Struggling to decide on a camera

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/29/2004 10:15:36 PM · #1

Hi,

I am new to photography and I just finished a photography "basics" class. I am ready to upgrade to an SLR digital camera. I am trying to decide which one to get. I am looking at the Canon 10D, 300D, or a Nikon D70 ro D100. Which brand is "better" in everyone's opinion? Which camera do you recommend. I don't want to have to buy a new camera in a year because my new one is obsolete...

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

11/29/2004 10:20:06 PM · #2

You choice would really depend on the type of photography you enjoy or plan to take.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/29/2004 10:25:43 PM · #3

Originally posted by faidoi:

You choice would really depend on the type of photography you enjoy or plan to take.

I enjoy abstract photography, macro work, and landscape photography. I like people photography, but mostly candids. Is there one that has better color quality than another?

nicklevy

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/29/2004 10:27:46 PM · #4

Well If I'd been looking for a SLR I'd be looking for a Canon. At my job I'm the official photographer for all the events so I'm in contact with professional photographers often. Most of them use Nikon for now because most of them used Nikon before digital. Also most of them look a their thousands and thousands of $$ worth of glass and they talk about Canon with regrets. I personnally think that the best days of Nikon are behind them for first because they rely on 3rd party for their sensors (i.e. Sony for most case) and because with each new release Canon seem to increase the distance between them and Nikon. The best camera on plan for nikon is 4MP less than an actual prototype with production model reaching the market in the next few month for Nikon.

I wouldn't consider both 10D or 300D having the 20D availlable with the ISO3200 the 8MP and so little noise.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

11/29/2004 10:33:19 PM · #5

Originally posted by Juniper366:

For the most part, if you ask someone who shoots with Nikon, they will say Nikon. Similarly, if you ask someone who shoots with Canon, they will say Canon. Either Nikon or Canon equipment can produce wonderful images.

The big choice is the lenses, which company offers the lenses that fit what you want to do best, or what you THINK you want to do?

Out of your 4 choices, if I were to choose, I would say the Nikon D70.

The D100 is discontinued and while it's a great camera, in many respects the D70 is better and cheaper too.

Same thing with the 10D. The 300D is more of a crippled 10D. Yes, I know there are hacks and work-arounds, but why should you have to void the warranty to gain full functionality of your camera?

Not restricting myself to your picks, but not leaping to "pro" equipment, I would pick the 20D, but that's not on your list for whatever reason. It's also the most recently released and will likely be the last to be superseded by a new model, though it does happen pretty fast with digital cameras.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/29/2004 10:33:59 PM · #6

Originally posted by nicklevy:

I wouldn't consider both 10D or 300D having the 20D availlable with the ISO3200 the 8MP and so little noise.

Thank you for this information!!! I was leaning toward Canon, and this really helped!!

Jen

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/29/2004 10:36:08 PM · #7

Margaret,

Thanks for the info! I didn't include the 20D because I am not sure I can afford it, but you may have a point about the camera's below this becomming obsolete. Maybe I should save a little while longer!

Jen

jab119

11/29/2004 11:04:38 PM · #8

well both canon and nikon make good cameras. Each one has good and bad points about them. It would be best if you could decide on what features you want and what accessories you will need/want in the future as wel as lenses.

over at dpreview.com there is a nice side by side feature comparrison feature that really helps alot when deciding a camera purchase.

300D vs D70

James

dartompkins

Nikon D70s

Tamron SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical IF for Nikon

11/29/2004 11:08:52 PM · #9

I looooove my new D70. :)

coolhar

Canon PowerShot Pro 90 IS

11/29/2004 11:15:49 PM · #10

Originally posted by Juniper366:

... I don't want to have to buy a new camera in a year because my new one is obsolete...

The 4 you mention became obsolete when the 20D came out. Get the 20D. Or check out the new Olympus E-300 and Konica-Monolta DSLR, both due out soon.

pitsaman

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/29/2004 11:16:02 PM · #11

DSLR's are too big for "candids",you need some little pocket camera with large zoom for that like Olymous 750 :-)

Any of those cameras + " good" lenses will cost you about $4000 !

Message edited by author 2004-11-29 23:17:28.

Natator

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

11/29/2004 11:23:58 PM · #12

Originally posted by Juniper366:

Without entering the Canon vs Nikon debate ....

If you do decide to go the Canon route I would definitely save up a little longer and wait till you can afford the 20D.

I had a 10D, I absolutely loved it, it is a sensational camera. However, I then upgraded to a 20D and it definitely has a big lead on the 10D, more than specs alone would suggest. Either are fantastic cameras (as is the 300D I believe and the D70 for sure)) and realistically .... you won;t go wrong with any of them.

tolovemoon

Canon EOS Rebel SL1

11/29/2004 11:33:31 PM · #13

I dont have one yet but plan to by next year I like canon because I have a 35 mm eos canon with some lenses and extra supplies already plus I like the way it feels. Make sure you are comfortable with the one you choose. My dad he has an old Nikon and he always tells me to go with that but I think I will stick to canon.

kiwinick

Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha

11/29/2004 11:43:00 PM · #14

If it is a DSLR you want,the all the reviews I have read including this months British " practical Photography" pick the Nikon D70. I believe that the Canon 300D will be superceded in feb2005.

VisiBlanco

Canon EOS-5D

11/29/2004 11:44:56 PM · #15

Take a look at both Canon's and Nikon's lenses; chances are, the bulk of your investment will be in lenses and a good lens won't become obsolete nearly as fast as the camera body itself.

Go to your local store and ask to try out the controls on both the Canon and Nikon models and try to decide what controls feel easier, how well you can grip the cameras, and what camera body feels more solid to you. I'd also urge you to take a look at the many online reviews and especially sample photos and see what you like best.

Generally the Canon bodies do better in low light and at higher ISO's. However, you can't really beat the quality and price of the Nikon D70 body (and, for what it's worth, it was recently rated the "camera of the year" by Popular Photography).

If I were you I'd go for a 20D or a used 10D, but I guess I am pretty biased.

Message edited by author 2004-11-29 23:45:20.

scottwilson

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 28mm f/2.8

11/29/2004 11:49:30 PM · #16

You might also give some thought as to which company you believe will have the best camera in the next generation. Regardless of which you buy you will no doubt spend a fair bit on lenses in the next couple of years, it would be nice if in two to three years the next camera you buy could use these lenses.

My crystal ball is not seeing all that well out three years from now but if I had to guess I would think maybe Canon would have the better camera. I base this on the high end ones they have now.

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

11/30/2004 09:17:44 AM · #17

Hi

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I will go to the online reviews and I will go the a camera store and try each of them. It was an interesting comment "the 300D will be superceded in Febr.". I wonder what they will have next??? Technology is an amazing thing!

Jennifer

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

11/30/2004 09:27:24 AM · #18

If you can wait, go for the 20D. If you can't, then pick up a cheap 300D and concentrate on good lenses. There's very little you can't do with the 300D (even without hacks), and you'll gain valuable experience using a DSLR. You can sell the 300D later for slight loss and use the lenses and other accessories with a 20D. Best of both worlds.

FWIW- I went from a PowerShot G2 to a 300D.

Travis99

Canon EOS-5D