Nikon D5000

[annnewjerz]

The Crumpler 5MDH will be fine for what you mentioned above. The D5000 with either lens attached can fit in the middle compartment, while the additional lens can go in the left or right compartment and the miscellaneous odds and ends like a cell phone and keys can go in the other side. I have the 6MDH and the 5MDH and they're both great, but I use the 5MDH much much more, the 6MDH is just too bulky to wear all day comfortably.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I'm not sure that you would. The flash on the 5000 isn't all that bad for a pop up. If you're more than say 10' away when taken the shot you may want to consider it but in the house here it's not too bad.

OT: At my aunts for Thanksgiving this year and everybody would pull their cameras out of their pocket now and then to take a quick picture. I tried to blend into the background but when I whipped out the D5000 I got a bunch of looks and a "look at that monster!" My wife would probably rip it off if I had a big ol' flash on the top also She's been cool with my obsession so far but if I get out of hand, she'll smack me on the knose.

 

[YesDear]

THe simple answer is yes. The SB600 is a very good flash. If you are new to a DSLR the SB600 will give you all you want.

If you like that classic look of a flash photo where the image is stark and there are strong shadows and red eye then the on camera flash works. If you want control over your flash image, you will want another flash than what is on the camera.

The only thing I use my on camera flash for is to trigger an off camera flash.

 

[annnewjerz]

^----- totally agree with John.

I have the SB-600 because I don't use flash very often and for what I needed it was strong enough, small enough and cheap enough that I felt like it was a good option for me. So far, I've been very happy with it.

The difference between photos with an external flash and diffuser or bounced off of the ceiling and the pop-up flash that comes on your camera is like night and day.

As John said, with the pop up flash (unless you put a diffuser on it) you are likely to get very washed out subjects with a dark background and sometimes a red eye will show up. With the external flash and diffuser, the flash is strong enough to usually light up more than just the subject which means your background will also be bright and your subject less washed out.

If you have the money, I think it's something nice to have in your bag even if you don't use it that often.

 

[wenrob]

I agree with John as well. The SB 600 will open up a whole other world for you. Just as you have to learn your camera, you'll have to learn how to make the flash work with your camera. Get a diffuser, learn to bounce. Read up on how to make the flash your main light source or just fill. Whatever you do, do NOT point that sucker right at your subject.(unless you're outside but that another topic) The SB 600 makes it possible to use flash and make it look like you didn't. As mentioned, unless you have no other choice don't depend on the pop up, it just obliterates all your hard work. Friends don't let friends use the pop up...

 

[annnewjerz]

Friends don't let friends use the pop up...

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Pop-up flashes are designed to make people look ugly. Never use the pop-up flash on anyone that you don't hate. Pros don't get paid to make people look ugly. That's why pro bodies don't come with a pop-up flash.

Only use the pop-up flash if:
1) You want your subject to look ugly.
2) You are desperate and it is all you have and you would prefer an ugly picture rather over a blurry picture.
3) As a fill-in flash when you don't need much power.
4) You are trying to demonstrate to people how bad the light from a pop-up flash is.

Pop-up flashes are small. Small light sources create hard shadows. Hard shadows rarely look good on people.

Pop-up flashes are very close to your lens. Light coming from close to your lens is flat and unattractive. It also causes red-eye.

Pop-up flashes are weak. On the one hand, their weakness limits how much ugly light they can spray. On the other hand, it makes them lousy fill-in flashes, which is just about the only non-ugly use for them.

Pop-up flashes are great as controllers for external flashes (if your pop-up can do that). They are almost useless for anything else.

If you want better flash pictures, make your flash bigger (with a diffuser, softbox, or bouncing). Get your flash away from your lens (with a flash bracket, offshoe cord, or bouncing).

Be nice to your subject and your viewers. Don't use the pop-up flash.

 

[handicap18]

I rarely use the pop-up, mostly for what Mark say's (not necessarily the ugly part, but everything else). I will use it as a fill when I don't have my SB-600. Also if I do have to use the pop-up for a main flash I usually dial down the output to -1 or weaker. The direct light is awful and I don't like the look of the images at all with a full direct on flash (either from the popup or the SB-600).

When I am using the SB-600 I have a diffuser on it probably 98% of the time.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I rarely use the pop-up, mostly for what Mark say's (not necessarily the ugly part, but everything else). I will use it as a fill when I don't have my SB-600. Also if I do have to use the pop-up for a main flash I usually dial down the output to -1 or weaker. The direct light is awful and I don't like the look of the images at all with a full direct on flash (either from the popup or the SB-600).

