Going digital... Which DSLR?

mloc

I'm trying to make a foray into digital format photography and I'm wondering what to do.

Right now myself and my dad use a Nikon film SLR, with a selection of nikkor manual focus lenses (all prime). I do mostly landscape and portrait stuff, and he does macro wildlife stuff.

Recently, he decided he wants to go digital and I saw this as an opportunity to buy a camera of my own for a bit more freedom. So far, I've been thinking a D70s (kit lens and maybe a nice superwide at some stage too) for myself, and he'll probably get a D200 (most likely a 100mm ish macro lens too). Between us we'd have a decent enough range of lenses and could share filters and other equipment.

However, seeing as there wont be much point in using the older lenses with the new cameras (despite the fact they are compatible, most camera features wont work with them), it may be an idea to consider switching to canon at this stage. I know there's a huge canon/nikon debate, but thinking objectively, I'd imagine I'd end up getting a 350D and he'd probably get a 30D or perhaps, at a (large) push, the 5D.

I've noticed that there is a large canon bias (maybe not the right word, but you know what I mean) on boards, but I'm just looking for peoples opinions. The small size of the 350D would probably bother me a bit, but other than that, I'd like to know what people think. basically its a D70s + D200 vs. 350D + 30D or 350D + 5D debate. The thing is the D200 seems to be a fair bit better than the 30D for trawling through fields on your stomach trying to get close to stuff, and while the 5D might be good for that kind of robust work, it is ALOT more expensive.

Any ideas?

Oriel

thebaz

i myself am looking at entry level DSLR, and had a thread going here last week regarding canon v nikon , and following this i'm thinking of going for the Olympus E500 - as an entry level dlr.

rymus

sinecurea wrote:

I thought you'd say that; To which I'd like to reply,

Roen

The Red and White God has spoken!

Ruu_Old

Canon 350D ftw.

mervifwdc

Dont underestimate the usefulness of your current lens collection. If you are used to manual focus, then there is a huge reason to stick with Nikon. The exposure you'll learn real quick as you can use the histogram to see how your doing.
If your lenses are good quality lenses, then gather them all up, and go to a Nikon shop and try them on the cameras you've listed. There are folks that have put adaptors onto Canon cameras to enable them to use leica, Nikkor and Zeiss lenses. They loose autofocus, and exposure metering so have to shoot manual, but some folks prefer that anyway.

Merv.

JMcL

mervifwdc wrote:

Dont underestimate the usefulness of your current lens collection. If you are used to manual focus, then there is a huge reason to stick with Nikon. The exposure you'll learn real quick as you can use the histogram to see how your doing.
If your lenses are good quality lenses, then gather them all up, and go to a Nikon shop and try them on the cameras you've listed.

I'd argree with that. If you've got a good collection of good quality glass, even if manual, I'd think twice before throwing it away. On the other hand you could always get a Nikkor mount adaptor for a Canon, and you've got a ready made lens collection.

There are folks that have put adaptors onto Canon cameras to enable them to use leica, Nikkor and Zeiss lenses. They loose autofocus, and exposure metering so have to shoot manual, but some folks prefer that anyway.

Are you sure about losing exposure metering? It should be possible given that all metering functionality is on the camera. It might require that the adaptor trick the camera into thinking there's an EF lens mounted, but I'm pretty sure there are adaptors out there that permit it.

John

eas

The small size of the 350D would probably bother me a bit, but other than that, I'd like to know what people think.

I think you should buy the camera that is going to bother you a bit.

honestly - I think that's your answer. It's been said 1000's of times - buy the camera that feels best to you. For the most part the differences between the d70>350D are ergonomic.

