My main interests are landscape/scenery and the compacts I’ve used just don’t meet the grade. In my price range, does it make sense to buy a cheap DSLR like the EOS 1000D/Rebel XS with a better than kit lens or should I buy something like the Nikon 5000D with the standard 18-55 lens? Many thanks!
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
| Bundle Monster 4pc. Padded Neoprene Compact DSLR Camera Lens / Lense Protector Pouch Bag Kit For Canon, Nikon, Etc |
 |
| List Price: Varies based on product options |
| Amazon Price: $15.50 |
| Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras |
 |
| List Price: $299.99 |
| Amazon Price: Too low to display |
| Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens |
 |
| List Price: $200.00 |
| Amazon Price: Too low to display |
| Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Standard Zoom Lens for Canon DSLR Cameras |
 |
| List Price: $1,100.00 |
| Amazon Price: Too low to display |
| Microscope Adapter for Canon D-SLR with 2X Lens |
 |
| List Price: $146.00 |
| Amazon Price: $79.95 |
Posted in 
Tags: 
It will only make sense to use a dSLR if you know what you’re doing. Invest half your money on a cheap dSLR. Use the other half for photography lessons. Without committing to study the basics of photography, you will only end up spending a fortune to get crappier pictures than your compact camera.
In buying a dSLR, consider only those from Canon, Nikon and Pentax due to their decades long experience in making cameras. Canon generally makes better lenses, Nikon is usually more technologically up-to-date while Pentax is the most compatible with regards to using its own older lenses. That is another way to say, if you have lots of cash to spare, go Canon, if you are tech-savvy, go Nikon and if you just want to photograph, go Pentax.
Most models at the lower end come with a 15-55mm (approximately) kit zoom lens and this is more than enough for the beginner. The money you save by studying and experimenting alone can be used later to buy more lenses that you may find you need.
Only buy lenses when you see the need to. The object of buying lenses is not for upgrading. It is for expanding your abilities to become more versatile. Different lenses have different uses and the kit lens can go a long way before you see the need for a more specific one. To upgrade, you simply buy a better camera body (the dSLR).
With that unloaded, consider the Pentax K2000d. It can be bought in a kit with a zoom lens and an external flash or in a kit with two zoom lenses, the second a 55-200 mm (or something to the tune of that) to allow you more pulling power for those far subjects. It is even small enough to shoot with one hand while in full automatic but with a turn of a dial can go to full manual for those critical shots.
Once you peep through a Pentax viewfinder, you would always wish for the same brightness in other brands. Best of all, you will have available to you an almost endless source of old lenses made by and made to fit Pentax. Even the old screw mounts will work with just the addition of a cheap adaptor. So why would you dare attach an old outdated manual lens on a digital camera body? Glass quality, my dear, plain superior old glass quality.
Although I’m slightly biased towards Nikon, the D5000 is a model I would avoid, at least for the time being. There have been a couple of issues with it, and many users had to send in their camera twice already.
The 1000D is a fine camera, and taking your interests for landscapes and sceneries into account, I would recommend buying the body only, and buy a good wide angle (zoom) lens instead of the kit lens – if funds permit, of course.
You used the word “cheap” to describe the Rebel XS. I own one and I can tell you there’s nothing “cheap” about it. The price is pretty good to be sure but it’s a wonderful camera. Equipped with the right lenses it’ll do a wonderful job.
Hi,
I would recommend to get the D5000 and a 18-200 lens. This will cover the whole range of most common needs. If you prefer to buy the kit please be aware that there will come the time where you wish to have either the 18-55 or 55-200 (depending on the kit you bought).
Enjoy your Nikon
If you don’t worry about Movie mode. Go for Canon EOS 1000D Digital SLR Camera (incl EF-S 18-55mm IS f/3.5-5.6 non USM Lens Kit) better