When I am using the SB-600 I have a diffuser on it probably 98% of the time.

I also dial down the flash compensation when using onboard flash. Honestly for the OP, sometimes you don't want to lug an external flash with you but you may still need a fill flash. In that case, using onboard is better than not getting a shot, but you should experiment with the flash compensation. I've had good results using onboard flash and dialing in -1. I have the SB-800.

 

[dmccarty]

The on camera flash on the D200 and D700 are decent for a bit of fill flash. The SB800 is better but I bet the on camera flash is used as much as the SB800 just because I always have the on camera flash with the camera.

But if you really need to light the SB600 or SB900 is much better. The SB800 has been replaced by the SB900. Buying a used flash can be iffy since the flashes can be overused.

On the other hand sometimes you can be in such a dark hole that even one SB600/SB800/SB900 wont do a great job you need a couple of flashes.

Later,
Dan

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Please help me decide.

1st DSLR. Primary usage will be WDW & sons ice hockey games (high school level). Cost of additional glass is a consideration.

Any thoughts you'd care to share would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[KarenAylwood]

I'd say cost of Canon glass vs Nikon glass (or third party lenses that go with each) is pretty comparable. You can't go wrong with either manufacturer.

I was going between the Canon XSi and Nikon D__ (whatever it was at the time, can't remember) and went with the Canon when I held them both in the store. I'd go to the store and hold them in your hand and pick whichever feels more comfortable to you in terms of grip and layout. Choosing a camera is a very personal thing. I wouldn't go based on brand but based on how the camera feels to you.

Here's a nice comparison of the two: http://gizmodo.com/5234607/canon-rebel-t1i-vs-nikon-d5000-entry+level-dslr-battlemodo

If you search "Canon T1i vs Nikon D5000" you'll get a ton of hits. Go to a store and try them out.

 

[VVFF]

Either one is going to take pictures that only people whose job it is to separate the two will find much difference in. I agree with the previous poster, go to the store and hold them, different people like the different grips and button layout. My brother preferred the T1i when I handed them to him, some people prefer the Nikon's feel. It really is an important feature.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Sometimes I have "The grass is greener" syndrome. I went with the D5000 because of how it felt in my hands. I liked the button layout on the cannon better but the Nikon just "feels right" when I hold it. I read a bunch of reviews on both and every one I read said how closely comparable they are. Some say Nikon has a slight edge, some say Cannon.

 

[VVFF]

Sometimes I have "The grass is greener" syndrome. I went with the D5000 because of how it felt in my hands. I liked the button layout on the cannon better but the Nikon just "feels right" when I hold it. I read a bunch of reviews on both and every one I read said how closely comparable they are. Some say Nikon has a slight edge, some say Cannon.

Exactly!

I see people all the time that say "If I only had the Nikon D#" or "If I only had the Canon #D". Fact is that both companies produce excellent cameras and if you are claiming that your brand is not good enough for you, you better have either a very high skill level with very specific requirements....or realize that photography is in the pictures and not if your camera can shoot ISO 25600+ with low noise.

Definitely easier to blame it on your camera manufacturer not providing you with the tools though!

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Definitely easier to blame it on your camera manufacturer not providing you with the tools though!

Just don't say that to your wife! I can hear it now, "You mean you spent $X,000 on something that isn't all that good?"

I'm at least honest enough to say I have no idea what I'm doing but I'm getting better at it

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I am having a hard time because they are so comparable & each one has it's pros & cons to me. Part of me was really wondering if I (as a beginner) will really notice some of the slight differences (ex. 3.4 fps vs. 4fps) and wasn't sure if I was missing something somewhere.

Thanks for reinforcing the idea that the artistry comes from the artist not the gear.

Time to take the plunge!

 

[VVFF]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I am having a hard time because they are so comparable & each one has it's pros & cons to me. Part of me was really wondering if I (as a beginner) will really notice some of the slight differences (ex. 3.4 fps vs. 4fps) and wasn't sure if I was missing something somewhere.

Thanks for reinforcing the idea that the artistry comes from the artist not the gear.

Time to take the plunge!

3.4 vs. 4FPS is hardly different, I wouldn't let that influence my decision either way.

 

[ssanders79]

Forget about brand for a second and go to a store and see which one fits and feels better in your hand.

 

[Iwant2BAprincess]

I have to agree with the majority-find the one that feels right to you. I have owned 2 canon dlsr's but mi SIL has Nikon and I have used my boses nikon-both are great.