Real time feed back on Canon 30D or Nikon D80

[Finesse]

Looking for real-time feedback and opinions on the Canon 30D and the Nikon D80
Has anyone had the chance to compared these two cameras side by side ??
Would like to hear anything, good or bad, opinions, limitations in their operation.
Bottom line I feel they are both good cameras and I have no bias or loyalty either way … Just looking for a good camera for sharp, clear, well exposed and properly saturated photos. I’m beginning to lean one way … and not in the direction I thought I would take. At some point I will most likely house this camera for u/w use.

I’ve looked local for these cameras and have been disappointed with what’s in the show case or in stock … worse yet what’s working ….that’s another story
My experiences thus far have steered me away from Nikons 18-135 kit…. The lens just didn’t feel right to me.

To start I'm looking for a good all around lens
As of now I’m thinking the Canon 30D with the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
OR
The Nikon D80 Body with the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR lens

A D200 would be nice …. Just don’t want to spend that much on a body only.

Thanks in advance !!

 

[BlueCorn]

Both cameras will work for you. Both cameras are good enough that you will be the weak link. My advice is to find a store in your area that has both in stock. You will probably need to find a real camera store (i.e. not Best Buy, not Ritz Camera). Hold both in your hand and use the controls. See which feels better and buy it.

If you go the Canon route which you should do because Nikons suck I'd skip the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM. I had that lens and still have an extreme hatred for it.

 

[VoidRaven]

If you go the Nikon route which you should do because Canons suck.....right back at ya beerguy! the 18-200mm VR lens is a very nice "walk around" lens for just about any situation you could get into short of long lens work or macro work. It's a great lens and one that I would love to have in my bag (and will someday).

Do take the good-natured ribbing it is good natured, right BG? between beerguy and I in jest. You honestly can't go wrong with either camera...it's the lens that will be the next most important part (after you, the photographer, that is) you will need to be worried about. You did make a good choice in NOT going with the 18-135mm lens for the Nikon. It's an OK lens but nothing to write home about. I used to be considering it until I started to read more reviews and finally decided to take it off my lens lust list (say that 5 times fast!).

 

[Finesse]

Thanks guys

Well I tried the local shops and of course neither camera was in the show case …in fact they only had the 30D body in a box. Seems they are getting hammered by online and “super store” sales…Too bad as they typically have a "little" more to offer in regards to the cameras.
I wanted to just get my hands on them so I tried the bigger electronics stores …. Well I got to pick them up, but getting them to power up is like pulling teeth. No cards , battery, lens …. As mentioned above just the “feeling” of the Nikon kit lens disappointed. The Canons lens had a much more substantial feel.

Speaking of which, the canon lens Beerguy …. why didn’t you like it or what went wrong. While I realize its not on top of the heap but I’ve read reviews that claim its not soooo bad …unlike some other kit type lens(not a $100 special).
The Nikon 18-200mm …seems you have to give up you first born, still shell out $800 for it and they are still pretty scarce.

Cameras …
I like the Nikon for its slightly small size (marginal according to dpreview.com) and the fact that its pretty new so it should be around for awhile …Less money with body under $1000

The Canon ..I like the feel … the magnesium body. As I sure you know Its a popular line and has been for awhile. An added plus is its CF memory …I have those cards…I don’t have SD media The AF seemed real quick in the canon ( don’t know if that is just a lens dependant thing however ) …. Sounds like a great camera. seems like several around these parts have them.

Of course I hear both of you in regards to what’s behind the camera clicking the shutter release …. Occasionally I’ll get a looker !!!

I’ve got pictures blown up to 11x14 with a 3mp p/s that have come out real nice …so the 8mp vs 10mp shouldn’t be an issue ….at least I don’t think so .... famous last words !!

 

[MCary]

Whats real-time feedback? Okay, I'm releasing the shutter............NOW! Here's my analysis.

Just kidding.

I have the 30D. I like it alot. However, its like a Dodge pickup man arguing with a Chevy Pickup man. Both are fine.

The 8 vs 10 mp isn't really an issue. Its the quality of the pixels. If you were to blow each picture up to its maximum size, 300 dpi printing, I believe the extra pixels would only amount to an extra inch border.

Price is a non issue. Trust me on this. The camera is the cheap part. Its like reefing and deciding on how much to pay for the aquarium. You opt for the $200 75 gallon tank instead of the $500 150 gallon tank only to find out the rest of the stuff costs $3000.

