I have decided to finally upgrade and buy all new gear. I have been shooting on my Olympus E-500 for some time now. I love the Olympus, and have had a great time with it. However, I want and need better gear. I am focusing on band, concert, and natural light portraits. I am working with a budget of about 3k and would like some suggestions as to what Nikon gear would be best suited for me. A million thanks in advance for your help!
What about a D300 with an 85mm f1.8, and a 17-55mm f2.8? You might be a TAD over 3k, but not much. You'll get high ISO performance and a very high-quality 2-lens setup including an f1.8 prime that has great image quality. Keep in mind that the 17-55 is a DX lens so if you have intentions of going FX down the road, might be better spent on a lens that's FX-compatible. Buying the 17-55 used might be the ticket to save on any future losses in switching.
Otherwise, save a buck or two and get the Tamron or Sigma f2.8 equivalent, or even the excellent (but slower) 16-85 zoom and a couple different primes.
I'm sure others will have excellent advice here too... here it comes... watch right below this post here:
DJ...thanks for the advice....I was debating between the D300 and new D90, but I am just too impatient to wait a few more months for the D90 to start shipping. Nikon seems to have Canon beat in the low-light department. I am waiting for more advice as well...so can't wait....lol
I love shooting concerts also and have the D300 and feel very comfortable shooting ISO 1600. As far as a low light lens take a look at the Tokina 50-135mm f/2.8. It is compact enough and does a great job. At concerts I can't move around and usually stuck in my seat which is why I like the zoom vs. a prime.
Just wait a couple of weeks for Canon's announcement of the 5D replacement. These are the likely specs based on the most recent rumors:
* 21.1 MP 1.0x
* DIGIC IV
* ISO 100-6400 L:50 & H:12800
* 5 FPS
* 3.2″ High Resolution Screen (LCD)
* 19 point AF
* HDMI Out
* Liveview
* HD Movie Mode
* Viewfinder: 100% Coverage
* Full weather sealing
* EF Lenses only
In terms of low noise and IQ, it promises to be better than ANYTHING that is currently available from both Canon and Nikon.
bobbytan wrote:
Just wait a couple of weeks for Canon's announcement of the 5D replacement. These are the likely specs based on the most recent rumors:
* 21.1 MP 1.0x
* DIGIC IV
* ISO 100-6400 L:50 & H:12800
* 5 FPS
* 3.2″ High Resolution Screen (LCD)
* 19 point AF
* HDMI Out
* Liveview
* HD Movie Mode
* Viewfinder: 100% Coverage
* Full weather sealing
* EF Lenses only
In terms of low noise and IQ, it promises to be better than ANYTHING that is currently available from both Canon and Nikon.
cmon now, lets not put false information of a non-existent camera up. Hes asking for products that he cant buy now/in the near future. And if these are the "latest rumors", I'd have to say it seems very gimmicky. Imagin that, the D90 comes out with HD video, so now the rumors HAVE to include HD video for the new 5D. For some reason, I think these are just that.... rumors. Not a bit of truth to it until Canon says so.
anywho, for what you wanna do, I'd say save your pennies and go for a D700.
Unfortunately, the 5D replacement... with new lenses ...is not going to fit into a $3000 budget. If you've got Olympus, the E3 with some glass is quiet a good option. I shoot concert photography with an E3 sometimes, and they have some great lenses. The the colour is the most accurate from all the cameras in my opinion.
At some point, I'll probably stop borrowing the Oly's and Canons, just stick with the Nikon I've got. But that's for later.
bobbytan wrote:
Just wait a couple of weeks for Canon's announcement of the 5D replacement. These are the likely specs based on the most recent rumors:
* 21.1 MP 1.0x
* DIGIC IV
* ISO 100-6400 L:50 & H:12800
* 5 FPS
* 3.2″ High Resolution Screen (LCD)
* 19 point AF
* HDMI Out
* Liveview
* HD Movie Mode
* Viewfinder: 100% Coverage
* Full weather sealing
* EF Lenses only
In terms of low noise and IQ, it promises to be better than ANYTHING that is currently available from both Canon and Nikon.
if one is just too impatient to wait for the announced D90, he certainly can't wait for a speculated 5D replacement. While i'm sure 5D replacement will be great (i bet it will drive down D700 price quite a bit so i just got a D300 instead of a D700), i'm also sure that a 5D2 + decent fast lens will be over 3k.
i'd suggest a D300 + tamron 17-50 2.8 if you want a nikon.
a 40D + 17-50(Canon IS or Tamron) is not bad idea , it cost lower than D300 and are quite similar in features and capability.
bobbytan, where do you get the idea (or the hard info) that the 5DII will be better in noise and high ISO than the D700/D3? I am curious, having had them both (and the 5D). And in my view, the D3/D700 and the 5D are very similar IQ-wise at base ISO (certainly all are capable of pro-level work), but I must say I am curious as to the source of your claims.
As I see it, we are in a diminishing returns situation, now that D3s and D700s have been released—I can't see how this sensor can be 'greatly' improved in these regards.
OTOH, I will be very happy to be proved wrong here (excellent for all of us).
For me, I would not consider Canon at all, no matter what they do sensor-wise, unless they make something that's better than the the 14–24 and the 24 TS. This lack is what moved me away from Canon in the first place. cheers, KL
bobbytan wrote:
Just wait a couple of weeks for Canon's announcement of the 5D replacement...
Unfortunately, people have been waiting for the 5D replacement for a couple of years now, and there's still no sign of anything new from Canon... just a lot of wishful thinking from daydreaming Canon fanboys.
, it cost lower than D300 and are quite similar in features and capability.