SLR thread

[dkr]

Oh, and there's the $51 GST refund when I head OS week after next. Total cost of awesome little camera = $458.

[Tank Engine]

Passing thru HK on the way to Southern China in early December.
Can any peeps here point me in the right direction for well priced Canon lenses in HK?

[auR32]

Passing thru HK on the way to Southern China in early December.
Can any peeps here point me in the right direction for well priced Canon lenses in HK?

http://www.ygdragon.net/

Click the 'Lens Reference Price List' link.

Good luck with the shopping, whatcha getting?

[Tank Engine]

http://www.ygdragon.net/

Click the 'Lens Reference Price List' link.

Good luck with the shopping, whatcha getting?

Re: What I am getting - haven't got that far yet. Thinking about a 'L' range - 20-100mm ish

[IML337]

Re: What I am getting - haven't got that far yet. Thinking about a 'L' range - 20-100mm ish

I'm there next week if you need me to check anything for you.

[TheHamofMam]

Passing thru HK on the way to Southern China in early December.
Can any peeps here point me in the right direction for well priced Canon lenses in HK?

There's only one place to go for all your photo needs. Sim City centre in Mongkok. 5 floors of camera heaven, plus a few electrical and hifi stores. Hard to find but will reward you with 'local' prices.

[IML337]

not with skin like mine, or Tanks...

[dkr]

Something to keep in mind: With the current USD rate you might be better off buying from places like B&H or Adorama in the US. Some prices are better in the US than in HK. Some worse. Both way better than Aus pricing.

Example: Nikon 16-35mm f/4 prices in AUD

AU price at DCW: $1799
HK price @ APM in HK: $1215
US price @ B&H in US: $1040

And Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 prices

AU price at DCW: $3239
HK price: $2090
US price @ B&H: $2160

[Zorg2]

so what do the experts recomend for an entry level SLR for about $1000, Canon 550D or Nikon D90? Also best to get 18-55 and a sep zoom lens or compromise with an 18-200mm? Has anyone used digital rev from flea bay?

[Lima]

Has anyone used digital rev from flea bay?

Yes, they've been reliable in my experience. Their prices aren't always the cheapest of the HK resellers, but they seem one of the most dependable.

If warranty bothers you Canon Australia will only honour warranty on bodies bought in Australia from authorised resellers (ie. not Digital Rev).

AFAIK lenses carry international warranty, so buy from wherever you like.

[MickyD]

Has anyone used digital rev from flea bay?

they've been around for ages.

I ordered a battery grip from them on a Tuesday at about 1pm, and had it in my hands the next day...

[Zorg2]

thks guys for the speedy replies so which camera and which lens?

[FL00DY]

Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 ... hhmmm tempted

[Zorg2]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...LR_Camera.html

[FL00DY]

thks guys for the speedy replies so which camera and which lens?

Have you got any film lenses? I went with the D90 and I've enjoyed learning lots about it, at the time it was the only one out with HD video yet I've never used it so so be careful about features you might not use. You wont get a D90 body and lens for less then $1500 in Aus I dont think, MAYBE a single lens. 2 years a go I paid bout $1680 for 2 x lenses and body, this was before a Nikon price increase.

I'd only buy a body from Australia, both manufactures only give warranty on Australian purchased bodies. Be careful of places like d-d-photographics, they might have a Sydney and Brisbane store, but check that the body is Aussie stock and not imported.

[Lima]

thks guys for the speedy replies so which camera and which lens?

Canon or Nikon ... flip a coin.

Failing that check out http://www.dpreview.com/ and http://www.cameralabs.com/ for detailed reviews.

Lens recommendations a bit harder in some respects because shooting preferences are usually individual. If you went with an 18-200 that should cover most bases as a starting point and then you can see where in that range you shoot the most and target better quality lenses on your own prefs.

Just keep in mind any 18-200 will have inherent compromises because it has such a vast range. Will probably be fine for initial use on a dSLR though.

[VDUB2C]

so i've decided on the Canon G12 for the missus....
next thing i'm tossing up between is saving $150 and going through an online store/importer, and spending that $150 on extended warranty (international) or going with a local store that i can just walk into and get them to worry about warranty claims if it ever arrises.

thoughts?

