What DSLR for 1 grand?

[gherkins]

I want to buy my wife a DSLR for Xmas - we currently have a Pentax ist DL2 with the kit lens, which was ok at the time, cheap and never had a problem, but my wife now wants to improve.

So, on the list for under 1000 quid is:

D7000 with kit 18-105mm VR lens

K-5 with or without kit lens (can use old 18-55mm lens we have) and prime limited 35mm (f2.8) lens

or K-5 with either Sigma 17-70mm (f2.8) or Tamron 17-50mm (f2.8)

She's used to the Pentax and likes the size. Also, as the K-5 is slightly faster shooting, perhaps it'll be better for photographing our never-still toddler, although probably negligible difference. My main concern is getting into a dead-end system.

I also thought of a lower model (e.g. D5100 or 550D), leaving more money for lenses, but the difference in price to the Pentax is not so much.

Any other suggestions? HELP!!!!

[itsnotarace]

Spend the majority of the budget on good glass. Bodies are disposable items these days, good glass will last a lifetime if well cared for.

[nickfrog]

Absolutely. 400d second hand for next to nothing, they are nice for small hands. It's all about the glass.

[cornet]

I sound like a broken record but Nikon D90 ?

[gherkins]

cornet said:

I sound like a broken record but Nikon D90 ?

It's barely cheaper than the K-5.

[nick heppinstall]

I've now had my K5 a few weeks and it's excellent. Purchased with the 18-55 kit. I could have just kept my old 18-55 from my Kx but the one that comes with the K5 is also weather sealed.

Also kept my 55-300 DA L that came with the Kx and just purchased a Tamron 70-200 F2.8.

[andy-xr]

Big fan of the D7000, I bought mine body only for £800 around 6 months ago and use it all the time, more than my D700 actually. You'd be welcome to that if you wanted it for £1k which is testament to the D7000's strengths!

[anonymous-user]

andy-xr said:

Big fan of the D7000, I bought mine body only for £800 around 6 months ago and use it all the time, more than my D700 actually. You'd be welcome to that if you wanted it for £1k which is testament to the D7000's strengths!

The D7000 seems to be getting some great reviews and seems to be punching well above its weight as suggested above. I know of others who have ditched much 'higher model' Nikons in favour of the D7000.

I currently shoot with a relatively new D90 which I absolutely love, but my next upgrade will be the 7000.

The reason I went for the D90 was the lenses argument. The body cost me £500 brand new 5 month ago with 2 year Nikon warranty and I spent the other £500 on some more bits of nice glass instead.

[james_tigerwoods]

D3100 (with or without a kit 18-55) with a SB600 (or SB800), 35/50mm 1.8, Nikkor 55-300 and a Nikkor 18-70.

You can have my D3100 with the 18-70 and SB600 for a grand

[nick heppinstall]

Interesting comparison here between the D700 / D7000 and K5 and how they perform in low light.

http://kimletkeman.blogspot.com/2010/11/pentax-k5-...

[cornet]

gherkins said:

cornet said:

I sound like a broken record but Nikon D90 ?

It's barely cheaper than the K-5.

Yes I was suggesting it as an alternative to the D7000 for D5100 money. The difference in quality is negligible between them and it'll give you better access to features than the D5100 (i.e. not having to dig through menus)


I don't really know the pentax so can't compare.

[gherkins]

Went to try some out yesterday evening:

D7000: looks professional but really disliked the feel - I found it hard to hold and buttons awkward. Perhaps just a matter of getting used to it, but i think for my wife it would be daunting and also even worse to hold with her small hands.

D90: Didn't have this, but suspect it will be the same as D7000 in feel?

60D: Must say, felt very nice to hold and the screen is lovely - not so gimmicky as I thought!

K5: Doesn't look very pro and less showy, but in some ways a good thing, no? Nice and small and nicest to hold for little hands, I reckon. And it is a great deal with £90 cashback.

So, it looks like it's the K5, which leaves money to buy a lovely prime limited lens. Although there's not so much glass available, I reckon it will suit her needs and solves future present-buying dilemmas. Just hope that Pentax don't give up on SLRs.

Thanks for all your advice.

Edited by gherkins on Thursday 24th November 10:30

[rhinochopig]

gherkins said:

Went to try some out yesterday evening:

D7000: looks professional but really disliked the feel - I found it hard to hold and buttons awkward. Perhaps just a matter of getting used to it, but i think for my wife it would be daunting and also even worse to hold with her small hands.

D90: Didn't have this, but suspect it will be the same as D7000 in feel?

60D: Must say, felt very nice to hold and the screen is lovely - not so gimmicky as I thought!

K5: Doesn't look very pro and less showy, but in some ways a good thing, no? Nice and small and nicest to hold for little hands, I reckon. And it is a great deal with £90 cashback.

So, it looks like it's the K5, which leaves money to buy a lovely prime limited lens. Although there's not so much glass available, I reckon it will suit her needs. Just hope that Pentax don't give up on SLRs.

Have a look here http://www.bignorman.com/DigitalSLRs/

I've just bought a 7D from there and saved a fortune over the best prices I could find anywhere else. I took a punt as they are based in Gib, but they pay the VAT at source so the prices are inc. VAT and delivery. Delivery was a little slow - a day later than the max duration they quote, but then I saved a lot of money so more camera for my money.

[Simpo Two]

Do Pentax still use the K-mount? If so there will be shedloads of s/h manual lenses as they were very popular and also used by most independent makers.

[nick heppinstall]

Simpo Two said:

Do Pentax still use the K-mount? If so there will be shedloads of s/h manual lenses as they were very popular and also used by most independent makers.

Yeah. I picked up a great little 50mm F1.7 Prime from ebay for ....... £19 !!!