Getting a DSLR camera - It's come down to Sigma vs Tamron!

Bram Turismo

Bram Turismo

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bramturismo
I'm finally planning on getting a DSLR camera now that I've got a good paying job.

However, it is unclear to me which camera to buy.


Contenders are Sony, Canon and Nikon. I was first thinking about a Nikon D40 since they now are relatively cheap, but my cousin recommends a Sony kit. I don't want to price to be sky-rocketing high so I'd like to keep it fairly cheap...


Any suggestions? Nikon D40? D40X? Sony? Canon EOS series?
 
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Omnis
Wait until after August for anything Canon.
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The only new cameras Canon will announce would be a 5D replacement, unless you're talking about the rebates?

Bram: Just go for whatever feels most comfy in your hands and on your wallet, the differences between the big three are minimal at best (well aside from the crippled D40).
 
I bought a D40 and I am very happy with it. It is about the cheapest and most compact DSLR you can buy at the moment, and if you can live with its limitations, you are good to go. Said limitations may be that it "only" has 6 megapixels (although some say that this is more than you'll ever need for making a few casual shots, and it has some advantages over higher MP cameras) and that you can only use lenses with an inbuilt focus motor (such as the Nikkor AS-F lenses). You can also use every other lens that fits, but then you'll have to focus manually. If you don't have any old lenses for Nikon cameras that you'd like to use with the new one, you don't have much of a problem however.

I'd look for a bundle of the D40 together with the 18-55 (probably VR) and the 55-200 (VR) lenses. Gives you a nice and cheap set to cover most of daily life photography with in good quality.
 
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F1GTR
The only new cameras Canon will announce would be a 5D replacement, unless you're talking about the rebates?
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Yep, rebates. You never know what Canon might decide to do with this announcement. They could introduce the new cam with some kind of rebate for the 1000D.
 
as a Pentax owner, I'll toss in my vote - PENTAX!!!! If not Pentax then nikon. I've always preferred Nikon's lenses over Canon's.

Sony is good, but they're still young in the DSLR market. They have taken the Minolta cameras a fair distance since they purchased the brand, but I'd go Nikon/Pentax/Canon if you consider the price.

On the other hand, Sony's cameras are more feature rich for the buck compared to Nikon/Canon. Play with it. Choose what you like. Research the available lenses and pick the camera that offers you the best range of lenses for your shooting styles.
 
emad
On the other hand, Sony's cameras are more feature rich for the buck compared to Nikon/Canon. Play with it. Choose what you like. Research the available lenses and pick the camera that offers you the best range of lenses for your shooting styles.
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Agree. Buy not a camera, buy into a lens system.

Camera bodies are pretty much just computers nowadays. You're going to keep it for three, four years, then toss it. Whereas lenses last forever. Look for your upgrade path. I think that really leaves you with a choice of Canon or Nikon. I chose Canon, and have not regretted the decision.
 
GilesGuthrie
Agree. Buy not a camera, buy into a lens system.

Camera bodies are pretty much just computers nowadays. You're going to keep it for three, four years, then toss it. Whereas lenses last forever. Look for your upgrade path. I think that really leaves you with a choice of Canon or Nikon. I chose Canon, and have not regretted the decision.
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Sony do have most bases covered in lenses though iirc they lack some fast, long primes but that would be irrelevant for most potential customers.
 
I'm not a professional photographer, it's just something I do as a hobby, so creating a budget for rediculous large lenses is not an option. The only lense I'm planning to buy besides an original 18-55mm or 18-70mm lense is a 14-24mm lense, for some wide-angle shooting. I'm a real fisheye photo fanboy, but that's the only lense I'm buying, no UV, polaroid filter nonsene. Just the camera, thank you.

What about the Nikon D40X? Isn't that on par with an EOS 350D? The D40X would suit me perfectly, not the most expensive camera, yet enough features to keep me sweet for years...
 
I own a D40 myself and I would not recommend it for one reason. It only Autofocuses with AF-S lenses, so if you think you will be using a lens that is not AF-S you will need to manual focus. I find manual focusing alright if I have enough time to sit there and take a couple shots to find the perfect focused image, but when your on the go, it gets very annoying. If you think you will use the Kit lens (18-55mm or 55-200mm depending on what kit you buy) then you should be fine with the D40, if not, take a look at the Canon 350D/Rebel XT, or wait for Canon to release the Rebel XS/1000D which performs better than the XTi. I love the D40, but ended up returning my 50mm f/1.8 prime lens due to the non-autofocus issue.
 
F1GTR
What's your budget?
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Well, I've seen D40's and 350D's on sale for less than 400 dollars here, so I'd like to keep it under 600-700 dollars. I'm keeping a real low budget, having in mind that I'm still a beginner (check out my gallery), it's just a hobby, and getting a D80 with 5 different lenses now already is a complete waste of money...
 
Bram Turismo
Well, I've seen D40's and 350D's on sale for less than 400 dollars here, so I'd like to keep it under 600-700 dollars. I'm keeping a real low budget, having in mind that I'm still a beginner (check out my gallery), it's just a hobby, and getting a D80 with 5 different lenses now already is a complete waste of money...
Click to expand...

