Looking to buy a camera, which would you get - $500-$800 range?

[Dan F]

My camera died recently and I am looking to buy a new one. I am thinking DSLR, but am open to most anything.

I can get a Nikon D3100 locally at Best Buy for $598.99(on sale, $101 off), which is what I am leaning towards. I could also get the D5000 there for $749.99. Does anyone know anything about these cameras and what the primary difference is? Are there better models in my price range?

I have also considered the Sony Alpha33 for$699.99 (on sale for $50 off). Any Sony fans out there? How do they compare to the Nikons?

Thanks for any input!

 

[jcardona1]

Used D90. Blows the D3100 and D5000 out of the water with features that pay for itself in no time: ability to use older AF lenses since it has an internal focus motor, and built-in Commander mode that can wirelessly trigger speedlights - invaluable for aquarium photography!

 

[GOAT13]

I'm a Canon fan so i would go with the t2i as that is what ill be upgrading to very soon! Otherwise the D90 is great if you can find a used one in your price range.

 

[Dan F]

Used D90. Blows the D3100 and D5000 out of the water with features that pay for itself in no time: ability to use older AF lenses since it has an internal focus motor, and built-in Commander mode that can wirelessly trigger speedlights - invaluable for aquarium photography!

I was afraid you might say that...

I'm not a big fan of used electronics, but BH Photo sells the D90 for $899 new (body only). I have an old Nikon 20/20 35mm AF camera with a 18-55 (I think, I'll have to check it out) zoom lens. So I could use my old Nikon AF lens with the D90?

$899 isn't far enough over budget to freak my wife out too much, maybe that is the way to go.

 

[Dan F]

I found my old 20/20. The lens says:

AF NIKKOR
35-70mm
1:3.3-4.5

It is almost 25 years old, but in good condition.

 

[jcardona1]

I think they should work. There's some really old lenses out there. Some may not give you any metering. Just do some research on that first. But in either case, these lenses wont autofocus on the D3100/D5000. As for used electronics, I wouldn't be that nervous about it. Get something a low shutter count, buy from craigslist, in person so you could inspect the camera.

Ask the seller to send you a recent untouched image from the camera so you could verify the shutter actuations. Just take the image and upload it here. Each image keeps a digital 'fingerprint' of all of the camera's info:

http://regex.info/exif.cgi

 

[jcardona1]

I found my old 20/20. The lens says:

AF NIKKOR
35-70mm
1:3.3-4.5

It is almost 25 years old, but in good condition.

Yeah that lens should work. Although this guy says it's one of Nikon's worst 10 lenses ever made lol

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/10-worst.htm

 

[yodaLBC]

u can actually get the Canon 60D for 800 ish.....my girl has it and ive tried it..i liked it alot..i have a canon 50D and a 5D by the way...and i think the 60D can do some damage JMO

 

[Dan F]

Yeah that lens should work. Although this guy says it's one of Nikon's worst 10 lenses ever made lol

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/10-worst.htm

Yikes!

I might just bite the bullet and shell out $1199 for a D90 with a lens, or maybe look into used cameras.

 

[Dan F]

I'm a Canon fan so i would go with the t2i as that is what ill be upgrading to very soon! Otherwise the D90 is great if you can find a used one in your price range.

u can actually get the Canon 60D for 800 ish.....my girl has it and ive tried it..i liked it alot..i have a canon 50D and a 5D by the way...and i think the 60D can do some damage JMO

I will have to look at the Canons as well. I have time to do a little research, so I don't want to jump into anything without exploring my options.