??? for you photo bugs

joncat24 · #1 05/03/2007, 10:16 PM

I am looking into getting a slr. I have a kodak z612 right now which is point and shoot, 12x optical 6.1 mega pix.
I was looking at the olympus evolt e-500 with two lense kit at circuit city. How does this camera rate?? how does it stack up against the others in that price range or is it worth the money at all?

thanks for some help, cause I really know nothing about dslr's except that I know I want one.
here is the one I was looking at

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Olymp...oductDetail.do

GuOD · #2 05/03/2007, 10:26 PM

I honestly don't know much about entry DSLRs but I would only choose Canon or Nikon. They both allow tremendous future upgrade paths and I don't know anyone who has given up photography after first taking it up

Canon Rebel XTi or Nikon D50

joncat24 · #3 05/03/2007, 10:37 PM

how about the d40???

joncat24 · #4 05/03/2007, 10:43 PM

how does this one stack up???

http://www.butterflyphoto.com/shop/p...spx?sku=D40KIT

joncat24 · #5 05/03/2007, 11:12 PM

I see now that the d40 has nowhere near the features as the d50 and no auto focus...I think i have decided on d50.

Now, where do you guys suggest that I buy and which lense kit should I go with??
I want to stay under $700

edwing206 · #6 05/03/2007, 11:37 PM

I would get my D50 from bhphotovideo.com. That's actually where I got mine recently(about 2 months ago.). I LOVE my camera. It is very easy to use and goes right in my hand.
The D40 is actually newer than the D50. It is smaller, no auto focus so that means you have to focus manually or only get AF lenses.

edwing206 · #7 05/03/2007, 11:53 PM

I just looked on the bhphotovideo site and cannot find the D50 anymore. They were discontinued because the D40 came out. Most lens kits come with lenses that aren't very useful for aquarium photography, so I've been told. What kinda pictures do you want to take? Macros, full tank shots, fish shots? A lot of people use the Nikon 18-200mm VR for an all-around lens, it's around the 700 dollar mark or a bit higher.

edwing206 · #8 05/03/2007, 11:59 PM

Wait, did you mean $700 for both a camera and a lens?

maroun.c · #9 05/04/2007, 12:34 AM

Nope I guess he meant 700 + for the lens alone as this lens is so hard to find that you have to pay more than the official price to get it.
There are of course cheaper alternatives that still provide good quality glass at the price of conveninece. you can get the 18-55 kit lens and then the cheap (but apparently good) 55-200 VR. a better choice I guess is the 18-70 kit lens that comes with the D50 I guess. This lens will allow you more flexibility and no need to change lenses backa nd forth at the 55 mm range which could be in the middle of your shooting style. then eventually you can get the 70-300 mm which comes in 3 versions G (reportedly not as sharp as the others) Ed (better glass a bit more expensive) and the new VR one which is great in sharpness and has VR in addition.
Then of course you'll need a macro lens (60mm or 105 from nikon or 90 from Tamron or 105 Sigma)
I started with the 18-200 Vr as general all in one solution lens. works great especially in travel photography. then got a 50 mm for low light portraits shots then needed just a little more reach for wildlife so I got the 70-300 VR I still need to get the 105 Nikon Vr and a fast midrange zoom like the 17-55 nikon (very expensive but great lens) or may be the Tamron 17-50 2.8.
You might also consider the Tamron 17-50 as it's a ver fast lens compared to 18-200 VR and the 18-55 0r 18-70 and should give you nice full tank shots and fish shots. then maybe get a longer reach zoom and macro.
You have lots of options to follwo but remember a lens would serve for years, a camera body you will change a lot more often. some people still use lenses they used in film days so paying the extra 2-300 usd will satisfy you better in the long run. also it's very important to consider things your interested in shooting before deciding on your lenses.

joncat24 · #10 05/04/2007, 12:35 AM

yeah $700 for camera and lense. That's one reason I was looking at the olympus at CC. It comes with two lenses for $600

maroun.c · #11 05/05/2007, 04:35 PM

guess I was confused too. 700 usd for a camera and two lenses? I'm not familiar with the prices of Olympus camera and lenses but generally Olympus is expensive. I would try the camera and lenses to make sure they are good enough. Still that's cheaper than Nikon entry DSLR with kit lens.