Which camera do you guys recommend from experience and why?

[blackthunda77]

I am suposed to get a check in soon from a real estate transaction and ive been wanting to to get a DSLR for a long time. I have a canon rebel i got a long time ago but with film and i loved it. I saw a lot of kits on ebay for cameras with lenses and some other extras. the ones im looking at are the canon rebel xti or nikon d40 or the nikon d80 or canon 40d, i know that the latter are both in the next level up but i want to know if its worth it to spend the extra money on the higher end d80 or 40d or will the d40 or the xti suffice. I know it will depend on what i want to do with it and how in depth i want to go but id like to hear the pros and cons on those 4 cameras. Thanks guys.

 

[Phyl]

The D40 won't focus all of Nikon's lenses. Anything without AF-S. That limitation would annoy me over time. The D80 is a decent camera, though I have to think you could get a D200 for nearly what you'd spend on a D80 at this point. So many people releasing them into the market place that if you're willing to go used it would be a great deal. Also, I think the D80 is going to be replaced in the next 6 months, so I expect their price to drop when the replacement hits the market.

At the end of the day, the lenses you buy will outlive your body, so spend the extra on good glass.

I can't speak for the Canons.

 

[Saiyan]

I have the Canon 40D and absolutely love it. If I had the money I would have bought the 5D as I have used one and could not believe the IQ. For me it is all about the quality of the camera the UI and the IQ. The 40D is great in all of these. Also the live view is a great function for taking tank shots. The extra features and quality make the 40D worth the upgrade from a rebel XTI IMHO. When I was shopping for my DLSR I looked at the Rebel XTI and after having used a 5D I just did not like the quality of build the UI or the way it felt in my hands. Once I touched the 40D I knew it was what I wanted.

 

[dendronepthya]

The only DSLR I've used is a 5 year old Canon Digital Rebel. It was my first real foray into DSLR's and it helped me figure out the features that made a difference to me. My next camera more likely than not will be a 5D.

1. One thing I learned early on was I did not need many megapixels. I do not make prints of my photos and most of the time I shrink the images down to 300x300 for web. Even when I crop 80% of the real estate on the image, the remaining portion is still like 1200x1200 before I resize it. In short, the megapixels of my next camera will not be a factor in my purchase decision. If it has more than 6 (which I have currently) then it's icing on the cake.
2. Unless I am shooting macro, I use the short end of lenses waaaay more than the telephoto end. Often times I shoot a picture in a small space and really need to back up more to get everything I want in frame. For this reason, I want to get a full frame sensor in my next camera. No more 1.6x crop.
3. Lastly, the quality of the viewfinder is everything to me. The digital rebel's viewfinder is small and dark. I do most of my coral photography in my greenhouse which scatters so much light around I need a polarizer. This in turn makes the viewfinder even darker and more hard to use. I hear that full frame cameras have both a larger viewfinder that is substantially brighter.

My suggestion is to focus on the key features that make a difference to you in the day to day use of your camera. I would not worry about random stats on the comparison pages that may not ever be noticeable in practice.

 

[blackthunda77]

ok, well ive seen som epackages on ebay for new cameras and i found a couple camera and lens packages for the canon 40d for about 1200-1500 but then i found some similar packages for the nikon d80 and the were for around 900-1100. why is there such a difference in price? in your guys experience, is the higher end canon beter than the nikon or what am i missing. I know that thse are kind of general questions but im just asking because im looking to make this purchase sometime this month. thanks all

 

[juniormc8704]

the 40D canon should be compared to the new Nikon D300, not the D80. I will opening up my new D300 tonight, and i can let you know what i think.

I currently have the D80, and the 40D blows it away, however the D300 bests the 40D respectively.

 

[blackthunda77]

what do you guys think? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...Track=true&ssPageName=VIP:Watchlink:middle:us

 

[edwing206]

I wouldn't go the ebay route. I would find a good local camera shop or order from bhphotovideo.com

Get Nikon BTW.

 

[spscrackhead]

i wouldn't buy from them. for that price the stuff they are throwing in has to be complete crap, or grey market. as far as camera purchases goes it is very important where you get it from. play it safe and get it from BH or adorama. both these places are top notch.


as far as nikon vs canon goes it really depends on what you like better. i went with canon because canon handles high iso alot better than nikon does and i dont have the money for those 2.8/f telephoto zooms rite now.(or any where in the forseeable future)

 

[blackthunda77]

ive bought from ebay before and ive been pleased. The description is that it is brand new inthe box factory sealed, with factory warranty. The rating on the seller is also pretty much perfect. also the fact that the camera with all the add ons comes out about 300$ cheaper that the camera alone at circiut city caught my eye.

