Hello guys,

I'm looking forward to purchase my first DSLR and I have gotten this offer from a shop in PJ:

Standard package: D7000 Kit + Nikon Bag + 8GB SD = RM4,500
Standard package + Kenko UV Filter = RM4,580
Standard package + Kenko UV Filter + Upgrade to 8GB Sandisk Ultra = RM4,680

Fotopro Tripod (can be unattached into monopod) = RM480

And because I'm getting together with my friend, the shop offering us further RM50 off which we can purchase the Glass Type Screen Protector.

What do you guys think about the package?

Or perhaps any other shop recommendation?

if I were you I will buy D7k with body only. and hunt my lens later on.
yeah memory card speed affect video recording speed.

Melaka selling for RM4400, 8GB + Bag. I think you should be able to press further.

got result then tell me too 
so i can have a target to save money 

The price is OK/good enough; No point survey too many times, the time and money wasted is it worth it? As long the shop provide OK/Good price and good service, I think it's good enough.

You can forgo the filter, not necessary.

Depends on what you look for in photography, what kind of photography (landscape, portrait, sports, etc), it'll be easier to decide on the lens; else you can get the kit lens first; If you have a bit more to spend, get the 50mm f/1.8D for less than RM400. It'll be a good lens for portraiture and you might use it more than your zoom lens, unless you need the wider angle.

Memory Card speed effect if you're shooting bigger file size, saving the photo, and more importantly, viewing the photos in camera; You can view in list view, which will load the photos as small thumbnails. With slower cards, it loads slower.
If you're trying to do some processing in camera, the speed plays the role as well.
Finally, for HD video, you need at least Class 6 (I think).

ohhh...can tell me the shop name you get cheapest offer?    i got my D70s last time at fotokem shop 

If I were you I will buy d7000 + 50mm 1.8  or 35mm 2.0 + 18-70 Nikkor or 1750 Tamron or 1850 Siggy.

Err.. I am not really sure about DSLR.
however since I am an IT-student I will elaborate the essential of memory card in IT perspective. However if you find it difficult to understand you can directly skip this part
every computer or any computerized machine is having a small built-in memory to store whatever happening before actually store it to the actual storage (the place you save your photo in this case memory card, in pc case it will be hard disk. this is called non-volatile memory the basic idea is the computer or any computerized machine can retain the information even when not powered if you want to do further research you can go here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-volatile_memory)

However it is impossible for computer to directly store it on non volatile memory as it usually has slower access rate which makes you will feel the device is dumb therefore device nowadays including PC has another memory called volatile memory reference : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatile_memory (in PC case it will be RAM in DLSR IDK what it's called but I am sure DSLR has one as you can still store some images even you don't have the memory card, the purpose of this volatile memory is making the process is faster therefore the sequence of execution will be USER ACTION -> COMPUTER CALCULATION -> STORE in RAM -> STORE in HDD if necessary).

if you don't have the clear image of volatile and non volatile this example will give you an idea.
if I open the document and type something on my Microsoft word let say "ABC" and I didn't save it. I shut down my PC and the following day my "ABC" document lost.
it happen because I do have it in RAM so I can still see "ABC" however since RAM is volatile it doesn't store anything once you turn off the PC.
exactly the same thing happen on DSLR. Those images you captured w/o memory card will be gone once you turn it off.

however if I save it on my hard disk I can still see it later on. <- this because do save it on non-volatile memory such as hard disk..

Volatile memory is good however the main defect is it has limited amount of storage. E.g nowadays 4Gb RAM is awesome.
this makes volatile has to work together with non-volatile which can store a lot bigger number of memory. let say 2Tb HDD.
In conclusion :
'RAM' or whatsoever called in DSLR couldn't store your 10 mins movie at once.
therefore I should retain information from your sensor + lens about your recording thing (as it still go on) while it should store some information to memory card gradually before it happen to be 1 video with 10 mins length.

Therefore the speed of HDD (in DSLR case is memory card is a necessity in video recording to help the 'RAM' in DSLR stay connected with 'HDD' in DSLR w/o any delay).

again that's just what I learn trough my college life.
correct me if I am wrong.

