Which New Camera?! Thee $pousal Unit Rocks!

[Mako Shark II]

So.....
I'm snapping shots of my older kids wrestling each other tonight with my old, reliable and world traveled Fuji FinePix S602 Zoom, while "gvetching" about it's present condition (because it's been acting up for quite a while), when my wife says:

"Hey, I wanted to do this for you for Christmas (before she got sick and before we started partying at Hospitals), but tomorrow, lets go to Costco and get that new camera you've been wanting for months!"

I freaked right the heck out!!!! Awesome Babes!!! :dance:

(REALLY Awesome, because the medical bills are about to coming rolling in soon!)

Now at long last, it looks like I'm about to finally replace my older (circa. 2003) 6MB digital camera and get that new hi-rez DSLR I've been lusting after. YAY!!!!!
:thumbsup:

Problem though:
I stopped "shopping" when I bought an expensive generator 6-months ago, to basically ensure my Tank always had power. ~ POOF! ~ There went the camera fund. (Expletive deleted)

So, my question to the forum is: "What camera do folks like & Why?"

I'm looking at either a Canon Eos Rebel (Variant) or the Nikon D5000. (I'd love the D80 or D90, but that's not going to happen, given the "glass" I want to get, plus I don't need video, I don't think.)

I've already scrubbed the D3000, because my budget can allow something closer to $1,000 now for the body. (The D90 kit was closer to $1,500 and that might be out of reach for Thee $pousal Unit, given other recent developements.)

What do you like??? ......and Why??

 

[MarineFlake]

www.lensrentals.com might save you some cash on lenses. Some are just more practical to rent. They are a local company, so you can pick in Memphis and pay for 'weekend' rentals once you establish a good raport with them. I use a Canon 40d, it's a 10MP camera and is truly the work horse of the Canon line. Its not a full frame camera, but your not going to find a pro-sumer camera with full frame for under a grand. Can't comment on Nikon or any others, I have used them, but Canon is the only SLR I've had and have been very happy with it...My only real suggestion (Other than renting lenses) is to purchase an extra battery to keep with you and go for an 8 gig or larger storage card, regardless of which brand you go with. GL!

 

[the_rider]

Why dont you go with the D90 ? It's 1000$ CAD for the body, 1120$ for the body + 18-55 lens. It would be in your ballpark if you don't want video.

 

[ducklabdad]

Marty,

I love my Canon XS, but if I was going to spend around 1000.00 on a body I would buy the Canon 50D hands down. Price has dropped on it considerably since the 7d came out in October. It is just a much more substantial camera, with better focus and better build and weatherproofing(than my Xs or the XSi or Xti) The Xsi has more focus points and a larger viewfinder and is 12.5 megapixels to my Xs's 10.5, Xti is the newer one with video, and in the 1000.00 price range.

If you really want video then the New Xti would get the nod in that price range,(But the Xti line is not in the same park as 50d I am already saving up for my next "jump" to the Canon 7D that just came out, but I am going to buy some glass first.

And I second Marineflakes take on http://www.lensrentals.com/ great folks to deal with and getting to try it before you buy it is great, It already kept m from buying one lense I "thought" I just had to have.

Shot these recently with my "cheap XS" that I would tell anyone is the best $500.00 investment I feel I have ever made. It has helped keep me sane with all the enjoyment I have gotten from it in the last few months when I have been "stove up", and I am really really glad I went with the Canon!!

 

[Lovmenot35]

Hey Marty,

Like I mention in a post before, I have the Nikon D3000 and LOVE IT!!!!!!! ...... now if you are really interested in getting .. the Nikon D5000 ... it is on sale in Target for $749.00 the diffrence is the playback modes, and it takes Video... .. plus I can get you 10% off lol its price .. hehehehe Give me a call or butthead .. if you want it for that price .. the only thing is, it doesn't come with the extra lense.. it is seperate. I think its $199 but still take the 10% off ... just got to Target.com.. and it shows you all the details .. I just thought I'd help out

 

[Rendos]

Check http://www.dpreview.com/ before buying anything and see what the reviews are like.

 

[Mako Shark II]

Bill, that shot of the Buck is awesome!!

Revision:
Okay.
New Debate.
Nikon D90 vs. Canon 50D

Tawlk amoungst yourselves........

 

[ducklabdad]

Apples and Apples, Jonathan or Gala, Which "tastes better to "YOU" that is what matters at this point.

I just like the Gala aaa aaa aaa!! I mean Canon!!

You can,t go wrong with either, time for YOU to pull the trigger!!

 

[shirley386]

Check this site before you pull the trigger. I and many others have bought from them.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

 

[Mako Shark II]

Your the second person to turn me on to B&H. Thanks!

My buddy has a Canon EOS 1D, and a spare 5D. He's pushing hard for the Canon Line. Now I'm rethinking the whole Nikon choice.

