620/

Pros and cons (conclusions)

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympuse620/page31.asp

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Thanks!

I still am liking Nikon...the reviews/links really help.

Am exploring that site even more.

Hi alfredo! :hi:
Most helpful in sending me those links :pals:

[alfredo]

3. I obsessed for months over my selection. After looking at many

DSLR's I went with a prosumer camera, the Canon G10. The weight made me go with a lighter camera. I have bad discs in my neck so a DSLR would have been painful to carry.

On my list were the Canon DSLR
Panasonic (Lumix) LX 3
Leica D-Lux 4
Olympus E-P1
Canon G 10

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. Yes, the weight is one thing am concerned about

am printing out your list so I can go to a good store and sample.

Thanks again, alfredo! :loveya:

[alfredo]

8. How it feels in your hand is important. I remember my first SLR purchace

Came down between the Nikon, Minolta, and Pentax. I ended up with the Pentax due to how it felt in my hands.

Back to the here and now:
I still lust after the Olympus E-P1, but it lacks a flash and that would added another $200 to the price, and a few ounces to the weight.

[priller]

4. I'll offer my usual advice...

There's really very little difference in picture quality these days among the leading DSLRs. I would recommend you go to a well-stocked store where you can try them out. See if it fits your hand, do you like the button layout, do the menus make sense, do you like the viewfinder, etc. To me, all these things have a much bigger impact on your enjoyment of the camera.

And, personally, I would avoid the kit lenses, or at least add a few high-quality primes, like their 50mm f/1.4 lens. I don't know what it does, but that lens just makes photos look good. Maybe I'm just turning into a prime lens snob, but to my eye they make photos look special.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. You are absolutely right!

and I mostly want a varying adjustable basic lens, a good distance on and a macro...

Am so excited that I can spend the money finally on a REAL camera! :woohoo:

[ManiacJoe]

11. +1 on the "try them out".

You cannot go wrong with either Canon or Nikon. As priller says, get to a camera store where you can try out the various models. Buttons, menus, view finder, size, weight, etc. Which ever one YOU like best is probably the right one for you. I like the bigger cameras due to my hand size, others prefer the smaller ones.

Note on the Nikons: The d40/d60 lines and the d5000/d3000 lines auto-focus only with AFS lenses. This can be slightly limiting for folks not looking to do manual focus work.

The modern kit lenses are quite good and a great starting point for beginners who do not yet know where they want to go with their photography. However, the fast 50mm and 35mm lenses are great for low light work.

I have a Nikon d70s and a d200, waiting to upgrade to the d400....

[hippywife]

7. After you go to the stores and handle them.

Check B&H for prices and deals. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/


Sweetie, did you get moved? Send me a PM and let me know where you are, coz I think we're in the same state now, maybe?

:hi: :loveya:

[Whoa_Nelly]

9. Thanks, hipywife!

Will PM soon...last minute moved back to Tucson instead..PM will share those details.

:hi: :loveya: :hug:

[hippywife]

18. Bummer...

for me, anyway. I was looking forward to having you here. Not a bummer for you, however. I wouldn't live here unless I had to.

I wish you luck getting back on your feet there. :hug:

[alfredo]

10. I noticed that Amazon's prices aren't always the best. B&H looks good.

[Blue_In_AK]

13. Agree.

We get all our stuff from B&H. They've made quite a bit of money off the Blue family. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Canon feels good to me,

but only because it's what I learned on. I agree about the kit lenses. Spend a little extra money and get something cool.

[alfredo]

14. I'm looking for a used Canon body. I have the lens from my old

rebel 35mm, plus a Canon 75~300.

[Whoa_Nelly]

15. Hey, Blue!

Canon was my first camera back in 1972. Bought it from my brother, who had bought it in the '60s

[alfredo]

16. I'm on my third Canon. They rarely miss.

[Blue_In_AK]

17. I'm particularly fond of my 50D right now.

[regnaD kciN]

19. I wrote a guide to picking the right D-SLR...

It's specifically for nature photographers, so everything in it might not apply, but you can find it here.

[alfredo]

20. Thank you. very good guide.