Just Can't make my mind up....

clutch · #1 10/10/2007, 09:23 PM

well i'm tired of trying to get good shot with my old camera so i went out shopping looking for a camera. I'm not a pro but i like nice toys so i decided either a canon rebel xti (eos 40d) or a nikon D40x any thought about these camera's? All i want to do is take some good pic's of my kids and some macro shots of my corals. Anything can help me out. I've been through some review site so hard to decide. What camera are you's using?

Thanks

gregr · #2 10/11/2007, 09:37 AM

The Rebel and 40D are different models by the way. Any of these will be great- after the body purchase you'll need a good lens or two. It's easy to overlook when you're just starting out but the lens choice is actually just as important, or more even, because the lenses will stay with you for a long long time and the bodies will be upgraded every several years or so, generally speaking. Lens quality also plays a huge role in image quality. Most people agree that a macro lens in the 100mm range is ideal for aquarium photography and for general family/vacation pics a zoom lens of roughly 24-135mm or so is what you want to check out. Try to get to a camera store to play around with the different options. First thing you'll see is the massive price difference between pro level and consumer level lenses... the pro level lenses are built much better and the optics are much better (sharper, faster, better contrast and color, etc.).

clutch · #3 10/11/2007, 11:31 AM

thanks gregr for input i'll do more research on the lens.

Johny-EL · #4 10/12/2007, 12:16 AM

I have the EOS 40D and can say it is a joy to use. It has a lot of similarities in the user interface as the much higher priced 5D. However with the right lens they both produce amazing pictures. I have used both. All the Rebels from Canon have plastic bodies. The D series have magnesium bodies and the newer ones like the 40D have some weather proofing, live view and a large 3inch lcd. The Nikons look nice and if you are a Nikon guy I don't think you would be dissapointed, but I would not trade the way the Canon is set up. It becomes so intuitive after a little use. A 40D kit with a 28-135 IS lens is running 1500.00. It is a great starter lens and even takes decent macro shots.

As a side point I obsessed about a DSLR for 6 months and read everything I could about them all before I bought my 40D. I am very satisfied with my purchase and got exactly what I expected.

znut Reefer · #5 10/12/2007, 02:01 AM

I also just purchased the Canon 40D and the 24/105 lens along with a 100mm macro lens. Now waiting on my new 40D to arrive in the next few days.

I did alot of research before making my decision. And I'm sure I won't be disappointed. Looking forward to taking pics.

Andrewsreef · #6 10/13/2007, 09:38 AM

I you have a Costco near by they have a great deal on the Nikon D40X with 2 lens including the vibration reduction 55-200 for $999. Also has 1 gig memory, videos and a nice Nikon bag.

Andrew

ZIN22 · #7 10/13/2007, 09:57 AM

I do not have much knowledge on cameras but as stated above the Canon is a good choice. My research and talking to a couple people in the camera world they have pointed me in this direction.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...5&modelid=7400
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/co...9&modelid=7442
I was looking at the canon xti
I would like to hear any suggestions about this choice if I may please?
I do know one thing watch out where you go to buy your camera especially if its on line there are ALOT of cooks out there.

Andrewsreef · #8 10/13/2007, 12:30 PM

From what I have read and been told, they are both great cameras. However, the Nikon kit I mentioned above has very good lenses. The Canon lenses in the kits are not as good quality as the lenses in the Nikon kits (Canon makes great lenses but their kit lenses I have read and been told are not to good). You would need to get separate lenes (which is fine but costs more).

For the money, the Nikon D40X kit is very good.

Andrew

clutch · #9 10/13/2007, 10:17 PM

not a costcos here but going to florida in nov so i'll look for one there i was leaning more towards to nikon

edwing206 · #10 10/14/2007, 01:39 AM

Choose a Nikon, join the dark side, as nikonguy would say. I love me my D50, great camera and I love my 55-200mm VR.

Stixbaraca · #11 10/14/2007, 08:55 PM

It really is a coin toss! I love my XTi (400D)

ZIN22 · #12 10/15/2007, 10:05 AM

All I have to say is do your homework...http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=513213

I am still on the side of Canon XTI. Most will tell you to buy the body itself and then buy the lenses you need for what you enjoy shooting because most of time the lenses you get with the camera body you want you will not end up using anyway. just my .02 cents.

Stixbaraca · #13 10/15/2007, 03:49 PM

Very true Zen. The lens is very important, and the kit lenses are inferior in quality

mcliffy2 · #14 10/16/2007, 10:16 AM

I'll throw another option in - do some research on the pentax k10d. I just bought one and it is awesome. The built in image stabilization is great, and a feature that canon simply doesn't offer (instead you have to buy uber-expensive image stabilization lenses).

ZIN22 · #15 10/16/2007, 10:45 AM

WOW!!!1 CHECK THIS OUT..
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...#goto_itemInfo
Like I said do your research...good call on the Pentax...

ZIN22 · #16 10/16/2007, 12:40 PM

Just more info to ponder...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...ssage=21029935

clutch · #17 10/16/2007, 02:46 PM

great find but the pentax are limited to lenses..... way to stick a needle in a hay stack

mcliffy2 · #18 10/16/2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clutch
great find but the pentax are limited to lenses..... way to stick a needle in a hay stack

The lenses are somewhat limited but you still have numerous options PLUS Pentax made their DSLR backwards compatible with all their old 35mm lenses. I purchased the Tamron 18-250 (semi) macro for it and am very happy with that as an everyday lens. I've just started looking into the Pentax and Tamron (and maybe Sigma) true macro lenses and it looks like there are a number of very nice options.

For me the decision was between the Nikon D80 and the K10d. To get virtually the same quality on the Nikon, all the VR (shake reduction) lenses were $700+ (and a number of online comparisons said there is very little quality difference), so I was looking at $1700 to start out with virtually an identical set up for Nikon compared to the Pentax, which I bought with the kit lens for $780 from Amazon and the Tamron lens which was $450 from buydig.com. Almost $500 less for the Pentax! (plus shake reduction for EVERY lens, even old 35mm)

From my research it also seems the K10d is developing a strong following, which means that more lens options will likely be available (simple supply and demand).

mcliffy2 · #19 10/17/2007, 12:08 AM

these are the first photos I took with the K10D - no true macro lens and these were done handheld, compressed with Picasa.

mcliffy2 · #20 10/17/2007, 12:09 AM

If for some reason you cant see the photos, right click and select "show picture" - I had to do that, not sure why.

ZIN22 · #21 10/17/2007, 07:44 AM

Well I was looking at the Canon XTI but after further research I now will be buying the Pentax .

mcliffy2 · #22 10/17/2007, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZIN22
Well I was looking at the Canon XTI but after further research I now will be buying the Pentax .

Nice, I think you'll be very happy when you open the box.

clutch · #23 10/17/2007, 08:04 PM

ya im leaning the same way

ZIN22 · #24 10/18/2007, 10:43 AM

something else to ponder...
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sa...ew/index.shtml