 

[dzones]

As was mentioned by Richard earlier. Check out the dpreview site. I have been using that site for years. VERY thorough.
I have tried 3 of the big names the past couple years and settled in with Canon.
The Olympus E-510 was nice but didn't have the settings I wanted and since I do a lot of astrophotography, the noise was a little higher that others.
I bought the Canon EOS 450d after that and bought a couple lenses for it. Very nice camera with low noise. Nice and light also.
I acquired a Nikon D2Hs in a trade from a professional photographer next. Amazing camera but with a crazy price tag. Since I only had the one lens with it and had already starting acquiring canon gear I decided to sell it. Used that thing sold for 1300.
Finally, I recently went with the Canon 7D and just love it. It is an amazing camera but there are features that you are not interested in like HD record. Also the price tag is a little high (still about 1700 for the body only). I wanted it because it has very low noise for my night shots at the high end ISO scale. The macro is excellent and the additional features are awesome. (magnesium body for weatherproofing, 8 fps continuous shooting, 19 points of focus) for some of the other shots like outdoor sporting etc.

I think Ducklabdad put it well about just gathering all the features you want in a camera and then finding the best one to suit your style/needs. I am more a "try and see what it is like kinda guy" and then decide what I want/like based on that. Often just the feel of the camera in your hands is important.

Good luck in the hunt!

 

[shirley386]

I bought a Nikon D40 a couple of years ago because I wanted something better than my P&S Coolpix. I stumbled into Target and there is was. I like it. Now that I have done some reading I think if it had been a Canon I'd like it too. Both will take good photos. If I had to start over I think I would go with Canon for the simple reason that the lenses are not as expensive.

I read on one of these forums that the three most important elements in taking good photos are (in order):

1. The skill of the photographer
2. The lens.
3. The camera body.

 

[dzones]

+1 ^^

I have seen amazing shots from cameras in every range.

 

[Reefdiver77]

I have used B&H to buy underwater equipment for macro shots while diving. I also have shipped uw housing to them for a tune up. I highly recommend them. Good luck in your search.

 

[GatorWPB]

Mako - saw your thread in the photography forum. I had been in your position just before christmas.
I just received my Canon T1i (500D) a little over a week ago and I love it. The decision for me was based on not liking the Nikon D5000 swivel screen. Everything I read of DPReview and other sites said to me that the cameras were so similar. Also, Canon just seems to beat Nikon on lenses in the price range that I can afford.
So that sealed my decision.
Ive only started with the kit 18-55 lens as I am still learning about the camera and photography in general. But if you are still deciding between the Nikon and Canon, go to a store and feel them in your hand and look at the screen.
Honestly, Im sure you'll be happy either way because they are both great cameras.
-Tom
Kit lens, no tweaking, full auto settings on macro (closeup).

 

[Mako Shark II]

Cool stuff, thanks! The Nikon D5000 is absolutley out & even the D90 might be out. (Hmmm....And I really was pre-disposed to Nikon!)

Now, I'm actually considering the Canon 7D..... I KNOW! Right?

Check it out:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/659009-REG/Canon__EOS_7D_SLR_Digital.html

100% Viewfinder
Self-cleaning sensor
8fps (for the two U-14 & U-18 Soccer teams I coach)

(Nuts! I think I just entered the Reef tank $pend arena......But my last camera was state of the art and was bought back in 2003)

 

[Mako Shark II]

I read on one of these forums that the three most important elements in taking good photos are (in order):

1. The skill of the photographer
2. The lens.
3. The camera body.

I TOTALLY agree! (Which is why I'm so jacked about upgrading!!!) I took my Fuji FinePix S602Zoom (full-body) to a Wedding, with a Sunpak 383 Swivel bounce flash, and my shots were better (due to the lighting), than their Pro-photographer who used a Nikon D80.

Gator: Thanks for posting! Nice shot! Agree: the swivel LCD screen on the D5000 is something more to break.

 

[ducklabdad]

I am sooo drooling over the 7d I had a chance to shoot some flying gulls with one and I am "sold" but I had started saving for the 50d and will have to save a little longer now as I really really really want the 7d!!!

The autofocus on the 7D will make your mind up when you shoot soccer with it I bet!!

 

[Lovmenot35]

Hmmm Should I regret getting the d3000? to me not really, cause I love how it takes pictures plus for me I am still a new at learning about having an SLR maybe one day I can get great advices from you guys to really know how to use this thing lol .. but here are a few pics of frag's .. Good Luck Hunting Marty!!

This Frag is really Leaping for joy lol

 

[Mako Shark II]

Hmmm Should I regret getting the d3000? Good Luck Hunting Marty!!

Darlene,
No, the D3000 is a fine camera!

(As it with most things, I'm just a littel intense.... read: retentive!)

Just don't take any pictures of "Butthead". And Thanks!