ART New to OTAP and going to buy a camera on monday

[fixmefixmyhead]

I'm the type of person who does a ton of my own research before making any major purchase. I'm in the Army and leaving for a deployment at the end of the year. I'm in aviation and want to take up photographing aircraft and such while I'm there to kill downtime.

Cameras I've been looking at are the d3100 and the T2i. I don't want to start a Nikon vs Canon war. I'm not going to spend more than $1k to start out just incase its not something I end up loving.

I'm guessing I am going to need a lens capable of 300mm to get decent pics of incoming and outgoing aircraft?

I have been seeing kits on ebay that seem appealing to me and actually are sold by a local camera store Cameta Camera.

I'm gonna link a couple and tell me if I'm making a mistake.

I was also thinking of maybe getting a body only, a long zoom, and a prime lens... if that is in my budget. If it is recommend me lenses please.

Also what about Tamron 70-300 vs Nikkor 55-300 VR?

 

[fixmefixmyhead]

$829

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D3100-Dig...581409?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item20b7dbafe1

 

[fixmefixmyhead]

$969

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D3100-Dig...221156?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item2eb40c9d24

 

[Cicada]

Buy used

 

[jigelow]

Buy used

Definitely. You'll save a ton of money, and if it's not your bag, you can recoup near 100%.

 

[psykosis]

buy used

get an older body and spend the savings on better glass

 

[fixmefixmyhead]

Ok what body should I be looking for used and where... also what glass

 

[Wobistdu]

d90 ftw

 

[jigelow]

Ok what body should I be looking for used and where... also what glass

Probably a D90, 70-300 VR, and a 50mm f1.8 would get you at your budget, and suit your needs.

 

[Pikel]

Probably a D90, 70-300 VR, and a 50mm f1.8 would get you at your budget, and suit your needs.

Sounds good to me.

 

[psykosis]

I've only recently switched to Nikon, so I can really only speak on Canon used stuff. i don't know what you are shooting, but I'd suggest a 40D, a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or 28-75 f2.8, and a 430EX II flash. That's a very simple and basic setup that should serve you well for a couple years at least. If you like the hobby, then you can grab some other glass as you find a need for it. If you don't like it, you can sell your stuff for close to what you paid for it if you go with used stuff.

 

[jigelow]

I've only recently switched to Nikon, so I can really only speak on Canon used stuff. i don't know what you are shooting, but I'd suggest a 40D, a Tamron 17-50 f2.8 or 28-75 f2.8, and a 430EX II flash. That's a very simple and basic setup that should serve you well for a couple years at least. If you like the hobby, then you can grab some other glass as you find a need for it. If you don't like it, you can sell your stuff for close to what you paid for it if you go with used stuff.

He needs telephoto for ze aeroplanes.

 

[fixmefixmyhead]

So the d90 is that much better than the d3100? What are the major differences?

 

[Dismay]

Used D90

 

[Dismay]

So the d90 is that much better than the d3100? What are the major differences?

just a better camera, get it

 

[MSIGuy]

So the d90 is that much better than the d3100? What are the major differences?

The difference is unless you buy a D90 l33tpilot will scream at you.

 

[Wobistdu]

The difference is unless you buy a D90 l33tpilot will scream at you.

or you could educate him instead of being a whiny bitch

 

[Wobistdu]

if you look at cameras like the 3000, 3100, 5000... they are all entry level. d90 is midlevel

same with the rebels vs a 50d, 60d

lots of external controls
top lcd
internal focusing motor
commander mode for speedlights
etc etc

 

[MSIGuy]

or you could educate him instead of being a whiny bitch

See? SEE?

Chill l33t. The D90 is a better camera than a D3100, unless you need to buy new (they're getting harder to find), want a warranty, need a smaller more compact camera, ect.

 

[MSIGuy]

Also what about Tamron 70-300 vs Nikkor 55-300 VR?

I'd reccomend the Tamron 70-300 over the Nikon 55-300 any day. The Tamron, IMO, is much better built. It also has a longer warranty, and lower price.

 

[jigelow]

I'd reccomend the Tamron 70-300 over the Nikon 55-300 any day. The Tamron, IMO, is much better built. It also has a longer warranty, and lower price.

I stick with my 70-300 VR suggestion. It'll outperform them both and he can find one used in the upper 3xx

 

[Wobistdu]

the tamron 18-270 VC is a solid lens

wider range too

 

[Pikel]

the tamron 18-270 VC is a solid lens

wider range too

And the difference between 270 and 300 will be minimal

 

[Wobistdu]

And the difference between 270 and 300 will be minimal

sir did you miss the 18

 

[Pikel]

sir did you miss the 18

I just meant at the other end. Sacrifice 270-300mm at the end, and gain 18-70? Yes please.