jaydubbs15
Leading Member
You guys are killing me!! I finally decided on the D80 and am deep into analyzing which lenses to buy and now you're making me rethink my decision. Is the 30D a better choice?!
Jay
Jay
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Do you ever want to jump ship and switch brands?
- Thread starter karinatwork
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Why would you rethink your decision? The ergos on the D80 smoke anything Canon has to offer. For the price of the D80, you really should have no complaints. It will be more camera than you need for a long long time. Unless you just change bodies for the sake of changing.
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rhlpetrus
Forum Pro
Yes, agreed, only I don't think the Sony way is the one that will finally win the day. I'd bet on a full electronic VF, so no need for mirror arangements. In about 3-5 years time.
Agreed.
Well, it depends of type of lens used, but generally agree.
Here I don't agree. LV is not good for proper framing in a fast shooting situation, plus the loss of steadyness is also a problem. I have a G9, a good LV system, and I don't like it much for candid photographing.
So, my take: stay the course, improve LV as is, including focusing ability, develop a real electronic viewfinder, fast and of high resolution. Not there yet.
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Regards, RHLPedrosa
Well, again, I agree to an extent. But if your budget is $500, the Canon XTi (400D) is your only choice if you want to select from the Canon camp. If that body is too small and uncomfortable to use, then you are just out of luck, as there is no Canon alternative in that price range.
When selecting Nikon or Canon, each camp has an ample selection of consumer and pro glass. The bodies are very different in their setup and feel, and get lots of attention when selecting a dedicated long term brand. I know that the Canon ergos swayed me away from buying their product and ultimately their lenses.
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rhlpetrus
Forum Pro
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Regards, RHLPedrosa
Regards, RHLPedrosa
i would have chosen a canon. my nikon d40 is incapable of taking good photos as it is only 6 megapixels and has just three focus points. what i like about the canons are their megapixel count and the composition optimization feature which takes all the artistic decision-making out of your hands. plus they have those nifty white telephoto lenses.
Do you ever feel like "the other brand" has more to offer? Do you
ever think, if I would switch, I'd get better results?
Let me be frank, I am thinking a lot about the Xsi, and I am
wondering how I would be doing with that camera, if the Live View
would make any difference, or the apparently larger lense line-up, or
their better ISO performance, or their brighter colours (btw, is this
all true or not?). I just think too much, I guess. Then again, I look
at their lenses, and I think they're more expensive and don't cover
the same range as the Nikons, especially in my price range (low to
bottom! LOL)
Please don't flame me! I'm not really worried, or seriously thinking
about switching, I'm just pondering - and wondering if anyone else
feels like that sometimes, and I think you guys are really nice and
maybe can share some thoughts with me...
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Karin At Work
jaydubbs15
Leading Member
I was debating between the D80 and 30D for awhile. I rejected the smaller camera's because I like larger viewfinders so the Canon xxx, Oly, and Nikon D40/40x/60 were out. I like the "wheel" on the back of the 30D. I've been very pleased with my Canon Powershot A40 for top-side and underwater pics. And the image quality of the 30D received a better review than the D80.
The reason I was going with the D80 is that it came down sufficiently in price, its large bright viewfinder, its excellent reviews, and that perhaps in several years I'll want the equivalent of the D300, which offers more than any other camera in its class.
On the other hand, Canon offers excellent quality and always seems to offer camera's of the same class as Nikon for lower prices. And now the 30D is priced about the same as the D80.
So I'm debating still. Trouble is that my wife is 6 months pregnant with our first and time is running short. Time to decide!
The reason I was going with the D80 is that it came down sufficiently in price, its large bright viewfinder, its excellent reviews, and that perhaps in several years I'll want the equivalent of the D300, which offers more than any other camera in its class.
On the other hand, Canon offers excellent quality and always seems to offer camera's of the same class as Nikon for lower prices. And now the 30D is priced about the same as the D80.
So I'm debating still. Trouble is that my wife is 6 months pregnant with our first and time is running short. Time to decide!
Jay – I wanted to share with you what I did…
I (like many others) expect the D90 to be “all that”. And it sounds like the D300 already is. The D90 is not out yet and the D300 was too much for me to start my DSLR journey with – so what to do?
Many professionals and amateurs alike love the little D40 as a backup camera or for vacations, kid’s photos, you name it. So, I decided to buy my “backup” camera first and wait for the D90. By the time the D90 is out, I may be ready for the leap to the D300 – who knows? But, in the meantime I will have my little D40 to learn from and enjoy. I bought the D40 (body only) for $300 – so it is not a huge investment. I plan to pair it with the 18-200 and 70-300 lenses.