[Zorg2]

for that amount of money prob local store, for my Panny compact I went with Expert Infotech and took a punt given it was significantly cheaper than local haven't had any issues touch wood.

[Saxton Hale]

If its for yourself its worth a punt since you have no1 to blame but yourself

doing it for gifts is a highway to dramaz (and exposure to being a tightarse)

[VDUB2C]

hmm...
both good points.

and that way if it ever breaks, she can do the warranty job herself, and leave me outta it.
cheers

[TheHamofMam]

Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8 ... hhmmm tempted

That should be the first Nikkor lens for anyone serious about their Nikons.
It was my starting point, and I've pretty much based my other lens purchases around it.
I've also got a 70-300VR which is surprisingly sharp and useful, but will most likely get the 70-200VR2
later in the year along with a TC1.7 teleconverter.

With just those two lenses, you cover 80% of your shooting needs. The only other lens I'm looking for is a nice macro.

[TheHamofMam]

so i've decided on the Canon G12 for the missus....
next thing i'm tossing up between is saving $150 and going through an online store/importer, and spending that $150 on extended warranty (international) or going with a local store that i can just walk into and get them to worry about warranty claims if it ever arrises.

thoughts?

The Canon G series is bullet proof. Nothing will go wrong with it before you feel the need to upgrade to the latest spec in a few years time.
Extended warranties are useful only for a handful of people that really task their equipment in extreme conditions. 99% of the time, it's just a way for retailers
to swing the balance back in their favour when customers ask them to match the lowest online advertised prices.

[TheHamofMam]

hmm...
both good points.

and that way if it ever breaks....

If it ever breaks, it will most likely be due to things that are not covered by the warranty, such as dropping and accidental misuse.
Just tell her to look after it. Extended warranties are crap.

[TheHamofMam]

so i've decided on the Canon G12 for the missus....

Sorry for successive rants but are you sure she will like the size of the G12? An S95 is a far more livable proposition for chicks. Unless she's really into the tactile manual layout?

[FL00DY]

That should be the first Nikkor lens for anyone serious about their Nikons.
It was my starting point, and I've pretty much based my other lens purchases around it.
I've also got a 70-300VR which is surprisingly sharp and useful, but will most likely get the 70-200VR2
later in the year along with a TC1.7 teleconverter.

With just those two lenses, you cover 80% of your shooting needs. The only other lens I'm looking for is a nice macro.

Yeah it's been on my list, when I was shooting motorsport I wanted a ??-200mm F2.8, but I'm sick of editing 1500 photos and ditching over half of them.

And now this dream will be a reality got my estimated tax refund (yeah I'm lazy) in the mail today. This lens or a bike??

EDIT: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/24-70mm.htm
I know some people think Ken Rockwell is a goose, but he has this to say about the 24-70mm on DX cameras like my D90 "As a big, heavy, expensive full-frame lens, it's silly to use this 24-70mm f/2.8 on the smaller DX cameras, and sort of defeats the purpose of the lightweight and inexpensive D40, although it works flawlessly on any of these cameras. For DX cameras, I'd get something else, since 24-70mm is a silly zoom range on DX. You are paying a big premium for FX coverage if you don't intend to use it on an FX camera."

Should I pay attention to it? Annoying he doesn't suggest which other lens for a crop sensor.

[Lima]

I use a 24-105 on my 1.6x body and it's fine.

I do have a 10-22 for the times when I do need something wider, though.

[TheHamofMam]

EDIT: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/24-70mm.htm
I know some people think Ken Rockwell is a goose, but he has this to say about the 24-70mm on DX cameras like my D90 "As a big, heavy, expensive full-frame lens, it's silly to use this 24-70mm f/2.8 on the smaller DX cameras, and sort of defeats the purpose of the lightweight and inexpensive D40, although it works flawlessly on any of these cameras. For DX cameras, I'd get something else, since 24-70mm is a silly zoom range on DX. You are paying a big premium for FX coverage if you don't intend to use it on an FX camera."

