Should I go with the EOS-300D for $150 more than the NikonCoolPix 5700

balthus666 · Dec 17, 2003

Hello all,

I was also looking for some information about manual focus. I'm a powershot G1 owner and also want to move to a 300D, but only if I'm sure the manual focus is easy and quick to set up.

On the powershot, I missed so many pics due to wrong autofocus or becoz the procedure to manually focus take like 3 or 4 sec when u are used too (optical zoom max, digital zoom, press the mF button at the same time than the arrow, unzoom digital(set and the zoom button twice), unzoom optical) then finally take the pic if the subject hasn't moved...

So I think ppl can understand a such burden... So I would like to ask any 300D owner who are using manual focus if :

1) it's quick and easy to do like the old fashion way (use the lens ring with ur hand instead pressing button combination.

2) how are u sure the MF is correct. My old fashion dsl has a small circle which become fuzzy if not on focus and becomes clear and sharp when focus is perfect.

I know this sound like beginner answer, but I really want to have opinion, since sometimes under poor light conditions, the autofocus is not reliable.

Many thanks for ur precious answer(s)

Laurent

lincomatic said:
on the CoolPix it does a kind of image sharpening in the preview
screen which lets you visually tell what's in focus. kind of like
a microprism in a conventional SLR's viewfinder. this helps you to
determine the focused zone even when the AF is having trouble.

but you alerted me to a feature the 300D has that I didn't know
about anyway

xvrbx said:

When you are in MF, if you half press the shutter button, the
"green circle" will show and the camera will beep to confirm focus.

Regards,
xvrbx

lincomatic said:

since there's no live preview it doesn't have the focus
confirmation like the Nikon, but having a mechanical ring lets you
tune the focus more accurately than w/ power focus like on the
CoolPix

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

blankj · Dec 17, 2003

Laurent,

You slide a switch on the lens from AF to MF and then twist the end of the lens to change focus. A green dot in the viewfinder indicates when "in focus". I would have preferred some other means and haven't experimented enough to know how effective it is but as far as I can tell the functionality exists.

-John

balthus666 said:
I was also looking for some information about manual focus. I'm a
powershot G1 owner and also want to move to a 300D, but only if I'm
sure the manual focus is easy and quick to set up.
On the powershot, I missed so many pics due to wrong autofocus or
becoz the procedure to manually focus take like 3 or 4 sec when u
are used too (optical zoom max, digital zoom, press the mF button
at the same time than the arrow, unzoom digital(set and the zoom
button twice), unzoom optical) then finally take the pic if the
subject hasn't moved...

So I think ppl can understand a such burden... So I would like to
ask any 300D owner who are using manual focus if :
1) it's quick and easy to do like the old fashion way (use the lens
ring with ur hand instead pressing button combination.

2) how are u sure the MF is correct. My old fashion dsl has a
small circle which become fuzzy if not on focus and becomes clear
and sharp when focus is perfect.

I know this sound like beginner answer, but I really want to have
opinion, since sometimes under poor light conditions, the autofocus
is not reliable.

Many thanks for ur precious answer(s)

Laurent

lincomatic said:

on the CoolPix it does a kind of image sharpening in the preview
screen which lets you visually tell what's in focus. kind of like
a microprism in a conventional SLR's viewfinder. this helps you to
determine the focused zone even when the AF is having trouble.

but you alerted me to a feature the 300D has that I didn't know
about anyway

xvrbx said:

When you are in MF, if you half press the shutter button, the
"green circle" will show and the camera will beep to confirm focus.

Regards,
xvrbx

lincomatic said:

since there's no live preview it doesn't have the focus
confirmation like the Nikon, but having a mechanical ring lets you
tune the focus more accurately than w/ power focus like on the
CoolPix

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Paul Worden · Dec 17, 2003

Only the plastic case is first run - the guts are proven DSLR.

It's a great camera, but it doesn't show its full potential with the kit lens.

The kit lens is very good - it's far better than the price they're charging for it.

But when you see the images from an L series or a Prime, you will realise just how good the camera is.

The 300D is a camera you build on. You buy lenses as you can afford them and probably buy a new body in two or five years when 6 MP is considered outdated.

It will cost you a lot more than that $150 - you NEED to buy more lenses to just equal the 5700 Macro with its greater zoom range.

The Nikon is a good camera - the 300D is a great system camera.

--
Paul Worden

Canon 300D/Epson 2100/Wacom Tablet
RAW capture C1 Process

Carlos Gonzalez · Dec 17, 2003

Hi.... I'm the proud owner of a G3... it was my new toy and my entrance into a promising hobby (photography). Now, I haven't been using the G3 as much as I wanted (multiple reasons) ... when I saw the Dig-Rebel I realized that such a camera will definitely help me get the photography hobby more seriously ...

My dilema : is the Digi-Rebel a good camera to get started and grow into a photography hobby? or will the G3 be a better choice?

perhaps you can offer some advice ...

thx
Carlos

Paul Worden said:
Only the plastic case is first run - the guts are proven DSLR.

