More DSLR Questions?
- Thread starter MCary
- Start date
XT and 30D both are 8mp cameras.
I have both, the main reasons I upgraded to the 30D are:
Larger LCD
Spot metering
more accurate auto-focus
ISO up to 3200 in 1/3 stop adjustments
Better control layout (drive mode button drove me nuts)
The XT can be awkward to hold with larger lenses if you have big hands (adding the battery grip helps quite a lot). Go to the store and hold both in your hands and see which one feels better.
I have both, the main reasons I upgraded to the 30D are:
Larger LCD
Spot metering
more accurate auto-focus
ISO up to 3200 in 1/3 stop adjustments
Better control layout (drive mode button drove me nuts)
The XT can be awkward to hold with larger lenses if you have big hands (adding the battery grip helps quite a lot). Go to the store and hold both in your hands and see which one feels better.
gregr
New member
In addition to the main points Beerboy already pointed out- there are some subtle differences between the entry level Rebel and D70 compared to their "prosumer" level big brothers. Theoretically the big brothers should have slightly faster electronics- faster power on, shorter shutter lag, faster image processing and they should aslo be built more solidly (take a bit more abuse, be a bit more weather resistant). Do any of these differences matter? Yes, if you plan on the hobby becoming a passion, no if you plan on using the camera now and then for some tank pics, family get togethers etc.
Just my two cents
Just my two cents
Canon and Nikon both make great products. I use Nikon, but Canon is good too.
I don't have much experience with the Canon products. Have used friends' Rebel and 30D, and they're OK.
I have a Nikon D2H and my wife uses a D70s. The D70 is a great camera, but the viewfinder/mirror is narrow. If you've no experience with a "flagship" DSLR like the D2H (or a Canon 5D), you'll never notice the difference. The D200 is a much better camera than the D70. I swear by Nikon. Have used them for 30 years.
If you're at a point where you have no lenses for either brand, you're in a great spot. The following reflects my opinon only.
Canon: Superb lenses, fair menu access and layout, fair bodies, great imaging hardware inside the camera, less than desirable ergonomics.
Nikon: Great lenses if you don't buy a G-series lens, good menu access and layout, great bodies, superb ergonomics, I'm disappointed that nikon hasn't or isn't going to go full frame on their imaging sensors ever, but the sensors they are using are great.
If you're talking to a camera shop (a real shop, not frickin' Comp USA or Best Buy) See if they will let you play with both the Nikon and the Canon units. Judge for yourself. A word of warning. The "this one has x-zillion megapixels" is useless for the most part. Pixel quality beats quantity hands-down every time. My 4.3 MP D2H looks better than the 8mp D200 and the 12mp D2X, and I can shoot at 8 frames per sec until the card is full. Don't believe the hype from the sales guys.
Kev
I don't have much experience with the Canon products. Have used friends' Rebel and 30D, and they're OK.
I have a Nikon D2H and my wife uses a D70s. The D70 is a great camera, but the viewfinder/mirror is narrow. If you've no experience with a "flagship" DSLR like the D2H (or a Canon 5D), you'll never notice the difference. The D200 is a much better camera than the D70. I swear by Nikon. Have used them for 30 years.
If you're at a point where you have no lenses for either brand, you're in a great spot. The following reflects my opinon only.
Canon: Superb lenses, fair menu access and layout, fair bodies, great imaging hardware inside the camera, less than desirable ergonomics.
Nikon: Great lenses if you don't buy a G-series lens, good menu access and layout, great bodies, superb ergonomics, I'm disappointed that nikon hasn't or isn't going to go full frame on their imaging sensors ever, but the sensors they are using are great.
If you're talking to a camera shop (a real shop, not frickin' Comp USA or Best Buy) See if they will let you play with both the Nikon and the Canon units. Judge for yourself. A word of warning. The "this one has x-zillion megapixels" is useless for the most part. Pixel quality beats quantity hands-down every time. My 4.3 MP D2H looks better than the 8mp D200 and the 12mp D2X, and I can shoot at 8 frames per sec until the card is full. Don't believe the hype from the sales guys.
Kev
The reason I asked, and don't call me crazy, I was going to buy a Canon 30D or comperable Nikon. Me and my girlfriend went to Jackson Wyoming and drove though Teton and Yellowstone. She had her little point and shoot digital and I had my old Canon film SLR I dug out of the closet. We had lots of fun taking photos and we also really enjoy photgraphing our tanks. I have the big reefs and she has a Discus setup. Anywhooo, it looked like photography could be a fun hobby/activity we could do together. So I thought I would buy her a Rebel for Christmas. Her point and shoot just won't cut it. It would give her the flexablility and creativity of a SLR but could use the same lenses as my Camera so she could borrow them when we were out and about.
But of course I got to thinking. Maybe getting 2 Rebels would be better. Would save lots of money. So that's why I asked.
I really want the larger size and the spot metering, so I'm sticking with the original plan. But thanks for your opinions and info.
Mike
But of course I got to thinking. Maybe getting 2 Rebels would be better. Would save lots of money. So that's why I asked.
I really want the larger size and the spot metering, so I'm sticking with the original plan. But thanks for your opinions and info.
Mike
TheVillageIdiot
New member
Mike,
Going with the 30d is an excellent choice. More control and more room to grow as a photographer with that camera than w/ the rebel. Def. a good choice as your old SLR's lenses should work on the 30d.
what lenses do you have on your old canon?
