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View Full Version : Help me decide.... please :)


Luke_
13-07-2009, 17:01
Id like to start saying I have never owned a DSLR before, I have had/used SLR cameras and over the last few years have been using compact cameras. Now I have enough to upgrade my equipment I am looking to buy a DSLR.

I will be mainly taking landscape shots and then using HDR, but I also attend several car shows and races and also go on my fair share of holidays so im looking for something fairly versatile and that has a lot of flexibility in lens choice.

I have been looking at countless reviews and magazines and think I have come to a choice between two DSLR's (please suggest more if any you know of match my criteria).

First is the canon EOS 500D and the second is the Nikon D5000. I don't really need the video aspect of things, so the fact the two cameras both have video recording is just a co-incidence.

I plan to shoot most of my files in RAW and then process and edit them when im back home, and like I said earlier I plan to-do a lot of landscape photography as well as car shows/races.

I have also been looking and the Nikon D90 and 50D, but I cant really justify spending that much extra at the moment.

Budget, around £650 with a kit lens.

I would rather base my decision on spec, then after I have chosen on a camera spec, go into my camera shop and have a feel/play with it.

I would prefer to buy new

sdb123
13-07-2009, 17:03
What is your budget? What lenses/focal range are you considering? Are you happier buying new or would you consider used?

sdb123
13-07-2009, 17:04
I have also been looking and the Nikon D90 and 50D, but I cant really justify spending that much extra at the moment.

The D90 is priced so closely to the D5000, it would rule out the D5000 for me.

Chaz Photos
13-07-2009, 17:05
You will have more choice of lens with the Canon and frome teh files I have seen throught my club I think Canon images are a touch better as far as noise goes.
Just my humble opinion

Euan
13-07-2009, 17:05
Like everyone gets told best thing to do is get down to your local camera shop and have a play with them all. They all have massive amounts of flexibility. I would say Sony are doing the best bang for your buck at the moment.

Luke_
13-07-2009, 17:08
Euan, what models exactly?

The D90 is priced very well at the moment, but will it give a much higher quality image over the D500?

Budget, around £650 with a kit lens.

I would rather base my decision on spec, then after I have chosen on a camera spec, go into my camera shop and have a feel/play with it.

I would prefer to buy new.

Euan
13-07-2009, 17:11
Have a look on camerapricebuster.co.uk, its a good starting point for price comparisons. Im a Canon user so cant comment to much on Sony but compare the prices between Sony,Nikon and Canon and you'll get an idea.

sdb123
13-07-2009, 17:11
Euan, what models exactly?

The D90 is priced very well at the moment, but will it give a much higher quality image over the D500?

Budget, around £650 with a kit lens.

I would rather base my decision on spec, then after I have chosen on a camera spec, go into my camera shop and have a feel/play with it.

I would prefer to buy new.

One of the biggest issues with the D5000 is that it doesn't have a built-in motor, where as the D90 does. The D90 does pretty much most things better (it is very close to the D300)...

Rather than basing a decision on specifications, why not list what you actually need and then go from there?

sdb123
13-07-2009, 17:13
and frome teh files I have seen throught my club I think Canon images are a touch better as far as noise goes.
Just my humble opinion

Are they images taken with the models that the OP is looking at?

Luke_
13-07-2009, 17:16
I dont know what I really need if im honest. Just after a versatile camera, for good landscape and motorsport shots.

Shooting raw.

The D90 is about £150 more new with a kit lens than the D500, so probably really looking at the canon EOS 500D.

I can get a Canon 500D + kit lens for £632.48 -Amazon
I can get a Nikon D90 + kit lens for £769.99 -Amazon

So the canon looks like a better choice for my needs/budget?

Although I am interested in what sony has to offer?

sdb123
13-07-2009, 17:28
What lens do you get with the Canon?

Tbh you're probably going to be looking at a couple of lenses....for landscapes you need a wide-ish lens and for motorsport something up to around 200mm (as a minimum).

EDIT: If it were me, I'd do a lot of research then get a body-only and buy my own lenses.

Luke_
13-07-2009, 17:39
The Kit lens will be a good everyday lens for the shows, i will probably rent for track days.

Can you recommend any wide angle cannon lenses, for around £150?

sdb123
13-07-2009, 17:47
The Kit lens will be a good everyday lens for the shows, i will probably rent for track days.

Can you recommend any wide angle cannon lenses, for around £150?

Nope....I have only ever used Nikon. :)

I'm sure somebody will be able to advise....£150 may be a bit on the low side though.

Euan
13-07-2009, 17:55
Assuming you mean a 10-20 or 10-22 wideangle i think the cheapest you'll probably get a 10-20 is £300 ish 2nd hand and a 10-22 will be closer to £400 again second hand.

Luke_
13-07-2009, 18:01
I thought so.

I could go for a Pentax K20D or a Samsung GX-20, as I have old SLR lenses, wide angle and 70-200mm zoom.

But The quality from those cameras is no-where near the same as the cannon.

Euan
13-07-2009, 19:19
Dont get hung up on Canon, get out and have a play with them at Jessops or LCE whatever you have near you. Then make your choice.

Euan
13-07-2009, 19:23
Camerabox do some good prices as well click (http://www.camerabox.co.uk/product1.asp?ProductName=Canon-EOS-450D-18-55mm-IS-+-55-250mm-IS-Twin-Kit&ProductID=4595).

Thats just about in your budget, or this (http://www.camerabox.co.uk/product1.asp?ProductName=Sony-Alpha-A380-Digital-SLR-Body-+-18-55mm-f3.5-5.6-Lens&ProductID=9110) doesnt look bad either.

Chaz Photos
13-07-2009, 19:49
Are they images taken with the models that the OP is looking at?

Well OK one was a D80 not sure of the others

sdb123
13-07-2009, 19:55
Well OK one was a D80 not sure of the others

To be fair, the D80's strong point was never it's ability at higher ISO's (hence the noise). The D90 is a big improvement in that respect.

Luke_
13-07-2009, 21:10
I think I am going to go for the Samsung GX-20, this deal.

http://www.camerabox.co.uk/product1.asp?ProductName=Samsung%20GX-20%2018-55mm%20+%2050-200mm%20Twin%20Lens%20Kit&ProductID=4747

Samsung GX-20 18-55mm + 50-200mm Twin Lens Kit £599 inc vat.

Plus I can use my old pentax wide angle and pentax vivitar series 1 70-210 zoom lens. Then if I buy any more lenses and upgrade the body if I need to.

Good/bad idea?

Cant go to wrong for that price though.