It's a great camera, but it doesn't show its full potential with
the kit lens.
The kit lens is very good - it's far better than the price they're
charging for it.
But when you see the images from an L series or a Prime, you will
realise just how good the camera is.

The 300D is a camera you build on. You buy lenses as you can afford
them and probably buy a new body in two or five years when 6 MP is
considered outdated.

It will cost you a lot more than that $150 - you NEED to buy more
lenses to just equal the 5700 Macro with its greater zoom range.

The Nikon is a good camera - the 300D is a great system camera.

--
Paul Worden

Canon 300D/Epson 2100/Wacom Tablet
RAW capture C1 Process

Lamont E. Earles · Dec 17, 2003

Eric F. Cotter said:
How is the manual focus in the EOS-300D compared to say something
like the CoolPix 5700 or the G5 or Minolta A1...
Thanks

Hey Eric do what ever it takes get the Canon EOS Rebel! I had my Nikon CP5700 for about 1 years now! It's in boxes! The Rebel is very fast at focus and in manual it's as fast as your hand and eye! Pictures are great! And like I said it is so much faster at taking pictures in any light then the Nikon CP5700. Also I have siad this before don"t get me wrong the Nikon is a good camera but the Rebel is much better for me. BTW mine is for sale Complete system $1400.00 Have fun and good luck...................Lamont PS dont buy mine get the Rebel!!!!!!

Lamont E. Earles · Dec 17, 2003

Carlos Gonzalez said:
Hi.... I'm the proud owner of a G3... it was my new toy and my
entrance into a promising hobby (photography). Now, I haven't been
using the G3 as much as I wanted (multiple reasons) ... when I saw
the Dig-Rebel I realized that such a camera will definitely help me
get the photography hobby more seriously ...

My dilema : is the Digi-Rebel a good camera to get started and grow
into a photography hobby? or will the G3 be a better choice?

perhaps you can offer some advice ...

Hi Carlos for me I have been making money shooting pictures this past year I was using a Nikon CP5700 but you are usinga 4Mega Pix camera. You would love the great pictures at 6.3 Mega Pix with the Canon Rebel and it's fast! Now about your hobby! It is still my hobby but now I am making $$$$ at it. I was very very much afraid to shoot my first wedding but then they made me an offer and dont worry about it just do it. So now I know it's not much but I have done some family,seniors, and 2 weddings with 2 more lined up. OK OK I know your not here to hear about me! But the Rebel is a very good camera get it if you can. Have fun.................Lamont :> )

balthus666 · Dec 17, 2003

So from what I understand, u still depend on the camera firmware to indicate if you are good or wrong?

Isn't there any visual indication like old traditional SLR to be sure what you want in focus will be clear?

I really don't want to face again focus problem. I don't mind doing it manually as long as it is fast and accurate to check if the image will be sharpen and clear.

Laurent

Blankenau said:
-John

balthus666 said:

I was also looking for some information about manual focus. I'm a
powershot G1 owner and also want to move to a 300D, but only if I'm
sure the manual focus is easy and quick to set up.
On the powershot, I missed so many pics due to wrong autofocus or
becoz the procedure to manually focus take like 3 or 4 sec when u
are used too (optical zoom max, digital zoom, press the mF button
at the same time than the arrow, unzoom digital(set and the zoom
button twice), unzoom optical) then finally take the pic if the
subject hasn't moved...

So I think ppl can understand a such burden... So I would like to
ask any 300D owner who are using manual focus if :
1) it's quick and easy to do like the old fashion way (use the lens
ring with ur hand instead pressing button combination.

2) how are u sure the MF is correct. My old fashion dsl has a
small circle which become fuzzy if not on focus and becomes clear
and sharp when focus is perfect.

I know this sound like beginner answer, but I really want to have
opinion, since sometimes under poor light conditions, the autofocus
is not reliable.

Many thanks for ur precious answer(s)

Laurent

lincomatic said:

on the CoolPix it does a kind of image sharpening in the preview
screen which lets you visually tell what's in focus. kind of like
a microprism in a conventional SLR's viewfinder. this helps you to
determine the focused zone even when the AF is having trouble.

but you alerted me to a feature the 300D has that I didn't know
about anyway

xvrbx said:

When you are in MF, if you half press the shutter button, the
"green circle" will show and the camera will beep to confirm focus.

Regards,
xvrbx

lincomatic said:

since there's no live preview it doesn't have the focus
confirmation like the Nikon, but having a mechanical ring lets you
tune the focus more accurately than w/ power focus like on the
CoolPix

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Craig T. · Dec 17, 2003

I think we're living parallel lives...

I just sold my CP995 on eBay. While it served me well, I also experienced the same frustrations as you. I bought a digicam to take tons of pictures of the kids (and save money in the long run). But kids move fast, don't sit still, etc. The CP995 has such lag that I missed tons of shots (and ended up yelling at the kids to "sit and stay"). I'm not sure how much faster the 5700 is, but the DR is just so much sweeter to take pictures of kids. Instant focus, lens choices galore, and adding a flash to bounce off the ceiling makes for incredible shots.

