Which DSLR to buy????

[archkt]

Hi there, I m planning to buy a DSLR. I am a beginner and have taken nice pictures (at least composition wise) with my digital point and shoot camera. Now i really want to learn photography and so need a camera which is really good to learn starting from basics of photography. I want a professional camera which at a time gives me option of taking snaps as wanted.

Before going further let me tell you my use and liking, I like to take pictures of places and buildings (m an architect by profession) and people. So mainly i m into outdoors.

I am going thru online reviews and went couple of times in Bestbuy to get a feel for the real cameras. I tried Canon Digital Rebel, Canon Rebel XT and Nikon D70, from all of above i liked D70 best. It looks professional, has a very comfortable grip and controls and offers better features with better lens. Canon Rebel XT is good one but i didn't like the lens as its 18-55 as compares to nikon's 18-70. Digital Rebel feels very cheaply made as compared to other two cameras (and also read this in many reviews). But this is from my limited observation, u guys know this cameras inside out so i would like your advise on this, as my use initially will be to learn and not use it like a pro (do you believe, i should invest on a better body , either XT or D70).

Now the real problem is, my budget is nearly $800-$1000 with acessories. Should i wait some time and buy D70 ($1100 + accessories) which i liked very much or should i settle for Digital Rebel ($800 + accessories) which is my 3rd choice. Or should i wait for D50 ($ 950 + accessories). But is it good to buy a DSLR just when its introduced as it might have some problems , who knows?????

Please advise me??????

[Lionheart]

Does it have to be brand new? and do you need more than 6 mp? You may want to try ebay or the used dept. at keh.com or b&h and look for a Nikon D100 if you like the feel of the Nikon bodies. I played around with the new camera bodies from Canon and Nikon at the AACD in Nashville a couple of weeks ago, and I know what you mean by the feel of the undersized rebel xt. My hands aren't big, but I like the feel of a bigger heftier camera body rather than the xt, and the Nikon D70 definitely feels more substantial than its somewhat smaller Canon counterpart. Even the 20D doesn't feel as solid as the D70 does in hand. If you don't mind an older model used, the D100 is a fairly capable camera, or you might want to hold out a little longer. Problem with Nikon is that they aren't pushing out newer models at the same ferocious rate that Canon has been doing, so it might be a while before you find something closer to the entry level rebel xt in a Nikon body, and then you may find that it will be similar in feel to the rebel xt. I'd splurge a little if you can and get a better body, and really save for the lenses-they can make all the difference in the world. You can get by in this digital world with average lenses (oh the wonders of photoshop) but later on it's worth it to get some pro glass for whatever camera body you choose.

[Franglais]

Hi there, I m planning to buy a DSLR. I am a beginner and have taken nice pictures (at least composition wise) with my digital point and shoot camera. Now i really want to learn photography and so need a camera which is really good to learn starting from basics of photography. I want a professional camera which at a time gives me option of taking snaps as wanted.

Before going further let me tell you my use and liking, I like to take pictures of places and buildings (m an architect by profession) and people. So mainly i m into outdoors.

I am going thru online reviews and went couple of times in Bestbuy to get a feel for the real cameras. I tried Canon Digital Rebel, Canon Rebel XT and Nikon D70, from all of above i liked D70 best. It looks professional, has a very comfortable grip and controls and offers better features with better lens. Canon Rebel XT is good one but i didn't like the lens as its 18-55 as compares to nikon's 18-70. Digital Rebel feels very cheaply made as compared to other two cameras (and also read this in many reviews). But this is from my limited observation, u guys know this cameras inside out so i would like your advise on this, as my use initially will be to learn and not use it like a pro (do you believe, i should invest on a better body , either XT or D70).

Now the real problem is, my budget is nearly $800-$1000 with acessories. Should i wait some time and buy D70 ($1100 + accessories) which i liked very much or should i settle for Digital Rebel ($800 + accessories) which is my 3rd choice. Or should i wait for D50 ($ 950 + accessories). But is it good to buy a DSLR just when its introduced as it might have some problems , who knows?????

Please advise me??????

I think that you're right to take the cameras in your hands and see which one you like best. When you've bought it you have to live with it and it's best to have something you feel comfortable with. I would go for the D70 (I have one). It's a really good design with lots of features from the professional Nikon DSLR's.

