Nikon D50

[Kelly Grannell]

Bad brain!

Yes, I've just told my brain to stand in the corner... now I'm completely brainless.

 

[jennz]

Hi everyone - yes I still haven't bought! Went into the local photography store today to buy the Rebel and left ready to buy the Nikon D50.

Which do you prefer and why?

Thanks!!

 

[Kelly Grannell]

Rebel XT is 8MP, so you can be more free in terms of framing your pictures. I like thight framing, with 8MP I can be not as tight while taking the picture (have a safe area) and crop using Photoshop.

Also D50 doesn't have LCD backlighting. I take a LOT of low-light shots. LCD backlight is essential for my work.

D50 starts at ISO 200, RebelXT starts at ISO100, meaning less noise, less chance of over exposure when the situation is really bright.

Last but not least, I prefer the less contrasty/saturated look of Canon over Nikon. (this is purely subjective)

 

[Anewman]

Rebel XT =
8mp(over 6)
lighter and smaller(if you like that)
backlit LCD
faster shooting performance(slight advantage)
Uses Compact flash(maybe considered more affordable than SD cards)

D50=
PRICE($379 refurbished at BUYDIG.com)
Spot mettering(only available on Canons over $1300)
slightly larger(if you like that)
Larger LCD(not back lit)
Faster flash sync speed
AF assist lamp(without having to use pop up flash)

Last but not least, I prefer the less contrasty/saturated look of Canon over Nikon. (this is purely subjective)

And of course both cameras have in camera parameters that can be adjusted to suit tastes.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

And of course both cameras have in camera parameters that can be adjusted to suit tastes.

I did not know that about the D50. Thanks for the info!

 

[handicap18]

Chevy or Ford, McDonalds or Burger King, and so on and so on.

That being said, I have a D50. I never looked at the Canon's because I've been using Nikon SLR's for years and already had lenses. Since coming to this board I have checked out the Canon Rebel (haven't seen the 20D or 30D yet though). I didn't like the size of the Canon. It looked and felt to small for me for a SLR. It felt more like a P&S to me. I do have large hands so that is part of it. Both camera's are smaller than my film SLR (though slightly), but the D50 is closer in size to my N70.

The D50 is a 6.1 vs 8MP, but for me and other things that I've read it really wont make a huge difference in picture quality for the average amerture. I've also never printed anything larger than 8x12. Some people will argue that it is a big difference. I've printed 8x10's with my 3.2MP digital and had great results.

I like the spot metering on the D50 as well as the Center Weight and Matrix. I mostly use Matrix, but have used spot metering quite a bit. ISO is 200 to 1600. When using film I mostly used 200 and 400 so no difference for me there. The lack of a backlit LCD hasn't become a problem for me, I've only done low light photos a few times and what I needed to see (shutter speed, aperture, etc...) I could see though the view finder (same thing with my film N70) also not having depth of field preview, never had it before on any cameras so I don't know what I'm missing.

Once I get to the other computer I'll post some more pics I took today with the D50.

Happy shopping.

 

[disneyfan551]

I just purchased a D50 last week, and when charging the battery, the cord won't stay in the charger, unless I prop it up the "right" way. Is this common? I'm wondering if I should take it back to the local store? Also, my main concern...I think I'll need to buy an extra battery for the D50. I just don't trust myself to always remember to have it charged! Do you have any recommendations as to where to purchase it? Through Wolf (where I bought the D50), or online, ebay, etc...?

Thanks for your help! I've got ALOT to learn about this camera!

 

[geetey]

It's a tough decision, isn't it, Jennifer?

I went with Canon because I already had some lenses from my film Canon slr. Go with what feels best to you. I have smaller hands, so the Rebel XT is a really good fit. The Nikon is really nice as well - gotta love that price too!

 

[MICKEY88]

I just purchased a D50 last week, and when charging the battery, the cord won't stay in the charger, unless I prop it up the "right" way. Is this common? I'm wondering if I should take it back to the local store? Also, my main concern...I think I'll need to buy an extra battery for the D50. I just don't trust myself to always remember to have it charged! Do you have any recommendations as to where to purchase it? Through Wolf (where I bought the D50), or online, ebay, etc...?

Thanks for your help! I've got ALOT to learn about this camera!

I would definitely take the charger back, a loose connection could short something out and cause problems..

I've bought batteries off ebay, for my minoltas, just stay away from really cheap batteries, you get what you pay for, I always make sure mine have the chip that prevents overcharging and overheating..

 

[jennz]

We decided to go with the Nikon based on the size...we thought about getting the Canon and adding the battery grip (DH has very large monkey hands) but they "made us an offer we couldn't refuse." We ended up with a bundle that includes the Tamron 25-300 lense and all I can say is WOW!! Took DD to a park yesterday and snapped some photos. I can't wait to really learn how to use this!

