New DSLR Rig from Scratch

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Archive 2009 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

Ransome
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p.1 #1 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

Hello FMers. (I just posted this in the Canon forum, but if I was starting over, I'd have to consider Nikon. I'm not too familiar with the lineup, but if you could substitute Canon with Nikon, what would you do?)

I have a friend, looking to jump into the DSLR world with both feet, see his situation below. I'm meeting him Sunday to discuss options. He's looking at FF (5D II), but I will also talk to him about crop (7D). He's still figuring out budget, so for the most part, I will start high, then work down. Here's what I'm thinking. Care to make your suggestions?

* Want's to make the move into DSLR. After looking at the options is considering the 5D II.
* Looking for recommendations on 3 to 4 lenses, with the expectation that he would spend around $1,000 for a good lens.
* Will be taking several trips, including cities in Asia and an African safari.

Here's my starting point.

7D Price Filter Size FM Rating
7D $1,700
EF 35 f/1.4L USM $1,400 72 mm 9.6
EF-S 10-22 3.5-4.5 $700 77 mm 9
EF 24 - 70 f/2.8 L USM $1,380 77 mm 9.3
EF 70-200 L 2.8 $1,900 77 mm 9.4
EF 1.4 x II $290 n/a
Total $7,370

5D II Price Filter Size FM Rating
5D II $2,700
EF 50 f/1.2 L $1,600 72 mm 8.5
EF 16-35 L 2.8 $1,520 82 mm 9
EF 24-105 L 4.0 $1,150 77 mm 9
EF 70-200 L 2.8 $1,900 77 mm 9.4
EF 1.4 x II $290 n/a
Total $9,160

Sounds like he's got some money to spend, but I don't think the sky's the limit. Wouldn't it be nice to start from scratch again. Have fun with this.

Thanks.

Edited on Nov 15, 2009 at 06:34 PM · View previous versions

Nov 13, 2009 at 06:12 PM

jdben622
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p.1 #2 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

Well, at 200mm (even with the 1.4x), you're going to be sorely limited for wildlife...not much of a range there.

Nov 13, 2009 at 06:15 PM

Ransome
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p.1 #3 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

Agreed, I was thinking travel kit. If I were shooting Nikon, I'd have the 200-400. Been drooling over that and the D700 for a while now.

Nov 13, 2009 at 06:21 PM

lou f
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p.1 #4 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

well he'll be doing himself a disservice if he doesn't go into a shop and play with the d3s and 70-200vrll.

Nov 13, 2009 at 07:07 PM

panos.v
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p.1 #5 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

Travelling? Not much experience with photography? Easy: D90, Tamron 17-50VC, 35/1.8 AFS or 50/1.4 AFS. Or the Canon equivalent. All that L glass is nice but no good if it is left back in the hotel because it is too heavy.

If I really wanted to spend lots of money on a Canon/Nikon SLR kit, I'd do a 5DII, 28/1.8 USM, 85/1.8USM and 135/2L. Or D700, 28/2 AIS, 85/1.4AFD and 135/2DC.

Nov 13, 2009 at 07:25 PM

Travelinbri
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p.1 #6 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

It looks like you are looking at a similar range to what I am, have you looked at some of the recommendations people have given me for travel kits in the 8000$ price range?

Something like:

5Dii+24-105L 3,500
100-400L (70-300 + a cheap secondary crop body a possibility as well) 1,600
16-35 2.8 1,500

That puts you at 6,600 with plenty of room left to grab either an expensive L prime (the 35 or 135) and a cheap small prime (the 50 1.4 or 85 or 100) and gives you 16-400. I would add a second crop body on there.

Nov 13, 2009 at 07:29 PM

LLondon
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p.1 #7 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

FF 700 24-70, 70-200 200-400 with 1.4&1.7 TC
DX 300s 10-20 , 24-70, 70-200, 300 with 1.4 &1.7 TC
Add a good tripod and head.

Nov 13, 2009 at 08:33 PM

Andre Labonte
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p.1 #8 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

FX Kit (~ $13K)
D700
14-24
24-70
85mm f/1.4
105VR micro
70-200 VRII
300 f/4
1.4 & 1.7 TC
SB900

DX Kit (~ $9K)
D300s
10-24DX
17-55DX
50 f/1.4
85 VR micro
70-200 VR
300 f/4
1.4 & 1.7 TC
SB900

Nov 13, 2009 at 08:36 PM

Chris Dees
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p.1 #9 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

If I understand correctly your friend is new to DSLR's and he has not much experience and the budget is about 10K?

Go cheap (second hand) and get some good books and/or take photography class.
If your friend still likes photography he always can upgrade after a few years.

D90/D5000/D3000 + 18-105VR and perhaps 35/1.8 + SB600

Nov 13, 2009 at 09:08 PM

Zachs
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p.1 #10 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

I say BE SMART. Beginner that wants good tools:

D300/s
18-55vr
70-300 vr

That will get plenty of excellent shots on the cheap.

Nov 13, 2009 at 10:15 PM

gunner.sip
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p.1 #11 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

yeah,
i think the kit
d90/d300 + 16-85 + 70-300
is unabeatable for that purpose at that level

Nov 14, 2009 at 11:38 AM

Andre Labonte
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p.1 #12 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

Hmmm, I did not read the OP close enough. I went off the gear list and proposed something comparable or better in Nikon. Given that he is a beginner, those lists are over-kill. For someone starting out but wanting good solid gear that will give them plenty of room to grow.

D90 in general (D300s only if he plans to do lots of action)
16-85 VR
70-300VR
50 f/1.8
85VR micro (only if he plans to do close up work)
SB-600

This kit should run < $3000 if going with the D90 and about $3500 if going with the D300s and the 85VR.

And for the true begginer just starting out, D5000 + 18-55VR + 55-200VR and an SB-600 for about ~$1000

Nov 14, 2009 at 01:55 PM

AdrianGB
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p.1 #13 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

If it was my friend, i would suggest looking at...

D300
16-85 vr
70-300 vr
50 f1.8

But since he seems to want a 5D, i'd recommend...

5Dmk2
17-40 f4
70-200 f4 IS
50 f1.8

This kit would be excellent - and the envy of a lot of Nikon users.

Nov 14, 2009 at 02:11 PM

sandra pix
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p.1 #14 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

I would start off with the D300, which is just a great utilitarian body, and then buy a zoom. I would also look at purchasing the 16-85 vr as my first lens, and play with this around the house and in the back yard for a while until you learn the camera. Lenses are not getting scarce, so you can add on as you decide what you like and what you are going to need. A great adventure - good luck!

Nov 15, 2009 at 04:03 AM

Andre Labonte
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p.1 #15 · New DSLR Rig from Scratch

I don't understand getting a D300 and putting consumer grade lenses on it. Granted, if you have a D300 there are times when you want light-weight lenses for walk around, BUT, in general, if you are going to have a camera like the D300, get the pro lenses to go with it. "Why?" you ask.

One is far better off to start with the much less expensive D90 and put the extra $$$ towards better glass or other itmes such as a flash or a good tripod.

Getting a top notch camera and putting consumer glass on it and going without necessary accessories like a flash & tripod makes no sense. It's always most cost effective on the long run to let the camera be the limiting factor, not the glass or accessories.

Nov 15, 2009 at 01:56 PM

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