Not another which camera thread!

[EmbeddedMatt]

I have wasted almost the entire day comparing D50, D70(s), and Rebel XT. Let me try to keep this as brief as possible.

My highest priority is a camera that will work well in a studio setting. Ideally I'd like to be able to transfer a photo to the PC immediately after it's taken. I am assuming that all three cameras can do this but I haven't checked. Can anyone confirm? And with Nikon I have to buy Capture, right? But what about Canon?

It looks the deal killler for the D70(s) is slow USB transfer. Although it is USB 2.0 it uses full speed mode vs. the high speed mode in the XT and D50. That's a huge difference in POTENTIAL transfer speed. Does anyone have any idea if the XT and D50 make quick use of the high speed connection?

So for me that narrows it down to D50 vs. XT. The XT sure has a longer list of features, most notably the extra resolution, but the XT looks like a toy. I don't know why this bothers me so much but it does. And the kit lens of the XT isn't highly regarded so I figure I have to throw in another $500 for decent glass.

I wish I had some existing glass to make the decision for me but I don't. I guess I'm leaning Canon at this point. With the XT it seems you get the best parts from the 20D but a lousy lens. With the D50 you get inferior components (sensor resolution and sensitivity) but a much better lens and a "real" camera. The body will be obsolete in 3 years anyway so I probably shouldn't worry too much about the XT's toyish appearance and build quality, right?

With either camera I will buy the body, a prime for portaits, and normal zoom for walking around. Sorry, this didn't come out as brief as I had hoped but any comments would be appreciated.

[Lionheart]

If you're using the camera in a studio setting, then ditch any kits regardless of what camera you choose. Get the body, get a prime in the 85 to 135 range for the studio (I use mostly the 85 in my studio), and get a fast zoom for day to day (although lately I'm finding myself shooting with a 50 for walking around). In my opinion, all but the top of the line cameras feel toyish in build quality, so don't worry about it unless you plan on beating the crap out of your gear on a daily basis (I've got a 1D Mk II, 10D, 60D that I use regularly day in and day out, but I take gentle loving care of them, even the heavily armored 1D, although it has taken it's share of wear and tear). I'm not sure what you mean by a "real" camera, since if it takes pictures, it's a real camera in my view. We all do the best we can with the resources we have, and the rest is vision and creativity. I love the 1D mkII, but I actually use the D60 and 10D a lot more on a daily basis, and I can't tell the difference in image quality 99.999% of the time. Performance is a completely different story, however. When speed counts, only the pro level or higher end consumer bodies and lenses will consistently deliver, but with skill and familiarity, even a less capable camera will also deliver the goods. (Speed is rarely an issue in the studio in my admittedly limited photographic experience.)
As far as transferring immediately to PC, why? If you need to view the images on a large screen immediately, just hook the camera's video out to a high resolution LCD monitor or CRT with a long cable in the studio. That's what we do in our studio. Even the fastest upload connections are inconvenient and can potentially be distracting and break up the rhythm of a photo shoot. I would upload the images to the PC at a more convenient time from a card reader or directly from the camera, usually after the studio session is done.
Just my two shiny Abe Lincolns, take with dash of NaCl and your favorite beverage ;)

[EmbeddedMatt]

Lionheart,

By "real" camera I just meant one that doesn't look like a toy. I haven't worked tethered before so it seems that I made a bad assumption about transferring the files. I didn't realize you could connect directly to a monitor. I'm still a little confused about how that would work. For example, do you have to have a monitor with NTSC inputs? And if it were NTSC wouldn't that be lousy resolution and color quality?

About the prime, I am not sure if I should get a 50 or an 85 for portraiture. That 1.6X factor would seem to eliminate the 135. I think what I'm going to have to do is buy that lens locally so I can actually try it for myself.

Thanks again for your comments. I needed to be set straight.

Matt

[Lionheart]

Lionheart,

By "real" camera I just meant one that doesn't look like a toy. I haven't worked tethered before so it seems that I made a bad assumption about transferring the files. I didn't realize you could connect directly to a monitor. I'm still a little confused about how that would work. For example, do you have to have a monitor with NTSC inputs? And if it were NTSC wouldn't that be lousy resolution and color quality?

About the prime, I am not sure if I should get a 50 or an 85 for portraiture. That 1.6X factor would seem to eliminate the 135. I think what I'm going to have to do is buy that lens locally so I can actually try it for myself.

Thanks again for your comments. I needed to be set straight.

Matt

Yes, a regular NTSC monitor really sucks for resolution. What you do is get an NTSC to SVGA adapter (readily available everywhere-almost-or do a keyword search on the 'net and you'll find them) and hook it up to an LCD monitor or CRT.
I use the 85 because with the 1.3x and 1.6x cropping factor on the 1D and 10D/d60, 85mm is just about right for a portrait lens. I use the 135 occasionally when the focus of the portrait is a close up of their smile (I'm a dentist-most of our studio photography revolves around patients who have completed extensive cosmetic/esthetic dentistry or full mouth reconstruction).
Yes it is a good idea to play with the lenses and camera in hand at a camera shop before you buy. Try to give your business to the shop if they were good enough to let you play and were polite and helpful-I do, although if I know what I want without having to play, I'll buy online-cheaper ;)
Good luck.

[EmbeddedMatt]

OK, thanks for the help. And BTW, that's why I said I would buy it locally. I agree with you that it's pretty rotten to go to a store and take their time and then try to save a few bucks at B&H. I have done that at places like Best Buy but they don't work on commission.

[trexuphigh]

The XT does have PC capture mode. I think the build quality is decent as I've taken 2000 pics and hiked with it extensively since I got it two months ago. My wife's small hads really appreciate the size and weight of this small unit. As do I when I have to lug it up a mountain. The stock lens would probably do well in a studio setting. As it was very good for non landscape and macros. We use the 28-135 USM now