Is the new Canon XSi good for a beginner?

[Bluemorningwind]

Tit, there is nothing misleading in anything I wrote. You are clearly unable to be objective on the issue. Not to mention that your retort was weak and pointless and only achieved being an incoherent rant. Only the quotes you used made any sense. I can only imagine that you were drunk...



Anyway...Nikon/Nikkor would be a better choice here, I think. Although, the Canon would get the job done once the weak kit lens was upgraded. A Tamron AF90 f2.8 Macro might be sweet.

Trust me, Nikon/Nikkor will prove more satisfying for the average consumer.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I was simply being "objective" to ridiculous your "rant". The internet is considered an unreliable source because of statements like those you seem infamous for making.
Nikon is great, Canon is great, Sony is great, Olympus is great, Pentax is great, research what would fit you and your style of photography best.

 

[Bluemorningwind]

I agree with your sentiment. I have a Nikon, Canon and Oly.

So, as I was saying, Nikkor's glass would better suit for shooting coral. A D80 or D200 with Nikkor AF 60 2.8 micro or AF 105 2.8 micro would be great. The AF-S 105 VR would allow the advantage of handheld shooting.

A Nikon/Nikkor system better suits in this situation, I believe.



Tit, thanks for promoting me to the level of infamy, but seriously, nobody knows me from a bar of soap. I doubt I have any type of reputation at all. Would be alright, though...;-) Please try to keep things based in reality.

 

[t5Nitro]

The XSi is a great DSLR for beginners to use. However, if you are going to really get into photography, the 40D is now out and they have made it really well. The stats on it are just a hair under what is considered "no" for getting into professional football games etc. Cannon made this camera as one of those reasons for a "slap in the face" to those people :lol:

 

[greenhut]

As for comments like "BrandX is clearly better than BrandY" - ignore them. Canon and Nikon both make outstanding DSLR cameras and associated lenses. Both vendors have their strengths and weaknesses. Nikon has nothing like the Canon MP-E 65mm 1x-5x macro. Canon has no general purpose lens like the Nikon 18-200 VR.

I purchased an XSi and the very highly regarded 100mm Canon macro. I totally enjoyed both so much, I wondered if I should have spent a bit more on the camera and walk around lens.

So for the last week, I have been agonizing over XSi vs 40D vs 300D. Most everything you read will say the Nikon 300d is hands down the best of the bunch (and should be for the $800 or so premium). I used the 300d for 2 hours. While there were some things I liked (hi-res screen, AF system performance, utility of 18-200 VR lens), I just didn't like the feel and button ergonomics. The 300d is cover with buttons, dials and nobs. Some are n-way toggles between icons that are obtuse in meaning.

The XSi has by far the simplest, most consistent, and easiest to learn UI for accessing all camera features. The 40D is a close second, and 300d a distant last. Still, If I was going to be a pro photographer, I might choose the Nikon understanding that the investment in learning all of the controls would eventually lead to me being able to more quickly adjust any camera setting.

As any reef photographer knows, reef lighting is a pain to compensate for (white bal, picture style, custom settings, etc). One feature missing on the XSi that was critical to me is the ability to store different overall camera configs in a few presets. The 40D and 300d have just this feature - when switching to a preset, all camera functions can be changed in one action. For example, the 40d has C1, C2, C3 on the mode dial, each of which can hold a complete config. I have C1 for reef, C2 indoor, C3 outside.

Even though the XSi is cheaper than the 40d, it even beats the 40D in some cases. Today I traded in my XSi for a 40D. Cost an extra $400. Going to the 300d would have been an extra $1230.

As many have said, pick the lenses you will use, and spend your money there - you can always upgrade the body later.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Just so you know, a 300D was the original Canon Rebel...the Xsi (450D) is the 4th version of the 300D...350D...400D...450D. I think you confused 300D with the D300...a TOTALLY different camera.

 

[greenhut]

Oops - I was referring to the Nikon D300 in my post, but accidentally called it the 300d a few times.

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Yes I understood what you meant...but just to clear up the confusion for others.

 

[viodea]

I me, choosing a camera is more than spec. You have to go try and feel it. Also, look at the whole package. Knowing what kind of shooting do you like helps a lot in making your next purchase.

I know people loved the spec of XTi but hated it after put in on their hand because it's too small.

Do you have friends or family are willing to share lens with you? What brand do they use?

Do you use flash a lot? I've heard Nikon is better in that area but no FIRST HAND experience.

Go to a photography forum and ask them specific question, you'll be surprise how much you'll get from there.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Where is a good photography forum? Besides here?

 

[greenhut]

For canon:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/

 

[BlueCorn]

I spend plenty of time over at fredmiranda.com as well.

 

[Mako]

The glass debate is almost pointless. Both Canon and Nikon make excellent glass and cameras.

I think where Nikon has an edge over Canon is with backward lens compatibility. When Canon switched to the AF mount (EOS EF) they lost any backwards compatibility with older MF Canon lenses.

So, in the long run you will have more options available to you on good used glass with Nikon.

That said I believe whatever camera you choose to go with you would be well served with a detour to this read before purchase.

 

[BlueCorn]

Except for the fact that Ken Rockwell is an idiot.

:lol:

 

[Mako]

Yeah, he can be a bit wacky at times. I think he makes some good points though.

 

[sh0tyme83]

My only concern with the Nikon D40 is the whole auto focus thing. Since I am a beginner to this, an auto focus lens is definitely important to me and I would have to make sure it is compatible everytime. From my understanding, with the Canon cameras, every camera and lens has auto focus or manual focus.

What about a package like this? Will this provide me the lens I need for everyday use as well as a zoom lens for taking close up of SPS polyps?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/543638-REG/Nikon_9609_D60_SLR_Digital_Camera.html

 

[viodea]

Argee, both of these are good

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
fredmiranda.com

photography-on-the.net is a canon forum but people are so nice in there. They don't mind if you are Nikon user.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Sh0tyme83,

That seems like a good prices, especially with the $100 off. But another user is saying that if he had to choose again, as a beginner, he'd get the D80. Read near the end of this thread...I asked him about the D40 and D80...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1384993&perpage=&pagenumber=2

 

[Bluemorningwind]

Head to flickr if you want a stack of great photog groups and stacks of info.

This is my take on the D40 family (for what it's worth):

The D40 family is great for mum and dad if they just want a camera to snap shots and be great at it. No fuss and solid results.

The D40 family soon runs out of legs if you want to progress your
photog skills and kit.

If your a photographer, get a Nikon D80 or better, you'll be very pleased that you did. A D300 is the ant's pants for non professional photogs and some pros. It is cutting edge and best in group by far. Just search around for objective reviews!!!

If you don't have any real idea about glass, you probably should go for a Nikon body (D80 and above). There is little chance you'll be disappointed unless you shoot sports and/or pap exclusively.

Look, I own a swag of brands. I'm just giving my most honest opinion. I get more satisfaction from Nikon/Nikkor gear.

 

[TriggerHappyDude]

Thanks for the advice.