 

[blackthunda77]

ok well ill take all that into consideration

 

[Finious]

What ever you get, "You go to B&H". Very good prices, and if it is not working or you get a bad copy, even if you just do not like it they will replace it or take it back no problem. I have all canon equipment and have always been happy with it. Rebel is nice, 40D is better but it's all about the glass. The body is just a box with a pin hole

 

[AzMandella]

I have used both Canon and Nikon over the past 30yrs from film to DSLR. IF you are looking to just shoot fish tank and family shots either or is just fine. But I shoot alot of drag and circle boats and for that I would only use Canon. Used to be that Nikor lenses were the best 10-15 yrs ago but now Canon has that distinction. Look at just about any sporting event and you will see white lenses 20 to 1 over black. They invented the IS and now aspherical and UD and flourite lenses. Also Canon has been setting the benchmark with CMOS sensors and processors.. But bottom line for overall shooting you can't go wrong with either.

 

[blackthunda77]

Thanks. It will definately not only be shooting the fish tank, but im am also inno sense a professional. Im am a web designer/graphic designer by trade though so i know it will come in handy later on.

 

[Phyl]

Those lenses on the side lines are changing colors rapidly. Keep your eye on them! Nikon's newest lenses and bodies are top of the heap right now.

 

[AzMandella]

I don't know about that. I still don't think the D3 can't hold a candle to the EOS 1DS markIII. 21.1 meg vs. 12.1. Both full frame sensor. The D3 will shoot faster 9 vs. 5 fps but the 1DS procesor will run more shots before the camera locks up. Doesn't do much good to shoot 9fps if the camera is going to lock up and miss the next several seconds of action. The D300 and 5D are about the same but the 5D has a full size sensor. And Canon is still recognized as producing the highest quality sensors in the industry. And as far as lenses I don't see anything that Nikon is doing that Canon hasn't already doing. IS or VS same thing invented by Canon both using ED glass but Canon is using Fluorite glass which is much beter than ED at color and chromatic aberation.

 

[blackthunda77]

Hm, interesting points. Well i just found another deal on ebay which is similar to the one i posted earlier, basically the same things being offered, its the 40d kit, but this seller is located in the same city i am in and they say pick ups are welcome and ill save on the shipping. everything is advertised to be factory sealed and with factory warranty so basically i can inspect everyting myself wheni pick it up. Anyone have and negative remarks about this?. I mean for $1078 which is what ill be getting th camera for, plus 2 lenses, a memory card, 2 tripods, flash etc, i mean for that price its still about 300$ cheaper than at my local circuit city or best buy.

 

[AzMandella]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11867418#post11867418 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by blackthunda77
Hm, interesting points. Well i just found another deal on ebay which is similar to the one i posted earlier, basically the same things being offered, its the 40d kit, but this seller is located in the same city i am in and they say pick ups are welcome and ill save on the shipping. everything is advertised to be factory sealed and with factory warranty so basically i can inspect everyting myself wheni pick it up. Anyone have and negative remarks about this?. I mean for $1078 which is what ill be getting th camera for, plus 2 lenses, a memory card, 2 tripods, flash etc, i mean for that price its still about 300$ cheaper than at my local circuit city or best buy.

Which lenses? If you would like to PM me I have a 28-135 IS that I want to get rid of. It's like new and has a UV protection filter on it from day one. The lens has never been touched. The 40D is a very nice body also. At that price depending on the lens's that's a great price.

 

[jccash]

You might find this site helpful. Ken has a number of recommendations that are interesting.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech.htm

I am very happy with my D40. I may give it as a gift to my daughter in the fall to use on her honeymoon and keep. If I do this (which is my plan) I will first buy a better lens to use with it but keep that lens (giving her the kit lens) and buy a D300. But... I really do like the D40 and it may be all I need. I like how light weight it is and how well it works. I don't own other lenses so the lens limitation does not bother me. My 18 year old son took my D40 today to the Daytona 500 race. The camera came with an 18-55mm and a 50-200mm. I put the 50-200 lens on for him to use. that an a polarizer filter should take nice pictures. today is a very sunny day...

 

[blackthunda77]

in your guys opinion, is it worth it for the step up from the digital rebel xti to the 40d. Im a web developer/graphic designer. Im not a professional photographer in the industry, but i do need a good camera for photoshoots and images and what not. is it worth it the step up in cash for the 40d? is the camera itsself that much better than the xti?