Posted: 5/21/2010 9:23:54 AM EDT
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Wife is offering to buy me a DSLR for my graduation present. She didn't give me a $$ limit, but, being realtively cheap...I don't want to spend TOO much.
I'm currently thinking The new Canon Rebel T2i kit ($850) Used D90 or D200 body (~$650 on B&H) + a lens. Not to turn it into a Nikon or Canon debate...but which direction would be better to take? The rebels feel, cheap. The D90 is solid, but won't shoot 1080p, and only has 12 mp, where the T2i has 18. I don't know what to do. ETA: My FIL has a D200, but only has one lens. (AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G) Luckily its a really nice one. My brother is planning on buying the Canon 7D, and will likely buy several good lenses (he's loaded...). Not to say I'll have access to their lenses, but, I MIGHT. |
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As far as the T2i feeling cheap compared to the D90, that's because the T2i is an entry level body. The D90 is about mid-grade. The D90 is more comparable to the 40D/50D on the Canon side.
I wouldn't get the T2i unless you're a real serious video shooter. When I say serious, do you have a rig/rail system, follow focus, and external viewfinder or HD display? Video on a dSLR is incredible (specifically Canon), but it's not like recording with a standard camcorder. If you want to go inexpensive, then save a few bucks and get the T1i. The D90 and D200 are great bodies, but I'd advise against used. Get new so you have the benefit of a manufacturer warranty. Since you're just starting out, risking used may not be fun if you end up having problems with the body. The fact that your brother will be going Canon is a good reason to go Canon. That way you have access to more lenses without having to buy. Don't get caught up with megapixels. Frankly, you should just ignore them when shopping for a dSLR right now. |
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Quoted:
As far as the T2i feeling cheap compared to the D90, that's because the T2i is an entry level body. The D90 is about mid-grade. The D90 is more comparable to the 40D/50D on the Canon side. I wouldn't get the T2i unless you're a real serious video shooter. When I say serious, do you have a rig/rail system, follow focus, and external viewfinder or HD display? Video on a dSLR is incredible (specifically Canon), but it's not like recording with a standard camcorder. If you want to go inexpensive, then save a few bucks and get the T1i. The D90 and D200 are great bodies, but I'd advise against used. Get new so you have the benefit of a manufacturer warranty. Since you're just starting out, risking used may not be fun if you end up having problems with the body. The fact that your brother will be going Canon is a good reason to go Canon. That way you have access to more lenses without having to buy. Don't get caught up with megapixels. Frankly, you should just ignore them when shopping for a dSLR right now. What about refurbished bodies that come with warranty's? |
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Quoted: Honestly I would stay away from anything used or even a refurb as a camera body is as perishable as a computer and will be old news just as quick. Quoted: As far as the T2i feeling cheap compared to the D90, that's because the T2i is an entry level body. The D90 is about mid-grade. The D90 is more comparable to the 40D/50D on the Canon side. I wouldn't get the T2i unless you're a real serious video shooter. When I say serious, do you have a rig/rail system, follow focus, and external viewfinder or HD display? Video on a dSLR is incredible (specifically Canon), but it's not like recording with a standard camcorder. If you want to go inexpensive, then save a few bucks and get the T1i. The D90 and D200 are great bodies, but I'd advise against used. Get new so you have the benefit of a manufacturer warranty. Since you're just starting out, risking used may not be fun if you end up having problems with the body. The fact that your brother will be going Canon is a good reason to go Canon. That way you have access to more lenses without having to buy. Don't get caught up with megapixels. Frankly, you should just ignore them when shopping for a dSLR right now. What about refurbished bodies that come with warranty's? |
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Honestly I would stay away from anything used or even a refurb as a camera body is as perishable as a computer and will be old news just as quick.
I wouldn't go that far. I know people using camera bodies a few generations behind with great results. The Canon 1D Mark IIN is nearly a 5 year old camera and still goes for $1200-$1500 depending on condition. A used 8MP Canon 30D is already 2 revisions old yet still a formidable camera. I'm going to have to use the line, "Do as I say, not as I do." I have the habit of upgrading my camera bodies frequently, when I should be buying more glass. I went XTi, 40D, 7D, and 5D Mark II (always keeping two bodies, one as a backup). I'm down to only two lenses at this time, the Canon 35mm f/1.4L and Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II. If you buy a new, current gen camera now, you should be able to survive on it for several years as long as you continuously buy good lenses. An entry level body with a top quality lens is better than a top of the line body and a cheap low grade lens. That said, I have no real opinion of refurbs since I've never bought a refurb. I'd rather go new, though. |
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Quoted: So you agree on buying the newest body but you don't agree. There is a reason you buy a new body every couple years and it is because of the speed of the tech and the advancements made on the bodies. I will DEFINATELY agree with you on lenses though glass is important and something that will last you for a long time especially if you use Nikon since they have held the same mount through almost eh history of the company. Good glass has been and always will be a great investment even if Nikon is starting to play the tweak it every couple of years game with their lenses now like they did with the 70-200 2.8VR. Honestly I would stay away from anything used or even a refurb as a camera body is as perishable as a computer and will be old news just as quick. I wouldn't go that far. I know people using camera bodies a few generations behind with great results. The Canon 1D Mark IIN is nearly a 5 year old camera and still goes for $1200-$1500 depending on condition. A used 8MP Canon 30D is already 2 revisions old yet still a formidable camera. I'm going to have to use the line, "Do as I say, not as I do." I have the habit of upgrading my camera bodies frequently, when I should be buying more glass. I went XTi, 40D, 7D, and 5D Mark II (always keeping two bodies, one as a backup). I'm down to only two lenses at this time, the Canon 35mm f/1.4L and Canon 70-200 f/2.8L IS II. If you buy a new, current gen camera now, you should be able to survive on it for several years as long as you continuously buy good lenses. An entry level body with a top quality lens is better than a top of the line body and a cheap low grade lens. That said, I have no real opinion of refurbs since I've never bought a refurb. I'd rather go new, though. |