Help me pick a camera PLEASE!!!

cherokee_dude · Mar 8, 2010

1. I have 500 bucks to spend on a body and lens
2. Gotta be DSLR
3. I want to be able to buy good lenses down the road.
4. I don't want to 'Wish I had just saved up another 6 months'

Watcha got for ideas, or even better for a used camera?

kirkleigh84 · Mar 8, 2010

I have this one for sale https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f60/nikon-d40-dslr-38475.html

underwaterfirefighter · Mar 8, 2010

We have the Nikon D-90. We love it but its a lil more than what you say your budget is. My father in law has the D-40 I think it is and he really likes it a lot. Not sure what they run. Nikon also has a few new models out that may allow you to add the lense you want and i believe they are economical. Hope this helps.

Dave

Murfman · Mar 8, 2010

Canon XT 8.0 Mega pixel. Should be in your price range used.

thecoralvault · Mar 8, 2010

I would up it $200 and get the Nikon D5000x with the 18-55mm kits lens.

edwing206 · Mar 8, 2010

You can get a Pentax K-X which can shoot 720p video. As soon as I sell my D50(pm me if interested, sorry I couldn't help it :D) I am going to get it. There is really nothing different between the brands other than the name.

m and m · Mar 8, 2010

Canon XTI i have one as my back up to my main body. It will give you everything you will need along with it's just a nice basic camera good for fam photo's and all that to. You can get one for roughly 350-400 and a battery pack with one for i think 500 or under. If you do a little research and want one i have a spair floating around here some where.

TANKSALOT · Mar 9, 2010

kirkleigh84 said:
I have this one for sale https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f60/nikon-d40-dslr-38475.html

I just bought a D70s, but if I had seen this offer, I would have bought it. The D40 is a great camera.

gar732 · Mar 9, 2010

I just bought a Canon XSi with the 18-55mm lens. I believe it costs $559 on dell. Other wise the XS is $499, a friend of mine has one and likes it. I just figured for an extra $59 why not get the XSi.

knucklehead · Mar 9, 2010

just keep searching. i got a good deal for my camera.
canon rebel t1i for like 600.00 brand new

Hammmerhead · Mar 9, 2010

IMO I would stick with Nikon or Canon for a budget DSLR. For the money, a used Canon XSI or if you could grab a Canon 40D, that would be a great choice. The Nikons are great too, but you will pay dearly for them.

kuyatwo · Mar 10, 2010

Not sure if you are near a costco but they had the canon t1i for great package deal last month

mcliffy2 · Mar 10, 2010

I have a used Pentax K10D with 18-55mm kit lens for $250, and a Pentax 100mm macro (~$500 new) I am selling for $350. That will get you a great setup, including a high-quality macro, for $600 total. PM me if you are interested.

cherokee_dude · Mar 15, 2010

Thanks to everyone for the great input!
I ended up purchasing a Nikon D-80 w/ a Nikkor 55-200mm VR and a Sigma 28-300mm lens.

Partly because of the cost, mostly because of the fact that is has a lens A/F motor in the body and I can use older lenses for this unit.

Now, it's off to the Photography Forum to offer up my newbie photo shots to the Pros!
Stay Tuned, we'll learn together :cool:

TANKSALOT · Mar 15, 2010

Look forward to seeing your PIC's

pugbreath · Mar 15, 2010

Where did you find the best price on the D80. I'm in the same boat as you on the $500 limit.

cherokee_dude · Mar 15, 2010

I posted the same request for help on our local forum site Bostonreefers.org and got a deal from another reefer. There were some great offers here, but I figured I'd save the shipping hassle if I could find something local.

I ended up buying the Nikkor Lens separately from Craigslist. Total cost was a little over what I wanted to spend plus a few Acan frags ;)