Another new camera question...

reidcrandall

reidcrandall

New member
I know that there are plenty of opinions out there. There are a couple of packages at Costco that are within my budget. One Canon and one Nikon. What are the opinions on which would be a better buy...

Canon
Rebel XSi 12.2MP 3.0"
3.5 Frames per Second
EF-S 18-55mm IS Lens

or

Nikon D60 10.2MP 2.5"
18-55 VR & 55-200 VR
3 Frames Per Second
3-Area AF
3D Color Matrix Metering
1GB SD Card
DSLR Camera Bag

Any help would be greatly appreciated :)
 
Get the Canon...The Nikon D60 has focus problems with some lenses. But mainly because I am a Canon user (all of your responses will be tainted by this).
 
Yeah. I assumed that there would be some bias based on what each person uses. There isn't any problem with that. If it's working for someone, I'd love to know!
 
I guess the real question is: Is the second lens that comes with the D60 worth anything in the equation. I am going to have to wait a while to get some lenses after he body is purchased, but I will want to start learning and hopefully taking some decent pics in the meantime.
 
I would agree that they are not the greatest lenses... but will they do for a few months until I have cash to purchase something that is a good lens?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14512004#post14512004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
Well quality lenses are a big deal and....none of the three listed are quality lenses. Those are "training wheel lenses".
Click to expand...

I'm a "Canon" guy too but the 55-200 actually is rated pretty well. You should, however, go to a store and handle both before making your decision.
 
I have actually been to the store, and both feel fine to me. I played with them a bit at Costco today.

I actually went to a local camera store, and they were very rude and unhelpful. I have decided to not buy from them for that reason alone.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14512038#post14512038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
You can take a snap shot of anything using any lens. You can take a photograph of a subject with the proper lens.
Click to expand...

I would agree, but we all must begin somewhere. Unfortunately, the budget doesn't allow me to do everything at once. I will get there though.
 
It seems that we have a lot more Canon fans here. I am thinking I will go in that direction... unless I get a strong Nikon argument here. I talked to a friend of mine who said that Nikon had horrible customer service when she needed to use it. That goes a long way for me.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14518536#post14518536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reidcrandall
It seems that we have a lot more Canon fans here. I am thinking I will go in that direction... unless I get a strong Nikon argument here. I talked to a friend of mine who said that Nikon had horrible customer service when she needed to use it. That goes a long way for me.
Click to expand...

This is my perspective, anything not listed I consider even...

Canon Pros:
- All the lenses you could ever ask for (almost ;))
- Lenses are typically more cost effective than the competition
- Software is excellent, and free
- Always aiming for image quality in their camera bodies/upgrades

Canon Cons:
- Strobe system is not as reliable as Nikon
- The AF system is behind the competition (but still good)
- Tendancy to hold features (bells and whistles) back


Nikon Pros:
- Tendancy to pack features into their camera bodies
- State of the art AF system
- Very nice strobe system

Nikon Cons:
- Some gaps in the lens lineup
- Lenses are comparatively expensive
- Their free software seems like it was made in 1990 with Visual Basic
- The software they charge for is not much better



When you consider your intended subject matter one system or the other may look better. I think the worst thing you can do is base your buying decision on which kit seems better now. Once you're settled into either camp you'll be financially invested and switching camps later on will be very costly.

If I was starting from scratch today I have to say I would be very tempted to go with Nikon for the D700, 14-24mm, 105mm macro with VR, and their better strobe system.

I currently have a Canon 5D and a 40D before that. I love them both.
 
wide - efs10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 (I own this one), or Tonkia 12-24mm f/4, or 16-35mm f/2.8, or 17-40mm f/4 (will own 16-35 or 17-40 someday)
Normal - efs17-55mm f/2.8 IS, 24-70mm f/2.8 (I own this one), 24-105 f/4
Telephoto - 70-200mm f/4, or f/4 IS, or f/2.8, or f/2.8 IS (I own this one), or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS
Macro - 100mm f/2.8 (I own this one), or 180mm f/3.5 (will own someday)

