Haven't bought a new DSLR for a while...is this a good price?

[marketsons1985]

Link

In a nutshell...D5000 w/18-55mm lens AND 55-200 lens, + 4GB card (woopie) and case (woopie).

Price is $824. Plus it's from Costco so peace of mind that comes with their warranty, and 3% CB ($24ish). I'd get it in store here in Virginia.

I've currently got a Pentax *ist DL. Worthwhile upgrade, right? I've been eyeing something new for a long while...and with selling my old Pentax + the many lenses + a computer I just sold the cost here is a net payment of about $100.

The only concern I have is the battery pack...I'm used to using AA batteries, so how much of a change will this be? AND I'm going on a trip on Thursday for about 10 days, should I try to get an extra battery before then?

Thanks for all your guidance!

 

[996GT2]

In the $800-900 price range I'd be looking to step up to the Canon Rebel T2i. While the Rebel costs more than the D5000, I think it's very worth the bit of extra money. The T2i has a great 18MP sensor from the EOS 7D, full 1080P HD video with manual control, and other niceties like a 3:2 aspect ratio high-res screen and a new metering system lifted from the EOS 7D.

 

[marketsons1985]

In the $800-900 price range I'd be looking to step up to the Canon Rebel T2i. While the Rebel costs more than the D5000, I think it's very worth the bit of extra money. The T2i has a great 18MP sensor from the EOS 7D, full 1080P HD video with manual control, and other niceties like a 3:2 aspect ratio high-res screen and a new metering system lifted from the EOS 7D.

Ouch, but body only is $25 less than this price for the D5000 + 2 lenses. I'm not sure I can afford that at the moment...considering I'd need at least one lens since I'd be starting from scratch lens wise.

 

[996GT2]

Ouch, but body only is $25 less than this price for the D5000 + 2 lenses. I'm not sure I can afford that at the moment...considering I'd need at least one lens since I'd be starting from scratch lens wise.

I don't really think the D5000 is a *huge* upgrade from your Pentax. The Canon offers a lot of things that the D5000 doesn't, so I think that it's a good deal even at $899 for the T2i+18-55mm IS kit. If you want to add a telephoto, Canon makes an excellent 55-250mm IS that is around $200.

So basically, the total cost for the T2i/18-55mm IS/55-250mm IS would be about $275 more than a D5000 + 2 similar lenses. But I think that $275 is money well spent since the T2i brings a lot of high-end features into a Rebel series camera body. It's essentially a slower EOS 7D packaged into a plastic body for about 1/2 the price.

 

[jpeyton]

No, it's not a good price.

http://www.jr.com/nikon/pe/NKN_D5000...zc5bsmbskv6BrA

~$780 - 5% Bing Cashback = ~$740

Costco piece of mind isn't worth an extra $80.

T2i is a great camera too, but it will run you around ~$1100 for a two-lens kit.

Personally I'd rather spend that $350 on lenses, like this one (for $190): http://www.jr.com/nikon/pe/NKN_AFS35MM1_dot_8/

 

[GoSharks]

Why switch systems? The K-x has the same/similar sensor as the D5000, it's cheap, and just as good or better.

Oh, did you already sell your Pentax?

 

[ElFenix]

Why switch systems? The K-x has the same/similar sensor as the D5000, it's cheap, and just as good or better.

Oh, did you already sell your Pentax?

wow, $715 at amazon for 2 lens kit, $514 at J&R single lens, before BCB

 

[speedy2]

I'd sacrifice the flashy specs of the T2i for something cheaper or maybe more of a pro level camera. And invest in some nicer lenses. Well worth the sacrifice.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Ugh, that seems overpriced. I'd suggest either going "up" to the Canon T2i kit 996GT2 recommends, or follow Elfenix & GoSharks advice and spend around $700 and get the Pentax Kx kit w/18-55 & 55-300 lenses, which I should have by this time next week.

Either way, you'll wind up with a better deal. Not that the the D5000 is in any way bad, but having to depend on the lens to have a focus motor would irk me.

 

[marketsons1985]

wow, $715 at amazon for 2 lens kit, $514 at J&R single lens, before BCB

EDIT: Found it, but failing with finding the bing cashback...help?

Ugh, that seems overpriced. I'd suggest either going "up" to the Canon T2i kit 996GT2 recommends, or follow Elfenix & GoSharks advice and spend around $700 and get the Pentax Kx kit w/18-55 & 55-300 lenses, which I should have by this time next week.

Either way, you'll wind up with a better deal. Not that the the D5000 is in any way bad, but having to depend on the lens to have a focus motor would irk me.

Yeah, I've done some more research and decided on the KX, just because it would be nice not to have to start over with lenses. I'm looking to see if someone can get it to me by Thursday, when I leave for France for 10 days. If not, I'll order from Amazon for 529.

 

[mztykal]

I just bought my D5000 and recieved it today. Paid 560 shipped for it with the 18-55 VR kit lense.

 

[martensite]

Why switch systems? The K-x has the same/similar sensor as the D5000, it's cheap, and just as good or better.

Seconded. The K-X would have been a better buy; it matches or exceeds the D5000 in almost all aspects. If you already have some Pentax lenses, then upgrading from the *ist DL to the K-X is the most logical step. The IQ from the K-X is pretty darn good, especially at high ISO. Pentax seem to have got the in-camera default settings right finally.

 

[tfinch2]

What's wrong with the DL?

 

[jpeyton]

What's wrong with the DL?

It's old.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

It's old.

So's my mom, but there's nothing "wrong" with her...

 

[ElFenix]

So's your mom, but there's nothing "wrong" with her...

ftfy

 

[Munky]

What's wrong with the DL?

It doesn't have the new shiny camera smell.
It doesn't impress your friends when you compare megapixels
It doesn't have a built-in filter to make pictures look cartoony
The one your neighbor just bought is bigger...

Why else do people buy new cameras?

 

[jpeyton]

Why else do people buy new [insert any consumer electronics product]?

This forum is run by a website built on reviewing products with 6-12 month product cycles.

A photographer might scoff at replacing their fast-enough 4-year-old dual-core Athlon X2 computer, but will spend thousands buying the newest lenses, camera bodies and accessories.

Likewise, a computer geek might be perfectly happy with a 6MP 4-year-old DSLR, but will upgrade their CPU and video card every year.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[speedy2]

This forum is run by a website built on reviewing products with 6-12 month product cycles.

A photographer might scoff at replacing their fast-enough 4-year-old dual-core Athlon X2 computer, but will spend thousands buying the newest lenses, camera bodies and accessories.

Likewise, a computer geek might be perfectly happy with a 6MP 4-year-old DSLR, but will upgrade their CPU and video card every year.

Different strokes for different folks.

Only difference there is computer tech changes a lot faster than camera tech. Most upgrades for cameras needs to be spaced out pretty far to see a big change. And like the post before you, a lot of people will be sucked in by the "wow" factor stuff more than the actual image quality the thing produces. MP's for example have been doing this for quite a while. Can't tell you how many people told me their point & shoot had to take better pics because my XT was 8MP and theirs was 12+.

 

[tfinch2]

It's old.

So? Is it broken?

 

[fbrdphreak]

I just bought my D5000 and recieved it today. Paid 560 shipped for it with the 18-55 VR kit lense.

Where did you find a new kit with lens for $560?