Another what camera to buy

[cat in january]

I have been doing a fair amount of research on line and I have searched this forum, but still feel I could use some input from those who know.

I am looking for a new camera. A few months ago I posted about looking for a new P&S, but I have since decided my existing camera covers those bases well enough. The camera will be a general use still camera and I would also like to shoot video. I would like to add some more lenses as time goes on so that is an important piece of the equation.

Here are the 4 choices I am looking at:

Nikon D7000 with 18-10 DX VR kit Lens. $980 Pluses-good reviews, magnesium body, weather sealed, good selection of used quality lenses

Pentax K-5 with 18-55 kit lens. $880. Pluses-good reviews, magnesium body, weather sealed; perceived pluses, but I am not completely sure-internal image stabilization so you don't need to pay extra for the lens, good selection of used quality lenses; perceived negatives-model being discontinued, poorer video.

Sony A65 with 18-55 kit Lens. $740 Pluses-good reviews, continuous view, cheap maxxum prime lenses available, internal image stabilization; negatives-much fewer lenses available, plastic body and not weather sealed.

Canon T3i with 18-55 kit lens plus 55-250 lens plus canon pixma pro9000 printer for $660 after $550 in rebates. Pluses-whole lot of bang for the buck, large collection of lenses, negatives are the same as the the Sony.

So my questions are:
Is there a camera you would say definitely get or don't get from the list?
Any thoughts on where prices might go over the next month on an item like this?
How important is a metal body and weather sealing if I want to take the camera on trips?


thanks for the input

[systemoverblow'd]

It sounds like weather sealing is a big thing on your hit list. I wouldn't get too caught up in that but if it is a must, know that a weather sealed body without a lens that is weather sealed is pointless (Not COMPLETELY pointless but it is a weakness). So that means the Nikon is out which only leaves you with the Pentax.

You'd be hard pressed to go wrong with any of them but I would go with either the Nikon or Canon. And unless you are taking it out in a rain storm or throwing it in water, I wouldn't really sweet the weather sealing.

[smmokan]

Given the pricing, the Canon T3i seems like a way better deal than the others with what you get. Flip that printer for $200 and you've got a helluva deal.

[systemoverblow'd]

Flip that printer for $200

[oftpiste]

I'm pretty stoked on the T3i I just got after being advised herein. Did the loyalty program thing and got a screaming deal.

[ferniebiker]

I did the same thing, sick deal, great camera

[warthog]

Have you looked at micro 4/3 products? That is the way I am going, but I already have a dslr that I don`t want to carry around very often.

[cat in january]

Thanks for the responses.

I did look at the 4/3 a while back and they seemed a bit slow for sport shots and not as good of a "value" overall, but I am open minded.

Canon T3i seems to be the choice so far by people. Thought the metal body and weather sealing would be important, but trust systemoverblow"d that it is not.

[smmokan]

I'll echo what he said earlier... unless you plan on shooting in pouring rain and/or horrible conditions, I wouldn't sweat the weather-sealed body. I've used my 50D and various lenses in the snow quite a bit and never had a problem.

[cat in january]

I was looking at purchasing the T3i bundle through Amazon.

It was only at the final page during the purchase that Amazon showed the shipping on the printer came from a private vendor. Even though the printer was purchased through the Amazon site in the same way as the camera and 2nd lens, it was listed as a seperate shipper. Read the coupon closely before hitting final purchase agreement and read that the items had to be both purchased and shipped by amazon. If I had skipped over reading that then the $390 pinter with a $400 rebate would not have worked and I would have not been able to complete the rebate. Not sure if it was an intentional bait and switch by Amazon, but not seeing the pertinent information before the last step prior to purchase and needing to then read the coupon carefully to see why it does not qualify was a close call. I did contact Amazon through live chat and they confirmed the coupon would not work with the item I had and that none of the ones listed (I think it was over 40 vendors for new) would work.

So the T3i with the two lenses is $670 shipped from Amazon with a cheap bag and a Transcend 16GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card thrown in for free. Probably the leading candidate right now. I see the T3i on the canon refurbished site which you can get the loyalty discount for, but I don't see how to get the lens.

