Can u help me choose a dSLR camera in the range $1000 to $2000 (including lens)?

Question

I need it 4 nature photography. Especially taking photos of landscapes during sunrise, sunset etc.

Answer 1

You're not going to find a better lens than the Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8. The zoom range is a bit short for general photography, but it's simply the best there is for your purpose. By any brand... at any price... by a landslide. This lens delivers stellar image quality, pointing it into the sun is no problem, and as a bonus it provides professional build quality.
So that's $1460 retail.
Which leaves $540 for a Nikon D70s to stick it on. Or if you can't find a D70s anymore, you could get a D50 for just $450. If $2000 isn't a hard budget, get a 10 megapixel Nikon D80.
I'm dead serious. An expensive body is nice for the extra megapixels (better enlargements and required by stock photography sites) but you dont need any of the other features. You don't need a metal body, you don't need 5 frames per second, etc. What you need for landscapes is image quality - this is determined by the lens.

Answer 2

I'm liking OMG's and ara57's answers. They both have a slightly different point of view. You can not argue that a great lens is essential, so OMG's suggestion of the 17-35 is excellent. See:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1735.htm

You also have to admit that pixels DO count for detail, so a 10 MP camera is going to be more satisfying for your exquisite nature shots than a 6 MP camera. Score for ara57.

Is there a middle ground? Is your budget capable of going over the top a bit? Quite a bit? In a dream world, you might like the D200 ($1,400) and the 17-35 lens ($1,400). Add a card and an extra battery and you're "only" $1,000 over budget. You WILL be one happy camper, though.

How about the D80 and 17-35 for $2,400 with a nice card? Man, if you could find a hidden compartment in those deep pockets, this would be a fine, fine set-up.

Are you bitten firmly by a hard dose of reality? How about the D80 and the 18-70 3.5-4.5 zoom for about $1,300 with a card? See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1870.htm

Want 10 MP in a camera that can take the elements better than the D80 probably can? Get a D20 and the 18-70 lens for about $1,800 with a card. This is a nice compromise set-up if you can imagine spending some more money within the year. You'll have a great 10 MP body and a very nice lens to start out with and you can get an upgrade lens when you can afford more.

Want a little more zoom? How about a D200 with the 18-200 VR lens for about $2,300 witha card? Okay, I admit freely that this lens is not outstanding in the higher end of the zoom, but that still leaves the 18-100 or so range that does very well. It's not as crisp as the 17-35 that OMG mentions or the 17-55 that he also loves, but it costs half as much money. True, you probably won't need VR if you are using a tripod, but "it couldn't hurt" on a windy day... Not to mention, you will have a lens that is useful for everyday shooting beyond the scope of wide landscape views. See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18200.htm

The 18-200 lens is "unattainable" these days, but I see that B&H DOES show it available if you buy it as part of a kit with the D200. Something to think about...

Answer 3

you couldn't go wrong with a Nikon D80 or a Canon 30D.
See www.dpreview.com for the most in depth reviews I've found anywhere.

Lens choice is another challenge. The Nikon's ccd is slightly larger and has a crop factor of 1.5 vs 1.6 on the Canon. Not sure if a little wider angle out of a lens is important to you.

I like the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8. Not cheap at $500, but excellent quality in a wide zoom.

Answer 4

go for the canon ones... maybe the canon eos 400D with a wide lens of 18-55 or a 350D with the same lens. both are 10 and 8 megapixels respectively. secondly, very good for nature at your budget. If you choose Nikon, go for D70s or D80. both fit your budget. actually speaking, these DSLRs that im talking of are between $1000 to $1500 usd. if you have money left... make sure you go for a real wide angle lens such as 11mm or a bit more... as i guess youll be aware for the "crop factor" in these dslrs. an 18 mm will be actually = 28 mm and so on ...

so make the most of it. personally, ill suggest you to go for canon as its got the best optics and is pretty cheap. Im 16 yrs old, a guy in india. i could never afford buying one as $1000 in india = 1000 x 44 ie. Rs.44000. thats like ... wooohhh !!! my dads salary for two months. anyways, i shoot fashion... and nature too. if you want any help, just mail me at [e-mail].

Shubhojit.

Answer 5

B & H Photo has the Nikon D200 with the 18-135mm lens for $1749.95, or you could get the body only for $1399.95 and choose the lens yourself. You wouldn't need a VR lens for landscapes, as you will probably be on a tripod anyway.

Or consider a D80 with the 18-55 kit lens for $1049.95.

These prices at www.bhphoto.com.

Answer 6

The first link below is to a J.D. Power survey report on customer satisfaction in digital cameras. Assuming that dSLRs are in the $1000+ range, the best in that price category is Olympus, followed by Nikon. This is just a starting point, but I always start with the surveys.

The second link is to CNET. They have product reviews, by both editors and by users as well. It's been helpful to me in narrowing down my choices in PDAs (e.g., by spec or by manufacturer), while getting customer/user reviews at the same time.

I hope this helps.

Answer 7

Get a Cannon, these cameras are the best. I gave you two links, the Canon site where you can look for your camera, then I gvae you BH Photo, they sell cameras cheap and they sell some with kits!!! They have many accessories too.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ProductCatIndexAct&fcategoryid=111

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home/

Answer 8

you can read reviews of digital cameras by ebay members. here's the direct link