How much are we working with?

I have a Nikon D40 with a 200mm lens and I love it! A buddy of mine has a 50mm lens that rocks. I am currently saving my pennies for such a lens.

Well I'm using a 20D and a 40D Ray.

Cheers,
Scott.

Hi Ray,
I think in the packages mentioned by you the lenses are not included. And if you want to have good quality glass you will even have difficulties to get a wide angle and a tele lens for ~1500$.
However, you can get a reasonable starter equipment for that money (up to a 300mm lens).

But before you buy a camera, go to shop and take it in your hands. The touch and feel is very important imo!

Regards and have a good choice!

Andreas

Ray,

I think most people agree that good glass is paramount, so why not checkout the new Canon Digital Rebel XSi (450D) that is about to be released. At $800 you can then save the rest of the money for some good glass.

I think you'll be disappointed in the bundle you mention not because of the camera but because of the lenses. I'd definitely recommend the 40D but at $1200 it doesn't leave much left over for a telephoto lens.

Nathan
PS. We met at El Centro Airshow last year, just haven't posted in the forums before!

The saying, if it seems too good to be true it usually is, holds true here. Be very very careful of many of these so called budget camera places as they will try as many tricks as they can to get you, some include literally shipping the body only, with no battery, charger etc. Or they try to get you to buy items you don't want etc.

Check out sites like http://www.resellerratings.com/ and http://welcome.bbb.org/ to see what others really think.

I can certainly recommend B&H in NY and Samy's in CA for web orders and I hear adorama is good too.

Nathan

A few comments that, taken together, might add up to $0.02.

First, be very wary of online camera sellers. I trust B&H, and I've heard good things about Adorama. After those two, the list is very short. Certainly, a new 40D being offered for $400 is a scam.

Don't buy packages or kits, because you're going to be saddled with poor-quality, mass production lenses. It's false economy.

Right now, DSLR bodies are evolving much faster than lenses (and dropping quickly in price, too). You should buy one of the newer starter bodies in your price range, like the Rebel XTi, Rebel XSi, Nikon D40, Nikon D60, or Nikon D80 so you'll have up-to-date technology. Then use review sites like Fred Miranda, Pop Photo and Photozone.de to identify the best lenses within your budget.

Finally, if you'll tolerate the plug, you can ask other aviation photographers about their equipment preferences here.

HTH,

-M.M.

Ray,

The cheapest I have found from reliable vendors is at newegg.com ($1100 body only).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=40D

Thanks guys, for all the info, links, etc. I've been a little side tracked lately with the server move and all, but will get back to the topic at hand soon.

I know it's about 9 or 10 months later. But just wondering if you ever got your DSLR Ray? With the holiday shopping season behind us there should be some great deals right now. I've seen Nikon D90's for 999 and for 1299 with 18-135mm VR. (canadian prices)

I've used only Canon since 1973. Never a problem. Even left one out in the rain over night. It still works to today. Go with Canon, the camera preferred by the pros.
Cheers,
Dave