Have you read Ken Rockwell’s take on the D40? http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm
Jeri
I (like many others) expect the D90 to be “all that”. And it sounds like the D300 already is. The D90 is not out yet and the D300 was too much for me to start my DSLR journey with – so what to do?
Many professionals and amateurs alike love the little D40 as a backup camera or for vacations, kid’s photos, you name it. So, I decided to buy my “backup” camera first and wait for the D90. By the time the D90 is out, I may be ready for the leap to the D300 – who knows? But, in the meantime I will have my little D40 to learn from and enjoy. I bought the D40 (body only) for $300 – so it is not a huge investment. I plan to pair it with the 18-200 and 70-300 lenses.
Have you read Ken Rockwell’s take on the D40? http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40.htm
Jeri
HyperCypher
Senior Member
I have a G7....agree it falls down as a fast shooter because of shutter lag and including the native lag of the video circuit....but if it was "DSLR fast", that way of shooting would have great utility...that was my point....and even slow as it is now, it still has great utility.....Yes, agreed, only I don't think the Sony way is the one that will
finally win the day. I'd bet on a full electronic VF, so no need for
mirror arangements. In about 3-5 years time.
Agreed.
Well, it depends of type of lens used, but generally agree.
Here I don't agree. LV is not good for proper framing in a fast
shooting situation, plus the loss of steadyness is also a problem. I
have a G9, a good LV system, and I don't like it much for candid
photographing.
So, my take: stay the course, improve LV as is, including focusing
ability, develop a real electronic viewfinder, fast and of high
resolution. Not there yet.
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Regards, RHLPedrosa
so put fast LV on a DSLR and you have got something in place that is a net plus, if all else can remain the same..........I would hate to see the optical viewfinder in DSLRs go for the sake of decent live view implementation.....just want and expect to see live view at DSLR speed....Sony is nearly there.....
cheers
Fred
MagicNikon
Veteran Member
You'll be back with Nikon in no time.
Granted, Canon has some nice lenses...but I hated the two 30D's I used. I also loathed the flash sytem. I'm back with Nikon now. Never should have left, but at least now I know.
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I've upped my ISO, now up yours.
Granted, Canon has some nice lenses...but I hated the two 30D's I used. I also loathed the flash sytem. I'm back with Nikon now. Never should have left, but at least now I know.
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I've upped my ISO, now up yours.
karinatwork
Senior Member
LOL
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Karin At Work
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Karin At Work
Go to the store and pick up the 30D. Press it to your face as if you were shooting and try to adjust the wheel on the back of the camera at the same time. If you look through the VF with your left eye as I do, your finger nail will be carving into your face. They need to rethink the design.
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jaydubbs15
Leading Member
Yes, I read Ken's review, which is glowing. The thing is that I will be using my first DSLR camera for years and years. And the investment that would be required with the D40 in overly ambitious motorized lenses plus the small viewfinder steered me away from the D40.
MagicNikon
Veteran Member
Thanks 
It's obviously not directed at anyone in particular. I just thought it sounded funny. It's a variation on the old saying "I've upped my standards, now up yours".
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I've upped my ISO, now up yours.
It's obviously not directed at anyone in particular. I just thought it sounded funny. It's a variation on the old saying "I've upped my standards, now up yours".
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I've upped my ISO, now up yours.
binary_eye
Senior Member
Given the current state of DSLRs, no. The difference in image quality between brands is negligible. Only a major hardware advantage would cause me to switch. As it is, the functionality of the hardware is almost identical between brands except for a few minor things. It mostly comes down to which brand feels best in your hands, and I prefer the ergonomics of Nikon. Differences in color between two brands shouldn't even be an issue. Color is easy to isolate and tweak with software. Noise isn't even the issue it is made out to be. What looks coarse when viewed as pixels will most likely look just fine when it is converted to ink.
In my opinion, lighting, an artistic eye, and post-processing are more important by far than what camera is being used. I've processed photo shoots done with Canon 1D series cameras that don't look any better than shoots done with a D80, and likewise shoots done with a Rebel XTi that look significantly better than photos I've seen from a D300.
