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09/25/2007 06:43:20 AM · #1 |
| I really want to purchase a DSLR but not sure where to start looking. So far I've been considering the Rebel XTi or the Nikon D80. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I want to be able to afford extra lenses as I learn. |
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09/25/2007 06:57:12 AM · #2 |
IMO, the D80 is a better camera than the XTi. Image quality wise they are comprable, but in every other area I like the D80 better. It feels better in your hand(that's a personal opinion), it's slightly bigger(I believe), it has better in camera options, and it has two dials for changing shutter speed and aperture.
The XTi looks and feels cheap to me. I would not own a Canon camera below a 30D. But that's just me. |
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09/25/2007 07:13:56 AM · #3 |
I thought the Canon XTi was supposed to be matched to the Nikon D40/D40X/D50?
In the past few weeks I've been getting confused about what Canon model matches which Nikon model. I think it's;
Canon 400D (XTi) = Nikon D40 / D40X
Canon 30D / 40D = Nikon D80
Canon 5D = Nikon D200 / D300
Canon EOS-1Ds III = Nikon D3
Does that sound right? |
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09/25/2007 07:30:16 AM · #4 |
Well i can vouch for the Canon. I've used mine extensively for a number of months without any problems- it's consistently producing good results. If it wasn't, i wouldn't keep it and have buily my photography around it.
The build quality is fine, better than fine actually and mine withstands a lot of physical punishment without any defects at all- its been dropped down the stairs, dropped on concrete, in rain, in snow, in sleet, in hail and it's always done what I have asked of it.
It is smaller and lighter than the Nikon but i like that since I shoot wrestling shows and sports where im constantly moving around and shifting the position of the camera to get the best angle. I tried to do this with a 5d and it just felt unweildy and quite cumbersome, so in some ways the lightweight and more compact shape help you acheive what you want to shoot.
And the image quality is fantastic, the dust removal thing actually works and the noise reduction isn't half bad either. As a learning tool I would get the 400d kit and then 50mm 1.8 prime lens, you could gte this for £480 easy. |
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09/25/2007 07:44:57 AM · #5 |
| They are very similar beasts. It really comes down to preference. I faced the same decision a year ago and went with the d80 because it feels much more solid, is bigger and much more comfortable in the hand, the menu system was more functional and easy to navigate, Nikon arguably makes a much better flash system (at least for people just getting into photography with the potential to expand), and my own experience with my previous camera, a 300D, and my girlfriends camera, a 400D, had left me wanting a little more from a camera. Sure, the D80 is more expensive than the 400D, but I have never regretted my decision! (Except of course that I didn't go all out for the D200 which I am now fulfilling!) |
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09/25/2007 07:46:45 AM · #6 |
I use the 350D - XT - for work and the 40D for play and I wouldn't use the 350D if I didn't have to. However, the smaller size of the 400D/XTi may work in your favour, the 40D fills my hands while the 350D feels like a toy sometimes.
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09/25/2007 07:50:17 AM · #7 |
| Another thing to consider is of course the lens; the Nikon basic kit lens, the 18-70, is about a million times better than the canon 18-55, unless there has been some drastic improvement in it. |
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09/25/2007 07:55:41 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by valkner:
Another thing to consider is of course the lens; the Nikon basic kit lens, the 18-70, is about a million times better than the canon 18-55, unless there has been some drastic improvement in it. |
This is why you don't get kit lenses.
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09/25/2007 09:24:20 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by valkner:
Another thing to consider is of course the lens; the Nikon basic kit lens, the 18-70, is about a million times better than the canon 18-55, unless there has been some drastic improvement in it. |
That would be the least of my concerns with the purchase of a camera. The kit lens is something they toss in essentially. Not many people actually use it. But lets consider the two lens and compare how they do on DPC shall we.
Canon Kit lens
D80 Kit lens
These kit lens are taken from the list available on the Equipment page. As best I can see on the page the 18-55 Nikkor is the kit lens on the D80 according to B&H listing
MattO
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09/25/2007 09:51:09 AM · #10 |
The Nikon kit lens has 675 DPC owners, and 1,205 challenge entries. Versus the Canon kit lens with 2,039 owners and 5,291 entries.
These numbers mean it's unreliable to use DPC entries as a way of comparing their performance. |
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09/25/2007 09:57:04 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by jhonan:
The Nikon kit lens has 675 DPC owners, and 1,205 challenge entries. Versus the Canon kit lens with 2,039 owners and 5,291 entries.
These numbers mean it's unreliable to use DPC entries as a way of comparing their performance. |
Its just as reliable some guy on an internet forum saying its tons better then the canon kit lens. My point is sometimes its not the equipment its the person behind it. Other times the lens is just as important. Either way I wouldnt own either lens or camera.
MattO
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09/25/2007 11:07:58 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by Delta_6:
Originally posted by valkner:
Another thing to consider is of course the lens; the Nikon basic kit lens, the 18-70, is about a million times better than the canon 18-55, unless there has been some drastic improvement in it. |
This is why you don't get kit lenses. |
When I bought my Canon 40D, I wanted just the body, but got the kit because that all my camera store was receiving at the time.
This kit lens is not the traditional kit lens--it is the Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 EF IS USM, and I tell you, it is a very nice lens for a kit!
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09/25/2007 11:23:58 AM · #13 |
| Go to the store, use each camera, and then decide for yourself. Image quality wise, the playing field is so level right now between brands that the real difference is which camera feels best in your hands. You cant go wrong either way... |
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09/25/2007 11:29:42 AM · #14 |
Love my D80, but a lot of women complain that it's too big for small hands. I don't have that problem with my fat and long piano fingers, though.
And regarding the kit lenses, my kit was the 18-135, and I use it quite a bit. I used it almost exclusively this weekend for crowd shots at a 5K.
Message edited by author 2007-09-25 11:36:55.
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09/27/2007 10:01:26 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by jhonan:
In the past few weeks I've been getting confused about what Canon model matches which Nikon model. I think it's;
Canon 400D (XTi) = Nikon D40 / D40X
Canon 30D / 40D = Nikon D80
Canon 5D = Nikon D200 / D300
Canon EOS-1Ds III = Nikon D3 |
Well, I would never put a equals sign between any of these cameras. None of these models are head-to-head against any of the others.
In terms of overall capability, I would probably interleave them...
D40
400D
D80
40D
D300
5D
D3
1D
But, each one has different positives and negatives along the way. In the end, you get what you pay for. I do believe that Nikon have much better and more practical low-end lenses, and Canon have much better high-end lenses if you can afford them.
IMHO, the D80 is a better camera than the 400D, and the 40D is better again. But you can tell this just by looking at the price tags. :) (as well as their release dates)
Message edited by author 2007-09-27 22:11:03. |
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09/27/2007 10:04:34 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
In terms of overall capability, I would probably interleave them...
D40
400D
D80
40D
D300
5D
D3
1D
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I agree but for one small change. ;-D
D40
400D
D80
40D
D300
5D
1D
D3 |
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09/27/2007 10:16:38 PM · #17 |
| I was just guessing at the top-end models, as I don't have any experience there. I considered leaving the 1D and D3 off my list, and I was wondering if someone would come back and comment on them. :) |
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09/27/2007 10:18:12 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by thegrandwazoo:
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
In terms of overall capability, I would probably interleave them...
D40
400D
D80
40D
D300
5D
D3
1D
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I agree but for one small change. ;-D
D40
400D
D80
40D
D300
5D
1D
D3 |
Dude, I love the D3 as much as the next guy, but you my friend are obsessed! ;-) |
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