help me pick my new camera

[TitusvileSurfer]

All of these guys were wrong...I don't see a non-Canon in the bunch. I do see some lenses I've had my eye on for some time though...300 f/2.8...500 f/4...mmmm

If a picture says 1000 words, 1000 simultaneous pictures taken by professionals all using the same line of camera ought to say something.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

There is a local store here, Epperson Photo and Video, my dad did exactly what you ranted about, many years ago, spent long time looking at camera with them, and getting educated, and finally bought one...which what for a 5 year old, seemed like days and hours...finally, and all I remember except for the many hours looking, was he bought a Nikon. Funny I will follow in his footsteps and see what I end up with. I do agree feeling them in the hand is a big key!

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12485301#post12485301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
All of these guys were wrong...I don't see a non-Canon in the bunch. I do see some lenses I've had my eye on for some time though...300 f/2.8...500 f/4...mmmm

Great data to back up your opinion! hahaha. Thanks.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

The story is the same everywhere. Sporting events, fashion shows, Hollywood red carpet, it's all Canon. I don't care if you buy a Nikon. It will make my Canon equipment less expensive. Just don't go bashing the best lenses in the world because you don't know enough to know better. If you will re-read my original post I was very fair an un-bias. When attacked with ignorance however, I have a duty to draw the line and set it straight.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

PS,
I'm not trying to make enemies here, its obvious you two are really passionate about Canon, and thats great, I have a Canon point and shoot, I will be training with a Canon DSLR soon as well, but I think I'm buying a Nikon. To each his own!

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12485386#post12485386 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitusvileSurfer
The story is the same everywhere. Sporting events, fashion shows, Hollywood red carpet, it's all Canon. I don't care if you buy a Nikon. It will make my Canon equipment less expensive. Just don't go bashing the best lenses in the world because you don't know enough to know better.

Easy there Tex.....

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

WHERE DID I BASH anything? I never bashed a single comment.

Originally posted by TitusvileSurfer
The story is the same everywhere. Sporting events, fashion shows, Hollywood red carpet, it's all Canon. I don't care if you buy a Nikon. It will make my Canon equipment less expensive. Just don't go bashing the best lenses in the world because you don't know enough to know better.

Also again, no facts, just opinions and statements. You have proof that EVERY camera at every event is Canon? All Canon?
If not then this is not a fact, just opinion. Maybe if you restate some of your statements it wouldn't be so opinionated?

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Ok so back to the software, you can help answer those questions...

So Photoshop is the GOD of all Photo tools right? What is its competition?

And what is Apeture and Lightshop or whatever...what are those tools?

I'm buying a new Mac, so what software should I get? What do they do?

 

[BlueCorn]

Aperture and Lightroom are almost identical in function.

They are a combination cataloging/keywording, RAW conversion. Both also have decent print modules and web gallery creation. While both do some "localized" adjustments they, largely, work on the composite image as a whole.

Photoshop is the holy grail for targeted adjustments. Photoshop elements is also good, so is Pixelmater and Gimp.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12485073#post12485073 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisMc73
I plan to, I'll be handling all the Canons and Nikons...in my price range...which is $500 - $1000...so which cameras am I looking at?

Nikon:
D40
D80

Canon:
???
???

I totally missed this one
Canon 40D - $1,139.95
It beats either of them

 

[BlueCorn]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12485478#post12485478 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by beerguy
Aperture and Lightroom are almost identical in function.

Both are available in trial versions. I recommend trying both and see which produces the best image for you. Aperture, unlike Lightroom, does most of its processing on the graphics card so it can run slow on a poorly configured system.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Does Lightroom come with Photoshop?
I have the entire suite of Adobe products, work purchased for me, but its PC now, I haven't installed anything yet. I will once I get the Mac, I'm guessing Lightroom comes with that?
I like Apple software...so Apeture will be considered as well.

 

[BlueCorn]

Lightroom is a separate product.

If you own a valid license you can call Adobe support and get a "cross-grade" license. It'll take some perseverance but they will let you transfer the license to mac.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Yeah I'm gonna do that.

 

[BlueCorn]

I actually like the workflow in Aperture better, it's just the image quality that I didn't like. That's why you should try both with your camera and shooting style.

Cheers

 

[latazyo]

back to your question: if you are trying to decide between the D40 and the D80, get the D80 because you'll have a whole new world of lenses available to you

I have the D40, and price was the issue, but if I would have been thinking I would have gotten the D80 b/c the money saved in lenses would have paid for the extra cost

BUT:

its larger and heavier than the D40

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

I don't understand latazyo, if there are MORE choices of lenses, how would I save money? That says to me there are more choices and more ways to spend more money?

So the D40 and D80 can't use the same lenses?

 

[latazyo]

here is a small break down

the D40, in order to be made cheaper and lighter, does NOT have an auto focus motor in the body.................this means that you can only use lenses with auto focus motors IN THE LENS........these lenses are expensive

the D80 DOES have an autofocus motor in the body, so you can use cheaper lenses for it

so lets say, hypothetically, that I want a camera body + wide angle lens + 300mm zoom + macro + 55-200 zoom + 500mm wild life lens

that combo would actually be cheaper if my body was a D80, since I could get cheaper lenses

to get those lenses in AF-S or AF-I (the only kind the D40 can use) would cost $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I should also mention that you CAN use the cheaper lenses on the D40, but you will NOT have auto focus....how important that is to you is your decision to make, but manual focus is very challenging to a beginner, I wouldnt even consider it for myself since Ive only been shooting for a few months and am nowhere near good enough for full time manual focus

I am a D40 owner and I love it, but if I had it to do again I would have gotten the D80 for that reason....I am actually going to buy another body and keep the D40 because it is so excellent for taking "on the go"

edit: here is an example

here is a 70-300 mm zoom lens that is AF (would autofocus on the D80, but not the D40)
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207359-USA/Nikon_1928_Zoom_Telephoto_AF_Zoom.html

here is the similar lens that would work on the D40:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/449088-USA/Nikon_2161_70_300mm_f_4_5_6G_AF_S_VR.html

D80 version $135
D40 version $479 (the D40 version has a few other features that the first one doesn't have (like the VR feature), but the point is still the same)

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Wow, ok now I get it, thanks for that info, good to know!
I am leaning heavily towards the D80, and this information pretty much clinches it for me. Course the body kit is a bit more in the beginning, but your point is well taken.

So the only kind D40 can use are AF-S and AF-I, what does that mean?

 

[latazyo]

those are just types of lenses

make sure you go handle the cameras in person before you buy it

make sure the D80 isn't too heavy (dont laugh, imagine walking around all day with it hanging from your neck)