I had a nice low budget too, you'll find out what I bought when I officially announce it once it's turned up. I'll tell you this though, I didn't spend more than £250 ($479) with lots of goodies included.
 
F1GTR
Hey, I use a D80 and three diff. lenses, definitely not a waste. :P

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/542180-REG/Canon_2756B003_EOS_Rebel_XSi_a_k_a_.html

That's what I'd go for given the current market, image quality will be good but the handling won't be up to par with the D80 though - Nikon will release the D90 soon so that will drive D80 prices down. But like Omnis said, wait for Canon's rebates next month so it'll be even cheaper.
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Right now, the D80 and EOS 450 are simply too expensive. I wll be wainting at least another month before buying it, but one can never start too soon with taking a look ;)

However, I found this

sony-alpha-a200.jpg


for the same price as this

d40.jpg



This really makes me want to buy the Sony right now, but something makes me really want a Nikon, something makes me really want specifically this Nikon

nikond40x-56t.jpg



Don't ask me why though...
 
Bram Turismo
I'm finally planning on getting a DSLR camera now that I've got a good paying job.

However, it is unclear to me which camera to buy.


Contenders are Sony, Canon and Nikon. I was first thinking about a Nikon D40 since they now are relatively cheap, but my cousin recommends a Sony kit. I don't want to price to be sky-rocketing high so I'd like to keep it fairly cheap...


Any suggestions? Nikon D40? D40X? Sony? Canon EOS series?
Click to expand...

Here my humble opinion:

About nikon:
D40 is a reletively old DSLR (6MP), great as a starter but the D40x (10MP) or the newer D60 (10MP) would be my choice. Nikon however isn't that great in photo quality in high ISO settings ( max 800 ISO, D60 -D300 and D3 are an other story...)
Someone mentioned you choose by lenssystem. I sure do agree on that.
As Nikon has a wide variety in lenses, Canon has a more broader variety.
With Nikon , theres cheap and then the pro stuff kicks in.
Canon has cheap ( as in kitlenses ), amateur ( f4 ranges and L) and pro lenses ( as in f1.2, F2.8 L lenses).
If you stay with the nikon , the latest 18-55 and 55-200 VR lenses would be OK

About Canon:
If you'r looking at the D40 the canon match would be the 400D.
Lenses the stabilised kit lenses if you're on a budget.
Want more quality, then look at the amateur range, cost a bit more ( or buy secondhand) , but it could make a difference between getting the shot or not.

About Sony:
Not much experience, but lot's of minolta lenses should work on the Sony DSLR range.

But in the end, it's about going to a shop and take a few DSLR bodies in yer hand and try to work with them. Which one is easy to operate, lays fine in your hand, menu's etc.
Don't buy a setup because it's cheap. You should buy a setup you could easily work with and when doing so enjoying it.

You could also try to look in some Photography forums.
Many people asked the same questions there, maybe you find some answers there too.

And to end it , starting with a DSLR is most of the time getting more stuff each time.
Like flashlight, more lenses ( wide angle, zoom or telezoom ) so don t forget the bag you'll put it in .
 
^ Actually, the D40 is great for image quality at high ISO settings. This is because of the 6MP on a large sensor. The D40 can go up to 3200 ISO (High Setting)

Some of the information you've stated is sort of incorrect and very vague.
 
The thing I like about the Nikons is that they've kept the mount backwards compatible. My D50 (purchased used from a trusted source - talk about keeping abudget!) will mount just about any Nikon lens ever made. It will autofocus with lenses that go back to the 8008 days, and it will autoexpose with any of the older lenses. That makes a lot of glass available! The lenses with motors built in will autofocus much faster than lenses that use the body motor (which the D40 doesn't have - no autofocus with lenses from the 8008-type AF lines, but it still auto-exposes.)

Since I had some Nikon lenses I was looking for a Nikon to move up to the DSLR world. The 6MP has not been a limitation, I don't need to make poster-size prints, and I haven't found a reason to crop excessively.
 
SaNTi iTNaS
^ Actually, the D40 is great for image quality at high ISO settings. This is because of the 6MP on a large sensor. The D40 can go up to 3200 ISO (High Setting)

Some of the information you've stated is sort of incorrect and very vague.
Click to expand...

Well ,

Like I said, in my opinion 👍
With a D70 6MP camera I seldom got higher then ISO400, with my D200 I rarely go over ISO800. And that because of the lesser quality it gave.
Sure its has the ISO3200 , but can you use it for print outs ?
I sure didn't thought so
Take any Canon DSLR and at higher ISO rates it outranks the Nikon DSLR range.
And that finally changed after the introduction of D300, D3 and at the entry level the D60.

Grtz

Bryan
 
wfooshee
The thing I like about the Nikons is that they've kept the mount backwards compatible. My D50 (purchased used from a trusted source - talk about keeping abudget!) will mount just about any Nikon lens ever made. It will autofocus with lenses that go back to the 8008 days, and it will autoexpose with any of the older lenses. That makes a lot of glass available! The lenses with motors built in will autofocus much faster than lenses that use the body motor (which the D40 doesn't have - no autofocus with lenses from the 8008-type AF lines, but it still auto-exposes.)