Thanks everyone for all of your help and input - I'm so excited to be in the digital SLR (which I now know what that means!) family!

 

[handicap18]

That sounds like a bad charger to me. I have not had that type of problem charging the battery for my D50. Take it back and show them. They should give you a new charger. As far as a backup battery. It is a good idea to have one. The battery for the D50 is rated pretty high. I haven't really put it to test yet. I've charged mine 2 or 3 times now and I've taken less than 1000 shots, but I've also used it a lot to show the pics to family (misplaced the cord to hook up to the TV) and I've also downloaded quite a few times. That takes up a lot of juice. If you take a lot of indoor pics with the pop-up flash that will also drain the battery faster.

I do plan to purchase a 2nd battery before our trip to Disney in June. I'll check out amazon.com first then go from there depending on price and shipping costs.

 

[MICKEY88]

and I've also downloaded quite a few times. That takes up a lot of juice. .

I highly recommend investing in a card reader for downloading your pics, saves wear and tear on yoour camera and battery..

 

[Zoesmama03]

I did the same as you. I went to Best Buy to "play" and left decided that I would go Nikon route. I just like the features on it.


I'm wondering about this new Sony though that allows you to see picture in the LCD before taking. Interesting but I doubt I'd get it as I don't really like their P&S, okay I dispise them. My brother has one and I got soooo pissed off at the blur and crummy pics.

Oh I was sooo impressed with the D50 I decided my in between camera would be the Nikon Coolpix P2(5.1MP) until I can afford a Nikon DSLR. I'm thinking of the new one now though instead of the D50. But I took some pretty good shots(got lucky and they had fresh batteries in it and a memory card which most stores don't always have) inside the store while playing and considering the lighting I was pleased for never having shot a SLR in my life.

 

[phinz]

I have several cameras in my quiver. I've used, over the years, a Pentax K1000 (great basic film camera to learn with), Pentax P&S, Pentax PZ1-P (still have this for film work), Sony Mavica FD-91 (great camera at its time, with 12x zoom. Still own it), Nikon CoolPix 990 (still have it as a backup camera) and I just recently purchased a Nikon Coolpix P4 (8 mp) as my pocket camera.

My Digital SLR is a Canon 20D. I can't say enough good things about this camera. I've worked with my best friend's Rebel 300D and there's just no comparison. The speed of the 20D and the ability to choose the ISO has made all the difference in the world to me.

The 20D has helped me get shots like this, this and this.

Then again, this was shot with a 300D set on medium resolution, so it may very well be subjective for you. I preferred the Canon over the Nikon and the Pentax *istD. The *istD was far too small, and the Nikon just didn't speak to me like the Canon did.

 

[handicap18]

Nice pics Phinz. I don't think its the camera though. I think it has more to do with your Parrothead state of mind.

 

[jennz]

Good one! We need a parrothead emoticon, I do believe! I love those pictures you took. We're having a blast playing with our camera.

 

[jockey]

After a few weeks of research I have decided to purchase the nikon D50. Should I purchase the body only or the lens kit option?

I mainly want to use the camera for baby, pet and aviation pics. I have only ever owned a P&S camera so I am pretty new to the DSLR market and appreciate any help!

 

[handicap18]

If you can afford it get the Nikon 18-200 zoom lens. This will be the only lens you'll need for a while. But it has a high price tag at around $750.

Other lenses to consider: the Nikon 18-70. Great lens. It is the kit lens for the D70s. Not a lot of reach on it though. Goes for about $399. A referbished one goes for about $230 on ebay.

One to seriously consider based on what you posted is the Sigma 18-125mm. A few others on this board highly recommend this lens. It can be found at amazon.com for about $260. It is a great lens with a decent range on both ends (wide angle and telephoto). This should fit your needs for a while to come.

If I didn't already have a long telephoto lens from previous Nikon SLR's and I was just starting out, I would go with the Sigma. You can always get more lenses down the road once you experiment more and become more familiar with the in's and out's of SLR's or you can just keep this one lens and be happy for years to come.

The kit lenses for the D50 are good, but the reach on both aren't great. You might find yourself changing lenses more often than you'd like. The 2 kit lenses combined give you 18-200mm. The 1 Sigma lens gives you 18-125. Not a bad trade off for 1 lens vs 2.

 

[Anewman]

How much is the kit lens adding to the cost of the camera?

IMO it is not a GREAT lens but you will not find a better/wider zoom for less than $180.

If you are planning on adding(spending more) a lens soon, I would advise to skip the kit lens and apply that cost to the lens you plan on getting.

If you dont think an expensive lens fits into the budget soon, get the kit lens and enjoy your camera.

 

[ramkam]

I have a D50 and purchased two kit lenses. The lenses were fine but I did not like having to change lenses so much. I now have the 18-200 although I had to wait 2 months while it was on order. If I had it to do all over again I would have purchased the body only and used the money saved to go toward the purchase of the 18-200.