dSLR - so many choices!

davmigil

Still deliberating what camera to buy:

Here's my short list and thinking so far:

Nikon D50 + Cheap and Cheerful (€580 with kits lens), can add a few lenses to get me started. Nicer to hold than Canon 350D
- old model now. Missing a few features I might need at some stage, like DOF preview. Kit lens not meant to be great (but money left over to upgrade). Started out wanting a Canon and Canon lenses

Nikon D80 + New model with lots of hoopla. Has what D50 lacks. Kit lens 18-135mm looks interesting
- much more expensive, more in competition with Canon 30D
- Only a few reviews so far and not much test images. Quality of 18-135 zoom an unknown quantity

Canon 30D + Nice solid feeling camera, good build quality and ergonomics. Fixes everything I don't like about 350D.
- Most expensive of ones I am looking at. -only considering it now as am looking at D80. Will mean will probably just get 50mm 1.8f to start with it. 400D makes it specs look dated in some departments, rumours of imminent release of 40D?

Outsiders:

Canon 400D - didn't like feel of 350D at all, so don't think I will like this either. Maybe a possibility if get it with battery grip, but then more expensive. Not sure of all in one LCD screen.
Nikon D70s - now that D80 is out, not a runner unless bargain basement (and then would still be considering D50).

Thinking of buying before go on holidays in October. Will be bringing along my Powershot A85 as back up anyway.

Initial use will be portrait and family pics, bit of landscape.
Nikon 18-135 would cover everything (or 18-70).
If go with 30D will have a 50mm 1.8f, which will be nice for portraits, especially with large aperature. Good for time of year too, as will let in lots of light (going to France). Can use A85 for landscapes.

Thinking at later stage of doing a bit of (irish) wildlife photography. If Canon will start saving for 70-200mm 4L (and maybe a teleconverter). Not sure of equivalent Nikon model.

Anyway, in bit of a whirl. Keep thinking being a bit ambitious and should go for D50 for starters. Then think, start as you wish to continue, which makes me think 30D. Only fly in ointment is the feeling I should wait and see if 40D makes an appearance.

Shiny

Hey,

I'm in a similar situation to you.
I have been researching for nearly 2
months now and i am still not sure.

I first decided that I was going for Canon.
Then i decided that the 20/30/40? D series suited me best.

Lens decisions

Sigma 70-200 f2.8 (Maybe 70-200 f4 L)
Tamron 28-75 f2.8
Canon 50mm Prime (maybe a 35mm prime also)

Sigma 12-24mm (next summer )

My areas will be Landscape, Night, portrait and
concert photography.


I have used the Nikon D70 for a few weeks but
completely prefered the 20D.

I too am waiting to see what happens with the
potential release of the 40D.

The Pentax K10 looks very nice also but i dont
think it is worth the hassle of finding lens's etc
for the camera.(Canon stuff is for sale everywhere)

mikeanywhere

I was in the same boat as you both when trying to decide on what camera to get. I eventually got the 20D purely from the kit bundle and the price too. I have to say I am well chuffed with my purchase, even if Canon brought out the 30D very recently - doh!!

I am also looking for a 2nd camera though as its a real pain in the ass trying to change lenses whilst trying to grab the shot.

Either way, let us know what you get in the end.

davmigil

Think I will go Canon and just wait until end of month to be sure no new announcements. Even if a 40D comes out I would probably might still be looking at a 30D, but hopefully price will drop €100 or so.

Will have a look at D80 if it hits the shops soon.

melekalikimaka

hummm i don't like all this d50 kit slating going on round here. i'd leave the d80 out unless ya wanna wait til xmas...the d70 is great lil number...noise can be a bit mesy at higher levels but aside from that its great, feels very nice in your hand and the kit lens is one of the best kit lens on the market for any camera. Saying that Canon are equally as competent, it all comes down to personal taste, try em all tis alot of money to part with.

Zillah

How strange: You'd consider the D50 (getting on a bit) and the D80 (new, extremely rare and expensive) but completely leave out the D70s. Its essentially an upgraded all round better D50.

I got the D70s recently, she's a beaut and can stand toe to toe with the Canon 20D. Clickity click <--its a pun, you get it!?

EDIT:

Oh, wait you did. Uh, never mind.

*resists urge to fanboy flame the heretic*

melekalikimaka

i apologise i meant d70s, do they even make the d70 anymore?

edit:no they dont make it anymore

Zillah

Yay, confusion all round! I was talking to the OP...

Dundhoone

Just about everything I read when I was buying said to go try out and see if you like the feel of the camera, and dont worry too much about what camera to buy, spend the cash on the lenses.
I bought a D50. It takes pics im really happy with. It has all the bells and bobs I'll be needing for a while, I set the camera on manual from day one and went from there.
Its more fun to keep your cash for all the other bits you are going to want, ie good tripod, bag, flash, zoom/macro/fisheye/fast lenses....etc etc. You'll want all of this kit within a month or two I promise ya!!!

I honestly dont think this camera is holding me back at all, the low cost also means i dont worry about it as much as i would if it were a 1000 euro camera.

but maybe you are a gear head, everyone is to a certain extent!!