Going with the 30d is an excellent choice. More control and more room to grow as a photographer with that camera than w/ the rebel. Def. a good choice as your old SLR's lenses should work on the 30d.
what lenses do you have on your old canon?
Oooo, yeah, that's not going to work. I have an old AE-1. The lenses for that camera do not fit the new canons. I'm getting a 1.8 50mm, a 100mm macro and a 70-200L for the new camera and then I'll get the kit lens for the Rebel I'm getting her. That'll give us 4 lenses to share basically.
I like film B&W so I'll load my AE-1 with B&W and keep it handy maybe. People have told be that with proper post processing that that might not even be necessary. That the 30D can do B&W well also. We'll see. I'm ordering the stuff Wednesday I think?
Mike
I like film B&W so I'll load my AE-1 with B&W and keep it handy maybe. People have told be that with proper post processing that that might not even be necessary. That the 30D can do B&W well also. We'll see. I'm ordering the stuff Wednesday I think?
Mike
Ebn
Member
Agreed. Pixel quantity is just a number, unless you want to print BIG. I disagree with the D2H image being better than either the D200 image or the D2X image. I've compared both my D200 images and D2X images to D2H images before and you can definitely see a difference especially at larger sizes. The LBCast sensor in the D2H is still quite amazing for a 4 MP camera.
I just uprezzed a D70 file to print a 16x24" image and am quite satisfied with the output. For most, anything along this line would be more than enough.
As for D70 vs. D200, there's quite a bit of difference. MLU, faster FPS, weathersealed, Nikon grip, brighter and bigger viewfinder, and metering with AI/AIS lenses are just some of them.
Never used the XT or the 30D so can't comment on those. I've used the 20D and 1D2N before so if you want comments on those, let me know.
I just uprezzed a D70 file to print a 16x24" image and am quite satisfied with the output. For most, anything along this line would be more than enough.
As for D70 vs. D200, there's quite a bit of difference. MLU, faster FPS, weathersealed, Nikon grip, brighter and bigger viewfinder, and metering with AI/AIS lenses are just some of them.
Never used the XT or the 30D so can't comment on those. I've used the 20D and 1D2N before so if you want comments on those, let me know.
The secret to getting great images at 16 X 20 (read that as sharp and not soft) with the D2H is to use post-processing software and use it the right way. When I use Genuine Fractals, you will not see the difference... well, you might, but your nose is going to be extremely close to the paper...
If the poster has already got the Canon glass, then the 30D gets my vote hands-down. Otherwise, D200.
Kev
ReelBigFish
New member
XT = Plastic body, 30D = Magnesium Body. XT= Consumer Body, 30D = Prosumer Body. Before the 30D and 5D were announced, pros were using the 20D as a backup camera. Now that they can have full frame with the 5D, this has become the new backup to the 1 series bodies. The 20D and 30D are built better, have better materials, and better functions than any XT or XTi.
gregr
New member
I hear ya. Luckily the choice between entry level and prosumer level is a win win- they're all very good cameras. You need to ask yourself a couple questions- are you gonna get into the photography hobby and use the new camera a lot a lot? If so, that's one point towards the prosumer camera. Second question set- how are you going to use the camera? Outdoors, hiking, maybe in foul weather? Are you good about being really careful with the camera? If you think the camera might see some bad weather and or you're like me and kinda hard on the equipment well then, that's another nod towards prosumer.
Silly point, but the D200 is a 10mp camera not an 8mp camera.
It really depends on how you want to use the camera in the end and how frequently. Most folks don't have the need for "spray and pray" 8 fps up to 50 frames in Continuous High Shooting mode unless they are shooting fast action regularly. My D1 is faster than my D200 but my D200 gives better pics (well duh, the D1 is pretty old too). Cost is another factor. Can someone afford a $2,600 D2h over a $1,600 D200 or over a $1,000 D50/D70 package that includes a lens or two?
However the poster is in a great spot if they are just jumping into the market. Switching platforms can be a pain (or so I'm told...I wouldn't know personally).
Gregr offers some of the best insights here. Figure out what kind of photography you want to do, how often you realistically will be doing it, and go from there. Photography is like reefing...you start out slow and before you know it you're hiding receipts from your spouse/significant other and saying "no honey, I've had that lens forever I just haven't brought it out much" when they ask you were it came from.
It really depends on how you want to use the camera in the end and how frequently. Most folks don't have the need for "spray and pray" 8 fps up to 50 frames in Continuous High Shooting mode unless they are shooting fast action regularly. My D1 is faster than my D200 but my D200 gives better pics (well duh, the D1 is pretty old too). Cost is another factor. Can someone afford a $2,600 D2h over a $1,600 D200 or over a $1,000 D50/D70 package that includes a lens or two?
However the poster is in a great spot if they are just jumping into the market. Switching platforms can be a pain (or so I'm told...I wouldn't know personally).
Gregr offers some of the best insights here. Figure out what kind of photography you want to do, how often you realistically will be doing it, and go from there. Photography is like reefing...you start out slow and before you know it you're hiding receipts from your spouse/significant other and saying "no honey, I've had that lens forever I just haven't brought it out much" when they ask you were it came from.
Well I have pretty much settled on the Canon line. As near as I can tell, both Canon and Nikon are excellent cameras. One does not stand out above the other, IMO. So it comes down to making a choice and going with it. Like I said, my girlfriend thinks we need to do more things together, so I'm getting her the Rebel XT and I'm getting the 30D. I refuse to look at the 5D anymore! Just one more peak and I'll buy it.
Mike
Mike
intenseimage
Active member
Look into the XTi over the XT for her
