DSLR Recommendations

[Woogie]

I'm looking into purchasing a DSLR in the near future. Maybe this summer perhaps? I'd like to get away with spending under $1,000 on the body a decent lens. I've been looking at the rebel XT and the D70s. Any other cameras you all would recommend? And for those of you who currently own the XT or the D70s, how do you like it?

[whoster]

i absolutely love my D70s.


the end.


depending how your hands are...the Rebel XT and D70s will feel VERY different.

on an ergonomic standpoint...the Rebel XT is a bit smallish, but for me the D70s fits perfectly in my hands.

[Woogie]

How are they as far as performance? Are they fairly comparable?

[kingkong5]

Originally Posted by Woogie

How are they as far as performance? Are they fairly comparable?

Do you like Pepsi or Coke? There are followers for each brand, and they are pretty loyal, but at the end of the day, the products (although different) are pretty much the same. Obviously lenses and such are made for one or the other, etc. but you can't go wrong with either, IMHO.

[vipermann1]

Get the Canon 30D digital camera. Hands down the best!

[whoster]

Originally Posted by vipermann1

Get the Canon 30D digital camera. Hands down the best!

that's only if you dismiss the full-frame 5D, the 1D MKII, and the IDS MKII.


not to mention the Nikon D200, D2h and D2X.


in it's class, the Rebel XT is pretty good...but like i said, the Rebel XT feels cheaper and more plasticky than the D70s.

sure the XT is a 8.1MP over Nikon's 6.1MP, but the real difference is about 100 -200 pixels each way, and unless you're printing billboards, it's not worth haggling about.

you really need to go try it out at a store and see for yourself.
one of the other reasons i stuck with Nikon however is that the Canon 18-55mm PALES in comparison to the 18-70mm Nikkor glass. not only was it designed to be used solely on a digital SLR, it's uses Nikon's best technology (Extra-Low Dispersion, AF-S, Silent Wave Motor, Internal Focusing). Sharpness and consistency of the 18-70mm rivals the 17-55mm 1:2.8 lens which costs over a grand. The 18-55mm Canon kit lense is known for horrendous lens flares (some actually need to get sent back to Canon for replacements), not to mention the overall cheapness.

aftermarket lens support for both manufacturers is pretty much the same. Tokina, Tamron and Sigma produce the same lenses for both system mounts so you've got no problems there.

Canon ultimately offers more lenses in its lineup, but the common focal ranges are all the same, and both offer in-lens image stabilization (IS for Canon, VR for Nikon) in their upper-tier lenses.


some people will swear upon either brand, but as many pros know---both brands offer pretty much the same products--those who are being selfishly branded to either Canon or Nikon are being waaaaaay too nitpicky and arguing about equipment instead of going out there and shooting. I know people who shoot both Nikon and Canon, using the pros of each manufacturer to cancel out the cons that the systems have.


in the end it's purely up to the feel of the camera in your hand.

for me i held no real bias against either brand until i held them both in my hand and immediately ruled out the Rebel XT since my pinkie had no where to go, but the D70s offered a comfy place for my pinky. (may not sound like a big deal...but when shooting for a long time...ergonomics really matter)



good luck in your search!

[Percy]

The "best" depends on your application and price range as well as preference. Most beginners would love to get their hands on the 1ds Mark II or the Phase One P45 digital backs, and I don't blame them. For those that have invested in either Nikon or Canon glass, it makes sense to stick with the camera body you have to the lenses that already exist. If you're starting from scratch, I would suggest you handle the cameras in question. Remember that you're going to be with this camera for a while, so if it doesn't "feel" right, you're going to have to live with it.

Nikon has caught up in a few of the technologies. VR for instance. Originally they had VR on only one of the lenses and Canon had a complete lineup of IS lenses for their upper tier back in '99. From the feedback that I was getting then, Nikon had some problems adapting the VR to their existing lens mount (space considerations), but they've worked out the bugs since then.

Generally, the character and color balance of the Nikon and Canon glasses are quite different. Nikon has more contrast and more "punch" to their pictures. Canon is a bit more subtle and shifts towards the warm/yellowish side.

It's getting to a point now where you can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon. In the past, back in the mid '90s, people were jumping ship from the Nikon boat to get to the Canon. Better and faster autofocusing, especially with real life moving targets (races, triatholons, etc). The 1D Mark II is THE fastest focusing camera out there on the market, bar none. If your application needs ultra fast, no excuses focusing, then this would be the "weapon of choice".

Nikon has the D200, and it's one great camera. D70s too. It took a while for Nikon to catch up, but they're coming out with some really nice camera bodies.

Getting back to the 20D/30D...the 30D has a larger screen, larger buffer and a few other goodies. The larger screen makes a difference when you're photographing models/fashion since the model can see the image better.

The only aftermarket lens that I can recommend would be the ones from Tamron. Tamron makes the lenses for Nikon (28-70) but Nikon adds in the ED element as well as some cosmetic changes. So, if Nikon trusts Tamron to make then lens, I see no problem in it. Sigma and Tokina have generally been softer, image wise, than the equivalent Nikon or Canon.

I've shot with both systems, but I have my lenses invested in Canon. (300 2.8/200 1.8L, 135 2.0L, 85 1.2L, etc). Go try both systems out at your local retailer...they'll be more than happy to demo both of them.

Percy
Next up...the Canon 1Ds Mark II for tryout...

[UberNoob]

i myself is saving up for a D200 after losing my digital rebel

just to keep in mind that any decent lenses will cost like $300 at least

that is with a good range
nikon's 18~200mm is such a good and versatile lens, it is so backordered now

but anyways
D70s w/ nikon 18~200mm will be a killer setup

[bitkahuna]

I don't care for the size/shape of the Rebel XT. I'd get a 30D if you can swing it. The D200 seems to be an excellent DSLR.

[Drocay]

We put order in for D200 with 18-200 kit. Its been 4+ weeks now. HAHA.

[VJ RC51]

the original canon digital rebel takes AWESOME night photos.

Also note, if most your pics u want to take is for internet pics and 4x6 printouts, u dont even need over 3mp

[Woogie]

Originally Posted by VJ RC51

the original canon digital rebel takes AWESOME night photos.

Also note, if most your pics u want to take is for internet pics and 4x6 printouts, u dont even need over 3mp

I wouldn't do random hang out / internet pics with an SLR.

[whoster]

yeah...seriously.


when i bought my SLR that i would put time into photography besides hanging out and internet photos


-.-

[GSing430]

i went with the rebet xt kit, i don't plan to be a professional but it gets the job done for the money. i was also debating between the canon and nikon but went with the canon because it was on sale.
$999-$250 = $749- $225 mail in rebate = $524 for body and lens, brand new from a retailer (fry's electronic) that was over 6months ago.