Best DSLR/lens combo for under $1000

[Mark Sefried]

I am seriously considering buying my first DSLR camera and I want to spend around $1000 or less for both the camera and lens. I will be using the camera for storm chasing of course and also to take pictures of my 4.5 month old daughter. Any suggestions as to what I should buy? Thanks!

 

[Scott Bennett]

This is a big decision because the camera is the cheapest thing you will buy in the DSLR arena... gets expensive when you start buying the Lenses.

I personally have a Pentax k200d, what I really want is the new Pentax k-x.

One of the nice things about the Pentax line is the Image Stablization is in the body and not in the lens. What makes this nice is the glass is cheaper down the road becuse you don't need to buy the IS in the lens each time.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OEBTCI/ref=pd_luc_mri?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

This kit is a little under $700 and will get you a typical kit lens & a zoom lens. As your budget allows you can get a wide angle 10-20 lens for a little under $500.

This model of Pentax will also shoot 720p HD Video & has on body HDR so you can shoot HDR images without post processing or having to take 3 shots manually.

In addition almost any Pentax lens ever made will work on this camera.

Obviously the Cannon cameras are much more popular but I think the most value is in the Pentax.

 

[Lanny Dean]

I really like my D90. Feel free to look up the specs but it is one heck of a camera! I think they are running around $890-$900 depending on where you order from. Kit lens is an 18-105mm and it is actually a pretty sharp lens for being a "kit".

I do really like the canon 7D and have thought very hard about going to canon but the 7D is way over your budget....might also look at the T2I....it got wonderful reviews, has 18mp CMOS and full HD video (1080p) I believe. 18-55 kit lense and is pretty good at low light (high ISO)

Hopefully this gives you a few ideas anyways

 

[Allan Jeffers]

I have not used the rebel cameras since I broke my 300D trying to modify it, but I would recomend a t2i as well.

A 7D would be good too, but with a lens, that would almost double your budget. The XXd series cameras and higher, like the 1D series and 5D and 7D are built better. Not to say the rebels are trash. They are a bit too small for my taste and I don't think I could go with out a rear control dial

 

[Jim Saueressig]

I am using a Pentax K-7. It's worth looking into. If you are not worried about all the extra features including the weather sealing then I would say the Pentax K-x is going to be real hard to beat.

 

[brandongreen]

I have the pentax kx with 18-55 and 50-200 lens kit from b and h for 700. It's a steal.

 

[Mark Sefried]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I think I may end up getting the Pentax k-x with the 18-55/55-300 mm lens kit, however I am sort of concerned about using the manual focus in low light/low contrast conditions. On my current canon digital camera it is really easy to tell when you are focused on the "infinity" setting on your camera because it has a focal length indicator on it. Has anyone had problems manually focusing to infinity and not getting sharp images with the camera in low light/low contrast conditions?

 

[brandongreen]

On mine I set to infinity and back off a millimeter or two. Judge by viewfinder and practice.

 

[Darren Addy]

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I think I may end up getting the Pentax k-x with the 18-55/55-300 mm lens kit, however I am sort of concerned about using the manual focus in low light/low contrast conditions. On my current canon digital camera it is really easy to tell when you are focused on the "infinity" setting on your camera because it has a focal length indicator on it. Has anyone had problems manually focusing to infinity and not getting sharp images with the camera in low light/low contrast conditions?

You are talking about MANUALLY focusing in low light and not autofocusing in low light? My "Stormtrooper K-x" should be here Thursday, but from what I have read you can turn on an "focus indicator" and "focus indicator beep" in the menus. That means when you hit the focus spot, it will alert you (assuming there is enough light to tell). With the K-x you can also use the Live View to assist in focus (and zoom in on a detail to tell). For infinity, you could probably do that hand-held, but it would be easier on a tripod.

 

[Scott Bennett]

Mine is sitting in the box behind me Damn this thread.
Happy Birthday to me
But I did not buy the storm trooper edition.

 

[Brandon Headley]

I bought a Canon Rebel XT when they were being discontinued at walmart on the cheap. Came with the standard 18-55mm lens. I have since bought a Canon 50mm 1.8F lens and then a Sigma 135 - 400mm for wildlife(not really good for chasing). I usually leave the 50mm on there and run with that. Total cost is probably somewhere around $600 for all the lenses, most were bought off of Craigslist. Sure it's not the newest or the coolest, but it takes great pics at 8Mp and it was well within my student budget.

 

[Mark Sefried]

I pulled the trigger on the pentax k-x and it should arrive next week. I got it at B&H with the 18-55 mm kit lens, a tamron 18-200 mm lens, and a hoya multi-coated uv lens filter for a total of $777 after rebates. I almost got the kit that included the 18-55 and the 50-300mm lens, however I wanted a half way decent everyday lens and I figured that the 18-200mm tamron would be a decent all around lens for the price. It would be nice to get a good wide angle lens, however those are around $450-$500. I may get a sigma 70-300 mm apo lens down the road for wildlife pics, however I want to see how well the tamron lens is first.

 

[Jarrod Barnett]

Congrats on your new purchase. Just read the paperwork & learn your camera in & out to the best of your ability. There is so much stuff to learn on DSLR's. You wont regret learning it. Just practice alot with it. Its the only way to get a feel for it and figure out all the settings.

Even though you already bought i'll post up what I have. I use a Sony DSLR a300. 18-70mm & 75-300mm lens.

Really wanting to pic up a fisheye & wide angle just for other photography that I do.

Have fun with your new toy!