That is one route ^, primes are well worth looking at.
wide - 14mm f/2.8 II, 24mm f/1.4, or f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, or f/2
Normal - 50mm f/1.2, or f/1.4 (I own this one), or f/1.8, 85mm f/1.2 (I think this is the sexiest lens in the world), or f/1.8 (will own someday), 135mm f/2 (will own someday), 200mm f/2.8, or f/2
Telephoto - 300mm f/2.8 IS, or f/4 IS, 400mm f/2.8 IS, or f/5.6, 500mm f/4 IS, 600mm f/4 IS (will own 500 or 600 someday), 800mm f/5.6 IS (hope to own a LONG time from now)
Macro - 100mm f/2.8 (I own this one), or 180mm f/3.5 (will own someday)

*efs can only be used with the less expensive cameras. Not compatible with 5D's or 1D(s)'s
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14518536#post14518536 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reidcrandall
It seems that we have a lot more Canon fans here. I am thinking I will go in that direction... unless I get a strong Nikon argument here. I talked to a friend of mine who said that Nikon had horrible customer service when she needed to use it. That goes a long way for me.
Click to expand...


Having shipped a lens to Melville before for repair work I had a great experience with their customer service. Never had a problem.
 
I would get the XSi and if you wanted to go body-only then take a look at the tamron 17-50mm f/2.8... you can find it used for about $350 shipped and it as as sharp/sharper than the Canon 17-55mm. You may want to look into a used setup... check out photography-on-the.net for a good "for sale" section.

Jesse
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14512038#post14512038 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
You can take a snap shot of anything using any lens. You can take a photograph of a subject with the proper lens.
Click to expand...

It's not quite that black and white. Yes the lens is an important component but the photographer is more important.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14520449#post14520449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman23
I would get the XSi and if you wanted to go body-only then take a look at the tamron 17-50mm f/2.8... you can find it used for about $350 shipped and it as as sharp/sharper than the Canon 17-55mm. You may want to look into a used setup... check out photography-on-the.net for a good "for sale" section.

Jesse
Click to expand...
Canon (pros):
The Canon is actually sharper, but not a lot. It has IS (though I wouldn't need it at that focal length), the auto focus is much faster and quiet, the Canon is also built better all around (though it is no "L"), and the zoom works in the proper direction.

Tamron (pros):
It is cheaper and smaller.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14520499#post14520499 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
It's not quite that black and white. Yes the lens is an important component but the photographer is more important.
Click to expand...
I will agree that the user's knowledge, skill, and talent are paramount. Without these, no amount of equipment will help you. If you don't have the proper equipment for what you need to do though...that sure is a lot of wasted knowledge, skill, and talent.

I worked as a technician for BMW for several years. I could diagnose drive ability problems, find electrical shorts, repair a leaking A/C system, or do a simple break job. Thankfully I had thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of tools to accomplish these tasks. If I didn't pony up the cash for a full set of wrenches, multimeter, test lights, ect. I wouldn't have made a time in that place.

Without the knowledge and know-how to do those things, all the tools in the world wouldn't have magically fixed a car for me. If I showed up to work with a roll of duct tape, a clawed hammer, and a screwdriver...I wouldn't have had a job very long. Photography isn't any different.
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14520015#post14520015 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
wide - efs10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 (I own this one), or Tonkia 12-24mm f/4, or 16-35mm f/2.8, or 17-40mm f/4 (will own 16-35 or 17-40 someday)
Normal - efs17-55mm f/2.8 IS, 24-70mm f/2.8 (I own this one), 24-105 f/4
Telephoto - 70-200mm f/4, or f/4 IS, or f/2.8, or f/2.8 IS (I own this one), or 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 IS
Macro - 100mm f/2.8 (I own this one), or 180mm f/3.5 (will own someday)

That is one route ^, primes are well worth looking at.
wide - 14mm f/2.8 II, 24mm f/1.4, or f/2.8, 35mm f/1.4, or f/2
Normal - 50mm f/1.2, or f/1.4 (I own this one), or f/1.8, 85mm f/1.2 (I think this is the sexiest lens in the world), or f/1.8 (will own someday), 135mm f/2 (will own someday), 200mm f/2.8, or f/2
Telephoto - 300mm f/2.8 IS, or f/4 IS, 400mm f/2.8 IS, or f/5.6, 500mm f/4 IS, 600mm f/4 IS (will own 500 or 600 someday), 800mm f/5.6 IS (hope to own a LONG time from now)
Macro - 100mm f/2.8 (I own this one), or 180mm f/3.5 (will own someday)

*efs can only be used with the less expensive cameras. Not compatible with 5D's or 1D(s)'s
Click to expand...

If you had to choose one to start with, whuch would it be?
 
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