If you can wing it, get a DR.

-Craig

lincomatic said:
Although i still love my CoolPix 995, the thing that used to burn
me up about it was the inability to get the shot when I wanted it.
Autofocus lag, inability to AF lock in low light, shutter lag, long
delay between shots used to drive me nuts. I can't even begin to
count the number of shots I lost.
Now the 300D acts like a film camera does w/ no lag and has very
low noise output.

From the reviews I've read, the 5700 still has the autofocus issues
in low light. Also, it has the smaller, noisier sensor. But on
the other hand, it's a lot smaller, and the swivel screen is almost
as useful as the swivel lens on the 995 was for getting those shots
you could never get with an eye-level viewfinder. Also, don't
forget the live preview and silent operation (for candids).

You just have to decide what's more important to you between the
two cameras. My 300D is my main camera, but the CoolPix is still
useful.

Mark Marshall · Dec 17, 2003

Me three - although I kept the 4500 in the family as a P&S'r for the wife (and I don't need a macro lens for my DReb cuz the 4500 is the macro "bomb"). Having spent a fair amount of time on the NTF I can assure you that the 5700 has shutter lag even after focus lock that will drive you nutz if you ever have the ability to compare to a DSLR. ~ m²

Craig T said:
I just sold my CP995 on eBay. While it served me well, I also
experienced the same frustrations as you. I bought a digicam to
take tons of pictures of the kids (and save money in the long run).
But kids move fast, don't sit still, etc. The CP995 has such lag
that I missed tons of shots (and ended up yelling at the kids to
"sit and stay"). I'm not sure how much faster the 5700 is, but the
DR is just so much sweeter to take pictures of kids. Instant
focus, lens choices galore, and adding a flash to bounce off the
ceiling makes for incredible shots.

If you can wing it, get a DR.

-Craig

lincomatic said:

Although i still love my CoolPix 995, the thing that used to burn
me up about it was the inability to get the shot when I wanted it.
Autofocus lag, inability to AF lock in low light, shutter lag, long
delay between shots used to drive me nuts. I can't even begin to
count the number of shots I lost.
Now the 300D acts like a film camera does w/ no lag and has very
low noise output.

From the reviews I've read, the 5700 still has the autofocus issues
in low light. Also, it has the smaller, noisier sensor. But on
the other hand, it's a lot smaller, and the swivel screen is almost
as useful as the swivel lens on the 995 was for getting those shots
you could never get with an eye-level viewfinder. Also, don't
forget the live preview and silent operation (for candids).

You just have to decide what's more important to you between the
two cameras. My 300D is my main camera, but the CoolPix is still
useful.

Click to expand...

--

'Brothers and sisters, we've learned that there's some bad bokeh going around out there. So like, just be careful man, alright?' (If Wavy Gravy emceed PMA) http://rhodeymark.instantlogic.com

Carlos Gonzalez · Dec 18, 2003

Lamont,

Thanks .... after reading your reply I was ready to get the Digi-Rebel .. called all BestBuys around and no luck ... then started calling the Wolf/Ritz Camera stores and found one (just one!) misplaced among the video-cameras ... no it is MINE!!

(plus some extras).

thanks, I'll be able to take it on my x-mas trip ...

thx again...

Lamont E. Earles said:
Carlos Gonzalez said:

Hi.... I'm the proud owner of a G3... it was my new toy and my
entrance into a promising hobby (photography). Now, I haven't been
using the G3 as much as I wanted (multiple reasons) ... when I saw
the Dig-Rebel I realized that such a camera will definitely help me
get the photography hobby more seriously ...

My dilema : is the Digi-Rebel a good camera to get started and grow
into a photography hobby? or will the G3 be a better choice?

perhaps you can offer some advice ...

Click to expand...

Hi Carlos for me I have been making money shooting pictures this
past year I was using a Nikon CP5700 but you are usinga 4Mega Pix
camera. You would love the great pictures at 6.3 Mega Pix with the
Canon Rebel and it's fast! Now about your hobby! It is still my
hobby but now I am making $$$$ at it. I was very very much afraid
to shoot my first wedding but then they made me an offer and dont
worry about it just do it. So now I know it's not much but I have
done some family,seniors, and 2 weddings with 2 more lined up. OK
OK I know your not here to hear about me! But the Rebel is a very
good camera get it if you can. Have fun.................Lamont :> )

Search

Should I go with the EOS-300D for $150 more than the NikonCoolPix 5700

balthus666

Well-known member

blankj

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Paul Worden

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Carlos Gonzalez

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Lamont E. Earles

Forum Enthusiast

Lamont E. Earles

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balthus666

Well-known member

Craig T.

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Mark Marshall

Senior Member

Carlos Gonzalez

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