The principal issue Joe is what brand and variety of lenses you already own, if any. If you own lenses, it's usually a good idea to stick with that brand when buying a DSLR. If you don't have the lenses, then that opens the door. Then of course there's the question of balancing features with your budget.
Hank, I don't have any SLR lenses, just the ones for my digital Panasonic Lumix, so my range is broad. I am really into nature photography, so I need some sort of long range zoom lens)es), such as 200mm, 400mm, 600mm.....
I would choose either Canon (my personal preference) or Nikon. Both manufacturers offer a great selection of lenses of the type you will need for nature photography, and several third party manufacturers make excellent lenses for them as well.
I reluctantly agree with Kelly. I would like to see more competition but Canon and Nikon are pretty far agead of the rest, with Sony giving signs that it may be considering raising the stakes (though too early to tell).
The lenses you listed can be pretty expensive (consider in the $5,000-7,000 range for a good 500/600mm lens) so I wouldn't necessarily recommend starting there. If I were starting from scratch, my shopping list in order of priority would be something like this:
* Mid-range camera body (Canon 30D or 20D, or Nikon D200). If you think you'll need full frame and can afford it, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Canon 5D.
* General-purpose zoom:
- For cropped frame cameras (20D/30D/D200) - something in the 18mm to 70mm range
- For full frame cameras - something in the 24/28mm to 105mm range
* Sturdy lightweight tripod - the Bogen 3001 is a great starter tripod, or you may opt for a more expensive carbon fibre model
* Tripod ballhead - this will serve you for life so you won't want to skimp here. I suggest something like the Kirk BH-3, Acratech Ultimate or similar. Also get matching plates for your camera and lense(s)
* Good mid-range zoom (70-200mm range)
* Short lightweight telephoto (300/4 or 400/5.6)
* Dedicated TTL flash unit
Of course you don't have to buy everything on day 1, but keep the concept of a system in the back of your mind - build it out as you go along.
I am glad to hear you are buying a DSLR-you will not regret it!
Guy has given some very good advice on equipment in general. I can only add that the two main issues (since you are starting from scratch) are cost and what your subjects will be. From what I have seen of your photos, I would say you want to do wildlife and nature, and probably alot of birds. If that is the case, you will need the best lenses you can afford.
If you are on a budget or want to "walk before you run" a "super-zoom" is a good way to go. I have used both the Sigma 50-500 and the Tamron 200-500 with good results. Keep in mind these are large (and in the case of the Sigma heavy) lenses and will be somewhat of an adjustment after the Panny. You will need a good monopod and tripod with head so figure that into the overall plan.
Another way to go is a 300 prime lens with converters such as the Nikon 300 f4 AFS by Nikon (if you go that way) with a 1.4 x and a 1.7x or 2.0x. This is a high quality lens that would be a notch above the zooms I mentioned. It will focus close allowing you to go from small subjects such as insects all the way to 500 or 600mm for birds (with converters). Ronnie Gaubert is an outstanding photographer here at NPN and if you look at his photos you'll see he uses the 300 almost exclusively.
Another consideration is if you want to go with a "crop factor" camera or not. If you do want to mainly do birds, insects, wildlife etc. I would say do go for one of these as they provide added reach. As far as Canon or Nikon, I have used both and they are both good.
In closing, I would say choose your system and then buy the best lenses you can afford. I would even go with a budget camera like a Nikon D50 or a Canon 350D to save a little if needed.
One thing I forgot to add Joe (hope this isn't information overload)!
One problem with Sigma is compatability issues. If you buy a new Sigma for either Canon or Nikon you should have no issues. But over time, the Sigma lenses tend to lose the ability to work with new cameras. This is definately a consideration when investing in lenses. I would say you should be able to buy a Sigma lense and use it for two or three years and then sell it and upgrade to something else-after that it might run the risk of being obselete. I had a Sigma 300 f4 for Canon which was a fantastic lens, but they stopped making them and they will not work with new Canon cameras without being upgraded. Trouble is, Sigma won't do the upgrades anymore!
Something to think about and you won't have any issues like this with Nikon or Canon.