Fionn

i got a Canon 350 D and the only complaint i had was with the kit lens maybe i got a bad copy i don't know but the images were very soft from them, build quality is crap too
so if you decide to get a Canon don't get the kit lens instead for starters maybe the 50mm f/1.8 way sharper than the kit but then not as versatile

davmigil

Dundhoone wrote:

I honestly dont think this camera is holding me back at all, the low cost also means i dont worry about it as much as i would if it were a 1000 euro camera.

but maybe you are a gear head, everyone is to a certain extent!!

Having tried a few different cameras in the shops I agree that the D50 is a really nice camera. From dpreview I read its performance at higher ISO is superior to D70s. Much prefer the feel of it to 350D. You get alot of camera for a little price. Being honest, feature wise it has everything and more that I need.

However kinda want an EOS, can't gel with 350/400D (eventhough has everything I need), so hence looking at 30D. Yes, bit of a gear head too I suppose!

Based on this thread I think I will rule out the D80.

So Canon 30D with 50mm 1.8f, Nikon D50 kit + lots of extras, (possibly 70s with 18-70mm if price good).

Anyway, thanks guys for input. Sorry don't mean to dis' anybodies camera. Especially as I know you all take great photos with them, which is what it should be all about

parsi

I recently bought a D50 for my first foray into the DSLR world and I'm happy with it.

The battery is excellent. I also bought a Sigma 55-200 as I felt I wanted more zoom. Price was the appropriate factor in its choise - no point in me spending a fortune on lenses..

However I wouldn't claim to be any sort of expert or even knowledgeable amateur....

davmigil

Well bought a Nikon D80 in the end.

Had a look at the Canon 400D, very nice camera too. Eventhough changes are only slight in design over 350D, the grip is a huge improvement - for my hands anyway.

Nikon won it for me with nicer view finder and lcd screen.

Typical me: Bought it body only as was going to get alternative to kit lens (was thinking of Nikon VR 18-200mm as reviews good, but out of stock anywhere with good price), but changed my mind and have ordered 70mm kit lens anyway (luckily AJ Purdy have it for a good price, so didn't lose out euro wise!).

Roen

Congrats Dave, now get posting!

Zillah

Dav, I'll swap ya a brand new D70 for your D80? Gwan!

davmigil

Zillah wrote:

Dav, I'll swap ya a brand new D70 for your D80? Gwan!

At least you have a lens Thinking of pinhole photography, except for the dust.

punchdrunk

why go for the 18-70 when the 18-135 is only bout an extra 130 quid?

Zillah

davmigil wrote:

At least you have a lens Thinking of pinhole photography, except for the dust.

Ha!

I feel so special. "Myyy camera has a lens."

28-100, she's a beaut. Although I think it becomes more like 35-130 or therabouts with digital...

Ponster

I'm yet another person in the 'D80/ EOS400' camp though I haven't picked up the D80 yet to see how it feels like. (D80 + DX 18-135mm = €1120)


So is it better for a first-time DSLR buyer like me to go for a Canon D20 18-55mm for €1000 or a new 400D with the same lens for €800 ?

I guess the D20 is more professional but I'm a noobie at all this dslr lark and maybe the 400D with it's dust removal system may be the correct choice for a novice?

TempestSabre

The 400D is very expensive and in playing with the camera's in shop I've just prefered the handing of the D50/D70's all along. The Nikon 18-55 kit lense is meant to be better then the canon. Conns said they do free sensor cleaning once the camera bought from them. Though is that worth the extra 120 that the camera costs?

B0rG

davmigil wrote:

Well bought a Nikon D80 in the end.

Had a look at the Canon 400D, very nice camera too. Eventhough changes are only slight in design over 350D, the grip is a huge improvement - for my hands anyway.

didn't notice much of a difference in grip/handle. If you put something like 24-70 on 400D, you'll have trouble holding in.

I'd stick with one lens mount if I were you, nikon have cheap 50 as well. Some people say that they have better line of cheaper optics. with Canon you'd have to go L, and that's money...

Biker.ie

davmigil wrote:

Well bought a Nikon D80 in the end.

Had a look at the Canon 400D, very nice camera too. Eventhough changes are only slight in design over 350D, the grip is a huge improvement - for my hands anyway.

Nikon won it for me with nicer view finder and lcd screen.

Typical me: Bought it body only as was going to get alternative to kit lens (was thinking of Nikon VR 18-200mm as reviews good, but out of stock anywhere with good price), but changed my mind and have ordered 70mm kit lens anyway (luckily AJ Purdy have it for a good price, so didn't lose out euro wise!).

xcellent choice dere , got one myself afew weeks back - some thoughts / pics at ;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=308584

Thinking about the jack-of-all-trades 18-200mm Nikkor with vibration reduction aswell, know anywhere in stock ? apart from gangsta's on ebay

Roen

Some great bikey shots there Biker, well done.
There's a sticky above with about 9 million links to shops. A lot us here use eBay exclusively so I wouldn't be shy of using them. Just stick to the reliable lads and you'll be ok.

TempestSabre

Nice photos! I asked around about the 18-200mm Nikkor and no one had it. Mind you it gets mixed reviews from some people I asked about it.

davmigil

Biker.ie wrote:

about the jack-of-all-trades 18-200mm Nikkor with vibration reduction aswell, know anywhere in stock ? apart from gangsta's on ebay

I saw one on the shelf in Gunns on Wexford St, asked the price, but no sticker on it and I didn't have time to hang around to find out (was double parked outside), maybe they were keeping it for a customer. Might be worth telephoning.

There is a Nikon 70-300 VR coming out soon too...