Dslr Excperts- Quick ten days to make my decision!

[peyjax]

So I just posted the bridge camera post yesterday. Low and behold I went to Ritz today and came out with a DSLR!

My DH gave me the go on the DSLR last night (said he did not want to buy another camera in another 3 years). So I went with the Canon Rebel XTI because it was what he liked and mostly because of price!

I got it at Ritz for $579. I really liked the Nikon D60 feel better but it was $70 dollars more. (it had a VR lens, which she said was very important) My DH gave me a cap of 600. The canon goes off sale Saturday and back to the $699 price. Hence my decision to try that one first. The nikon was $650. The sales rep really and I mean really tried to sell me on the SonyA200. I was not impressed with the bulkiness and build. It seemed very plastic and cheap. It will be on sale next week for $500. AGHH I am not sure what to do. I am planning on trying the rebel out for the week and then may change from there. I thought the return policy was better. I have ten days for full return and 30 for a in store credit. Looked at the other brands not too interested in them.

Please help with suggestions, ideas and experiences with any of these cameras. Once again I am a beginner who once owned an SLR, but have a lot to learn. Thanks

 

[drcandon]

You are going to get a lot of polarized opinions on this question..my personal choice would be the Nikon...and not just because I own some..I prefer (probably 'cause I am used to it) the exposure system and the Nikon lenses for their consistent quality.

And the VR thingy is about vibration control on the lens.

However Canon consistently downsells and price reduces their stuff and really good deals can be had..

Ultimately it is the photographer that makes the photograph - not the camera - get the one that feels best in your hands and has the features you need and will USE - not just fancy stuff that don't make a good picture
I have seem absolute crap pics from the Nikon D2 cameras and really great ones from the older D70 that easily surpass anything..

 

[Swoop1]

So I just posted the bridge camera post yesterday. Low and behold I went to Ritz today and came out with a DSLR!

My DH gave me the go on the DSLR last night (said he did not want to buy another camera in another 3 years). So I went with the Canon Rebel XTI because it was what he liked and mostly because of price!

I got it at Ritz for $579. I really liked the Nikon D60 feel better but it was $70 dollars more. (it had a VR lens, which she said was very important) My DH gave me a cap of 600. The canon goes off sale Saturday and back to the $699 price. Hence my decision to try that one first. The nikon was $650. The sales rep really and I mean really tried to sell me on the SonyA200. I was not impressed with the bulkiness and build. It seemed very plastic and cheap. It will be on sale next week for $500. AGHH I am not sure what to do. I am planning on trying the rebel out for the week and then may change from there. I thought the return policy was better. I have ten days for full return and 30 for a in store credit. Looked at the other brands not too interested in them.

Please help with suggestions, ideas and experiences with any of these cameras. Once again I am a beginner who once owned an SLR, but have a lot to learn. Thanks

Hehe, you are in the boat I am in. Looking for a DSLR and have had my head explode reading reviews and opinions on which one to get. Personally I have decided on the Nikon D60. The XTI is tried and true and I'm guessing you will love it. However if you loved the feel of the D60 then I would pop down the xtra 70 bucks for it. If you aren't too please with the way the Canon feels then chances are over time you'll find reasons to not use it. Also from everything I have read, the Nikon VR Kit Lense that comes with the D60 is the best kit lense you can get in the entry level DSLR market.

One thing about the Nikon to keep in mind though is the Camera body does not have an internal autofocus drive motor. So unless you want to manual focus you need to remember that if you buy an future lenses that they have built in drive motors. This shouldn't really be an issue since Nikon makes some nice lenses for it and the 3rd party lense makers have begun supporting the D60.

DPreview gave the D60 a highly recommended recomendation. Anyway, I think 70 dollars more for the Nikon is a good deal, much better kit lense than the XTI and you've stated the D60 felt better in your hands. Take the Canon back and get the Nikon.

 

[Frantasmic]

I think Ritz has a better deal, but, you'll have to convince your DH.

They have the D80 on sale for $799, body only, but they are adding a free lens. It's a good deal, a great camera, and you can learn with that lens before adding another one.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

We can't really help you too much, it's a very personal decision.

Most people do quite a bit of research before buying, that way they're fairly certain of what they want in a dSLR. Exploring all the options can be somewhat overwhelming.

All of those you've mentioned are good. There are others you missed that are also good.

If it were me, at this point, I wouldn't worry too much about the few dollars you'd save this week. You'll have the "system" for many years and be investing lots more money into it as you go along.

 

[dr_zero]

First off Congrats on taking the plunge!