In my opinion, lighting, an artistic eye, and post-processing are more important by far than what camera is being used. I've processed photo shoots done with Canon 1D series cameras that don't look any better than shoots done with a D80, and likewise shoots done with a Rebel XTi that look significantly better than photos I've seen from a D300.
scott_mcleod
Senior Member
But I never sold any of my Nikon gear. A couple of years ago I bought an XT and an 85/1.8. The lens was super-sharp but front-focussed a LOT (I mean, like 2 or 3x DOF at wide apertures) and was calibrated under warranty. The camera was a different story. It had several hot pixels that showed up even at ISO100 which was unacceptable (my D70 has no fixed hot pixels at any ISO). My experience with Canon Australia on that isssue was, how can I put it, dire. To cut a long story short I discovered a (controversial) solution on the DPReview Canon forum which fixed that problem for free (unlike the "you will need new sensor, maybe $600" which was Canon's idea of a solution). Impressed by the XT's rendition of greens and high-frequency detail, I bought a 17-40L and that turned out to be the worst lens I'd ever used. Canon service had it for 9 weeks out of the 3 months that I owned it and were never able to get it to deliver images like I know that lens is capable of. Anyway after much dithering I eventually sold my Canon gear and late last year bought a D300.
The only time I still feel the temptation to switch would be for something with awesome hi-ISO performance like a 5D, but I'd still have to keep the D300 for AF and shooting speed so that's unlikely to happen unless I win the lottery. One thing I will say that seems to be largely ignored in reviews is that Canon supplies a decent RAW converter (DPP) with all their DSLRs, and whereas the purchase of NX (or formerly NC) is something that people buying Nikon for thier first DSLR should be aware of. That and the lack of support for pre-AF-S lenses on some models are the main reasons I would be reluctant to recommend Nikon as a first DSLR to someone unless I knew they were really "into it". I know this is not as big a deal now with much improved in-camera jpeg processing but it was a definite headache for me when I first started playing with the D70. YMMV.
Regards,
Scott
p.s. the only other thing I really feel like I'm missing out on with Nikon is the availability of fast primes in the sub-50mm range, comparable to the 24L and 35L. I have the 35/2 AF-D and it's a nice lens but a little wider and stop faster would be very handy!
The only time I still feel the temptation to switch would be for something with awesome hi-ISO performance like a 5D, but I'd still have to keep the D300 for AF and shooting speed so that's unlikely to happen unless I win the lottery. One thing I will say that seems to be largely ignored in reviews is that Canon supplies a decent RAW converter (DPP) with all their DSLRs, and whereas the purchase of NX (or formerly NC) is something that people buying Nikon for thier first DSLR should be aware of. That and the lack of support for pre-AF-S lenses on some models are the main reasons I would be reluctant to recommend Nikon as a first DSLR to someone unless I knew they were really "into it". I know this is not as big a deal now with much improved in-camera jpeg processing but it was a definite headache for me when I first started playing with the D70. YMMV.
Regards,
Scott
p.s. the only other thing I really feel like I'm missing out on with Nikon is the availability of fast primes in the sub-50mm range, comparable to the 24L and 35L. I have the 35/2 AF-D and it's a nice lens but a little wider and stop faster would be very handy!
seri_art
Senior Member
I had a D60 for a few days (returned because of a defective lens in the outfit), and I didn't find the viewfinder too small. And some of Nikon's least expensive lenses have motorized focusing. Also, if you're happily using a Canon A40 (my first digital camera) you'll be stunned at the improvement in image quality from any of the DSLRs including the D40.
jaydubbs15
Leading Member
I like the Canon A40 most of all for underwater photography because Canon makes a very inexpensive underwater housing that goes with it. I LOVE underwater photography and it wouldn't be feasible for me financially otherwise as underwater housing and strobe rigs are VERY expensive. Which leads me to believe that with Canon you just get more for your money.
It's interesting to note that DP compares the D80 to the 350/400D, while DP compares the 30D to the D200, which is an entirely different class of camera (although granted the D200 received more favorable reviews than the 30D.) I strongly feel that DP should compare camera's based on similar price, not the manu.'s opinion of a camera's competitors. Sometimes DP does this, sometimes not.
Having been researching camera's for some time now, I've come to learn that it comes down to value (getting the biggest bang for your buck.) If I can spend an extra $35 to get a 30D rather than a D80 then why not?
It's interesting to note that DP compares the D80 to the 350/400D, while DP compares the 30D to the D200, which is an entirely different class of camera (although granted the D200 received more favorable reviews than the 30D.) I strongly feel that DP should compare camera's based on similar price, not the manu.'s opinion of a camera's competitors. Sometimes DP does this, sometimes not.
Having been researching camera's for some time now, I've come to learn that it comes down to value (getting the biggest bang for your buck.) If I can spend an extra $35 to get a 30D rather than a D80 then why not?
Demond
Forum Enthusiast
I have to be honest. Since I was a teen I have loved white lenses. I think it started when watching the photographers on the sidelines at NFL games. When considering a brand, I was really stumped by this.
OK, you all can laugh now.
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D40: 18-55mm, 55-200mm VR
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