A new dslr and limited funds

You can get also the full frame 17-35 2.8 or the 28-70 2.8 at those prices by second hand. The 17-55 2.8 might just be a tad less than that, in fact for DX one could get a $400 or $500 Tamron 17-50 2.8 that's been reviewed quite favourably.

That's how insane prices are now. Your $800 lens might be a variable aperture, f/4 lenses maybe $1200 and $1900 for the 2.8. That is the current new stuff from the US.

The 17-55 is selling for quite a good price, good lenses hold value better, at introduction I recall it was just $1,200. Not bad after 5yrs of use and lose $200.

OP needs to be sure if this is right for him or if sits in the corner.... Prices will just increase over time unless that trend breaks, the bodies seems to be the exception.

what do you have and what are your opinions of it/them?

Canon Powershot S95. One of the first compacts with full manual control and a fast lens. Designed as a 'carry all the time' camera for photo enthusiasts
Pros: small, light, reasonably fast lens, OK image quality for viewing on computer screen.
Cons: SLOW autofocus, long lag between shutter press and the camera responding. And I CAN'T SEE the damn viewscreen well enough in sunlight to evaluate photos just taken. 3 year old technology. Canon has updated the concept several times, improving it notably each time. The current model is S120

'
I didn't know if I would like the weight and bulk of a DSLR so I bought a heavily discounted, discontinued model. It has an APS-C size sensor. Most manufacturer's entry level DSLRs use this size sensor.
Sony SLT Alpha 33
Pros: Far better than the S95 in: image quality, focus speed, shutter lag, see everything I need in the viewfinder.
Cons: Worse image quality than it's competitors, weight, bulk, not durable - but I haven't babied it.
'
I've taken trips of 3 weeks and 6 weeks with the DLSR, I don't like the weight of carrying it all day. My next camera will be a DSLR with a viewfinder, micro four thirds or larger sensor and selection of good lenses. Leading candidates are the Fuji XE-1 and the Panasonic GX-7 (which will be released this month). I'm taking the S95 on the trip starting in 2 weeks because I'm not done camera shopping.

If you would read my post again, you will see that nowhere does it lean towards "Tell me which budget DSLR to buy". I am asking what people think of what they already have/have had and used and what their opinions are about it.

I've learned a new tactic to use when asking photography advice online. Thank you. Too many photo forums and photo forum participants only want to engage in seemingly never ending arguments about what's better. Asking about what they use takes the wind out of their sails or they plow on regardless.

Where I live there are enough expats participating in the photography section of the local expat forum that somebody finally suggested why don't we meet regularly. A couple guys, myself included, suggested we post URLS to our favorite photos, or all enter one of the many weekly/biweekly/,monthly online photo challenges, or all go shoot the same thing then meet so we can have some specific photos and photo situations to talk about. The first meeting never happened because most of the potential participants wanted to sit with a beer and talk about equipment, but none of them wanted to organize it.

@#22 that post I really like.

Re: what I have. Old Nikon D70. 9.5yrs old. I still use it b/c I shoot off a tripod more than enough for my camera club submission for competitions against other clubs in the country and exhibitions. If I don't get shortlisted it's me not the equip. For low light you may want a newer camera not necessarily full frame.

I also have a D600 but honestly it is now in the box. I regret that, if I sold now I make even larger lost, there have been guys here buying a local $3,000NZ D600 and selling it for under $2,000NZ 2 months out. If I did more low light walkabout I may use it more but for tripod work sunset and sunrise I don't see that much a diff. The D600 does give a more ready image out of camera but you can always spruce it up in post editing. In hindsight maybe I could have gotten a cheaper D7000 for me b/c I have some older leness ie 9 or 8yrs old that a D5000 or D3000 doesn't autofocus with. For better skintones if I did much of that the newer ones would be better but I seldom do it.

I am using film for my own ways but that's not related. I just enjoy shooting slides slowly like 3 rolls per week on holiday and get it right in camera, like the process and challenge of film. And film has a bit of texture difference.

I don't doubt all the nice stuff out there. For me I don't see the expensive stuff really worth it. And it is just a hobby for mine. So what I do is get older lenses that is cheaper so I can get the 1.8 aperture or I recently got a much older 2.8 mid zoom for kids and family and friends while they are in the park and the garden or at the cafe etc. I think that if you are shooting into the sun or looking at the fastest AF for sports etc .. with the faster engine or the lens coating they may be useful to get the image. But they come at a price certainly.