In any case - here's a technical side by side

http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/NikonD70versusRebelXT.shtml

If you have a 85 1.4 in that collection of lenses let me know if your going Canon!

elven

Remember the option of the battery grip on the 350D... makes it feel like a whole new camera.

edunon

I own a 350D+battery grip. After trying a 20D I don't see a hugh difference between this cameras to make an upgrade. The 5D would be the best option, but in August Canon might bring new models out, specially after Nikon getting much closer than ever before.
Rumors have said that a new 1Ds might come with a 22Mpx sensor, a new 1D might come with the 16Mpx sensor is using the 1Ds but keeping the speed of the 1D and even a faster mode with 1.3 crop. With these two cameras Canon will cover proffesionals that need size or speed. The 5D will remain the "full size sensor Rebel" and the price might come down.
I don't see any changes on the 30D and 350D this year, but the 5D could be a great option. In my opinion, if you are thinking of Canon, I'd wait until the end of summer

antifuse

I made this very same decision less than a month ago. Personally, the Nikon just felt better in my hands. Go and hold the camera. Try the 350D with the battery grip. Get the one that feels right. Definitely weigh more highly towards Nikon, since even though you lose metering, you still have good quality glass which should not be discounted in the decision.

leinsterman

Well I am firmly in the Canon camp ... despite my recent efforts to arrange a boycott of their goods in Ireland ... see the sticky thread in this forum on the subject... and please feel free to vote in it.

I own the 20d .. it is a great camera ... but one important point is lenses. They tend to way outlast the body. So you need to consider this in your case. If you own a collection of good quality Nikkor lenses then you may be better staying with Nikon.

In addition you may initially dislike the Canon since you are used to Nikon ergonomics. But you will get used to this and may eventually come to dislike the Nikon as a result of buying Canon ...

There is not much between Nikon and Canon at the moment so it may just be down to your own instincts once you try both cameras ... this favours Nikon in your case since it will be more familiar.

One important thing I did read in a review somewhere is the Canon CCD is a far better performer ar higher ISO settings than the Nikon ... the Nikons tend to be more grainy.

Either way you can't go wrong with Canon or Nikon ...

gyppo

What about a wildcard - Olympus E1 anyone?
Ok, nowhere near the same res as more modern camera, but bulletproof, ergonomically brilliant, and getting very cheap. 4/3 adapters for other lens manufacturers on ebay all the time.

FreeAnd..

Definitely canon myself, not that i have much experience with Nikon but i have absolutely no complaints with any experience i have had with my canon gear so far...

halenger

You'll be happy either way, to be honest. Personally I went Nikon and am happy. In your situation I'd probably have jumped Nikon anyway.

jlang

You have Nikon-fit lenses already, you're used to Nikons and the D200 is a fantastic camera by all accounts. Don't move away from Nikon unless you've a really good reason to do so.

rymus

gyppo wrote:

What about a wildcard - Olympus E1 anyone?
Ok, nowhere near the same res as more modern camera, but bulletproof, ergonomically brilliant, and getting very cheap. 4/3 adapters for other lens manufacturers on ebay all the time.

Get back in your box you

qwertz

I personally have experience with Minolta, Canon, Olympus and Nikon. Since 2004 I use Nikon and am happy. Sure I would love a D2Xs or 1DSMkII but what I have is more than enough for my hobby. I think the choice is between Nikon and Canon since they are the biggest two players in that area.

Go to your local camera dealer and try them out, even rent them for a weekend. A lot of people are biased and will tell you to buy what they bought, regardless if they made the right choice or not. Not many people will admit that they spent thousands on the wrong items

mloc

actually, having a look, the lenses we have for nikons arent too fantastic anyway for the kind of stuff id be doing (200mm f4, 105mm f4, 55m f2.8).

I guess another factor leaning me towards Nikon is that a friend of mine I got shooting with a fair bit uses Nikon, so for compatibility sake it would be handy to swap lenses.

Are there places in Dublin where you can rent the cameras out to try them?

qwertz

Conns is the only shop I know of but try the other ones aswell. Their rental price list is on their website.

antifuse

One important thing I did read in a review somewhere is the Canon CCD is a far better performer ar higher ISO settings than the Nikon ... the Nikons tend to be more grainy.

At least at the entry level, I've actually read the opposite. The D50 beats out not only the 350D, but also the D70! (source)