If anyone sees something float across their screen that is a screaming camera deal in the $800 and under category kindly post it up or pm me.

[oftpiste]

^^^go to goodwill and find a beater canon digital and use it to exploit the loyalty program.

I got 50% off the 75-300 which happened to be available as a refurb at the time. Whole deal - T3i with kit lens and 75-300 was about $550 shipped.

Also, you'll need a good quality class 10 card or the HD vid won't work.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I was looking at purchasing the T3i bundle through Amazon.

It was only at the final page during the purchase that Amazon showed the shipping on the printer came from a private vendor. Even though the printer was purchased through the Amazon site in the same way as the camera and 2nd lens, it was listed as a seperate shipper. Read the coupon closely before hitting final purchase agreement and read that the items had to be both purchased and shipped by amazon. If I had skipped over reading that then the $390 pinter with a $400 rebate would not have worked and I would have not been able to complete the rebate. Not sure if it was an intentional bait and switch by Amazon, but not seeing the pertinent information before the last step prior to purchase and needing to then read the coupon carefully to see why it does not qualify was a close call. I did contact Amazon through live chat and they confirmed the coupon would not work with the item I had and that none of the ones listed (I think it was over 40 vendors for new) would work.

So the T3i with the two lenses is $670 shipped from Amazon with a cheap bag and a Transcend 16GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card thrown in for free. Probably the leading candidate right now. I see the T3i on the canon refurbished site which you can get the loyalty discount for, but I don't see how to get the lens.

If anyone sees something float across their screen that is a screaming camera deal in the $800 and under category kindly post it up or pm me.

E-bay
............

[cat in january]

I have checked ebay a few times and I may end up with a lens from there eventually, but overall I have not been impressed with the prices versus risk. New camera with 2 lenses, bag and flash for $670 through Amazon or refurbished camera and kit for $448 through Canon with loyalty seem better. Craigslist has been a disappointment, but I guess I could just send out offers for what I think is fair (prices are way too high relative to new with warranty)

[smmokan]

T3i in Refurb Store:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_283202_-1

Loyalty program knocks another 20% off that, so it comes out to around $400. Add the 18-55mm IS for $80 used and the 55-250mm for $125 used (if those are the two lenses you want), and you still have $200 to play with.

[Max Archer]

Unless video is a major priority, the D7000 would be my choice in a heartbeat. The Rebel might slightly beat it in perfect condition image quality, but as a user camera the D7000 is tougher, faster, and much easier to use for serious photography. It's also spectacular for a crop sensor camera in low light.

Were the Canon option a hypothetical 70D I might consider that, but the Rebel will be infinitely more frustrating to use, with its consumer-friendly modes, single control wheel, and tiny viewfinder, and the 60D is an antique in camera terms.

Don't forget to check Costco, by the way, they sometimes have some pretty amazing DSLR deals in the store around this time of year. (And their website isn't an indication of what the stores stock.)

There's also this site, that lists camera deals: http://cameradeals.1001noisycameras.com/ It might be worth digging through.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I have checked ebay a few times and I may end up with a lens from there eventually, but overall I have not been impressed with the prices versus risk. New camera with 2 lenses, bag and flash for $670 through Amazon or refurbished camera and kit for $448 through Canon with loyalty seem better. Craigslist has been a disappointment, but I guess I could just send out offers for what I think is fair (prices are way too high relative to new with warranty)

Did You click through? Canon T3i +18-55mm IS II + 75-300mm + 16GB +Case ++KIT for $649. This is from a US seller with 20k+, 100% feedback shipped free. Also you can bundle the 9000 printer for $19.95 after rebate and they nvoice together for you. If you sell the printer for $150 [is this ok System?] you net for $500 all new. I have had more problems with Amazon and their 3dr party sellers than ebay.

[cat in january]

Thanks. I assumed it was a generic ebay link and did not click through. Learned something about how links appear at TGR. Hmmm that looks good.

for some reason I keep circling back to the sony a65. Wish I had the dough for the a77 with its 16-50 f 2.8 lens. Might try to sell some stuff.

Again appreciate al the input.

[smmokan]

Check the refurb store again.... T3i for ~$350. There you go.