I'm a newbie finally taking the plunge into serious photography. I’ve been piddling around with 35mm film for a while, but I'm an instant gratification guy and couldn't get my results back fast enough. Now with DSLR's being affordable, I figured it's time to take the next step… and the wife says I need a hobby.
Initially I only see myself doing portraits/pet photos and scenic shots.
Now for some new equipment. I’m torn between the Canon 350D and the Nikon D50. Can’t bring myself to spend the additional $500 for the 20D. I’m looking for insight as to the better choice. I previously had a Minolta camera and have no other lenses. After reading many reviews, I’m leaning towards the Canon. However I have concerns…
- I have big hands and the 350 feels small in my grip. How annoying will this get?
- How big a deal is the lack of spot metering?
What other gotchas should I be aware of in my search. From what a gather, once you commit to a Manufacturer and start acquiring lenses, it’s expensive to make a switch down the road.
Personally, the size of the XT doesn't bother me, and I'm a 6' guy with big hands. Both cameras are very capable. The 350D will have lower noise if you're shooting RAW, the D50's numbers are bogus since they're based on noise reduced JPEG images.
Spot metering is nice, but unless you're finding yourself in situations where the metering is off most of the time due to super wide dynamic range scenes, it's the sort of thing you're not going to use very often. It all really depends on how you want to shoot, ultimately.
For me, the choice is pretty easy. I shoot mainly with primes, and Canon's selection of USM primes is far more extensive than Nikon's. Nikon has really left prime users in the lurch, with very few lenses with lens-based focusing motors, meaning you'll be forced to use noisy and slow-focusing body-focused lenses. If you're mainly a zoom user, it's not really an issue.
I was offered my Dad's lenses from his Nikon F4 (a 35-70 and a 70-210) and I still went with Canon. I am also 6' with big hands, I just bought the grip and it feels much better.
For me it's no question, and considering you're posting this in the Canon forum I think you'll get a lot of Canon-biased opinions.
rumrunner wrote:
Also, lenses. I'm thinking of forgoing the kit lens. What's my best option, given potraits/landscapes, around $250-300?
If you want a good lens that can do both of those for 300, you probably want to look into the kit lens for the D70 (The 18-70 DX). It's decently wide, and also goes to moderate telephoto. It's not the absolute best at portraiture or landscapes, but it's a mid-range zoom....a jack of all trades.
rumrunner wrote:
Glad to hear the grip is tolerable.
capitalK "I just bought the grip" - Is this the battery grip?
Also, lenses. I'm thinking of forgoing the kit lens. What's my best option, given potraits/landscapes, around $250-300?
Yes, I meant the battery grip. I don't believe there is one even as an option on the D50 (I know that's the case for the D70, 3rd-party grips aside).
The kit lens on the XT is far inferior to the kit lens on the D70. I would recommend buying the body only and spending the difference towards some better lenses.
Initially, the camera far outweighs the ability of the photographer. Both cameras can capture light and produce very, very pleasing results. Spot meter is a very valuable tool to have, I couldn't shoot without one, although I do use Center weighted with my Canon and Matrix with my Nikon most frequently, call it being lazy, whatever. Either way, both companies make great glass, and that's the most important thing. When you outgrow the camera, your lenses will stay along for the ride...That's about as unbiased as I can be. Get something, shoot it, be merry Happy hunting.
I haven't used the Nikon, but I do have the 350D and find it excellent. I love the small size for all-day walking tours, but enjoy adding the vertical grip for "serious" destination shooting.
I will add a diverse opinion on the kit lens. I think it is a no-brainer for someone starting out. It is almost free, and is very good outside at f/8 and higher. I bought it with my 350D and used it for several months until I decided on what other kinds of lenses fit my shooting style. I have bought 4 lenses since then, all of which were based on my experience with the kit lens.
I still use the kit lens when on family vacations. On the 350D it makes for a very lightweight combo, that gives great results in good light.
Here is a shot from my first 2-weeks with the 350D and kit lens while walking around in Mexico...
Both are very capable cameras. If you are only starting out with DSLR's, either one will do just fine. personaly I use a Nikon D70. checkout my website http://www.bejiphotography.com most of the photos are taken with a D70, some of them are taken with film slr ( nikon N80) and some of them are taken with a Canon 20D which I owned for a brief period. I can bet that you would not be able to find which pictures are taken with a 20D .
My advice to you is to just goto a near by camera shop and try both camera's and get what you feel is better in your hands. Because, the main thing about photography is having some fun.
Good luck getting your camera.
regards,
-Beji
Sal Baker wrote:
I haven't used the Nikon, but I do have the 350D and find it excellent. I love the small size for all-day walking tours, but enjoy adding the vertical grip for "serious" destination shooting.
I will add a diverse opinion on the kit lens. I think it is a no-brainer for someone starting out. It is almost free, and is very good outside at f/8 and higher. I bought it with my 350D and used it for several months until I decided on what other kinds of lenses fit my shooting style. I have bought 4 lenses since then, all of which were based on my experience with the kit lens.
I still use the kit lens when on family vacations. On the 350D it makes for a very lightweight combo, that gives great results in good light.
Here is a shot from my first 2-weeks with the 350D and kit lens while walking around in Mexico...
That's an awfully pretty woman...who cares about the camera?!?!
I've had both of these cameras in my hand and as far as ergo is conerned, I like the Nikon better. That said, were I only allowed these two cameras for my first DSLR, I'd go with the Canon. The sensor is clearly superior and further, Canon has established a significant lead in sensor technology. I'm not just talking Mpix here.
I faced a similar choice some time ago between the D70 and the 300D. The D70 has it all over the 300D in terms of speed of handling, but the 300D sensor is better.
Available 100 ISO.
Lower noise.
Better image quality.
All except the available 100 ISO being IMO.
The second half of my statement, about Canon having the lead in sensors is just as important. From what I can see CMOS wins. New Nikon bodies seem to confirm this.
Happy hunting.