The D70 and the Digital Rebel are now at end-of-life and certainly in France you can find a D70 at the same price as the future D50 (while stocks last).

I don't think the Digital rebel is really "cheaply made". It shares most of its components with the metal-bodied 10D. Canon chose a make a 1000$ camera that feels cheap and has lots of features turned off - a mistake that Nikon didn't make with the D70 and that Canon have now corrected with the Rebel XT.

Charles

[archkt]

Does it have to be brand new? and do you need more than 6 mp? You may want to try ebay or the used dept. at keh.com or b&h and look for a Nikon D100 if you like the feel of the Nikon bodies. I played around with the new camera bodies from Canon and Nikon at the AACD in Nashville a couple of weeks ago, and I know what you mean by the feel of the undersized rebel xt. My hands aren't big, but I like the feel of a bigger heftier camera body rather than the xt, and the Nikon D70 definitely feels more substantial than its somewhat smaller Canon counterpart. Even the 20D doesn't feel as solid as the D70 does in hand. If you don't mind an older model used, the D100 is a fairly capable camera, or you might want to hold out a little longer. Problem with Nikon is that they aren't pushing out newer models at the same ferocious rate that Canon has been doing, so it might be a while before you find something closer to the entry level rebel xt in a Nikon body, and then you may find that it will be similar in feel to the rebel xt. I'd splurge a little if you can and get a better body, and really save for the lenses-they can make all the difference in the world. You can get by in this digital world with average lenses (oh the wonders of photoshop) but later on it's worth it to get some pro glass for whatever camera body you choose.

Thank You Lionheart for this idea, i myself thought that but being completely new to this DSLRs how can i know if the used camera is in good condition?? i went to a local camera shop and the guy told me, "don't get in to used camera until u know that person personally". that is where i dropped that idea as my knowledge about it is limited.

[archkt]

Franglias, i m thinking of D70 but again i get confused as to begineer like me does the versatility of camera matter much or should i start with low budget and see where i go?

[Lionheart]

Thank You Lionheart for this idea, i myself thought that but being completely new to this DSLRs how can i know if the used camera is in good condition?? i went to a local camera shop and the guy told me, "don't get in to used camera until u know that person personally". that is where i dropped that idea as my knowledge about it is limited.

Getting used cameras is just a suggestion. I've only bought used a few times, but those were film cameras. Digital is little dicey in the used department. Buying from a reputable dealer is important, or from someone you know personally is also a good idea. Otherwise new is always good. My first camera was purchased new, and I didn't really scrimp on it.
Get the best you can afford. You won't stay a beginner for very long. That 's the advice my wedding photographer gave me when I asked him the same question 16 years ago, and he was right. Within 2 months, I was doing my own developing and darkroom photography. I probably spent almost as much time on photography as I did on my studies, but that's the passion of photography, it just consumes you.

[Franglais]

Franglias, i m thinking of D70 but again i get confused as to begineer like me does the versatility of camera matter much or should i start with low budget and see where i go?

All these cameras have point-and-shoot modes that you can use to start out with. When you want to start taking more control yourself you can go to another mode.

The pro features of the D70 that you might find useful, which are lacking from the REbels and the D50:

1. It has two knurled wheels front and back to control the camera parameters. This is easier to understand when you're controling things yourself

2. It is fully compatible with Nikon's iTTL flash system (the best). If you're doing pictures of interiors it can be useful to have a slave flash piloted by the D70 to selectively light the scene.

3. The viewfinder has a grill that you can turn on or off. Very useful to see if your verticals are really vertical.

Charles

[archkt]

Hi guys , u r right, i think once i start, i will get in to it.

for now i think i will invest on a good body because thats what i will stay for long time. this is a reason i m thinking of waiting for a time till i can buy D70s. I do get tempted to buy DR as its just within my range but i will wait. I like the D70 very much and so will stick to it.

[trexuphigh]

I think that in terms of sensor and porcessor the Canons are ahead of the Nikons. As far as feature use and included optics, the Nikons rule. I have the XT and both myself and the wife are very pleased, mine you we did upgrade the lens.