A bit looseness in autofocus zoom lens is normal .. they are not rigid . Don't wiggle it that much just to check it though . Digital photographs don't have grain . Grains are totally a silver-halide film phenomenon . Digital pics taken in low light ( high iso speeds ) will have some noise .. the digital equivalent of "grains" . Take pics in bright daylight and short focal length ( wide angle ), check again for "grains" . Hopefully they won't be there anymore .

I got the 1.8 and its been a pleasant lens to shoot with with so far. Good value for money for someone switching from Tele/Macro to Portraits, Much appreciate your feedback.

I am under the impression that digital images do have the "grains" apart from "noise".

I need some education here sire!!

Nope - the use of the very word grain in photography alludes to real grains(cluster of particles) of metallic silver embedded in a layer of gelatin on film or paper base ,that makes up a real photograph . Digital photographs have no grains .. metallic or otherwise .. it's composed of pixels , dots whatever you call 'em . Electronic noise often creeps into the digital sensor's output under unfavorable electronic conditions like high-iso values ( very low light ) etc etc ... and appears like very fine smudgy dots on the photo ... looked from a distance looks somewhat like the real grains from olden times . But nowhere as beautiful , mind you ... real grains were well defined and sharp and gave character to the photograph . I used a lotsa Tri-x 400 film (kodak) then just for it's lovely grain structure .

Hey guys, i looking forward to buy a camera for less than 15k... can anyone suggest me something, im looking at nikon l120 and fuji film s3300... i even saw the nikon p500, im buying the cam at duty free(charles du galles), so can i expect it for 15k?(its 20k in indian shops)...
Other suggestions are also welcome

Guys, any idea whats the current street price of 8 GB Class 10 SD memory card?

I need to buy one for my Lumix DMC-FT3.

Someone help

I didnt see any reply to my query.
BTW I finally got one from Lamington Road. I am quoting the prices which I got from various stores while buying.

Below are the prices for Class 10 - 8GB SD Card.
Sony (Pheonix Mills) - 1800 Rs
Canon Store (Pheonix Mills): SanDisk Card - 1900 Rs
Croma (Pheonix Mills): Most of them dont know what Class 10 is. One of them knew and they dont stock it.
Staples (Pheonix Mills): Dont stock it.
JJ Mehta (Dadar):SanDisk - 1900 Rs

I asked few of my friends to check the prices of SD card online and they told that Transcend ones cost very less as compared to SanDisk, almost half the price.

Finally I was completely tired of searching for Transcend cards and no one stocked it. So went to Lamington road and got one for 800Rs (Online price was 7** Rs) but I was so tired of searching so I bought it from the first store I saw on Lamington Road.

SanDisk cards at that shop were for 1100RS whereas other big stores in malls were selling the same card for more that 1800 Rs. Watch the price difference. Its easily more than 700+ Rs as compared to street prices at Lamington Road.

Finally got all the accessories for my camera.

look out for Panasonic Lumix FZ35 or FZ100, they are very good camera with lot of features. have a look over them

Ok guys..

This is what I need some of your views/Suggestions for..

I'm basically looking for an entry-level DSLR, costing under 30k.

I would use the SLR for these photography styles:
* LANDSCAPE
*MACRO-"SLR compatible with MACRO lens."
*TRAVEL/OUTDOOR

Please pour in your valuable suggestions/Opinions
Looking forward to buy, by this month end or next month.

Go for Canon EOS 550D which is now available for Rs. 31,490 only

Source : Canon 550D with 18-55mm IS Lens Kit + Manufacturer WRTy | eBay

I am now a proud owner of Canon Powershot SX 30 IS. Bought last night from CROMA (TATA enterprise) for Rs 24+K

You'll love it

You'll love it bro.. It rocks..

I would suggest you lookup either,

1) Nikon D3100
2) Canon 1100D

In that order.

These are good entry level DSLR's which fit your budget. Macro lens may be a bit expensive and the kit lens which is offered, 18-55mm may not satisfy all the options (Macro, Outdoor) etc. You may have to be prepared to invest in a good macro/tele/wide lens as per your shooting style, to go along with these feature filled entry level DSLR's.

I usually check this site for getting updates on the latest shooting gear. It has a decent feature and performance review and quite unbiased as well. There is quite a lot of information available about the lens as well, incase you are interested.

guys can you'll please help me. i was initially going to buy a
cannon d3000 but later decided to go for a hybrid and later upgrade to a betterdslr. I have set my self a budget of 20k.I've almost decided on the p500. Is it good buy. was also looking at the fujifilm hs20exr but off put off by the fact that it works on aa bateries. is it really a con. any other cam worth looking into?