If you're going to kit lens package and have RM5K budget, get the 50mm f/1.8D prime lens; use it for indoors/lowlight situation, portraiture or when you need the shallow depth of field, blowing the background using wide apertures.

35mm f/2D I think is around RM1K
35mm f/1.8G DX is around RM760

I remember back then when I have my 1st compact camera it was 2004/2005 if not mistaken my compact has video feature where actually my compact maximum fps is a way bellow than 24 fps. (for normal purposed video).

there was a school project which enforce us to do video kind of thing. since we were student and DSLR or handy cam is out of budget I decided to give my video function in compact a try.
as the result the video function in my compact is actually the biggest flaw of my compact. It didn't serve me well. as it will give you a sense of laggy feeling. (I think you can imagine this)

in the end I decided to throw away whatever I and my group did with the compact video function and just snap the picture one by one as it making the sense of motion.

IDK what will happen actually if your memory card a way bellow than standard for video as I don't do video with my DSLR.
but. . . I can sense you will experience what I experienced back then. anyway good luck bro

err.. FYI 35 f 2.0 is 1k something.
so d7000 body new set will cost your 3.8k (quoted from LYP) or you can get cheaper if you are a good bargainer.
50mm 1.8 = approx 350
35mm 2.0 = approx 1k
35mm 1.8 = approx 780
1750 tamron non-VC = approx 1.1k
1755 tamron VC = approx 1.7k
1850 siggy = I am not sure but I think 2k ++
1755 VR kit lens. = second hard 300 - 350.

update*
1870 kit lens Nikkor = I got quoted second hand 580 <- IDK I really wanted to have this lens

so it's now decision. make the best combination with the minimum money 

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro HSM around RM1.6k
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM around RM2.4k

For other I have no idea, but 50MM f/1.8 is a sharp lens that can slice thing up without effort xD

I suppose because he knows you will meet your limitation soon enough by spending time on kit lens.
if you want kit lens get 18-70 second hand. 
and another reason is because initially you need kind of all-around-lens in order to you to get know what you wanted to shoot.

don't expect you are able to shoot landscape with your 50mm 1.8

vearn, if it was me: i'd just buy the d7000kit set. the 18-105 VR is plenty good for starters. you get a good range and VR to start with. great high iso performance + VR = winrar. people are recommending other lens just out of pure gear envy yes, those recommended lens are good, but not really essential for starters. you will know what you really need want later on.

further back you said you mentioned your quoted pricing: i'd take the first option (without filter and normal 8GB SD). and then buy another 8gb sandisk ultra from the forums (for your video needs). price should be cheaper than the other options. as for the filters and protectors, don't worry too much about it; your new camera is capable enough to take a lil' beating

The filter part, in the end, it's up to your own decision, is the price worth to pay for; If you want to get, just make sure you get a good quality ones; If you check out reviews/etc, you will see the comparison on each/some filters and how it will effect the outcome of the picture... even the well known brands.

For video, Sandisk has a new type of card specially for Video.
If you're going to shoot video a lot, you will need to consider getting a zoom lens and WITH VR (Vibration Reduction aka Image Stabilization); which the kit lens should fulfill your requirements.
Prime lens has no VR, so if you're shooting videos handheld with prime lens, you will suffer from shaky video AND without zoom you will need to zoom with your legs, thus again shake shake...
BUT with prime lens offering wider apertures, you can get very nice shallow Depth of Field on your videos.

Yes, that's the lens I'm referring to, it was recommended by many others too, especially KTCY 
Basically, prime lens usually have better image quality, sharpness than zoom lens, not to mention kit lens...
Kit Lens have non-fix aperture and the aperture is not big enough, max only 3.5 at 18mm, and 5.6 at 105mm. In lowlight situation, it will not let in enough light, and if you want to blow out the background making the subject stand out, kit lens doesn't do well. But for general photography, it does well as well as provides good sharpness.

By the way, if you're new to DSLR and have been using digital camera, you will need to know about VR is built into lens (Nikon & Canon), compared to digital camera which have Image Stablization built into body.

