Camera advice for my wife...

[jcorsmo]

Okay this is for my wife...she is becoming a budding photographer (mainly of our little girls). I posted some on this forum regarding DSLR camera advice about 5 months ago and at the time it seemed as though the consesus was between a Canon Digital Rebel (of some sort) or the Nikon D50, with the tilt in favor of the Nikon D50. I like the Nikon for a few reasons one of which is that it used the same SD cards that our current camera uses and for some reason I just wasn't excited about the Canon Digital Rebel although I am not really sure why. Anyway, I am ready to buy now and I just wanted to reconfirm the assessment before making the plunge. I was also intested in hearing thoughts on any of the Olympus digital SLR's that might be in my price range. SO, I have again posted response to the form questions and I look forward to everyone's comments.



Budget
I would like to stay under $800 (including at least 1 hopefully 2 lenses)

Size
Not a big deal - big is okay (i.e. more film SLR like)

Features

* How many megapixels will suffice for you?
I am not really sure...I have read that other aspects of the camera optics are equally if not more important.

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
Isn't this based on the kind of lenses that you buy???

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
Image quality is important, I know that she would like to make frameable 8x10s

* Do you care for manual controls?
Yes I think that she would manual controls as well as an auto setting

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
She will be taking pictures of our 2 little girls mainly including posed and candid shots mainly...not a lot of really fast action

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
8x10

* Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
yes

* Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
not sports, but maybe kids playing the back yard.

Miscellaneous

* Are there particular brands you like or hate?
I was thinking Nikon, Olympus or Cannon

* Are there particular models you already have in mind?
I was thinking about getting the Nikon D50???

[coldrain]

While I prefer the Canon EOS 350D/XT, the Nikon D50 is a good choice too.

Think about what the lenses should do. If you want to shoot indoors in not so great light conditions, consider a light sensitive prime. 50mm f1.8 is cheapest and sharp. but it may get you too close to the kids. So, I'd look for a 35mm prime from Nikon. Then just get the 18-55mm kit lens, (very good lens for its price) or the Sifma 17-70mm f2.8-4, and maybe a zoom like a Sigma 70-300 APO DG later, when money is available.

[jcorsmo]

Okay...assuming the Nikon D50 let's talk about the lenses.

Is one brand better than another, in my searching I have come across 3 brands so far. Nikkor, Sigma and then another brand that started with a "T". Are these lens brands okay (namely Nikkor and Sigma)?
Thanks, Jeremy

[coldrain]

All brands are ok and not ok. They all have their good lenses and lenses better to avoid.

Do you understand why I would recommend you look at a single focal length lens, like a 35mm from Nikon? They are able to catch more light when needed, so you do not have to use flash (can ruin atmosphere of picture, and drwas attention to the camera/photographer). 50mm is a bit long indoors, so the Nikon 35mm f2 would be a nice lens to have. Sharp, great lens.

Bit expensive though for your budget (around 200 dollars) but definitely worth it with trying to capture moments of your kids (remember, they only are small once!). It is a lens you can't beat! I really highly recommend this one for your uses (kids indoors!). Even pro wedding photographers often love this lens.

Get the D50 including the kitlens, the 18-55mm will give you a nice range for other occasions. Or if you want to stretch the budget a bit, get the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-f4, it is a nice lens with a bigger range and also nice contrast and colour.

The D50 kit + 35mm f2 nikkor will put you a bit over 8--$ I think. The Sigma 17-70 + D50 + 35mm f2 Nikkor will add a bit more to that, although I am right now not exactly sure about the Sigma's price.

Then later on when you have more budget to add a lens, you can add some tele lens range with a good yet inexpensive (around 200$) lens like the Sigma 70-300 APO DG Very good for its type and price. It will also give you a nice useful 1:2 macro mode.

[jcorsmo]

Okay, I need some final advice...

Is $630 a good price for a Nikon D50, a 512MB SD card and the below lens...
Everything brand new in the box...

