Monday, February 09, 2009

Entry Level DSLR … Which?

This seem to be the most common question when someone wants to start investing in a DSLR.  The most popular, at the time of writing, would be Nikon D40, Nikon D60, Canon 1000D or Canon 350D.  Oh, and not forgetting the Sony A200, A300 and A350!  Now, I have always wondered why bother with the question as it is a moot question as all 3 brands are popular and so just go and touch one and if it feels right, get it.

[-] Sony: Large Aperture Affordable Prime Lens

However, after spending sometime with my own Sony Alpha 200 and also with my relative’s Nikon D40, there are some minor considerations.

Sony SAL-50F14For starters, I was looking for an affordable prime lens for candid shots recently, a 50mm F1.4 would be ideal.  Sony seem to offer this lens and Sony’s offering is also more affordable than both Nikon’s and Canon’s offering for the same type of lens. 

Unfortunately, it is beyond what I would pay.

Both Nikon and Canon have a 50mm F1.8 offering that is very affordable at around USD100/- street price.  Sony doesn’t have this offering BUT you can get the Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm F1.7.  Minolta no longer exist in this market since Sony bought them out but you can still find them used (sometimes new) and they are old!

I tried to search for a used unit but the going rate is about UDS130/- or more and they are very old lens (heard that they are more than 20 years old).  I even tried to bid for them on eBay and lost in all 20 bids that I made.

I guess I can either go for the 50mm F1.4 or just use my existing 18-70mm kit lens.

Coming up next … [-] Nikon D40/D60.

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