I bought my 30D with a rebate for I believe around $1000. Then I bought:

Tripod and head: $300
Backpack: $100
100mm Macro $550
400mm $1050
15-85 IS $500
70-200 f4L $550
580ex flash $500
Photoshop $500
Just as well include my laptop, thats why I bought it: $1200
Various filters $150

On the list:

Printer: $450-$1400
Hoods: $100


Good luck and have fun

Mike

 

[Finesse]

Mike …. Now that I look at “real time” I see what you mean ….made perfect sense when I wrote it !!
just looking to avoid the general blanket type statement ... I realize this isn’t a photo site but there are good photographers here with gear that I’m looking at …. Much like you with the 30D…so it seems the perfect place to get real opinions.

cost ….Dont tell the wife! … hehehe ….But I hear ya !!! Just trying not to go nuts on the body.
My big expense in this venture, for me at least, will be the u/w housing. I’m looking at around $2500- 3000 for that then the lens ports for around another $1000 … my knees get weak when I think of that.

 

[MCary]

What I usually advise is to choose the one you are most familiar with and have the most available glass.

I used Canon film slr-s in high school so I chose Canon. My girlfriend wanted to enjoy the hobby with me so I bought her a Canon Rebel for Christmas so we could share lenses. A no brainer for me.

If you have friends with SLR's, get what they have so you can share lenses. Check local camera shops to see what brands they rent.

Mike

 

[VoidRaven]

Out of curiosity....if you want to go u/w eventually.....why spend that much on a housing when you can pretty much buy a whole u/w camera setup for that much?

Just curious.

 

[cbowman]

I have had a D80 for about 6 months now, and i love it! I upgraded froma d50 and the extra features a very nice! The quality is excellent, you can blow pictures up huge!. Canons are good, they both have good reputations. It just depends on what you like. My mom has a rebel, and i dont like the menu, its harder to use and kind of confusing to me, where nikons seems more simple and easy to read. The best thing to do is borrow one of each and take it for a test shoot. See which one you like better for handling and all, and then compare image quality. You should test them yourself because like someone said above, you will be the weakest link on any of these two cameras.

 

[BlueCorn]

The menu and controls on the Rebel are nothing like the 30D so that's hardly a fair comparison.

 

[Finesse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9707477#post9707477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by VoidRaven
Out of curiosity....if you want to go u/w eventually.....why spend that much on a housing when you can pretty much buy a whole u/w camera setup for that much?

Just curious.

VoidRaven
I guess I shouldn’t have brought the housing thing into my original question. The only reason I mentioned that I will “house” one of them at some point was to see if anyone on here has done that. In talking to an u/w photographer it was his feelings/my understanding that one of the cameras did better u/w than did the other ( based on an earlier version of one of them) While both are certain to take great photos on land, at one point one seemingly had an edge u/w. Something to do with color balance and saturation that I guess could/would be "adjusted" in future firmware updates. This issue may not even apply anymore as this was when divers were first taking their dslr’s u/w. Several generations have come and gone.

This discussion I had is the reason I asked the question here. I would have thought both were more or less equal...and these current models may very well be.

But as to your question .... Whose “whole u/w camera setup” are you talking about ? are you talking about p/s cameras??

Don’t get me wrong …. I've already got two Ikelite housings, strobes, S&S wide angle and macro wet lenses... for Olympus C series cameras, one that’s about 6 years old …I think it takes pretty good pictures.

Daytime picture with strobes

Natural light, no strobes, water depth about 50 ft

Nighttime shot of a cup coral, strobes and modeling light

For the DSLR's the least expensive housings I know of start at $1250 and the most expensive who knows…. For example a Subal housing can go for around $3500 and if you want or need you can add another $1000 for a magnifying viewfinder. There are several in between. Then add ports from $200-$1200 depending on what lenses you have….it adds up way to quick.
Prices depend on if you want a polycarbonate housing that are a little bigger or a cast or machined aluminum one that fits the camera like a glove so its smaller.

Why spend the money??
Good question …. Who knows maybe I won’t as I feel what I have does well. BUT in my opinion DSLR's just have more flexibility all the way around and allow for and put better control in your hands....not to mention eliminate shutter lag.

For now the camera is my main focus and then go from there... housing later, maybe