if you were to buy...

[back alley]

if you were to buy...
a used dslr with a kit lens, to mostly play with, and pay up to $500., what would it be?
lower light capability, enough megapixels for a nice 8x10would be nice.


joe

 

[Uwe_Nds]

Pentax K100D super due to downward compatibility of lenses.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/438218-REG/Pentax_19018_K100D_Digital_Camera_Kit.html
We are very happy with our *istDL2.

Best regards,
Uwe

 

[sherm]

The XTI is a nice choise or even the Pentax istD.

Lot's of lenses to use with these bodies

 

[dazedgonebye]

I'm not sure you can get an XTi the cheap...
But, a 350 XT can be had at adorama for $429. That leaves you enough for the 50mm f1.8 or perhaps a used "kit" lens.

 

[rolleistef]

Pentax k100D I've got one and it's a wonderful camera. Much better than a d40 cause dof preview, sensor stabilisator etc.

 

[ferider]

I wouldn't buy a DSLR.

I would trade the R4M against a couple of lenses. It so happens that
I might have some interesting ones for you, for example a 40/1.4 S.C. 😀

Roland.

 

[HuubL]

if you were to buy...
a used dslr with a kit lens, to mostly play with, and pay up to $500., what would it be?
lower light capability, enough megapixels for a nice 8x10would be nice.


joe

Traitor!

I would go for a nice 20D. Build, High Iso-Low Noise (you'll probably going to like it and then build becomes important). Okay, you could get the body only for that money, but a kit (zoom) lens can be had for 100 USD. And if you want DOF better buy the super cheap AND high quality 50 mm 1.8.

 

[mfogiel]

For the image quality - Fuji S3, with any old nikkor lens...

 

[photogdave]

For $549 you can buy a brand new Pentax K100D Super with kit lens. Built-in image stabilizer, self-cleaning sensor, 6MP, AA batteries, 2 year warranty and all those old Pentax lenses!

 

[oftheherd]

For the image quality - Fuji S3, with any old nikkor lens...

Nobody loves Fujica more than me. But are you sure they can play against Canon or Pentax?

 

[shadowfox]

If you want 8 Megapixel (nice, I mean *really* nice 8x10 prints), Oly E-300 is your camera.

It only cost about $300 now with the kit lens, spend the rest of the budget for adapters, 4/3rd system has lots of adapters for you to choose from. It has something todo with the proximity of the sensor to the lens register, or something like that (I am obviously not a lens adapter buff).

 

[Kim Coxon]

Joe,
You know I am biased but the K100 is a good deal. Only "problem" is that it has a Pentamirror. If the image stab is not important, I would go for the istD or istDS if you insist on SD cards rather tham compact flash. Huge range of K mount lenses without all the problems with adapters etc. Everything from the cheap but very good A series lenses to the fantastic Ltd's.

Henry's have both the istDS and the K110 in for $399 and a good selction of lenses. My "usual supplier in the UK has the 18-55 kit lens in for £29 new (around $60) if you can't find one over there. They also have the K100 with both the 18-55 and 50-200 lenses new for $650 CAD

Kim

 

[back alley]

oly's and pentaxes and trades oh my!!

 

[MCTuomey]

For the image quality - Fuji S3, with any old nikkor lens...

agreed - and i'm a canon guy for dslr's. there is something wonderful about that foveon sensor. really wonderful skin tones, for example.

but if money were any kind of issue, how about a canon 10D (saw one for around $300) and an EF 35/2? i like 10D files, always have.

 

[rover]

Joe, with the current rebates look at new DSLRs, I would guess you can get one, a Rebel, Nikon D40..... for just over $500. I am looking at prices of the Pentax K10D and for body alone, after rebate the cost is @$530, amazing how low the cost has come down. I was in a shop last week and the owner told me this week there will be a $100 price cut for the Rebel XTi.

 

[back alley]

the offers are pouring in...ok, i have had 2 trade offers so far.
lots to think about.
joe

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I got a 2MP small digital P&S from Chris here... and I regret to inform that it hasn't swayed me towards the digital horizon one byte (bad pun intended).

It's useful, I won't deny it... but nope.

However, to reply to the question posed... if all these circumstances were to coincide: a Nikon D3.

Those who wait get their reward... if Nikon D70s are selling right now for $400, I can wait to snatch a used D3 some day. 🙂

 

[jky]

What's always intrigued me was the Oly E-1. I've only had a few minutes with it in a store in Portland, but I was amazed with its ergonomics, handling and especially that quiet shutter. Don't know if it can be picked up for $500.00 though...

 

[Trius]

Joe: When Gene had his *istD2-s (?) I was most impressed with the viewfinder. This coming from an OM guy. Not an OM VF mind you, but enough to keep me from grumbling. And with the wealth of M42 primes out there, how could you go wrong?

Believe me, when you and another RF shooter get/gets a DSLR the first thing you will fuss about is the viewfinder. Think about it.

 

[shadowfox]

Joe: When Gene had his *istD2-s (?) I was most impressed with the viewfinder. This coming from an OM guy. Not an OM VF mind you, but enough to keep me from grumbling. And with the wealth of M42 primes out there, how could you go wrong?

Believe me, when you and another RF shooter get/gets a DSLR the first thing you will fuss about is the viewfinder. Think about it.

Quite right, Earl. For a while I scratched my head wondering why Gene got the *ist ?? That's before I realize the abundance of K mount lenses that is useable without any adapters. Slap an M42 adapter and you'd literally be swimming in the sea of good optics.

At $69, the M42 to 4/3rd is a bit too expensive for my taste. 😛