Since I had some Nikon lenses I was looking for a Nikon to move up to the DSLR world. The 6MP has not been a limitation, I don't need to make poster-size prints, and I haven't found a reason to crop excessively.
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Surely a thing to remember about the lenses you can use with a D40.
It needs to be an AF-S type Nikon lens, Or a Sigma HSM with the built in lens AF motor.
The AF-D lenses will work, but you have to focus manually, the exposure will be done automatically.

Grtz

Bryan
 
RSwagoneer
Well ,

Like I said, in my opinion 👍
With a D70 6MP camera I seldom got higher then ISO400, with my D200 I rarely go over ISO800. And that because of the lesser quality it gave.
Sure its has the ISO3200 , but can you use it for print outs ?
I sure didn't thought so
Take any Canon DSLR and at higher ISO rates it outranks the Nikon DSLR range.
And that finally changed after the introduction of D300, D3 and at the entry level the D60.

Grtz

Bryan
Click to expand...

These results say otherwise.

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/NikonD40/page4c.shtml
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/NikonD40/page4ca.shtml
 
Well guys, my budget has just increased with some help form school. I think I'm going for a Nikon D80 with a 18-135mm lens. It's a 1,000 bucks...

Thoughts? This lense or the stock 18-75 mm lense?
 
I think for the right now that is your absolute best option. A solid camera that will last you, and a good ranged lens for starting out. You can always pick up a 50 1.8 for $100 or so just to have something capabale of low apertures. Alternatively, you could get the Tamron 17-55 (2.8) for a bit more than the 18-55 but I'm pretty sure less than the 18-135. Sometimes long ranged lenses like that 18-135 can lose a lot of quality near the wide and zoomed ranges. It all depends on if you're ok with that trade-off for the long range.
 
tait
I think for the right now that is your absolute best option. A solid camera that will last you, and a good ranged lens for starting out. You can always pick up a 50 1.8 for $100 or so just to have something capabale of low apertures. Alternatively, you could get the Tamron 17-55 (2.8) for a bit more than the 18-55 but I'm pretty sure less than the 18-135. Sometimes long ranged lenses like that 18-135 can lose a lot of quality near the wide and zoomed ranges. It all depends on if you're ok with that trade-off for the long range.
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Agree on that. Some aftermarket lenses have a great price/quality value.
Like the mentioned Tamron 17-50 2.8, more wide angle then look at the Tokina 12-24 f4 or the Sigma 10-22.
The 50 1.8 is also great value for money

Grtz

Bryan
 
tait
I think for the right now that is your absolute best option. A solid camera that will last you, and a good ranged lens for starting out. You can always pick up a 50 1.8 for $100 or so just to have something capabale of low apertures. Alternatively, you could get the Tamron 17-55 (2.8) for a bit more than the 18-55 but I'm pretty sure less than the 18-135. Sometimes long ranged lenses like that 18-135 can lose a lot of quality near the wide and zoomed ranges. It all depends on if you're ok with that trade-off for the long range.
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Actually, both lenses are a stock option on the D80, so either of them will cost the same... Think I'll perhaps stick with the 18-75 then 👍
 
Avoid the 18-135 at all costs. I recently purchased a (used) D200 and Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and absolutely love both. If I was trying to keep it under/around $1000. I'd get a used (from a reputable dealer) D80 and Tamron 17-50. You can find a used D80 for around $600 and Tamron for $400.

One thing to remember though, is that I've only priced out things for a body + lens. If you were really going to keep things under $1000, you'll have to plan ahead how much you're going to spend on memory cards, batteries, filters, bag, tripod, etc. So price those (necessary) 'accessories' first, then see how much you have left over.

Just remember, if you spend a little bit more in the beginning, you won't waste money later. Just remember, image quality has a price. If you're going to buy things that are inexpensive now, just know you'll sell them for a bigger loss than if you bought better gear in the beginning.
 
Well, it's all set now. My camera will be a Nikon D80.

Problem is that I'm about to order an exact replica of my dad's Cessna 177 RG-II from America, which will cost around 400 dollars. So, I'll have to wait at least 2 months beofre I'm able to buy the Nikon.

Damnit, I was so looking forward taking it with me to my Ireland trip next month :grumpy:
 
F1GTR
Don't buy the model. :P Your dad has the 1:1 anyway. :lol:
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:lol: Yeah well, it's for his birthday, nothing too much for a care-taking person, right? 👍

400 dollars really is a big deal, I just realised, 400 freagin' dollahs! That's a D40 right there!
 
Update on the Nikon D80

Currently, the D80 is on sale here, and a D80 with an 18-135mm lens comes now for the same price as the 18-70mm. So, settle for the 135mm or 70mm?

I know I've asked this before, but I misread, so I thought I'd like to ask one final time before I order, because my money is coming in within a week or 2 ;)👍
 

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