IDK why. but for me 1870 is a very great lens with maximum 4.5 aperture even on 70mm.
IQ wise I think it is better since it is better compared to 1855  KTCY (said this one to me )
on the other hand 1855 pawned 18105

moreover it is discontinued lens. Therefore I am so deeply interested! 

You can watch YouTube or reviews comparison on the difference between without VR and with VR when video recording... the difference is... A LOT! And that is just handholding, NOT EVEN moving... imagine if you walk/moved...

If you want cheaper alternative and you don't need to extra reach, you can buy 2nd hand 18-55mm VR kit lens for around RM300++, then spend the rest of the money on a prime or Flash Gun.
But make sure what range you need for your videography and photography needs. 55mm might not be enough, but actually 105mm might also not be enough; A good pair for low budget would be... 18-55 + 55-200 or 18-55 + 55-300, but you need to change lens which might not be a good option for video. So, if you do need the extra reach, the 18-105 should be good enough.

After your kit, depend on your photography needs and what you shoot more. A flash will be a good choice to pair with your kit lens and do wonders to your photography. You can get excellent result with proper and creative lightings.
If you want to shoot portraiture more and be creative on your shooting style, the prime will serve your needs. Nonetheless, if you shoot indoors, parties, events, Flash will help you out a lot and make wonders to your photos. Even with primes, you most probably still find the need of the flash, especially if you have experience with it.

50mm f/1.4g no regrets =)

I will go for 35mm f/2. More wide for casual use, better sharpness, less elements(brighter images).

Go read > Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm 1:1.4G review

Yes that's the 35mm f/2. There's only 1 Nikkor 35mm f/2. 

Get 50mm f/1.8D, it's way cheaper, with the money saved, you can get a Flash SB-600 or SB-700;

Correction:
50mm f/1.4G/D vs 50mm f/1.8D; Unless one have the $$$, go for G; but for tight budget, just get the f/1.8D, cheap and good lens, can invest the rest of the money on Flash OR even get the 35mm f/1.8G OR top up more for f/2D.

BUT, some people does prefer 50mm than 35mm after testing, they prefer the tele range for portrait purpose. My friend opt for 50mm over 35mm after testing both; Although he struggles when taking group photo or tight situation, have to keep move back and back. 

1.4G and 1.8D difference is earth and sky.
What focal length suitable for food? Own preferences. I personally prefer 35mm more than 50mm on DX. If FX then both is fine with me.

The price difference between 50mm f/1.4G and 50mm f/1.8D is A LOT, over RM1K. The price difference can get you another 35mm f/2D or SB-700 Flash.

50mm on DX body will become 75mm, and the minimum focusing distance is around 1.5ft; basically you need to stand further back to fill the frame and if you cannot get too near.
Depends in you have ample space or not and/or how you want to fill the frame also.

Depends on budget lo; As I said previously, if have $$, definitely 50mm f/1.4G. The person asking actually has tight budget mah.

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Added on February 8, 2011, 10:57 pm

Budget constraint different story loh; For the 50mm f/1.4G price, can also get 85mm f/1.8D and quality 

If you prefer the range of 50mm, you can opt for 50mm f/1.8D, and get a Flash;
Else you can go for 35mm f/2D and save up later for the Flash.
The flash will help you a lot as previously you mentioned you're shooting indoors, parties, etc. Even with primes with wide aperture, you might find the need for flash.

For the difference, you can actually test out at the shops and feel the difference for yourself, in terms of the quality and the range, etc.

I remember you're looking more into videos, if yes, then these lens are without VR and you will face some difficulties on video stability and you'll loose the zoom. If you really need one, you can consider cheap 2nd hand 18-55mm VR.

Talk so long also no point. People was asking about food photography.

Bringing 85mm in is kinda stupid. Unless the person using FF sensor.
Else, can forget about 85mm which MFD is 85cm !
Sitting on table for food, will it be as far as 85cm ? Think about it.
Step a few step back, or stand up move behind just to shoot the food ?

Forget about it. Dining at fine dine restaurant with that ? I rather not shooting any photos !

85mm is more to portrait lens. Food ? 50mm or below should works fine ! Depending on what type of effect you want.
50mm = close up enough
35mm = mid
24mm = wide

for food, i think 35mm is the best on crop ler...

Yeah. It's