Try it and see how it works for you and if close to day 10 you are still unsure ask if you can maybe use the display model Nikon for a few shots around the store or mall if you leave some collateral like a credit card or your other camera.

Enjoy your new camera and post some pics for us when you can! ​

 

[MICKEY88]

they al do a good job, as for the Sony it just received the Europena award for best camera in it's class..

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Here's a link to a review on the Sony a200 that happens to do some comparisons against the Canon Xti. If you google you'll find lots of reviews of both cameras and also just on this site the individual review of the Xti.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA200/AA200A.HTM

Since you mentioned the Image stabalization one thing of note with the Sony is that it has in camera body stabilization rather than needing to get it in the lens as is required with the Nikon and Canon. Pentax and many of the Olympus models also have it in the camera. That means that any lens you put on the Sony, Pentax or Olympus will have the stabilization, whereas only certain lenses with Canon and Nikon will. It actually is a feature that I do think is very helpful and should be given a fair amount of consideration.

I happen to own a Sony a700 but believe that any of the cameras are capable of giving you excellent pictures. Feel of the camera is important. Gotta say though - the $500 on the sony will be a very good price!

 

[Code]

My honest opinion would be to reconsider your choice, not based on brand or model but rather lack of stabilization. Whether it be in-lens (Canon calls it image stabilization, IS, and Nikon calls it vibration reduction, VR) or in-body (Olympus: Image Stabilization IS, Pentax: Shake Reduction SR, Sony: Super Steady Shot SSS), it is a very valuable addition to extend your low-light shooting possibilities, especially if your plans don't go beyond the kit lens.

 

[peyjax]

My honest opinion would be to reconsider your choice, not based on brand or model but rather lack of stabilization. Whether it be in-lens (Canon calls it image stabilization, IS, and Nikon calls it vibration reduction, VR) or in-body (Olympus: Image Stabilization IS, Pentax: Shake Reduction SR, Sony: Super Steady Shot SSS), it is a very valuable addition to extend your low-light shooting possibilities, especially if your plans don't go beyond the kit lens.

I just went out and took some pics of my son. I thought I love this camera. Then I came in and looked at the pics. They are ok. Once again I am new at this. I just kept thinking about the image stabilization thing. Thinking that is really important.

The Nikon also has something with a color balancing or something that is suppose to give you great pics everytime. Is this true? I noticed the colors where not what I thought once I looked at the pics.I realize that a lot of it will take practice. I was just wondering if this might help.

 

[ukcatfan]

Do you and your husband realize that there are going to be other costs almost right off? You will need to get a bag, sensor cleaning kit, an extra battery, and probably more memory cards. I would say the minimum extra would be $100, but more likely $150 to be happy. You will also likely want things like filters, a better strap, more lenses, and an external flash in the very near future.

I am just telling you this b/c if $600 is your budget for some time to come, you might not be completely satisfied with your purchase.

Kevin

 

[Code]

I just went out and took some pics of my son. I thought I love this camera. Then I came in and looked at the pics. They are ok. Once again I am new at this. I just kept thinking about the image stabilization thing. Thinking that is really important.

The Nikon also has something with a color balancing or something that is suppose to give you great pics everytime. Is this true? I noticed the colors where not what I thought once I looked at the pics.I realize that a lot of it will take practice. I was just wondering if this might help.

Stabilization doesn't really help outside in broad daylight unless you are using a long slow telephoto.. where you see the benefit is in moderately low light (i.e. indoors, dusk, etc) with subjects that aren't moving much or at all.

Also keep in mind that a DSLR doesn't automatically mean your photos are going to be magically delicious. In terms of the technical side of image quality, they will certainly be better than any P&S. But broad daylight is where P&S can do a pretty decent job. It's when the sun goes away that you'll see more benefit. BUT, don't expect some magical mode that will ensure a perfect shot every time.

What about your shots is underwhelming to you?

 

[ukcatfan]

Also from everything I have read, the Nikon VR Kit Lense that comes with the D60 is the best kit lense you can get in the entry level DSLR market.

I think that is sort of an opinionated statement. Optically speaking, almost all kit lenses are pretty equal. There will be some variation, but in real life use it would be very hard to tell a difference. A couple reasons I would say that the new Nikon kit is NOT the best on the market are the rotating front element and still low quality build. I am almost certain that it still has a plastic mount. I am not saying it is horrible or anything and it is a nice upgrade from the old one, but calling it the best is a stretch.