Should I pay attention to it? Annoying he doesn't suggest which other lens for a crop sensor.

I forgot you're using a crop sensor body.
You're pretty much relegated to a 40-100 (ish) zoom range which makes a good portrait lens but nothing else. It's neither wide nor telescopic. But it's a keeper should you upgrade to a full frame later down the track.
If ypu're sticking to DX format, you may wanna investigate their range of ultrazooms? They have a few in the DX line-up.

[IML337]

The Canon G series is bullet proof. Nothing will go wrong with it before you feel the need to upgrade to the latest spec in a few years time.
Extended warranties are useful only for a handful of people that really task their equipment in extreme conditions. 99% of the time, it's just a way for retailers
to swing the balance back in their favour when customers ask them to match the lowest online advertised prices.

Largely true. My G3 was essentially a DOA, but that was a loooong time ago (G3 is uber old). It went back to Canon two more times over the years, once because I dropped it ($75 to fix) and the second time because it "died quietly in its sleep after serving a good innings"

It lasted about six years and went around the world (literally) twice. Can't complain (I've secretly been looking for an excuse to buy a new G series, but it wouldn't get used enough)

Mammy is right though. It's not really a chicks camera - kinda on the large size for a chick to put in her bag on a night out.

[VDUB2C]

thanks for that Mike and Timmeh... does make sense re the warranty.

she current has a canon ixus something or rather, and said that she wanted something more advanced... but small. was looking at the big dslrs but then came accross the lumix, canon etc - which is basically a middle of the road between the true point and shoot, and the eos style ones.
it's what she wants if she doesn't like it, i'll always keep it for myself

[TheHamofMam]

The new Lumix LX4 might be a goer.
I also swear by the Rocoh GRIII if she's into more manual features.

[The Samaritan]

Yeah it's been on my list, when I was shooting motorsport I wanted a ??-200mm F2.8, but I'm sick of editing 1500 photos and ditching over half of them.

if the lens wins out, definitely suggest you get something that will give you access to a 20-24mm range. you'll have more opportunities for creativity. if you're staying with an aps-c for some time, i think tokina make a very decent & affordable 11-16mm f2.8 for nikon mount.

[C.J.]

Thanks to some bloody @#$!@ thieves in Italy, I've had the possession of my Canon 40D and Sigma 17-70 lens removed from me last week.. (as well as a new Asus laptop and some Westone UM2's which I loved )
Now looking for replacements..


Any thoughts on Canon 50D vs 60D?!?! (I'll do my homework on the net, but thought I'd come here for any insights first..)

Cheers..

[The Samaritan]

if you you're considering the 60d, why not the 7d if your budget allows.


also a shameless plug for my canon 24-105mm F4 L - in the forsale thread

[C.J.]

if you you're considering the 60d, why not the 7d if your budget allows.


also a shameless plug for my canon 24-105mm F4 L - in the forsale thread

Err.. so the new question is 50D vs 60D vs 7D.. any reason why I should consider the 7D?

The 5.3 fps of the 60D bugs me a bit, I used to shoot a lot of sport, main reason why I jumped from a 350D to the 40D 2yrs ago, have been happy ever after. Now, I'm simply looking for a 40D replacement, don't really wish for more, unless something really intrigues me..

Will pass on the 24-105mm, thanks! still have a nice collection of lenses.. need a 17-xxmm replacement though, can't believe the Siggy 17-70 went up 30% over 4 years..

[The Samaritan]

Err.. so the new question is 50D vs 60D vs 7D.. any reason why I should consider the 7D?

i only mentioned it as there quite a few reviews out there comparing the 60d v 7d (closely priced). also since you mention you shoot sports, it kinda seems like a logical upgrade (budget permitting).



http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ra-Review.aspx

http://dancarrphotography.com/blog/2...non-60d-vs-7d/

http://www.cameratown.com/news/news.cfm?id=9420

http://www.digitalrev.com/en/canon-e...9-article.html


as far as build quality and tactile feel, i think the 7d has it over the lower models. good luck with the upgrade