I got into thinking a lot about my choice of buying an SLR cam. Previously I have blogged about my wish of buying the new Canon EOS 450D (Canon EOS Rebel XSi) which cost about $899 (approx P39000). It’s a decent entry level cam, which would be a god send if I get a hold of it myself.

I’m a point-and-shoot camera user and when I made that decision, I was kind of short-sighted when it came to the most important piece of photographic equipment, the LENSES. So I researched about the perfect start-up glass for me and I found out that Canon lenses are not cheap. As in they’re waaaaay over my budget. While the kit lens with IS (17mm-55mm) is great, I won’t be able to achieve most of the shots that I usually do because of the lack of zoom. If I buy a telephoto lens then I’ll burn at least P20k on top of the P39k and expenses going to Hidalgo and buying other start-up items like a polarizing filter and a camera bag.

I rethought my options and I found a new option that is better suited for my budget. I ended up with Nikon’s D40 :) Yeah, I know it’s not the newest model in the market but it gets the job done and that’s what should matter the most.

I’m not rich enough to buy multiple lenses so I looked for a basic lens that’s versatile and will serve me for most of my photographic needs. I found out about the Nikon 18mm – 200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom. It has 11x zoom with vibration reduction and auto focus, which is just perfect. It comes with a price tag of P29,000 at least, which is quite expensive, but since I’ll be buying the D40, which sells at P16,000 at least (body only) it’s within my budget.

Also, I won’t be going to Manila this September or August to buy the cam. I’ll be going on November or December instead so that I’ll have more time to save up and I won’t be distracted as much when I’m reviewing for the Nursing Licesure Exam. Hope it all works out :)

So here’s the rundown of my SLR plan:

Nikon D40

Nikon 18mm – 200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom

Polarizing Filter

Camera Bag

Amount raised so far as of June 2008: 64%

Target for July 2008: 73% – objectives met

Target for August 2008: 82% – objectives not met. I’m now behind by 9% (still stuck at 73%). I got to spend even less money this month. I’ll have to give up more luxuries and still to the necessities.

Target for September 2008: 91% – objectives not met (now at only 75%)

Target for November 2008: 100%