Listmania!
Why I need these for PHOTOGRAPHY
By an Amazon.com customer
Nikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor LensNikon D40 6.1MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens
Buy new: $461.89 / Used from: $429.00
For a bit more than 400 bucks, you get a decent camera with a well-built kit lens. Is a 6 megapixel camera enough? I think making some fun, nice pictures out of it will make it totally worthy.
Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)Canon Rebel XS 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black)
Buy new: Too low to display / Used from: $429.99
Well, then you will say, should I buy Canon XS or the Nikon D40? I would say, if this is your first camera, try to grab both of them in a store. Don't fool by the specs, if you just start to ENJOY photography. Both Canon XS and Nikon D40 are decent cameras for their own prices. Try to feel the camera on your hand, and see which camera's menu system is friendly to you.
Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Buy new: Too low to display / Used from: $2,258.99
If you really decide to buy D700, I feel you would not buy the lens kit. Why? You know you are telling yourself to compromise the good price for a average lens, and then you will sell the lens later. Try to get a 35mm f/2 or 50mm f/1.8. Either of the two is very good enough for keeping it years.
Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Buy new: $2,649.99 / Used from: $2,470.00
People are marking up the price now. Don't buy it over 2700 bucks. You should wait from Amazon or finding one from somewhere else. When coming to buy 5D MK II, I would say it is not having a Canon or Nikon question. It is more about how much you know either the brand, and how the product line-up helps you.
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera LensCanon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens
Buy new: $98.84 / Used from: $89.00
Highest performance to price ratio. Good for Rebel XS to 5D MK II. 50mm F/1.4 is never sharp at 1.4. Why bother to spend 3x-4x more money. If you are getting serious, try Sigma 50mm F/1.4. You will know what I am talking about.
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR CamerasNikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $124.95 / Used from: $120.00
No auto-focusing for D40, D40x, D60. It is a shame. It is still a good lens for Nikon's FX, such as D700. Good photographer makes good pictures, not just about the lens.
Olympus Evolt E620 12.3MP Live MOS Digital SLR Camera with Image Stabilization and 2.7 inch Swivel LCD (Body Only)Olympus Evolt E620 12.3MP Live MOS Digital SLR Camera with Image Stabilization and 2.7 inch Swivel LCD (Body Only)
Buy new: $599.99
4/3 system is great for wildlife. See the half wide of the view angle you get. Zuiko are having great and serious lenses. Why not E-30? Just not make me sold for the extra cross-type focusing points on E-30 for 40% more on the price.
Olympus Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR CamerasOlympus Zuiko 50-200mm f/2.8-3.5 Digital ED SWD Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: Too low to display
Might be a bit short, for serious birding persons. But it is equal to 100-400mm. It can be good for most of conditions to me.
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom LensNikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens
Buy new: $1,829.95
Best wide angle zoom you can find today. Shape wide open at f/2.8. It can be a good investment. Protruding front element needs more care.
Nikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR CamerasNikon 35mm f/2D AF Wide-Angle Nikkor Lens for Nikon 35mm and Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: $359.88 / Used from: $290.00
Photojournalist style? Fit one 35mm F/2 on your FX Nikon. Reasonable price, decent quality. F/2 is not too bad, given the compact size.
Canon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens for Canon SLR CamerasCanon EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens for Canon SLR Cameras
Buy new: $649.00 / Used from: $550.00
Best fisheye. It is a pity that Nikon makes not as good and more expensive fisheye 16mm F/2.8
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR CamerasCanon EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Buy new: Too low to display / Used from: $1,099.00
If you don't need F/2.8, you should never buy the 70-200mm F/2.8 IS. You want to have good portability, and therefore you carry and enjoy the lens everywhere. Both F/2.8 and F/4 IS are FORMIDABLE lenses. Best you can find for this range of zoom lenses.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 [OLD VERSION]Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 [OLD VERSION]
Buy new: $72.99 / Used from: $47.00
If you only need Adobe Camera Raw for your raw files and essential editing tools, get this one instead of much more expensive Adobe Photoshop CS3/CS4.
Genuine Fractals 6 1-user FullGenuine Fractals 6 1-user Full
Buy new: Too low to display
Best image enlargement software. Want to make a small image for a bigger print? Try this one.