I've been looking at D-slr's for a couple of years but haven't bought yet. I'm torn between a Canon rebel xti or 40d and a Nikon d80. As far as what club I belong to currently - I have a Nikon F2 photomic and a Canon point and shoot I took with me to Iraq so I'm both and betwixt and between.

So, what do each do better than the other? What does each not excel at? Any pointers?

 

Canon XTi with battery grip and kit lens

 

I think Canon and Nikon both make excellent cameras. I started with a D70 and upgraded later to a D200. Looking back I've spent much more on lenses than both cameras. I'm not familiar with the F2, but if you have any lenses for it they may be compatible with the new Nikon.

 

All of your picks can take amazing photos. Best advice would be for you to look at all of the models at the camera store and see what feels right to you. It's simply a tool, so it's a very subjective personal thing. See which model is easy for you to pick up and use. Try out the autofocus and see how well it will work for your needs (rambunctious kids/pets are typically photographed with more ease by using a camera that has a fast autofocus). Download some of the manuals online and browse through them. Keep in mind that the camera body is the cheap part, the lens addiction is where it gets expensive and locks you into a brand.

 

Considering you just bought a $5000 Nikon body (and I suspect that probably wasn't your first pro-level Nikon), I "shutter" - to think how much you've spent on lenses.

But seriously, you're absolutely right. I only have one semi-expensive lens (the $700 Nikon 18-200mm VR), and even that one lens is worth several hundred dollars more than my current body (a D50), meaning that when I upgrade, it'll be to a D300 and not to any of the Canon offerings. I can justify $1800 for a new body, but not the money it would take to get a new body AND all new lenses.

 

Okay . . .

How will you be using a new camera? Quality snapshots? Portraiture? Automotive photography?

Did you buy the F2 new or was it handed down to you? I ask 'cause that's a pretty classic Nikon, like back-in-the-60s pro camera. Whatever lens, or lenses, you have for that body are most likely non-cpu. Most of today's interchangeable-lens cameras have these little metal contacts at the mount which communicate all kinds of stuff to the camera (like lens size, focusing distance, shutter speed, etc.). On digital cameras it'll even register camera make, model, time and date, if flash fired, color of your underwear, etc.

Since you shipped off to Iraq, I would imagine you're still a whippersnapper, more so from your sig. So this tells me the F2 might've been a previously owned piece of hardware. Believe me, Nikon DSLRs are quite different from those manual beauties of yesteryear.

Trying to get an idea of where you're coming from, I clicked on your most recent posts. You seem to be pretty interested in keeping your MINI nice and clean. (I wish mine were as nice as yours.) Photographically speaking, this tells me you might be interested in crisp shots of your MINI. Your sig, though, shows me you care about family. (thus the reference to snapshots and portraits)

If you have the bucks, go for the D80. But realize, like what's been posted above, one lens will not suffice. There is no do-all combo. Should you go for the kit, you'll soon be wanting to collect, and/or, realize the need for quality optics. This can cost more than a supercharger pulley upgrade.

Seeing as how you already have a Canon P&S, you might consider the G9. Sure it's not a DSLR but it'll give you decent prints. It's also not as intimidating as a DSLR when you're trying to take family snapshots or pics of your MINI buds.

If, however, you hope to get prints larger than 8x12, sell pics to fellow little league parents, or really do want to get serious about photography, then I'd go for a D80 or D300.

-J/C

 

I don't know about the D80, but on my D200 you can use many non-cpu lenses. You won't have all the capabilities of the camera, but they're very usable.

Good read: http://www.nikonians.org/nikon/d200_and_non-cpu_lenses/

 

The F2 was my dad's and was bought in 1974. The lenses are manual focus and wouldn't really want to use them on anything new.

As far as what pictures I would like to take - just about anything. Car and family for sure as you pointed out, but also landscapes and the occasional sports event.

Seems that the models and lenses are pretty close. I like the look of the D80 for my needs and have read the flash system is pretty good. However, I also really like the amount of USM and IS lenses that Canon offers.

 

I'm a Nikon shooter & somewhat bias.

The D80 is a fine camera. Nikon is soon to announce a replacement for it. If you wait a bit you may be able to get the D80 at a reduced price. There are a lot of Nikkor lenses with AFS & VR, the Nikon term for what Canon calls USM & IS. Canon does make fine cameras & so does Nikon. Either way you'll have a nice DSLR.

Buy a Nikon.

 

Wait until 4/27/08 before making a decision. Canon will be releasing their mid-level Digital Rebel XSi. The current XT will be dropped from their lineup, and the current XTi will become the entry-level model.

 

Nikon and Canon are both major players in the DSLR game, so you can't go wrong with either. I agree 100% with speednut regarding how it feels (physically in your hands), as you go on a shooting spree, you don't want your hands to get tired from gripping the camera. Also look at the UI, i.e. buttons and on screen menu, see which one is easier to use. As others had pointed out that body is the minor part of the system, invest in a good lens (or a few) and it'll give you more flexibility and better pictures. There are many camera shops that have cameras for rent, so you can rent the models you're interested in for an extended period and really test it out.

