AUD$3500 to spend on a kit... what would you recommend?

[robster]

...and from who?!

I have just secured funding for the new kit. AUD$3500.

I currently have a film EOS5 with a 28-80 lens attached. That is as far as my backlog of glass goes so i'm not overly attached.

CAMERA
I've been swaying heavily between the EOS30D and the Nikon D200.

LENS
Of course then I need glass to go with whichever I choose. I am shooting mostly studio and location based fashion.

EXTRAS
Extras like compact flash etc I can go above the $3500, but not a lot, I'm more interested in a second hand or very cheap studio lighting setup (softbox, brolly, backdrop etc).

I know this doesn't leave a lot of dough for any of the three main parts, and lighting can suffer as I'm sure I can build it in time.

What would you do? I'm truly, totally in need of direction and need to purchase by Monday


Rob



EDIT: this is tempting: http://www.qualitycamera.com.au/product ... ts_id=1556

[Nnnnsic]

D200 and 28-70

[Glen]

Rob, either would be good, I would probably buy a cheaper body and get good glass maybe 28-70 2.8, 85 1.4 or 1.8 and a D70S or similar in Canon

[Jeko70]

Rob, either would be good, I would probably buy a cheaper body and get good glass maybe 28-70 2.8, 85 1.4 or 1.8 and a D70S or similar in Canon

Agree!

Invest more on lenses not on cameras.
Any brand is good, of course I'm a Nikon partisan but Canon will be good indeed.

What about 2 hand gear?

[moz]

Yeah, with only $3500 to spend I'd be looking at a budget like this (for Canon gear coz i know that):

- $1500-ish camera body - 350D, second hand 20D
- couple of $700-$800 lenses, probably a second hand 28-70 or a Sigma 18-50/2.8 (or 28-70) and a fast prime of some sort - 85/1.8 maybe.
- either the kit lens or a 50/1.8
-leaving $500 for a cheap studio setup if you're lucky

[Justin]

An EOS 5 - I don't know CANON very well, but the fewer the zeros in the model the more the zeroes in the price? I had an EOS 5000...

So if you are used to a serious camera - D200, as NNNNNNsic says (sorry, don't know when to stop NNNNNNing). Otherwise - D80 if you can get it.

I have the 18-200 VR with mine - fantastic lens but not near the serious quality of the 28-70.

J

[Glen]

Wont get a D80 by Monday, not even Monday next month Good suggestion though.

[Alpha_7]

I don't usually bother trying to help with these, but I'll give it a go.

2nd Hand d70/s ($500-600) (get a low milage one)
28-70 - $1670
85mm (1.4 or 1. the 1.8 is better value for money, IMO (520 -1330)
sb-600 / sb-800 ?? or skip it and go straight to brolly, softbox etc..

[Oz_Beachside]

hi,
Ive recently made the change from 35mm to dslr, and I started with the D70s with kit lens. I'm dissappointed that I hadnt thought further ahead, asI am about to get the 28-70, with the intention to scrap the 18-70.

I also love the 85/1.8, and would love to get the 1.4.

Agree, and highly recommend, going with a lesser body, and more glass. Given the recent release of the D80, the D70s and D200 will have nice downward price pressure around Christmas time.

Perhaps a D100 for a bargain, and (depending on your preferred usable focal length) an 17-35, 28-70, or 80-200 (all 2.8's). Then upgrade the body nicely when the 10MB D80 is on the shelf October (as a CHristmas present to yourlsef)?

Get great glass, and love the color sharpness!!!

have fun

Oz

[Justin]

And with the recent round of upgrades - don't spend it all at once - I reckon there might be a few good second hand items going up for sale round here sometime... just a guess...

[robster]

And with the recent round of upgrades - don't spend it all at once - I reckon there might be a few good second hand items going up for sale round here sometime... just a guess...

Well, I'm a man with money burning a hole in my pocket You all know the budget and the advice, so if anyone is thinking of unloading, I'm ears open


Rob btw, I really appreciate all this. I'm starting to sway towards the 2nd hand 20D's on ebay for around $1500, and saw some nice sigma 2.8's on ebay for $500 each. That leaves a bit left for other goodies/necessities... The picture IS forming

Rob

[Laurie]

i am of the opinion of going the lower end dslr or 2nd hand higher end dslr and getting some good glass. the camera body is always upgradable and if its well looked after and serviced you could fetch a decent price when it comes time to eventually upgrade the camera model. only problem is that once you start buying lenses you are almost suck with that brand.