Posted by Kent Staubus on June 12, 2006 at 12:32 PM
This is a common question but still requires careful thought. For starters, you seem to be concentrating on what camera to get. This is exactly BACKWARDS. The camera is the least important thing. The most important are the lenses, especially for something as specialized as wildlife photography. There are a few zoom lenses in the 400mm to 500mm range, but none for the 600mm. Canon makes a good 100-400mm IS zoom, and Nikon has the 80-400mm VR zoom (which I own.) On a digital they will perform like a 600mm f5.6, which is generally enough for wildlife. Both take 77mm filters--a good thing because they are plentiful and relatively affordable. If you add a Canon 500D to either lens you have a pretty good macro set up for about $100. The other choice is the Sigma 50-500mm. It's a pretty good budget lens, and can be had on eBay for about half of what a Canon/Nikon 400mm zoom runs (those are ~ $1,400). The Tamron 200-500mm has been getting good reviews, but I notice it doesn't have an HSM motor so focussing will be slower than with the Sigma. (The Canon/Nikon 400 zooms don't have a motor either and are slow to focus.) If money is no object, there is the Nikon 200-400mm f4 VR. Great lens if you have the bucks! With Nikon, there is one other lens you might consider. There is an older 500mm f4 P lens out there in eBay land. It is manual focus but has the "P" chip so it will meter with new Nikon cameras. This is a pro lens that I have used in the past and was very impressed by it.
Now on to something every bit as important as the lens, at least if sharp photos are your goal. You need a very good tripod. Not simply a "decent" one--a GOOD one. And a very good ballhead. If you don't hike all that much, the Bogen aluminum ones will work fine. Look for a Bogen 3021 on eBay. (No sense in paying for a new one.) For a head, I highly recommend the Arcatech Ultimate ballhead. It is bullet proof and a joy to use in all conditions. You will look at the price--about $280, and say, "But that's more than the price of even a new 3021 tripod!" And, you might be confused. Don't be. The tripod head is CRITICAL! Do NOT skimp here. Trust me--I learned the hard way.
Now for the camera, the least important thing. For my brother-n-law I recommended a Nikon D50. The sensor on it is excellent. It's a tremendous value, especially with the 18-70mm S lens. For Canon I'd say buy a used 20D. Yes, the 30D is out but for you that is good. The 30D is not really any better than teh 20D, and the 20D can be had for hundreds of dollars less on eBay etc. I shot with a 30D over the past 4 days and really don't think it's worth what it's priced. My own opinion.
The above system will give you great results and is relatively affordable. It is a complete SYSTEM!
----->Do not make the classic beginner's mistake of dumping most of your cash on a camera body. Cameras come & go. Good lenses and tripods you keep for years.
------>DSLR camera bodies quickly drop in value like a rock. Buy the minimum that will do the job. The D50 is an outstanding value. Buy that to get started, upgrade your lenses over time, get an even better tripod, and by then the price and capabilities of newer DSLRs will be a better value.
------->
------->Concentrate on the SYSTEM; put the camera out of your mind. Beginner's mistake.
------->
Kent in SD
Posted by Basil Greber on June 12, 2006 at 4:12 PM
I would throw in one caveat. If you want to go full frame, then your choices are largely limited to Canon. If you think you might want to go that direction in the future, you would be better off going with a lower end Canon, such as the 20D and then you can upgrade to a full frame later without buying new glass. I have not heard any rumors of Nikon going full frame any time soon.
Discussion
11 repliesI would choose either Canon (my personal preference) or Nikon. Both manufacturers offer a great selection of lenses of the type you will need for nature photography, and several third party manufacturers make excellent lenses for them as well.
The lenses you listed can be pretty expensive (consider in the $5,000-7,000 range for a good 500/600mm lens) so I wouldn't necessarily recommend starting there. If I were starting from scratch, my shopping list in order of priority would be something like this:
* Mid-range camera body (Canon 30D or 20D, or Nikon D200). If you think you'll need full frame and can afford it, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Canon 5D.
* General-purpose zoom:
- For cropped frame cameras (20D/30D/D200) - something in the 18mm to 70mm range
- For full frame cameras - something in the 24/28mm to 105mm range
* Sturdy lightweight tripod - the Bogen 3001 is a great starter tripod, or you may opt for a more expensive carbon fibre model
* Tripod ballhead - this will serve you for life so you won't want to skimp here. I suggest something like the Kirk BH-3, Acratech Ultimate or similar. Also get matching plates for your camera and lense(s)
* Good mid-range zoom (70-200mm range)
* Short lightweight telephoto (300/4 or 400/5.6)
* Dedicated TTL flash unit
Of course you don't have to buy everything on day 1, but keep the concept of a system in the back of your mind - build it out as you go along.
