Camera Recommendation

[Zumino Zufeilon]

So I've had a point-and-shoot for years. It's been "good enough" for my uses, a DSLR would be better, but hey, I'm a broke college student, and nowhere I've gone lately is that out there.

Well, that's changing come this January when I get to spend 2 months in Antarctica, and a month in New Zealand. Needless to say, I want a better camera for this trip because who knows when I'll be back down that way again?

I'm still a broke college student, but I'm now in the market for as good a camera as I can afford on my ~800$ budget. That's all I can spare, so it's got to include things I might not think of (like filters/etc, a polarized lens is probably going to be required with the insane reflections off the ice and water).

Anyways, with computers I'm fairly good, with cameras, I know . . . enough to be dangerous, so I'm hoping folks have some insight to help out. I or can get most of the accessories fairly inexpensively, I'm just not sure what I might need.

 

[RagingSamster]

DSLR and Inexpensive are mutually exclusive terms with the exception of the Canon 50mm f1.8. Check my posts for example pics. You can pick up a original rebel (300) cheap on ebay or craigslist, and then look for lens bargains - you will find them but you need to look carefully.

 

[BrinNutz]

You can get a used XTi most definitely with at least one maybe two lenses.

Check craigslist around you and the nearest big city.

 

[fugu]

If you don't want to buy used you can pick up a RebelXT body for about $400 and a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 lens for a bit over $400. That shouldn't be too bad of a kit to start out with.

 

[BrinNutz]

btw,

If you live near a Meijer and they still have a Canon Rebel XT on clearance it's like $285 with kit lens.

 

[Zumino Zufeilon]

I have discovered that for various reasons I will be getting a D40 or D60. I'm more likely to get the D60, but for the same various reasons I have enough to pickup one or 2 extra lenses.

I'm likely to be getting the D60 kit, which includes the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization Lens, and think I would like a longer range lens, and possibly a wide angle lens.

Any suggestions that aren't several thousand dollars

 

[darktiger]

I would say get a used 20D or 30D over the XT or lower end Nikons...

 

[ScYcS]

I have discovered that for various reasons I will be getting a D40 or D60. I'm more likely to get the D60, but for the same various reasons I have enough to pickup one or 2 extra lenses.

I'm likely to be getting the D60 kit, which includes the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization Lens, and think I would like a longer range lens, and possibly a wide angle lens.

Any suggestions that aren't several thousand dollars

Do yourself a favor and pickup a Nikon D40 dual lens kit from like Circuitcity. They have it for around $600 and if you're an AAA member, you can get 10% off of that. The D40 is a mighty fine dSLR and perfect for a beginner. The two lenses makes this a steal in my eyes.

 

[Rix2357]

$800 Budget....

That's a bit tight but doable if your willing to bargain hunt a bit...
I would say rebel XTi body only, for around $375.
Pick up a lens from someone's XSI kit for the 18-55IS lens. $150
Find a place that will sell the 55-250IS for $275.

And I believe they all use a 52mm CPL, which...hmm maybe about $50?

So that's $850 already. Maybe you can shave some of the costs by going with an XT, and the prices for those lenses could be cheaper if you really check the craigslist, ebay, and other camera forum buy/sell places. Play with the numbers and shuffle them around a bit. Might consider the 50mm f1.8, or an external flash, but those two places that you mention will probably have enough light for the times you will be able to indulge in photography. I know 17mm isn't extremely wide on a crop body camera, but all of your wide options will set you back at least $300 for either Nikon or Canon option.

 

[NYCmedicineman]

I was in a similar situation and decided against the d40 and d60 simply because they are not compatible with so many of the readily available nikon lenses. i decided on a new d 80 body and bought an 18-55 and a 55-200 vr lense off of craig's list. you might want to consider just getting an 18-135. it does not have vr, but has a nice range, is moderately quick and means you do not need to switch lenses (this might make a difference when considering the areas you are going to).

my next lense purchase will be an 18-200 nikon lense.

 

[strikeout]

canon xt body used $300
canon 18-55IS used $150
canon speedlite 430ex used $200

throw in some books, rocketblower, bag, CF cards, you got a good starter kit.

 

[Joves]

I have discovered that for various reasons I will be getting a D40 or D60. I'm more likely to get the D60, but for the same various reasons I have enough to pickup one or 2 extra lenses.

I'm likely to be getting the D60 kit, which includes the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization Lens, and think I would like a longer range lens, and possibly a wide angle lens.

Any suggestions that aren't several thousand dollars

B&H has the D60 kit with the 18-55VR and, 55-200VR for $950. And the D40 same kit set for $640. That should pretty much set you up for a fairly good starting kit. All you will need is a Circular Polarizer for the 2 lenses and, a fair amount of SD storage. In which case I would suggest getting Sandisk Extreme III cards. You can get by with the Ultras but they are much slower. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

 

[Kadath]

No matter which you get, buy the 50mm 1.8 lens to go with it. They are better than their price would suggest and you will get to do thin DOF shots and many people find that it's the seperation of subject from background that really makes the biggest difference jumping from a P&S to a DSLR, that and the lack of shutter lag.