Nikon DSLR - 300ish bucks

[347Mike]

I will be travelling next week and want to buy a DSLR that is fairly inexpensive. Last year when I was travelling my camera took a dump and I lost a lot of great opportunities to get some really good pictures. I don't want to miss out again. I am seeing D60's and D90's which one should I lean towards? All I am really looking for is a DSLR and Nikon. The factory lense and all that other stuff should be sufficient for what I am doing.

Thanks!

[roliath]

for 300 bucks, you might get a d40 or d3000.
If you can get a d90 for that price, jump on it. I paid 700 for the body alone.

[8mpg]

D90 is higher end than most of the stuff listed in the post. The D3100 is pretty nice though, but will be a bit higher in price.

Might check out and call around to some local Targets. They had the D5000 on clearance for $400 (thats what I paid for mine). They will be hard to find now, but if they have one, it will be even cheaper.

[ThreeFingerPete]

D90 is higher end than most of the stuff listed in the post. The D3100 is pretty nice though, but will be a bit higher in price.

Might check out and call around to some local Targets. They had the D5000 on clearance for $400 (thats what I paid for mine). They will be hard to find now, but if they have one, it will be even cheaper.

Nobody has them in TX and they stopped discounting the displays. Most of them were sent back to Nikon. I guess someone finally realized that they were losing their asses on the cameras.

[347Mike]

I was looking on CL. The models don't have to be top of the line, I just want a DSLR with lots and lots of MP.

[Chopped54]

I was looking on CL. The models don't have to be top of the line, I just want a DSLR with lots and lots of MP.

In DSLRs MP arent all that important, just a number to make you feel good....
My D70s was only 6.1mp

[motoman]

I was looking on CL. The models don't have to be top of the line, I just want a DSLR with lots and lots of MP.

Unless you're planning on printing off poster size prints or bigger, a 6-8 megapixel camera should do just fine.

[8mpg]

I was looking on CL. The models don't have to be top of the line, I just want a DSLR with lots and lots of MP.

My theory is buy the nicest camera for the amount of money you want to spend. The D90 is better than a D60

[CJ-95GT]

Subscribing. I need a new camera and I could go with either a Canon or Nikon.

[8mpg]

Subscribing. I need a new camera and I could go with either a Canon or Nikon.

dunno how much you know about DSLRs but the camera is much cheaper than a couple nice lenses. That being said, picking up used lenses is much better than buying new. There seem to be a lot more Canon lenses for sale all the time. This alone would lead me to buy a Canon.

...then things you learn AFTER you buy your first DSLR. If I had to redo it...Id go to Canon

[CJ-95GT]

dunno how much you know about DSLRs but the camera is much cheaper than a couple nice lenses. That being said, picking up used lenses is much better than buying new. There seem to be a lot more Canon lenses for sale all the time. This alone would lead me to buy a Canon.

...then things you learn AFTER you buy your first DSLR. If I had to redo it...Id go to Canon

So you're saying get a Canon body and shop around for a used lens? I'm guessing your local B/B or Frys is the place to go for the body or is it cheaper at specialty stores like Wolf?

[likeitfast55]

This was taken with a D-40

You don't need anything more unless you are professional and need to make poster size reproductions.

[8mpg]

So you're saying get a Canon body and shop around for a used lens? I'm guessing your local B/B or Frys is the place to go for the body or is it cheaper at specialty stores like Wolf?

Camera bodies can be purchased anywhere and they are all about the same price. Sometimes you can snag a good deal online. If you are buying local, I would HIGHLY suggest supporting the mom/pop shops like Arlington Camera or Ft Worth Camera.

Most of these cameras will come with a "kit" lens which is probably an 18-55 f3.5-5.8. It is so hard what to suggest for because it will depend how far you want to get into this, and what you plan on shooting.

I picked up the D5000 for cheap and have really started to enjoy photographing stuff. A good lens will set you back anywhere from $100 (for a Canon 50mm f1.8) to $2k (I know there are many lenses well above this price)

What do you want to photograph and how far do you want to take it?

[347Mike]

What is a nice general lens that will be good for normal shooting?

[8mpg]

What is a nice general lens that will be good for normal shooting?

what are you shooting? Indoor sports? Family portraits, animals, landscape? Such a huge range of lenses with different aspects that will make the difference.

Stereotypically there is the "Holy Trinity" (or variation of the name)
14-24mm
24-70mm
70-200mm

Price range is grossly different between brands and how "fast" of a lens you want.