Guy
I am glad to hear you are buying a DSLR-you will not regret it!
Guy has given some very good advice on equipment in general. I can only add that the two main issues (since you are starting from scratch) are cost and what your subjects will be. From what I have seen of your photos, I would say you want to do wildlife and nature, and probably alot of birds. If that is the case, you will need the best lenses you can afford.
If you are on a budget or want to "walk before you run" a "super-zoom" is a good way to go. I have used both the Sigma 50-500 and the Tamron 200-500 with good results. Keep in mind these are large (and in the case of the Sigma heavy) lenses and will be somewhat of an adjustment after the Panny. You will need a good monopod and tripod with head so figure that into the overall plan.
Another way to go is a 300 prime lens with converters such as the Nikon 300 f4 AFS by Nikon (if you go that way) with a 1.4 x and a 1.7x or 2.0x. This is a high quality lens that would be a notch above the zooms I mentioned. It will focus close allowing you to go from small subjects such as insects all the way to 500 or 600mm for birds (with converters). Ronnie Gaubert is an outstanding photographer here at NPN and if you look at his photos you'll see he uses the 300 almost exclusively.
Another consideration is if you want to go with a "crop factor" camera or not. If you do want to mainly do birds, insects, wildlife etc. I would say do go for one of these as they provide added reach. As far as Canon or Nikon, I have used both and they are both good.
In closing, I would say choose your system and then buy the best lenses you can afford. I would even go with a budget camera like a Nikon D50 or a Canon 350D to save a little if needed.
Good Luck!
One problem with Sigma is compatability issues. If you buy a new Sigma for either Canon or Nikon you should have no issues. But over time, the Sigma lenses tend to lose the ability to work with new cameras. This is definately a consideration when investing in lenses. I would say you should be able to buy a Sigma lense and use it for two or three years and then sell it and upgrade to something else-after that it might run the risk of being obselete. I had a Sigma 300 f4 for Canon which was a fantastic lens, but they stopped making them and they will not work with new Canon cameras without being upgraded. Trouble is, Sigma won't do the upgrades anymore!
Something to think about and you won't have any issues like this with Nikon or Canon.
Now on to something every bit as important as the lens, at least if sharp photos are your goal. You need a very good tripod. Not simply a "decent" one--a GOOD one. And a very good ballhead. If you don't hike all that much, the Bogen aluminum ones will work fine. Look for a Bogen 3021 on eBay. (No sense in paying for a new one.) For a head, I highly recommend the Arcatech Ultimate ballhead. It is bullet proof and a joy to use in all conditions. You will look at the price--about $280, and say, "But that's more than the price of even a new 3021 tripod!" And, you might be confused. Don't be. The tripod head is CRITICAL! Do NOT skimp here. Trust me--I learned the hard way.
Now for the camera, the least important thing. For my brother-n-law I recommended a Nikon D50. The sensor on it is excellent. It's a tremendous value, especially with the 18-70mm S lens. For Canon I'd say buy a used 20D. Yes, the 30D is out but for you that is good. The 30D is not really any better than teh 20D, and the 20D can be had for hundreds of dollars less on eBay etc. I shot with a 30D over the past 4 days and really don't think it's worth what it's priced. My own opinion.
Here's what I recommend for my brother-n-law:
New:
Nikon D50, AcraTech Ballhead, 77mm polarizer, Canon 500D, Nikon 18-70mm, LowePro camera bag.
Used:
Sigma 50-500mm, Bogen 3021.
The above system will give you great results and is relatively affordable. It is a complete SYSTEM!
----->Do not make the classic beginner's mistake of dumping most of your cash on a camera body. Cameras come & go. Good lenses and tripods you keep for years.
------>DSLR camera bodies quickly drop in value like a rock. Buy the minimum that will do the job. The D50 is an outstanding value. Buy that to get started, upgrade your lenses over time, get an even better tripod, and by then the price and capabilities of newer DSLRs will be a better value.
------->
------->Concentrate on the SYSTEM; put the camera out of your mind. Beginner's mistake.
------->
Kent in SD
Basil
Nathan