Which Canon dSLR? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

12/19/2004 03:06:08 PM · #1

I very much want to move up to a dSLR.
I have a limited budget and an impatient nature - not a good mix.

SOOOO, I have been searching and these are my choices (if you have another suggestio PLEASE pass it on!)

I can find used D30 for $450, maybe less.
I can find used D60 for $700, maybe less.
A new rebel is currently $785 (walmart, after rebate).

I don't plan to buy until mid january, so the rebate will be gone. the used cameras should be a tad cheaper. Warranty is not all that important to me.

The used cameras, particularly if i go for a low low price, wil be missing everything (manual, battery, charger, strap, software). The last item and probably the first are of concern to me. I have found manuals on ebay and perhaps Canon has them on their site.

Is there a particular reason to pick one or the other or to avoid one or the other?

Is there a comparably priced used Nikon out there?

Starting cheap is not a bad option - I can spend the difference on better or more lenses and flash...and get a better /newer body later.

Any input or experience with these cameras?

deapee

Kodak V803

12/19/2004 03:10:03 PM · #2

Sorry, can't help you with experience, but personally, if you definately made the choice to go canon, get the 300d. Reason being (and I know you said warranty doesn't matter) mainly the warranty. If you spend $500 on a used camera, you're going to be jacked if it breaks and there won't be a thing you can do about it.

Secondly, the 300d can be had for fairly cheap -- get all the lenses you need, learn how the canon works, then when you're ready to upgrade, your warranty will be wearing out, sell that and pick up the next.

Just my thoughts -- and it's what I plan to do although I haven't decided Nikon or Canon.

Canon EF 28-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS USM

12/19/2004 03:35:51 PM · #3

The DRebel rebate is valid until januray 31st. I bought it with the kit lens at digitalmegastore.com for $800 BEFORE rebate. I think it's pretty good, you'll get a better sensor than you would with the older ones, though a slightly less "pro" cam. I'd go with that.

ali626

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

12/19/2004 03:45:59 PM · #4

I just bought my Canon 300D at stop4camera.com and paid 625 after 100$ rebate. I went with them because we had bought a panasonic digital video camera with them a few months ago and have enjoyed their service.

lykofos

Canon EOS-40D

12/19/2004 06:19:09 PM · #5

Originally posted by deapee:

Just my thoughts -- and it's what I plan to do although I haven't decided Nikon or Canon.

Join the Canon crew!

Zap228

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

12/19/2004 06:21:09 PM · #6

I got my new rebel for 699 after rebate tax free on beachcamera.com They had great service.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

12/19/2004 06:32:22 PM · #7

Isn't a new DRebel supposed to be coming out in early spring? Why don't you wait for that one? I would imagine it's going to have the 20D sensor (8 mp's) with better features than the current DRebel. Or, you can wait until spring when the prices fall even more for the current DRebel...

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/19/2004 08:13:33 PM · #8

Originally posted by Olyuzi:

Like I said earlier in another thread, there will ALWAYS be something better later. Buy what will do the job for you now.

TLL061

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/19/2004 08:18:58 PM · #9

I would go with the d60 , and you can get it cheaper than $700. also look for a 50 mm 1.8 . You can get that betweem $50 to $80. and then you have a pretty good starter ,

Adrian Tung

Canon EOS-10D

12/19/2004 08:24:05 PM · #10

I second the D60 suggestion, though if you don't want to go through the hassle of dealing with a seller then a brand new 300D would be the better choice.

:)atwl

Plexxoid

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

12/19/2004 08:27:29 PM · #11

The Digital Rebel is cheap and has a better sensor, if you're moving up, it will be a good in between camera, you can learn DSLR, and when your budget and experience have both increased, you can go for the current camera of the time (30D?)

Current prices: Pricegrabber

Message edited by author 2004-12-19 20:28:52.

bod

12/19/2004 09:13:06 PM · #12

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

The used cameras, particularly if i go for a low low price, wil be missing everything (manual, battery, charger, strap, software). The last item and probably the first are of concern to me. I have found manuals on ebay and perhaps Canon has them on their site.

I'm pretty sure the manuals will be on the Canon site - I downloaded & read the 10D manual while the camera was on it's way to me : )
There's a fair chance the software will be on there too, though it's not essential.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/19/2004 10:36:35 PM · #13

Originally posted by bod:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
The used cameras, particularly if i go for a low low price, wil be missing everything (manual, battery, charger, strap, software). The last item and probably the first are of concern to me. I have found manuals on ebay and perhaps Canon has them on their site.

I'm pretty sure the manuals will be on the Canon site - I downloaded & read the 10D manual while the camera was on it's way to me : )
There's a fair chance the software will be on there too, though it's not essential.

The D30/60 do RAW...need that.
They can be hooked to a PC for studio work...might be cool to try.

What about shutter lag? How is the Rebel vs D60 on that score?
Longevity/reliability?
Resale in 18-24months...will it matter much? Will a Rebel, of chich there are millions vs a D60 that is older..