Nikon AF 28-100MM F/3.5-5.6 G

28-100mm G-type high-power zoom lens
Use of aspherical lens element minimizes distortion for superior optical performance
Rounded diaphragm opening (7 blades) makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural
High-grade Nikon Super Integrated Coating offers superior color reproduction, while minimizing ghost and flare
Distance information is transmitted to the camera body for precise exposure control
Ultra-compact and 8.6 oz light

Technical Specifications
Focal Length: 28mm to 100mm
Maximum Aperture: f/3.5-5.6
Lens Construction: 8 elements in 6 groups
Max. Reproduction Ratio : 1/4.8 (X 0.21)
Aperture: f/3.5-f/22 (at 28mm)
Attachment size: 62mm
Dimensions: Approx. 2.7 in. diameter x 3.1 in.
Weight: Approx. 8.6 oz

[jcorsmo]

As I am sure that you can tell I have no idea what I am doing. I have been looking for the lens that you suggested "Nikon 35mm f2 lens" and I am not sure if I have found it or not. Please have a look at these two ebay links as examples (hopefully linkes work) and let me know if either one is what you meant.
Thanks so very much!


http://cgi.ebay.com/NIKON-NIKKOR-35mm-f2-0-f2-AF-Wide-Angle-Lens-Great_W0QQitemZ7606198664QQcategoryZ3343QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NIKON-NIKKOR-35mm-f2-0D-f-2D-AF-Wide-Angle-Lens-Great_W0QQitemZ7606199687QQcategoryZ3343QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

[timmciglobal]

You can find a refurbished D50 @ buydig for 399.

Thats pretty amazing price.

I'd get a D50 body and the 18-70 AF-S zoom nikkor lens. Good combo, good glass.

Tim

[timmciglobal]

Can buy lens for 339, body for 499. Get a nice big Sd card (I'd go with 2 gig)

consider a SB-600 flash in future.


Tim

[coldrain]

Yes, those are 35mm single focal F2 lenses. No zoom lens, just a very sharp and light sensitive lens great for indoors with the kids.

I would NOT get a nikon 18-70 lens. They are not really better than the cheaper 18-55, just more range. The 18-55 is optically surprisingly good. If you want a different lens the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 seems to be a much better alternative. Also, just get a new D50... refurbished is a bit odd to give as a gift :p

[timmciglobal]

...

The 18-70 AF-S is most deffinitly NOT = the 18-55 DX. For one the 18-70 is full stop faster at long end (3.5>4.5 vs 3.5>5.6) It has more ED glass in it, it has full time manual focus and internal focus. Ring vs rod focusing too making the 18-70 focus faster.

The 18-70 is most deffinitly a step above the 18-55 kit lens.

Tim

[coldrain]

...

The 18-70 AF-S is most deffinitly NOT = the 18-55 DX. For one the 18-70 is full stop faster at long end (3.5>4.5 vs 3.5>5.6) It has more ED glass in it, it has full time manual focus and internal focus. Ring vs rod focusing too making the 18-70 focus faster.

The 18-70 is most deffinitly a step above the 18-55 kit lens.

Tim
And yet the 18-70 vignets more (but the D70s and D50 correct that in-camera for most part), it distorts more, and the 18-55 is more contrasty. And the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4 is even a stop faster. So, why would you want a 18-70, it is not a stellar lens. Not to mention the weird placement of zoom versus focus ring.
It is more a step above in price and focal range than it is a step above in optical quality. Even though very cheaply made, the 18-55 is good.

Problem is, no one who raves about the 18-70 ever used a 18-55, so you never get to see a real comparison.

[timmciglobal]

The sigma however is loud and slow AF. If they integrated the HSM I would agree but no SWGM or USM and it's a deal breaker for me. With kids thats going to be important they move rapidy and focus time is difference between smile and running off.

As far as quality goes I used the 18-55 and tried the 18-70, I didn't see much of a performance difference. The 18-55 however is built like a cheap kit lens. I won't argue the 18-55 is a step above the kit from rebel but in everything but optics it's lacking.



Tim

[coldrain]

I have a non-HSM Sigma, and there is NO way I will miss a shot because of slow AF.
Since the original poster has to mind expenses, I really think the 18-55 is a great lens for them, and that the 35mm f2 also is a great idea.