Finding a BIGger DSLR

[GoLowDrew]

I'm looking for a new DSLR. I know what I want, features, functions, etc. However, when held it in my hand, the camera seems to be in 3/4 scale. Cameras like the Nikon D40, D50, or Canon XTi are a bit small. My pinky finger is just left there with no support, and nothing to hold. I hold a DSLR, like a SLR, and not like a point & shoot pocket camera. So the feel is important to me. I don't have big hands, and consider myself average.

Ok, I can get a "larger" camera like the Nikon D80. I can even add the battery pack for a even better grip. Then I'm buying way more camera than I need to. We are talking a very big price difference that I can't just say "spend a little more."

Cameras like the D40 or XTi is plenty for what I need.

So have you guys face the same problems choose a new camera?

 

[BlueCorn]

If the XTi is all the Camera that you feel that you need you could just add the battery grip to it. (BG-3 I believe) I put one on my old XT and it made a huge difference.

 

[Ebn]

Yup, go with the battery grip option if you just want a slightly larger camera. I added one to the 20D and the D200 since I was really used to the size of the 2N and the 2X. I take lots of pics with the portrait orientation so that was another reason to go with one.

 

[swjim]

I had the same concern when buying my DSLR last year (I'm a 6', 200lb guy, but I'd consider my hands average for someone my size). It was quite a bit more money, but I chose to go with the Canon 30D over the Rebel XT. The size was a concern, but I also felt that the magnesium body of the 30D felt more solid than the Rebel and since my kids play sports I liked the idea of the additional higher FPS rate. Spot metering has come in handy in a few cases, but I'm enough of an amateur to consider it a nice to have vs a requirement. Don't quote me on this, but I believe the XT had fewer focus points as well, I want to say 5 vs 9, once again given my experience, a nice to have vs a requirement.

The way I looked at it, I didn't plan to upgrade the body for at least four years, so I didn't want to kick myself all that time for not buying what I really wanted. That said, the money could have also been used toward one of the new lenses that I chose to put off purchasing as a result.

 

[VoidRaven]

You could always hunt around for an older used pro model body....for example, the Nikon D1x or D2h. Great, solid cameras, but they will still run you a little $$$ yet they are the larger "pro" body that you are talking about.

Otherwise adding the extra battery grip is the way to go. I like my D200 (and I don't have the add-on pack) because it's a nice, big, solid camera body. Took a minute of getting used to when I went to that from my D1 (pro body) but it wasn't that big of a deal. Out of curiosity, how do you hold your camera??? I've held all the ones you have mentioned and never had the "pinky problem".

 

[GoLowDrew]

Thanks. After doing some web search I found some off brand battery packs for "smaller" cameras like XT and D50, that will do the trick.

To answer the question above. I hold it like most people. Right hand on grip (I like all fingers on the grip). Index finger on the shutter button. Left hand on camera body bottom, with fingers supporting the lens. But looking at the size specs of the D200 vs D40, the camera is 1/2 inch taller. That's about the width of my pinky finger (about there). So I'm sure D200 would feel better.

I have not held the D200, because it was way out of my price range. I don't want to touch something I'm not buying or it'll change my mind.

 

[VoidRaven]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9132526#post9132526 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GoLowDrew

I have not held the D200, because it was way out of my price range. I don't want to touch something I'm not buying or it'll change my mind.

LOL! Good plan! It's true though! Once you hold one you end up having to have it. That's why I won't touch a D2X....can't take that $5K hit!