Help me with 2nd hand choice (canon v nikon budget lens question!)

M

mak1

Suspended / Banned
Messages
239
Name
Mike
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi all,

A bit about my background - In the past I have had a Canon 10d and a Nikon D200, I am now looking to get a DSLR again (have nothing right now) but the budget is tight, under £400 and ideally under £300.

Looking back through my old photos I prefer the photos (seem to have a higher hit rate) with the Canon 10d but that may be because I had more time to shoot back then (no kids!).

The only piece of equipment I retained was my 50mm f1.8 Nikon.

I am more familiar with the budget end of Nikkon lenses and know the 18-70mm is generally a nice sharp lens that can be had for not too much cash, I'm not too familiar with the budget end of the canon lenses, what is generally recommeded?

My current thinking is EOS 30d or 40d or on the Nikon side D200/D90 if I can stretch.

The Canon bodies tend to be cheaper and after selling the Nikon lens that would release a little more cash for a lens or two (canon 50mm and maybe an 18-50 or something along those lines?)

If I buy a Nikon body the chances are I will have to stick with just the 50mm I have at the moment (no great pain I guess as it's a cracking lens!)

So my real question after all that is what canon lenses are worth getting which won't cost too much cash?
 
I have recently got a Fuji S3, Nikon 50mm 1.8 and Sigma 17-70 2.8-4.5 all for less than £250. (should point out the Sigma won't be here till tomorrow so can't say if it was a bargain or not yet!) Another option to throw in there. Love the S3 so far, despite it feeling like having a microwave round my neck.
 
^^ The S5 Pro is basically the same body as the D200 with Fuji's sensor in it which might appeal more.

In any case, why not a D200 again? Would be in your price bracket and with a 35 1.8 you'd have a cracking general setup
 
D3100?

I know its more a "beginners" camera compared with the D200, but you'd be surprised with the quality a "beginner" camera can produce now.
 
.......noticed a D90 for £325 in the classified...

.....but I am biased!

Heather
 
You are all suggesting bodies, I need to know about low cost 2nd hand canon lenses!

However, to answer the questions; I'm not interested in the entry level Nikons. I steered my brother away from that as I believe the lens cost makes them poor value in the long run. I would consider the Canon Lower end as they don't have this issue and am in fact watching some 450/500d kits on eBay. D200 is a possibility and is generally cheaper than the D90. I know of the Fuji, I have quite small hands and it looks a bit of a beast (the S3 that is!)
 
Last edited:
Cheaper Canon lenses include the 50mm 1.8, reputed to be fantastic value for money which you can get for around £50 used or £90 new, the 55-250 f4-5.6 is actually a corker of a lens for the relatively cheap price but I'm not sure how much they are, the underrated 18-55, again I think around the £50/£60 mark used but may come with a xxxD line Canon camera. There are other cheap lenses but I think these 3 probably present the best value but still give you results you are happy with
 
Ps I had the 500D and think its an excellent little camera, I upgraded to the 5D2 for weddings etc but my husband uses it (has always been a Nikon boy) and is impressed with how easy it is to make your selections and just get going
 
thanks Iris, some options to mull over.
 
I would go for the D90 Mike...paired with the 50mm you already have is a great start...then consider which direction your photography takes you in the future and pick up another lens in time...
 
SteveF said:
I would go for the D90 Mike...paired with the 50mm you already have is a great start...then consider which direction your photography takes you in the future and pick up another lens in time...
Click to expand...

The more a read about the D90 the more I think it maybe the way to go, my brother has one so I will have to have a play with his!
 
mak1 said:
The more a read about the D90 the more I think it maybe the way to go, my brother has one so I will have to have a play with his!
Click to expand...

If your brother has Nikon you can always steal, I mean borrow his glass...

I'm a Canon man myself and and would say buy a Canon, but at the end of the day they all take photographs and if your brother has the same make you don't have to duplicate lenses in the future.
 
mak1 said:
You are all suggesting bodies, I need to know about low cost 2nd hand canon lenses!

However, to answer the questions; I'm not interested in the entry level Nikons. I steered my brother away from that as I believe the lens cost makes them poor value in the long run. I would consider the Canon Lower end as they don't have this issue and am in fact watching some 450/500d kits on eBay. D200 is a possibility and is generally cheaper than the D90. I know of the Fuji, I have quite small hands and it looks a bit of a beast (the S3 that is!)
Click to expand...

Agreed 100%, Lens price and range on Nikon mount is pretty bad, I don't get why they're so popular. The S3 isn't as bad as it looks, It's a lot smaller than I expected it to be and is very comfortable to hold, with a couple of caveats: the AEL and Exposure compensation buttons require a long thumb or a bit of a stretch to use, and the portrait shutter release if not locked will be constantly knocked by your hand causing some bewildering AF behaviour!

Would definitely recommend the 17-70, around £150 on the bay. :thumbs:
 
An equivalent to the Nikon 18-70 is the Canon 17-85, but it's not as optically good as the Nikon and on the used market, is more expensive at about £200 from a used dealer. But it's the only real equivalent before you get into the 28-135s, which are a totally different beast in terms of focal length and are a 35mm lens in effect. Those go for about £200 too, decent money for a well made lens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top