For a person with such a tight budget, maybe it shouldn't be.

Most people who are just starting out will be better suited with a kit lens while they learn the workings. The likelihood that a person who is just jumping into photography will buy a nice prime that requires a motor as opposed to something like the ultra-popular 18-200 superzoom is unlikely. The chances that the person will be doing anything worthwhile with this said prime that they can't do with a good zoom is also very unlikely.

I'm not saying motors are no good, I'm saying if you're going to buy new, the Nikon D40/D40x/D60 cameras aren't bad considering the situation. A person who is buying one of those cameras likely doesn't have the funding for a large old-school prime collection.


I've always been for buying a lightly used camera, preferably a Canon XTi or newer, at a good price and choosing a nice standard zoom [Tamron 17-50, Sigma 18-50, etc]. Provided you trust the seller or have recourse against them, buying used photo gear is a great way to get started on the right foot.

Here's a very good Buy/Sell forum for you to check out. 95+% of the people here are honest, good people.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/board/10




This post was edited by FlayrFlak on Jan 30 2009 11:11pm

I would much rather get the XS kit than the d40. Although the XS is the cheapest in the rebel line right now, it does take good pictures. The 18-55 IS is also a good starter lens. People say it's a junk kit lens, but it really is a very good lens for the price.

Anyone who knows what they're talking about knows that the old non-IS 18-55 is trash. A lot of people who say the new one is crap too are basing it on its pedigree rather than actual results. Every person I know who has used the new 18-55 IS lens and compared it to things like the 17-55 IS say that it's an amazing value for the money.

If you're going to get a kit new, make sure you get the new IS / VR kit lens from Canon / Nikon respectively.

Here is a review for the lens from photozone: http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/404-canon_1855_3556is_50d

One of the few 5 star performance/price lenses out there. Nifty Fifty [50mm f/1.8] being another.

This post was edited by FlayrFlak on Jan 31 2009 01:41pm