Newbie help please

[scarebus]

Hi, I am very interested in entering the DSLR world. I have been trying to do my home work before my first big purchase. Basically I have narrowed it down between the D5000 and the EOS500D. I have had a quick play with both at Dixons, and find the menu system easier to understand on the Nikon but I find it rather heavy. The canon seemed much more complex but more comfy to hold and lighter.

The question is, which will be better? I am in Singapore at the moment and they seem to be a bit cheaper here than in the UK, so I am days away from making the big leap....

Thanks for your responses

ps is the 550d really worth the extra money?

[RobDickinson]

550D has better movie and more pixels not a lot more, nto sure its worth the update or not.

BTW remember you should pay import duty and vat on thatc amera on return to the UK!

As to which is better IMO the 500 and 550D are probably a touch ahead of the d5000 but theres very little in it at all.

You can learn menu systems, you cant make the thing more comfortable in your hand...

[Killwilly]

RobDickinson said:

You can learn menu systems, you cant make the thing more comfortable in your hand...

I will second that.

[XJSJohn]

If you are in Singapore, be carefull where you buy, especially avoid the camera shops in Lucky Plaza.

for a more professional camera specific place try either

http://www.cathayphoto.com.sg/ in Peninsula Plaza on North Bridge Road

or

http://www.tkfoto.com.sg/ in Shaw Towers on Beach Road. Both are centraly located and easy to find.

Alternativelty Harvey Norman in Millenia Walk are also doing a rather good sale on all things electrical.

[Anthony Micallef]

I have a Canon 450D and the menu system is easy to get used to. Sorry cant comment though on the additionl features that the 500D and the 550D may have. Remember though that the quality of the pics is all in the quality of the lens that you use.

[K12beano]

scarebus said:

...the menu system easier to understand on the Nikon ...

Anthony Micallef said:

.. Canon 450D and the menu system ....

RobDickinson said:

You can learn menu systems...

True, menu systems can be learnt, but watch out on Nikons. You may not appreciate until you have bounced your way up the learning curve and are probably buying your first dSLR replacement, but Nikon's cheaper offerings seem to put stuff which you ideally need at your fingertips deep in a menu somewhere. They have learnt and improved in some areas (the SB900 v the SB800 comes to mind where I cannot fathom how to switch settings unless I sit down for 10 minutes at a time with the SB800) but some of the bodies I have picked up seem to be woeful in this respect. Can't speak for Canon, but I suspect this is where they might be better....

[Simpo Two]

I think any DSLR is going to seem heavy and bulky after a compact; it's something you'll get used to and is the price you have to pay for the extra performance/versatility. But if the Canon feels nicer to use for you, then that's probably the answer.

[scarebus]

Thanks for the responses....

[mcflurry]

The D5000 plus 18>55 lens is £479 with £50 cashback at Jacobs.

http://www.jacobsdigital.co.uk/index.php?target=pr...

£429 is not a bad price IMHO

[Scraggles]

went for a FUJIFILM FinePix F50fd, £315, super macro, fixed lens, so no dust to worry about, shoved in a 16 GB, so can take raw with no worries on size, approx 25 mb per pic raw, couple extra generic batteries from amazon...

[rottie102]

Scraggles said:

went for a FUJIFILM FinePix F50fd, £315, super macro, fixed lens, so no dust to worry about, shoved in a 16 GB, so can take raw with no worries on size, approx 25 mb per pic raw, couple extra generic batteries from amazon...

What's that regarding to?

[Simpo Two]

A 25Mb RAW file from 12Mp?

Still, the no-dust thing is appealing. I have to sweep the dust out of my cameras every day with a broom.

[GetCarter]

You only need a broom?

[LongQ]

I was going to take out a service contract with Dyson Professional until I realised that having bought an Arctic Butterfly sensor cleaner, oh, about 18 months ago, maybe more, I have only used it the once so far. Just after I bought it.

I guess it depends on where you live ...

[RobDickinson]

I guess no erupting volcanoesclose by means I dont need a broom...

Canon done well with the 7D too, 14bit 18mp raws are 25meg...

[Scraggles]

went from a fuji compact to something that let me take stuff in the mid to far distance, find it a lot better and cheaper than the canons and nikons are, the plus point is not having to lug a bag with spare lenses around, a zoom in the 700mm range is out of my wallet for the moment ahd the above works well

[RobDickinson]

Scraggles said:

went from a fuji compact to something that let me take stuff in the mid to far distance, find it a lot better and cheaper than the canons and nikons are, the plus point is not having to lug a bag with spare lenses around, a zoom in the 700mm range is out of my wallet for the moment ahd the above works well

I'm still not sure why you think talking about a 12mp P&S with an effective 35-105mm lens and a tiny 12mp ccd isd relevant to the OP?

[Simpo Two]

Scraggles said:

a zoom in the 700mm range is out of my wallet

And everybody else's!

[XJSJohn]

To OP - If you are still in Singapore, Challenger are doing a EOS 550D kit for $1449 including GST (you get about 5% back i think)

No idea if thats a good price, but challenger are usually prety good.

[Dogsey]

Scraggles said:

... find it a lot better and cheaper than the canons and nikons are ...

I know what you mean, all those pro's are stupid for spending all that money on Canon and Nikon DSLRs when a Fuji compact is far better.



There's a word for people like you, I'll give you a clue - It starts with T and ends in wat.