Looking for a new DSLR

bass76

bass76

VIP Member
I've been an amateur photographer since I was 10, (I'm 32 now so a long time) starting off with an already old completely manual Ricoh 35mm, then a really nice Pentax. I was slow to move into digital, getting a compact Olympus FE that ultimately died from sand 'infection', lol. I wasn't impressed with it at all either. Money or lack of it or having to prioritize has always kept me from getting a DSLR but now I have some to spend. :) Currently I have a Canon A630. It's a very nice camera but I feel limited. I have all the knowledge regarding the act and art of photography but not so much on the subject of digital, and what to look for.
The cameras that I've short-listed for myself are:
Pentax K20D - I really like Pentax. I can get this (body only) for around $AU1250 / $US790.
Canon 450D - I can get this camera with a twin lens kit (EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS and Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS) for around $AU1250 / $US790.

Any other suggestions roughly in that price bracket? Bearing in mind value for money lenses etc.
 
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Well I can tell you that I have the XSi (same thing as 450D), and it's a great camera. I'm selling mine to get a 50D (maybe), although while I've never used the K20D I'm sure either one would suit your needs. The XSi is cheaper and the kit lens is decent to start with).
 
Hey Bass,
Do you still have your Pentax lenses? If so, The K20D is backwards compatible with all Pentax lenses, some need an adapter, but all will work.
I can't rave enough about the K10D & K20D ergonomics, they are a pure joy to hold and work with. It just feels right, I don't know how else to say it.

The K20D is leagues above the 450D, they look fairly similar on paper, but when you hold one you'll know what I mean. The K20D is a robust semi professional tool when the 450D is a consumer toy.
 
Thanks guys for your input. Vroom, no I don't have any of my old stuff, I gave it to my sister for her photography classes (the teacher was making them go old school before using digital). Yeah theres something about Pentax. In my mind, since I was a kid, the name Pentax has been synonomous with photography. I want a camera that I can use for a long time, not wanna trade up after a year or so. What lense(s) do you recommend? Kit lense or choose one myself?
 
What brand are we talking about for the lenses?

I don't really recommend kit lenses that much, but Pentax's are quite nice.
If I was in your shoes I would get the K20D for $700 (amazon) and either the Pentax 16-45mm for $350 or the Sigma 17-70mm for $340.

That would get you some serious equipment for around 1K
 
vroom_skies said:
What brand are we talking about for the lenses?

I don't really recommend kit lenses that much, but Pentax's are quite nice.
If I was in your shoes I would get the K20D for $700 (amazon) and either the Pentax 16-45mm for $350 or the Sigma 17-70mm for $340.

That would get you some serious equipment for around 1K
Click to expand...

That was my next question. What are kit lenses like? So Sigma lenses are pretty decent?
 
O yeah, Sigma has some great lenses.
Kit lenses aren't bad, it's just when your buying a nice camera to begin with, why would you want to limit the cameras ability with a cheap lens.

This doesn't mean you have to spend a thousands bucks on some nice glass, but the lens is the most important part of the bunch.
 
I'm not way into photography, but I have been looking into getting a DSLR sometime soon. I recently used a Nikon D60 and absolutely loved it. I was looking at maybe getting a D40, because people say it has the same sensor as the D60 and D80 for much cheaper. Plus, with such a cheap camera, you can spend the rest on lenses.

Besides, it's not completely the camera, it's the photographer as well. Just my two cents.
 
vroom_skies said:
O yeah, Sigma has some great lenses.
Kit lenses aren't bad, it's just when your buying a nice camera to begin with, why would you want to limit the cameras ability with a cheap lens.

This doesn't mean you have to spend a thousands bucks on some nice glass, but the lens is the most important part of the bunch.
Click to expand...
I just bought a Sigma lens as well, this is my first one so I'm interested to see how well it performs!

brycematheson712 said:
I'm not way into photography, but I have been looking into getting a DSLR sometime soon. I recently used a Nikon D60 and absolutely loved it. I was looking at maybe getting a D40, because people say it has the same sensor as the D60 and D80 for much cheaper. Plus, with such a cheap camera, you can spend the rest on lenses.

Besides, it's not completely the camera, it's the photographer as well. Just my two cents.
Click to expand...
It's all the photographer, you could give a 5D Mark II and the best L glass to an amateur, doesn't mean the pictures will look good.
 
Whats the difference between a kit lense and buying the camera body and lense seperate?
On the digital camera warehouse (aust) website they're selling the K20D body only for $1,225. With 18-50mm & 70-300mm Sigma Lenses the price is $1,339. To purchase these lenses seperately would cost $475 with a body + lenses price of $1,700. If they're the same lenses I'd be a fool not to get the kit lenses. Thoughts? Are they the same?
 
bass76 said:
Whats the difference between a kit lense and buying the camera body and lense seperate?
On the digital camera warehouse (aust) website they're selling the K20D body only for $1,225. With 18-50mm & 70-300mm Sigma Lenses the price is $1,339. To purchase these lenses seperately would cost $475 with a body + lenses price of $1,700. If they're the same lenses I'd be a fool not to get the kit lenses. Thoughts? Are they the same?
Click to expand...
There's no difference, an 18-55mm kit lens is the same as if you bought the 18-55mm lens later on, you usually get a deal since you are buying an expensive camera.
 
I can't find the K20D on that website, but I'm most likely just doing something wrong.
Well as you know neither of those lenses are the true Pentax kit lens, they are both cheap Sigmas.
I don't know how those prices relay into US, but I would still think it's best to get the body and then a nice lens catering to what your shooting styles will be.
 
Ha, tangents are fun.

Do you have any idea of what your preferred focal length would be?
The last option with the two kit lenses doesn't sounds bad at all. They aren't the best quality, but I've seen some stunning work come from both. It seems like the most logical approach and will give you time to decided where you want to move next.

Here is a gallery showing what the two lenses are capable of:
- DA 18-55 II:
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/h...ection=3680&subSubSection=2724574&language=EN
- DA 55-200:
http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/h...ubSection=60&subSubSection=164569&language=EN

Hope that helps,
Bob
 
Well, I really do want to get the Pentax. Those two lenses will give me more flexibility than one lense. Pretty good deal too. I'm not really in a financial position to go for super quality so I'm happy with middle of the road. Thanks Bob, you've been a power of help. :)
 
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