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Camera Advice, If You Please.

HaMMerHeD

HaMMerHeD

[H]F Junkie
Joined
Jul 13, 2004
Messages
10,397
So, my camera sucks, and I need a new one. I thought I would take this opportunity to step up to a big boy camera and leave this point and shoot nonsense behind.

I have narrowed it down to two choices, and I humbly ask those more experienced for advice.

First option:

Canon EOS Rebel XTI Black 10.1 MP, for $645.99.

Second option:

Nikon D60 Black 10.2 MP, for $659.99.

The price difference is trivial, to me. The Canon uses CompactFlash I and II, and the Nikon uses SD and SDHC. I already have a pretty decent quantity of SD cards, so being able to use those would be a plus. However, if the Canon is a superior product, I don't mind investing in some CF cards.

My aunt, who has been a photographer for, well, longer than I've been alive, says they are equally good, and to just go with the Nikon so I can use the SD cards I already have. She also says that she prefers Nikon lenses to Canon lenses, but for no particular reason than because she has more experience with Nikon.

Any thoughts?
 
If you get a Nikon you could "borrow" your aunts lenses :)

have you gone to a store and held both of them? See which one you like the feel of better, thats what I did between the Nikon D40 and Canon Rebel XT (350D) - I ended up going with the Nikon.
 
Mark, if you want to stick with your SD cards, you might want to put the Canon XSi into the mix. It's the newest from Canon and uses SD cards instead of CF, and a slew of other options.
 
BrinNutz said:
Mark, if you want to stick with your SD cards, you might want to put the Canon XSi into the mix. It's the newest from Canon and uses SD cards instead of CF, and a slew of other options.
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I don't really care about the SD cards. I just want the best camera I can get for around $650. It would be nice if I could use the SD cards, but if I end up with the Canon, I'll just give the SD cards away to whoever my current camera goes to.

The Canon XSi, unfortunately, exceeds my price-range.
 
Have you played with either? While I prefer Canon personally I have nothing against Nikon, and as you have SD cards (which I prefer personally) the Nikon might be the best for you. I would go put hands on them both at Wolf or something to see which one feels the best in your hands, as well as features and ease of use for what you need.

You cant go wrong either way really.

Decent 20 plus page review for the D60

& same thing for the Canon here
 
I have the XSi, but the XTi is a damn nice camera too, the live view really isnt a big deal to me at all.

Talk to your aunt some more. See if you will be able to borrow her nice lenses if you are going out on an important shoot. Some people are (understandably) protective of their $600-700-1k+ investments. I dont think Id let somebody else play with my L, and its only $600. Lenses are fragile things.
 
GLSauron said:
I have the XSi, but the XTi is a damn nice camera too, the live view really isnt a big deal to me at all.

Talk to your aunt some more. See if you will be able to borrow her nice lenses if you are going out on an important shoot. Some people are (understandably) protective of their $600-700-1k+ investments. I dont think Id let somebody else play with my L, and its only $600. Lenses are fragile things.
Click to expand...

Well, she lives in Texas, and I don't, so I wouldn't be borrowing her lens anyway. I asked her about lenses because I intend to buy a micro/macro lens at some point.
 
My advice is go to the store and pick up both cameras and see which one feels better in your hand. Ultimately that can make or break you're buying decision. What's the point of a nice camera if the controls and ergonomics don't feel right in your hand?

Also, there's nothing wrong with Ken Rockwell's opinions. Feel free to read his reviews. His point of view is from the average consumer, not the pro's. (PS: I'm not directing this towards the previous poster. The OP should just read the reviews and make up their own mind.)

If you want more technical opinions/reviews there are many other sites. But for easy to read and understandable opinions for a first time buying, there's nothing wrong with Ken's site.

When I bought my DSLR, I was set on buying a Canon 30D over the Nikon D80, but after I went the store to try them out, I changed my mind. I went home and ordered the D80. :D

You can't go wrong with either Canon or Nikon, so take your time.
 
They both make very good entry level dslr's. Actually holding the camera bodies and finding the fit that you prefer makes a lot of sense.

Also, depending on how you want to take pictures, don't sell the point and shoots short. They can deliver incredibly sharp, somewhat idiot-proof pictures in many common scenarios. It take a lot more work to get a good snapshot out of an slr. Of course, an slr is far, far more versatile and with a little practice you can get some incredible shots.
 
