looking for feedback about 1st dSLR choice

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ruiformi

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Rui
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Hi all!

I'm willing to get my 1st dSLR and I'm sorta (hella) confused.

Been reading a lot of reviews, opinions, checking prices and everything you can imagine, but the more I try to know, the more confused I get <.<!

Having a budget of 600~700€, I can't decide which is the best choice between:
Nikon D5000 / D3100
Canon EOS 550/500D
or if I should lose my mind and go D90 (which probably is too much for a 1st Reflex).

I'm planning to use the camera mainly in some portraits and landscapes, takin' also some pics of my mates doing bodyboard now and then.

Video is totally out of the equation. Well, it's a cool thing but what I really want is too take pictures. Else I'd be lookin' for another product :D

Just to finish my "profile", it will be, indeed, my first dSLR but I've been using a Bridge for the last 2 years so I have the super basic photographic concepts in mind (iso's/f's/exposures/etc).

Ah.. and sorry :\
Bet you'r all tired of this kind of questions, but since you guys have way more knowledgement than I do and - i hope - some experience with the models I refered, I'm sure this isn't the wrong door to knock :D

Oh, and also sorry for my lame english skills ;x I'm portuguese.

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,
Rui
 
Rui, your English is far better than my portuguese so relax!!

Is your budget for camera and lenses or camera only?

If its camera only, then go for the D90, or canon 50D equivilent.

If you need everything, then you may struggle, but I'd suggest canon 450d or 500d body with a 50mm f1.8 for portraits, the canon 50-250mm for the bodyboarding, leaving a few euros for the wide angle for landscapes.

There will be something similar from Nikon, but I don't know their system very well.

All cameras in the last couple of years should be fine, you really don't need the latest models, make sure you spend whatever you can on quality lenses,
 
Thanks for the fast replies!

I've been checking canon 500d packs' prices.
Cheapest I've found is 500d + 18~55 IS + 55~250 IS for 720&#8364; (being the camera's body 480&#8364; if bought alone)

Same lenses kit but with the 550D body, would be 840&#8364; (way over my budget) ;(
Canon 550D + 18~55 IS would be 650&#8364;. BUT.. isn't the main difference between 550d and 500d the video thing? I know that on specs the 550d is still superior, but... in real life situation: does it really worth it, if you don't care about the videos at all?

I do believe that the 18~55 would be enough for now, since I'm a beginner with SLRs. But knowing myself, I'm sure that in 2 or 3 months I won't take the larger zoom lens out of my mind, wondering about it's results >.<
Not saying that I'm not planning to get another lenses.. ofc i do! Just not in a so-close future :)

So... I'm debating myself with this:
500D with 2 lenses (18-55 + 55-250): 720&#8364;.. 'kay!
BUT with more 35&#8364; I could get the D90 with a 18~105 VR (755&#8364;)!

FML :D
 
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Rui, if my Portuguese were as good as your English I'd be bragging :lol:

As a Canon user I would suggest you get the 500D and a walkabout lens such as an 18-200 (I use this range for pretty much all you mention, not the body boarding). My Sigma 18-200 has been used to make most of the images on my flikr.

Before you settle on a either Canon or Nikon I would recommend you go to a shop and feel them in your hand. Once you know what 'feels' right your decision is made :thumbs:

Enjoy this VERY expensive hobby :laughing:
 
Thanks for your advice Tina!
Will sure follow it as soon as possible :D

Great pictures on your flickr btw, stunning landscapes with great colours :o

Regards,
Rui
 
TinaC said:
My Sigma 18-200 has been used to make most of the images on my flikr.
Click to expand...

Grrr, just making my decision much harder.

Thinking of a 550/60d at the moment, and want a nice walkaround lens to start of with. All the reviews talk about big compromises going for a superzoom, but all those shots are all fantastic.

Im not gonna be zooming into the edges of pictures and comparing pixels, so the flexibility of a lens like that really attracts me.
 
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