One thing about the Nikon to keep in mind though is the Camera body does not have an internal autofocus drive motor. So unless you want to manual focus you need to remember that if you buy an future lenses that they have built in drive motors. This shouldn't really be an issue since Nikon makes some nice lenses for it and the 3rd party lense makers have begun supporting the D60.

It sounds like the budget for this user is a huge issue, so the lack of the motor is an issue. If low light shooting is important, then the cheapest AF prime lens is $400.

DPreview gave the D60 a highly recommended recomendation. Anyway, I think 70 dollars more for the Nikon is a good deal, much better kit lense than the XTI and you've stated the D60 felt better in your hands. Take the Canon back and get the Nikon.

The DCResource review is not as kind to the D60. http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d60-review/index.shtml

I am not trying to push the Canon or anything. From the stated options, I would go with the Sony. Outside the options, I would go with the Pentax K200D, which has a $100 rebate and also has a new updated kit lens that has a much better build quality compared to C&N.

Kevin

 

[peyjax]

Thanks UKCatFan (is that a Kentucky Wildcat?) We actually kind of figured some of that. I splurged on the memory card and got the Scan Disk Extreme with 4GB. That bumped me up a bit. I have a bag and I think we will wait on the battery.

As far as the pics I took. I think it might be in my head. I just thought the colors would be crisper. There was a lot of shadow. I wish there was a magic camera that would produce amazing results everytime! Then there would be less cofusion on which camera to get.

 

[ukcatfan]

Thanks UKCatFan (is that a Kentucky Wildcat?) We actually kind of figured some of that. I splurged on the memory card and got the Scan Disk Extreme with 4GB. That bumped me up a bit. I have a bag and I think we will wait on the battery.

As far as the pics I took. I think it might be in my head. I just thought the colors would be crisper. There was a lot of shadow. I wish there was a magic camera that would produce amazing results everytime! Then there would be less cofusion on which camera to get.

Yes, it is the Wildcats. That is where I went to school and yes, I do bleed blue!

A few words of general advice:

Make sure that you got a good price on the memory card. Check how much they go for on Newegg.com and Buy.com. They are some of the most honest and least expensive sources of memory cards. Also, do not rely on only one card b/c even the best brands can fail on you at any time. And believe me, they never fail at convenient times.

I would go ahead and get the extra battery. There are no disposables available for the Canons or Nikons if you are in a pinch. If it dies on you in the field or you forget to charge it, then that means no picture taking.

You did not mention if you had a sensor kit. It is not too much and one of the most important things in the bag. To help prevent sensor dust, limit the time the lens is off the body, but it will still eventually get some. My camera got some the second week I had it even with careful handling.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, it is the Wildcats. That is where I went to school and yes, I do bleed blue!

Not to hijack the thread but I have a couple pics you might enjoy seeing ukcatfan.....

From the triple OT LSU game last Oct! My cousin and her daughter had season tkts and I got to go when I was visiting! My P&S didn't quite do the event justice.

 

[ukcatfan]

From the triple OT LSU game last Oct! My cousin and her daughter had season tkts and I got to go when I was visiting! My P&S didn't quite do the event justice.

You were still there though! I can't complain too much. The DW and I were strolling around WS without kids during the second half of that game (watched the first half in the hotel room). We probably looked like some of the biggest drunks there with all our cheering, but we only had two drinks each! The next day at MK, I had my UK hat on and got a bunch of congrats.

 

[DVC Eric]

We got the rebel xti and i like it but i am a canon person. Ukcatfan some of the rebels have sensor cleaners built in mine does.

 

[ukcatfan]

We got the rebel xti and i like it but i am a canon person. Ukcatfan some of the rebels have sensor cleaners built in mine does.

None of any brand's built in cleaner is 100% effective. They do a little, but are mostly a marketing gimmick. You still need a proper cleaning kit.

 

[Groucho]

I'd like to know what reviewer has been calling the Nikon kit lens the best entry-level kit lens out there. Maybe the 18-70mm one that comes with some of their higher-end DSLRs... but the 18-55mm is a basic plastic-mount no-focus-ring rotating-front-element no-lens-hood wobby-tube kit lens. Can you get good pictures with it? Of course - but it's not something that is going to win any awards. It's certainly no worse than Canon's, and possibly a little better (it sounds like quality levels have been somewhat variable with these lenses.)

As for the OP's questions... a DSLR is certainly not a magic bullet. You can generally tune any of them to give you the kind of pictures that you like. If you want punchier colors, you can adjust the color tone, brightness, etc.

I would say though, get the camera that feels comfortable to you - if you don't enjoy holding the camera, you certainly won't get the most out of it. No camera takes good photos when sitting unused on the shelf.