300D, D70 or D10? - DPChallenge Forums

04/14/2004 03:35:20 PM · #1

Thanks very much indeed to Mag, PaulMdx and Gordon for their input on this so far (in chat).

Having finally realised, after spending far too much on developing costs, that my skills are really not worthy of the continuing expenses that my film camera involves we (Pete/ Ganders and myself) have decided to buy a DSLR.

We're going on the long (2 month) trip soon (in only a few weeks) and I would expect to be taking at least 100 rolls of film if not a lot more.

The cost of buying and developing (and scanning) that film is enough to pay most of the costs of the new DSLR.

So... here we are.

My fault that we've left this decision so late (I was reluctant) and now we're in a rush.

I own two Minolta film SLRs and 4 lenses which, of course, won't be compatible - probably part of why I have been so reluctant.

Canon 300D
Light weight (I have some quite real neck and shoulder issues so weight is important)
Cheapest
Less features (Pete's a geek and will no doubt learn to use all the little features at some point even though they aren't relevant for this trip)
Takes Canon lenses - there seems to be a great choice of consumer, mid and expensive lenses to choose from for the Canon mount

Canon 10D
Heaviest
Most expensive
Equally fully featured to the D70 (pretty much)
Takes Canon lenses

Nikon D70
Mid weight
Cheaper than 10D for similar features
Takes Nikon fit lenses (am hearing from Mag that these are good lenses)

We're leaning towards 10D or D70 though I know weight may be an issue (we're intending to look at each camera in person on Saturday morning right before we buy one). (My newer film SLR is significantly lighter even than the 300d and was bought for that very reason).

Any advice to a very indecisive chick and her long-suffering husband would be MUCH appreciated.

THANKS

Message edited by author 2004-04-14 16:17:57.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/14/2004 03:36:36 PM · #2

PS we will also be buying lenses to cover the equiv of 28mm to 1xxmm and a longer zoom too.

Plus new larger CF cards.

Plus spare batteries.

Plus car charger.

Plus an additional storage device.

Message edited by author 2004-04-14 15:55:06.

Flash

Nikon D700

04/14/2004 03:46:43 PM · #3

I really do not believe that one holds a substantial advantage over the other. Both the 10D and D70 are fine cameras. I would concentrate in two main areas. 1. which camera "feels" better in YOUR hands? 2. Which lense group do you see owning for the next 10-40 years? That is the system I would recommend.

Good Luck.

Flash

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

04/14/2004 03:49:25 PM · #4

Kavey,

While shopping....review Nikkors 17-35mm f/2.8

It is a magnificent lense.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

04/14/2004 03:52:07 PM · #5

Thanks Flash. That "feel in the hand" issue is one of the reasons we went for the Minolta Dimage 7i above some of the other contenders at the time - it felt right to hold and some felt downright wrong.

As for which lens system - I'm not sure to be honest.

But it seems Sigma make numerous lenses for both mounts and I am happy with their lenses so far... so perhaps it's not such a huge issue.

I don't know.

Message edited by author 2004-04-14 15:56:28.

kreybar

Nikon D70

04/14/2004 04:02:47 PM · #6

Kavey , there's an extensive discussion on this in the D70 forums @ DPReview . Be sure to read Phil Askey's review of the D70 as well , it has a side by side comparison with the Canons . You might also want to see what Ken Rockwell has to say at his site . I'm in the same dilemma myself , seems the only good thing is I just keep saving more money towards my purchase . Good Luck !

hsteg

Fujifilm X-T20

04/14/2004 04:04:01 PM · #7

Originally posted by Kavey:

Thanks very much indeed to Mag, PaulMdx and Gordon for their input on this so far (in chat).

Having finally realised, after spending far too much on developing costs, that my skills are really not worthy of the continuing expenses that my film camera involves we (Pete/ Ganders and myself) have decided to buy a DSLR.

We're going on the long (2 month) trip soon (in only a few weeks) and I would expect to be taking at least 100 rolls of film if not a lot more.

The cost of buying and developing (and scanning) that film is enough to pay most of the costs of the new DSLR.

So... here we are.

My fault that we've left this decision so late (I was reluctant) and now we're in a rush.

I own two Minolta film SLRs and 4 lenses which, of course, won't be compatible - probably part of why I have been so reluctant.

Canon 300D
Light weight (I have some quite real neck and shoulder issues so weight is important)
Cheapest
Less features (Pete's a geek and will no doubt learn to use all the little features at some point even though they aren't relevant for this trip)
Takes Canon lenses - there seems to be a great choice of consumer, mid and expensive lenses to choose from for the Canon mount

Canon 10D
Heaviest
Most expensive
Equally fully featured to the D70 (pretty much)
Takes Canon lenses

Nikon D70
Mid weight
Cheaper than 10D for similar features
Takes Nikon fit lenses (am hearing from Mag that these are good lenses)

We're leaning towards 10D or D70 though I know weight may be an issue (we're intending to look at each camera in person on Saturday morning right before we buy one). (My newer film SLR is significantly lighter even than the 300d and was bought for that very reason).

Any advice to a very indecisive chic and her long-suffering husband would be MUCH appreciated.

THANKS

too bad you cant wait till later in the year when minolta comes out with their dSLR

04/14/2004 04:06:01 PM · #8

I considered it but figure they'll be SO far behind the pack that their first DSLR may not be a competitor anyway!

04/14/2004 04:20:31 PM · #9

Oh great.
Now Pete's just told me that the Minolta, when it DOES come out, will have IS built into the body, hence saving on buying IS lenses.
AAaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM

04/14/2004 04:25:39 PM · #10

First sign of madness... I know.

The trouble with waiting for the Minolta is that
A) we don't know price
B) we don't know whether it will be any good
C) the justification for buying the DSLR now is that the money we'll save on film and processing costs for the big trip coming up will pay for a huge chunk of the camera - if we wait for the Minolta that means sticking to film for the big trip and paying those costs...

dadas115

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

04/14/2004 04:25:47 PM · #11

Isn�t Minolta coming out with a DSLR soon. I thought I read that they had announced one. If it were my choice right now and I had no investment in any lenses or accessories I would be looking REALLY hard at the Nikon D70. It seems to be a great camera with a lot of important (to me anyway) features that the Canon Rebel doesn�t have. The 10D is a nice camera, I had one for a while and liked it a lot but I can�t really see any reason to buy it over the D70 considering it costs more and doesn�t really do anything extra that I actually want to do. Unless there is some EF lens or EOS accessory that you really want that isn�t available for the Nikon I would recommend going with the D70. The thing I like the best about the Nikon bodies is how good they feel in my hands and how well they handle. This was my single biggest complaint about the 10D and one of the reasons I sold it and kept my Rebel.

Greg

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

04/14/2004 04:34:23 PM · #12

OK as Gordon just pointed out...

If we were to wait for the Minolta (which is dicey not knowing more about quality and price) we'd be effectively throwing away about £1k on the film and dev costs over this coming 2 month trip.

And it's unlikely the Minolta is worth more than a grand more than the others.

So...

D70 does sound great but I hear less good things about their VR/ IS system than the Canon one. And my handholding seems to be going to pot recently.

Would be want the added features of the 10D over the 300D enough to make the added weight worthwhile?

Aak.

I'm a complete nutcase.

jimmythefish

Canon EOS-10D

04/14/2004 04:35:32 PM · #13

Though if you want a dedicated 2nd shutter release for portrait orientation with the D70 you're outta luck...that seems to be the only major drawback, but a big one for someone like myself. I likes muh battery grip.

Originally posted by dadas115:

Message edited by author 2004-04-14 16:36:02.