 

When I was looking for my first DSLR, budget was a high priority. So I had to choose between d40x or xti. I tried them on for feel (very important). Even if you buy online at least try them out at a shop first. The XTi felt very cheap and plastic. Horrible construction, IMHO. d40x was better but still felt cheap. I tried the Olympus e510. Similar price range. The construction felt the bes tout of the three. The camera had live view, option to use the LCD as viewfinder. It was welcome by my wife who still prefers the larger LCD. The camera came with two decent kit lenses and the price was still the same as d40x. My plans are to master this camera. Keep the stock form and lenses. once I feel like I know enough about photography graduate to a nikon body.

PS B&H photo is great on price, support and reviews.

 

cadfael_tex,
One thing I always do before buying a new piece of technology is check the reviews at cnet.
Rebel XTi
EOS 40D
D80

Now, I have had the D80 for almost 2 years I think, and having owned like 20 different cameras before it, I'd have to say the D80 really did it for me in terms of the one final camera to own for long term...

That's only the first part in the process of shopping around, the other part speednut already mentioned. Go to a store(RITZ CAMERA) and hold them in your hands and get a feel for what you like the most!
But when you finally do decide to buy, all I can say is PRICEGRABBER.com, PRICEGRABBER.com, and pricegrabber.com
I just did a search and it appears that the Rebel XTi is going to be the least expensive of the three at around $500, followed by the ~$700 Nikon D80 and then the EOS 40D will be about 3-$400 more... Hope this helps.

 

Feel and hold the camera for a few minutes...everyone agrees on canon and nikon, I use a Canon 5D body, my only advise is if you are not careful get a canon...

 

I went Xsi to supplement my aging 10D

 

Like everyone mentioned, nothing much to choose between Canon and Nikon.

My advice would be to be aware that one usually builds a system (body + lenses). Camera bodies come and go. In this system, it is the lenses that will be more expensive. Based on your shooting preferences, look at all the available lenses both manufacturers and third parties offer. Determine which one (either manufacturer and/or third-party lenses) meet your requirements and go with that.

Start with reasonable bodies (Canon Rebel 450D/Nikon D40x) and reasonable lenses. Once you are comfortable with the system, choose an upgrade path and then have fun!!!!!

Also, check out www.dpreview.com . The website is a great source of camera information.

 

The Canon is OK, but I love that car in your sig!!!

 

I have both a Nikon D50 and a D80. I personally like Canons point and shoot cameras better than their DSLRs. And I like Nikons DLSRs better than I like their point and shoot cameras. Also, size was a factor for me. The Nikons are bigger, therefore better for my bigger hands. The Rebels are quite a bit smaller and harder to hold comfortably for a long time in my hands. Plus the sound of the shutter on Nikon is better! haha.

I usually deal with B&H Photo Video. Excellent company!

 

This was on Wired today.
http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Buy_a_Digital_Camera

Thought it might be of help to those wanting to get started in digital photography.

 

Dont leave the minor player like Pentax and Olympus out. Pentax makes
some very nice looking weather proof DSLRs that are within the range of most other DSLR's. The Olympus e510 comes with both live view and built in image stabilization (not to mention they make some really nice lenses).

I have used both the Canon Xt and XTI, both to great pictures but the build quality wasnt great, the LCD was kinda small and the grip was also to small.

My photography teacher let me mess around with his Nikon d80 a little, and while I will say it is an awesome camera it was way outside my price range. If you search hard you can get an Olympus e3 body for the price you might pay for a Nikon kit.

Pentax makes the k200D which I see being sold as a kit on amazon for 670. A camera that is water resistant, dust proof, and has built in image stabilization is a pretty good deal for the price. It means you will be willing to go out and shoot in more adverse conditions. That sad you are stuck using AA batteries. Or for the price of a D80 get a K10D

Olympus makes some very interesting looking cameras (see e330). I think the currently claim the title of worlds smallest DSLR with live view (was the e410 now the e420) and has claimed for themselves the title of worlds fastest autofocus system when you mate the e3 up with any of there SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lenses. That said the e3 is expensive and probably overkill for you.

I currently use an olympus e500 and like it a lot, enough that I can see myself sticking with Olympus. Despite being a $350 camera and lens when I bought it (refurb FTW), the way the camera feels easily outclasses the XTI imo. The kit lens it comes with feels very good compared to the XTI kit lens I used which was rough and felt imprecise. That said the Oly isnt withouts its downfalls. Past iso 800 it gets pretty noisy. Since Oly now uses in body IS for everything I cant get IS lenses for this cam. It uses a 3 point AF system (which has never been a detriment really). That said the only one of those things that applies to the e510 is the 3 point AF.

I would look into the e510, k200d the k10d if you want to stretch a budget a bit. There is also the Sony Alpha series to consider as well. All are feature rich cameras that I am sure would serve you well. And dont let megapixels throw you for a ride anything over 8mp will be plenty.

 

Can you shed some light on this statement?

Jim

 

Canon XTi with kit lens used by a n00b ( my wife ):

 

Nikon D70 user here.

Both are great manufacturers, you won't regret going with either one. NIKON has a reputation as a superior lens maker, which is one of the reasons I went with them, but as someone suggested, the best thing to do is borrow or rent each of the models you are considering, and see which one feels better. One or the other will seem to feel better in your hand, and one or the other will have some feature(s) or function layout that you will favor.

 

OOF

 

oof? that's a killer shot given it was a 300mm zoom lense and action pic. that Z06 was on Hoosiers and one of the fastest cars of the day. If my wife could pick up an XTi and get that shot, well, it's made me a fan and realized I waited too long to ditch the Nikon P&S I've had for many, many years.