Decisions, decisions..The January 31 rebate deadline may be a big factor.

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

12/19/2004 10:50:32 PM · #14

The D30 and D60 are older models and a second-hand one will likely have more shutter actuations on them than a D-Rebel. Shutter lag is a none issue in D-SLR's, there is none.

12/19/2004 11:14:13 PM · #15

Originally posted by doctornick:

The D30 and D60 are older models and a second-hand one will likely have more shutter actuations on them than a D-Rebel. Shutter lag is a none issue in D-SLR's, there is none.

From what i understand, the Rebel is a 'cheap' camera vs the more robust (case/chassis/shutter) of the D30/60.

Rebate Question
//www.adorama.com/pdfs/rebates/Canoncash_013105.pdf
The 300D is $779 before rebate at adorama. You can double or triple the rebate if you buy other canon items..i am cornfused...if i read this right, if you buy 2 more qualifiying items then the rebate goes to $300? Plus you get triple rebates on those items?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

12/19/2004 11:26:05 PM · #16

Yes, if you get the rebel and two applicable lenses, you get triple the rebate amount for each, up to, as th emath goes, $600. The rebel is certainly made with cheaper materials, however, feels good in my hand. Maybe I just haven't been spoiled by 1-series bodies, but it feels fine to me.

Patents4u

Canon EOS-40D

12/19/2004 11:28:59 PM · #17

Yep. You get $300 off the Rebel and triple rebates on the other items purchased. The very reason I got the Rebel instead of the 20D last week (and got the 17-40L and 100mm macro to maximize the rebates).

12/19/2004 11:47:56 PM · #18

So a Rebel and which lens...

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di Aspherical (IF) Ultra Wide Angle
Canon EF 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 USM AutoFocus Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens
Sigma 28-300mm f3.5/6.3 Aspherical IF Auto Focus Wide Angle Telephoto Macro Zoom Lens

The tamron was the one i was thinking about, but the rebate makes the canon lens cheaper...the Sigma i know nothing about, but at $249 (vs the net cost of the Canon at $229) has macro - I have macro now and don't want to lose it (or pay thru the nose to get it back).

12/20/2004 12:01:39 AM · #19

In a quick comparison, the specs at B&H show the canonhaving a max magnification of 1:3.5, the sigma 1:3 and the tamron 1:2.9. Looks like they're all pretty close in that dep't.

12/20/2004 12:31:36 AM · #20

Originally posted by vontom:

In a quick comparison, the specs at B&H show the canonhaving a max magnification of 1:3.5, the sigma 1:3 and the tamron 1:2.9. Looks like they're all pretty close in that dep't.

Help me...max magnification?
If the canon is 200mm, the others 300, and the Rebel is 1.6 crop...shold not there be a bigger diff betwen them?
What exaclty is being measured?
got a link to that info?
Any input on quality diff (in glass and AF primarily)

thanks.

12/20/2004 12:39:41 AM · #21

Max magnification refers to how much magnification you will get at the max focal length. Particularly in macro, this is important. Basically, all of these lenses will take something 3 inches in life, and project a 1 inch image of it onto the film. I do believe the digital field of view magnification is functional here, giving a magnification ratio of about 1.6 to 3, or about 1:2, or a two inch object would be one inch on the sensor (obviously larger than the sensor itself, but the theory holds).

If you go to //www.bhphotovideo.com and go to the lenses section, each lenses page will have a specifications section that lists stuff like that (though it's true measurements [i.e. film] not it's "digital"). For input on quality of these lenses, //www.photozone.de has reviews, //www.fredmiranda.conm has reviews, //www.luminous-landscape.com has some reviews... Since I don't have any of these, I can't help out there.

edit: the max mgnification is at the longest focal length and the shortest focal distance (i.e. 200 mm at 1.5 ft.)

Message edited by author 2004-12-20 00:46:36.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm STM Lens

12/20/2004 12:43:27 AM · #22

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by vontom:
In a quick comparison, the specs at B&H show the canonhaving a max magnification of 1:3.5, the sigma 1:3 and the tamron 1:2.9. Looks like they're all pretty close in that dep't.

Help me...max magnification?
If the canon is 200mm, the others 300, and the Rebel is 1.6 crop...shold not there be a bigger diff betwen them?
What exaclty is being measured?
got a link to that info?
Any input on quality diff (in glass and AF primarily)

thanks.

The "maximum magnification" is really the reproduction ratio, or, the ratio between the actual size of the subject and the size projected at the sensor.

Adrian Tung

Canon EOS-10D

12/20/2004 01:49:08 AM · #23

I wouldn't recommend those 28-(big number) hyperzooms. They're usually a compromise in quality.

Assuming that you get the Rebel with 18-55 kit lens (which covers a 35mm-equivalent of 29-90), I'd recommend the cheap Canon 50mm f/1.8 and stay with that until you have more money to spend (and know exactly what lenses you really need for your style of shooting).

:)atwl