Since I have gotten a new job that pays a lot more I have been thinking about finally getting a DSLR. I am so discouraged with film with the cost of buying and developing prints that maybe didn't turn out the way I wanted. I will alwyas enjoy B&W photography since I have access to a darkroom during the school year. The cameras I was thinking about were the the Canon D60 or D30, and the Nikon D100. I was wondering what some of the users here thought of these cameras since I have found many of them on eBay in good shape. I tried finding reviews of them on here and the only one I could find was the D100. So let me know what you guys think

Z

The D100 may not be terribly new but it sure is a good camera. However, for the price of a D100 you can easily get a D70 or D50 body both of which are much more recent. If you need mirror lock up though, the D100 is great. The newer cameras however have some newer features that may be useful, including i-TTL flash and newer metering systems which are even better.

The D100 and the other Nikons mentioned above have an advantage though- nearly instant startup. As soon as you turn that on switch (which IMO is in a better position versus the canons) you are ready to shoot.

I have just seen D100's and the battery packs for them all over ebay for very resonable prices. I tried out a friends awhile back and it just felt good in my hands. I have also seen the the Nikon 18-70 on ebay for a good price and wondered if this lens would work well on this camera. I see no reason to why it wouldn't, but I also have very limited experience with Nikon (dad was a Canon man). Still leaning more towards the D100 unless I can have some persuade me otherwise, but it won't be until about september until I am ready to plop down the money for anything.

Deck-what other lenses would you suggest that aren't terribly expensive (third party is ok) and they don't neccesaryily have to be fast glass since I shoot outside most of the time or with flash.I was thinking along the lines of the Tamron 28-200, but I read mixed reviews.

thanks
Z

hrm if you shoot outside a lot or with flash you might be better off with the D70/50 because the flash system is so much better. The 18-70 DX is fantastic- go right for it, or the sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 Macro- doesn't have HSM (their version of AF-S), but nonetheless quite good and has a macro mode. I'm personally not keen on many Tamron lenses, partly because I like the cosmetics of Sigma glass better and there seem to be more favored Sigmas (10-20mm, 18-50mm f/2.8 EX, 17-70mm, 70-200mm, 100-300mm, 50-500mm, 80-400mm, 105/150/180 macro, 30mm f/1.4, 120-300mm 2.8).

Thanks Deck for your help. I say I shoot a lot with flash, but I guess I should say that I shooting flash doesn't really bother me. Its been a long week and my words aren't coming out as clearly as I would like. I have been thinking about the D70, but I have pretty much struck the D50 off the list, but only because of the SD cards and the D70 felt better in my hands. I am still debating about what to buy, but my mindset was that I could get a used camera that was once top of the line but has just been recently replaced, kinda like car body styles. I just like the look and feel of the D100 with a battery pack. I have also seen D1's that have been for sale on ebay and I was thinking about getting that body and then adding lenses later, but definitly buying the 18-70 with it.

Thanks for all your help, but I guess I still have more decisions to make. I am only dreaming right now, but like i said I might be purchasing later this year, but by then prices may come down more.

Z

Don't bother with the D1/D1H. the D1X maybe, but the other two are probably not good to have as your only caemra. Battery life on the D1 series was not good- they used NiMH batteries which were heavy and had short lives. Many you will find today will have 3rd party batteries...but you'll see many going with 5 batteries. teh li-ion batteries in the D70/100 and the more recent cameras will be far superior in this regard.

Hey, Z, Canon user here. Since you mentioned Canon, what about a used 10D? I still shoot everything (digital) with mine. You should be able to get one in decent shape for under $500. And it does have mirror lock-up.

I'll add it to my list of things to look at, but seems like last time I looked bodies were going for more, but it has been a few months. Thanks Loupey!

Z

I don't remember but I think the 10D has the slow startup doesn't it?
D100s do have MLU and they are very cheap now. Cheaper than D70s or D50s now!

I don't remember but I think the 10D has the slow startup doesn't it?


Sure, Deckcadet, rub it in :)

Yeah, like 2 seconds. Since I shoot 100% manual for nature stuff, I've often focused, composed, and "shot" before the 10D has awakened from its nap :(

Still, I know someone who might part with his 10D soon...:p

if this person you know has a price in mind then he can PM me and we can talk:D

Z

Sure, Deckcadet, rub it in :)

Yeah, like 2 seconds. Since I shoot 100% manual for nature stuff, I've often focused, composed, and "shot" before the 10D has awakened from its nap :(

Still, I know someone who might part with his 10D soon...:p

hehe i could be halfway to filling my buffer with either camera by that time :rolleyes:

You could always donate one of your rigs to the poor college kid fund, I'm sure we can make it tax deductible and I will get NIKON tatooed somewhere on my body...

Z

You could always donate one of your rigs to the poor college kid fund, I'm sure we can make it tax deductible and I will get NIKON tatooed somewhere on my body...

Z

Haha! i'm in the poor high school kid gear fund! I donated my old D70 to my school. In fact contrary to my advice above i'm hunting for a beat up old d1 or d1h, but because I have 2 other cameras and want a dedicated IR camera on the cheap :rolleyes:

Here are links to the reviews you are looking for. We're having some issues with out-of-production products and the new review system. But we have reviews for pretty much everything.

Canon EOS D30: http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-1/pid-21589713/befid-442/productreviewscrx.aspx

Canon EOS D60: http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-1/pid-20181742/befid-7185/productreviewscrx.aspx

Nikon D100: http://www.photographyreview.com/sf-1/pid-20250913/befid-7185/productreviewscrx.aspx

I say, go with the system you'd most like to invest in for the long term.

Thanks PJ

Z