With my club photography, I compare myself to this member at my club, she's about 70yrs old and she has won at least a competition with a camera magazine and she has been shortlisted with a city carnival we had and has sold at least two print at the club's exhibition. Received various other comments by photography judges who were invited to my seminar judging evenings. Recently she was interviewed on our monthly newsletter and she uses a Canon Rebel body, kit lens and she has at least a 28mm prime lens the cheap one. She also said that she prefers light equipment. Well ok she probably doesn't get up 5am for a sun shoot or shoot models or sport figures. But you know ... with the club it's general photography, the odd sunrise and other bits and pieces, I was with her when I was with a group where each month we were given a theme and we went out and photograph in our own time and came back to show others, from the 6 we chose they select 3 which would be used for the end of year club slideshow presentation to the rest of the club. Topics like "negative space", or "finality" or "golden mile" or "mystique". Edit - and she has never used a film SLR b/c she felt it was just too hard and now likes digital b/c she has the instant feedback.

But if you look up Mike Hollman locally here, who is a travelling pro, bit kind of an unorthodox, he has won some gold medal awards (those for working professionals) travelling to China and other places like that ie Yelllow Mountain and around where the Croutching Tiger was filmed. He does have some 2.8 lenses but at other times he has also used a Nikon D4 with a 28-300mm lens which technically is said to be inferior. As well as other 16-85 isn't that, a niceer lens but not the most expenisve. Check out his website or Facebook, he provides settings there ...

Edited by: Rayonline

Thats just brilliant and thank you for it. Today I have been looking on fleabay :) at so many products too. I am defo steering towards something that has done people proud and is certainly not new.

I often buy second hand lenses, but new ones. New AF-G types, but few months old, often still in warranty. Usually I get about 20% off if looking around long enough.

Have pointed out the reasons why I recommend FF lenses even on a DX body.

For used stuff, if you wanna do a bit of everything don't get tooo old unless you are like me and only shoot on a tripod. Have a look at the prices out there ... get something modern but maybe not the current if you want a bargain. If you are looking to photograph abstract or sunset it doesn't matter that much b/c the light is quite changeable anyway every different day but if you want to photography people, clothing, indoors with interior lights etc ... it matters more. Maybe compare prices to HkG which they provide free delivery, not sure if you get hit with import tax t hough. They tend to be better price than the USA with the hassle of warranty these are new byt he way, so no local USA or whatever warranty. Sometimes a nice used item in the USA could be quite similar to a new HKG product.

RE: the new entry models or the last season's stuff that's quite good price in the USA or whatever already maybe the savings won't be much. With lenses it's up to you. More expensive will be better but once provided to people it may nto matter that much .. But I think if you want it for sports, very nice portraiture than just a quick shot on holiday or at the park .... or maybe you want to capture portraiture in the evenings outside yeah ... But maybe that is later on. It's away from convenience. Your big fast zooms or a few primes. But that migh be you are into photography. If you want to keep it cheap how about a kit lens so it is general purpose with a 35mm 1.8. If you really love it later on ... maybe a 85 1.8 for portraiture and then on and on .... they surely do add up. It just depends what you are into, one guy likes streets but all he has is a 35, 50 and 85 - primes only. One other I know has a 24-70 and a macro b/c she is into children and wedding, coffee, food and macro of flowers and water dew drops. They both do have full frame. So without the 1.5x. LIike for me I hav a old 35-70 2.8 very cheap but I don't really use it, it's mainly just my obligation lens for family and friends that I cannot avoid. At my camera club a guy went from a Panasonic to a SLR he got a Canon he went straight to a 5D II at the time, 2x 2.8 zooms but he didn't get the wide angle version b/c he said he doesn't do much of that which is pretty similar to those who are into people, there are those out there who prettty much photograph a narrow set of subjects. It's all great and good - it depends on you really use them.

Thank you again.

For a simple answer, let me simply say that if you want a simple, easy to use dSLR, go with the Nikon D3100 or Canon EOS1100d. Both are entry level dSLRs, and pretty cheap. In fact, the Nikon D3100 has been superceded by the D3200, so the older D3100s go pretty cheap.
I have used the D3100 extensively and the earlier Canon EOS1000d. Both are entry level dSLRs, but have pretty good features.
The Nikon D3100 also has a 'guide' mode which will help you in most photographic situations. The only irritating feature I found with it is the 'D-lighting' feature, which automatically brightens photos in high risk situations. But you can work your way round it with a little practice.
The D5100 is a little more advanced, and has a swivel LCD (all models I have mentioned before have fixed LCD screens) and when I bought my D3100 was considered a better option due to its slightly more advanced features. This too has been superceded by the D5200, so you may get the D5100s pretty cheap nowadays.
I recently sold my D3100 and upgraded to the more advanced D90 (the best in its class at one time, now sadly discontinued) and a D7000. (just got it, haven't used it yet).
In conclusion, you can't go wrong with the Nikon D3100 or D3200, or if you have a little more money and can afford to pay a little extra for some better features the D5100 or D5200 (biggest plus point in these is the swivel LCD). If you are a Canon fan, the EOS1100d. (or if you have spare cash the more advanced EOS650d).