The Best DSLR Used or New for around 1K

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flipflop

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Hi,
Just wondering what DSLR you would reccomend used or new for under 1k. I am graduating from college and am planning on going back to Panama Central America to work. I will be working on a semi remote island as a bartender for several months. I think Digital will be a better option as I wont be able to get film developed and I own a 12" Mac Powerbook G4 1.33 with 1.25 gigs of ram 80gig hard drive + 60 Gig External drive and a 30Gig Ipod, so storage is not a problem.

I know this is not a rangefinder question, but I have been a member here for a while and I respect the opinions of the other members on the board.

Thanks for your input!

And Yes I will be taking some film cameras :p
Contax G1
Nikonos III
Nikon N90s
 
I've been looking at the new pentax cameras...The new nikon d40 looks interesting too...

Bocas del toro?
 
Sounds like you're on to an adventure! That's great!

OK, the bidness question. Judging by your signature, you may already have invested on some Nikon glass. Why not get the D50? I honestly am impressed by how well it handles color and white balancing. It's also a 6.x megapixel camera, which may be just the right megapix density for you if you're traveling with limited storage space, and besides, I believe that 6.3 megapixels is a good "bottom" threshold.

The Nikon D50 is also quieter than the digital Rebels. Look at me, I'm recommending a Nikon over a Canon. Only reason I haven't migrated is because Canon still kicks their @$$ when it comes to very high-ISO noise handling, and, well, they offer the 5D, which I love.

Your call.
 
I like Nikon, but I don't know that you can go wrong with any system. I happened to have several Nikon lenses so I kind of continued on from my Nikon SLR. I think you're really buying into a system. So whether it's Canon, Nikon or Pentax, just get something you're comfortable with.
 
Ikiru,
Yuppers Bocas Del Toro it is...I will be working on the main island of Isla colon...My family has land there but its not developed yet. We also have a nice piece of property closer to the city...1 hour "Costas Esmeralda"...
Im looking forward to it...
Panama is blowing up right now...Trump is building the Trump Tower....and the Ice tower is being built which will the same size as the Empire state blding.

Invest now if you have a few bucks
 
Since you're already shooting Nikon, then a D80 would fit nicely, unless you can get a lightly used D200 for around $1k.
 
what nikkors do you have? if they translate to a suitable range, here's another vote for the d80. if not, the new pentaxes look nice.
 
If you are already shooting Nikon look for a used D2H. Great camera that can take a beating. If you don't plan on printing really big then look for a D1H as well. Just buy some 3rd party batteries and you are set. I have shot with the D50 as well, but didn't like it as much as the D2H or D1H.

Of course I kept with Canon, but had to try out the Nikon.



Darrin
 
I went through this recently and bought an Olympus E-1. Nice ergonomics, built like a tank with good glass, and weather proof.

Like rangefinders there are those that don't get the 4/3 concept and only see the megapixels count as relevant. Meanwhile there are lots of very satisfied users.

Worth checking out.
 
The first results from the new K10D are beginning to appear and many are saying that it is far better than the C and N competion. It will use all the Pentax glass which is plentyful and good. Wait till next week and I will give you a user report. ;)

Kim
 
I can vouch for the D50 as a great inexpensive alternative; its small and has served me incredibly well for the past year. It has opened new doors for me in this world.

The low light performance is great, on par or at least up with the D2H (maybe not autofocus wise) The batteries last for well over 1000 shots, even shooting in RAW (and probably around 900 with my VR lens)

That being said, the D80 is just as small but with a much bigger viewfinder and more control of a semi-pro camera.

Also have you thought of an Fujifilm S3? a bit bigger but if you are on an island having that extra dynamic range it could provide would be excellent

at this point you can find them at 1100 dollars.... I saw one on Nikonians for right around 900 bucks with only about 3000 actuations.


If you are interested in the K110D: here's a review http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/pentaxk100d/

Also don't forget about the K10... weather sealed and better dynamic range than its brothers
 
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The D80 and now Canon 30D which is around $1000 after current rebate seem to be excellent choices. I have the K10 on my radar screen too. There are of course a zillion DSLRs now under that $1000 mark and they all seem to be very good and similar in many ways regarding performance and features. If you accept that statement, then my thought would be to buy a camera from a camera company, not an electronics company, support the "good" guys.
 
If low noise High ISO is really important to you then Canon is the king of the hill, otherwise I'd say they all do the trick pretty well.
 
Although I enjoy using my canon 350, the one thing I still have a hard time getting used to is the small viewfinder. If I was buying a dslr today, i would get one with a better VF.
 
K10D has a bright Pentaprism finder unlike others such as the K100D and is suppossed to be very no noise at high ISO.
 
I'm waiting for the Pentax K10D, too. 10MP, weather-sealed body, proprietary anti-shake with a claimed 4 stop advantage, hyper-manual function and, perhaps best of all, Pentax is the only company making compact PRIME lenses for a cropped sensor DSLR. Their new 21/3.2 and 40/2.8 are tiny.
 
Although larger, the 14mm is supposed to be quite good as well!

Kim

kevin m said:
I'm waiting for the Pentax K10D, too. 10MP, weather-sealed body, proprietary anti-shake with a claimed 4 stop advantage, hyper-manual function and, perhaps best of all, Pentax is the only company making compact PRIME lenses for a cropped sensor DSLR. Their new 21/3.2 and 40/2.8 are tiny.
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