I'm using a Pentax istd.. works a treat.. then again it was preferable due to having a range of pentax lenses from my old slr. But you know, it doesn't come with a funky strap with an embroidered logo on it, so I'm sure its a piece of shit.

Pepper do you own any lens? That would dictate whether you go down the Canon or Nikon path.

As for places to buy, get quotes from all the stores and watch them try to outdo each other. I recently bought a Canon 400D and JB Hifi offered me a great deal on the camera, a memory card and an extended warranty.

The Canon is going to be better in low light conditions, so if you're shooting bands I'd go for that.

If it were me, I'd buy the 30D + put the extra $$ you have into a good lens. Are you from Melbourne? Go to the Kodak camera store on Elizabeth (cnr of Little Bourke) and get your quote, then pop next door to Ted's and get them to beat the offer.

Orr you could just buy from here: http://www.d-d-photographics.com.au/

I get all of my stuff from there...deliver within a day or two and are pretty cheap.

wow - their price for the 30D undercuts everywhere else I've looked!

Someone I used to work with put me onto d-d-p in North Sydney - he really kills the competition.

Thanks for the comments. Isn't the DD stuff grey market? ( ie imported from asia but the supplier provides their own warranty.So if its faulty they send it back to asia to be fixed as the warranty is only valid there).

I would consider grey market lenses but not the body.

Can I get some reasons why the canon is better suited to lowlight? From what I can gauge the Nikon D200 has slightly better specs.

Mattlee, no lenses, this is my first SLR. My "SLR Type" had manual controls, just not the capacity to change lenses. Can you give me an insight as to why they should affect my decision.

Fever thats what I am considering, spending more on the lenses as long as its 5fps the body isnt the main factor in the overall quality of the snaps is it? But why not the Nikon?

Yep, DD is from Asia...I do buy all of my stuff from them though, and have never had a problem.

You said you were going to be shooting bands, and in low light conditions the Canon works better. There's a lot less noise at ISO800/1600. The megapixel difference isn't a huge deal, IMO. Otherwise, they are pretty evenly matched. You could probably get either and be happy - but if you want to upgrade to a better camera down the track, I think the Canon is the better option. I think Canon have better pro lenses, and they have full frame cameras. The latter is a huge advantage.

wow, talk about overuse of the word 'better'

i like canon :)

Well if you already had lens it would make sense to get a body that can re-use those lens. According to the pros you are meant to find the lens you want then get the body that supports them but unless you are pro it's hard to make that decision - kind of a catch 22.

DDP is cheap for some things but that not much cheaper. Their price for the 400D body only is only $60 cheaper than getting a body with a local warranty.

One of our suppliers can get Canons at below cost price apparently and I was going to get one too - interested? thing is you may not get the ability to bargain battery packs, warranties etc into the price...

30D vs D200 side by side

depends on what you're familiar with. read the reviews at dpreview. i don't understand the previous comment about canon being better in lowlight situations.

places to buy here

lowlight comparison

canon on left, nikon on right. both in low light, at ISO1600. pretty noticeable difference.

I'd go Canon, but that's just personal preference. The D200 is very nice if you're a Nikon type.

I still use the Canon 350D and that's been totally fine for shooting all sorts of stuff: live gigs, band promo shots, magazine covers, large prints, double page spreads. The 30D ought to be more than adequate.

Okay so from what i understand there is 2 types of nikon lenses and the higher level ones are no less than the standard canon ones in lowlight situations is this correct?

So whats a good size lens for shooting bands? Obviously a low f-stop to let the light in, but what about zoom?

Depends on the venue... I find 50mm suits mosts of the time. (I'm in love with my Nikkor 50mm f1.4)

With the Nikon v Canon issue, go with which ever you're more familiar with - having used old Nikon SLRs years ago I found it made the transition easier.

Okay so what sort of distances is it cool to shoot with a 50mm??

I am consdiering dropping money on the 70-200 IS L (canon)

thanks for your advice exposE, can you given me an example of places you have shot using the 50mm?

has anyone purchased an SLR from an online store? Any tips on a reliable place to get a bargain(besides ebay)? I've been having a look at the Canon 550 on Shopbot but some of those places look a bit shonky

I know someone who bought a 550D from somewhere online. Can't remember which one but I think she found it through eBay.

Funny how you can instantly tell videos shot on DSLRs now. Custom Kings for example! It's the shallow focus and 'warm' colours.

I have for sale a Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 Nikon mount lens. Excellent condition and only 15 months old. Comes with front and rear caps, original case, hood, Hoya pro multi coated UV filter. Will consider all reasonable offers. Please PM me if interested.

Director vs Producer

I have for sale a Sigma 18-50mm f2.8 Nikon mount lens. Excellent condition and only 15 months old. Comes with front and rear caps, original case, hood, Hoya pro multi coated UV filter. Will consider all reasonable offers. Please PM me if interested.

bump for the evening folks

Bit of a late reply JJ, but I get all my stuff from Digital Rev - they're cheap and have local warranty

http://www.digitalrev.com/

oh nice thanks Wonky. Looks good

That video is excellent Actionralf. Right on the fucking money.

Upgraded to a D3100, was cheaper to buy from the US and even cheaper than was listed on the website due to the exchange rate. The main reason I bought from overseas was to stick it up Gerry Harvey.

600D out today. Looks meh

Can anybody advise on ways to get around the 12min / FAT32-driven file size limit that exists on most DSLRs? Are there cameras now that can span files? I may need to hire one to film something this weekend.

Canon specifically.

Anyone know a good one or two day intro to SLR photography course?

This one looks ok...

I am so happy with my f1.8 50mm,

Now I love my DSLR.

I've owned one of these Pentax ist D's for years now, and whilst its a cheap piece of crap, it's seen me well. I'm still using the Sigma 18-125mm that came with it, but would like to add a wide angle with macro capabilities.. something for landscapes that doesn't get into fish-eye curvature territory. Options?

Has y'all got any ideas on secondhand DSLRs? I guess people don't tend to really sell them on, but I don't want to buy new stuff and would like at some stage to consider an HD video capable camera.

I am so happy with my f1.8 50mm,
Now I love my DSLR.

I'm thinking about getting one of these. Need more aperture. Not sure if I want a prime.

Prime all the time, don't even know why I have any other lens or a flash these days.

Sorry for the x-post, but I need to find a replacement lens cover for a Leica Digilux 2. Can anybody point me in the right direction? It's seemingly slim pickings online. I'd like an authentic one if possible, because I'm replacing an original that I damaged.