Now, with my XTi, I went and got the BG-E3 battery grip and it feels wayyyyyyyyyyyy more comfortable. (craigslist FTMFW).

Use Craigslist when you can for accessories and such for the camera.
 
Ok. Then I'll go to the nearest Wolf and check the cameras out in person.

Thanks for the advice, folks.
 
I believe that the d60 suffers from the same flaw as the d40 (unable to focus with non AF-S lenses) correct?

If that's the case, I would definitely go with a Xt or a Xti.
 
The D40 and D60 both use the new AF-S lens system. The old lenses will work in manual focus mode only. Some will even meter correctly, just not auto focus. That said, anyone buying a new nikon d60 or d40 camera would buy AF-S lenses to go with it anyway. So unless you have tons of canon lenses laying around it does not make a lot of difference. You need to hold the cameras and see which one fits you best. picture quality will be stellar on any camera you pick when you really learn how to use it. In photography, people make the pictures..equipment is just a tool.. You will see differences in both cameras but just pick the one you like the most. it is a very personal choice. My self, i have had both brands Nikon and Canon i eventually figured out that I prefer Nikons, because they feel much better in my hand and are more intuitive in the button layout. There are more people around here that like canons for a bunch of reasons other than picture quality. If you want real subjective opinions check the forums out over at dpreview.com

Ken Rockwell at first glance is kind of an odd ball...for sure..but once you read what he has to say and read your own information, he lays things out quite simply and he has his own opinions that agree with most peoples POV. He has cameras of all kind and likes them both. If you want pure non-biased reviews, he will tell you what you need to know. He is not paid by any camera manufacturer to review their equipment
 
Well I went to a camera store, tried both cameras on for size, and I decided that I will order the Nikon D60. It just felt better to me, which I guess is what's important here, as both cameras high quality pieces of equipment.

I am aware that the camera's autofocus feature only works with AF-S lenses, but as that camera comes with an AF-S lens, and the only other lens I am interested in adding is also an AF-S lens, I don't think it's really a "flaw" as such.

Thanks for your help guys and, if applicable, gal(s).
 
Ice_Burg said:
www.kenrockwell.com has some great reviewing for all kinds of cameras.

Ice
Click to expand...

Do not read into his reviews too far. I almost fell into that trap. Read them for what they are, and compare your sources. Sometimes he will tell you a lens is good enough when it isn't.

Mark,

The D60 is a bit gimped as it doesn't have its own AF drive motor (like the D80, D300). So it will only autofocus with AF-S lenses which will cut down on your lens choice. The body (camera) it self is pretty decent.

The Rebel XTi will take all canon EF and EF-S lenses for AF. There are amazing lenses for little money if you look. In the end you will want to choose a system that you are comfortable with. BOTH will record excellent photo's of your subjects.

try both out. I wasn't that deep into Canon when I started so I looked at the D300. Sexy but price vs performance kept me in Canon. Real photographers will tell you its not the equipment. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with.

Cheers,
 
Mark_Warner said:
Well I went to a camera store, tried both cameras on for size, and I decided that I will order the Nikon D60. It just felt better to me, which I guess is what's important here, as both cameras high quality pieces of equipment.

I am aware that the camera's autofocus feature only works with AF-S lenses, but as that camera comes with an AF-S lens, and the only other lens I am interested in adding is also an AF-S lens, I don't think it's really a "flaw" as such.

Thanks for your help guys and, if applicable, gal(s).
Click to expand...

Good stuff. It's not a flaw if you keep with AF-S lenses. All the major ones are AF-S anyway.
 
Mark_Warner said:
Well I went to a camera store, tried both cameras on for size, and I decided that I will order the Nikon D60. It just felt better to me, which I guess is what's important here, as both cameras high quality pieces of equipment.

I am aware that the camera's autofocus feature only works with AF-S lenses, but as that camera comes with an AF-S lens, and the only other lens I am interested in adding is also an AF-S lens, I don't think it's really a "flaw" as such.

Thanks for your help guys and, if applicable, gal(s).
Click to expand...
excellent choice. you will not be disappointed.
 
Well good choice. Just remember that you will have to use lenses with their own internal motors. Sigma and Tamron are both making lenses for the D40/60 type cameras now so, your options will get much better for glass, which is good because it will be your next obsession. Also you might want to go here and register http://www.nikonians.org . There will be many people to help you with questions about the camera and, lots of useful info. Also please read the manual before asking for help, people can get pissy if you havent even read it first.
 
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