Stores pushing Nikon 5000 on me- help

[MinnieForMe]

Hi:
I was hoping to play with a Canon Rebel XS or XSi today so I went to three camera stores. The first one told me that I would be making a better choice with a Nikon 5000. I guess the lenses are a better quality and take better pictures. It was also $200 more.

After reading many reviews, I assumed a Canon Rebel was a good starter camera for me.

The next store also pushed the Nikon 5000.

The last store owner must have thought I was an idiot. He insisted that a Nikon 3000 would be good enough. It was only 6.1 megapixels. My point and shoot is a better camera than that one.

Any suggestions? Do you think a Rebel is good enough for a starter or do you agree that I should go with the Nikon?

Thanks for any and all opinions!

PS - I just want a camera that takes nice quality pictures. I do not aspire to be a professional nor do I plan on taking lots of night pictures. I'd like to capture soccer games and vacations!

 

[VVFF]

Hi:
I was hoping to play with a Canon Rebel XS or XSi today so I went to three camera stores. The first one told me that I would be making a better choice with a Nikon 5000. I guess the lenses are a better quality and take better pictures. It was also $200 more.

After reading many reviews, I assumed a Canon Rebel was a good starter camera for me.

The next store also pushed the Nikon 5000.

The last store owner must have thought I was an idiot. He insisted that a Nikon 3000 would be good enough. It was only 6.1 megapixels. My point and shoot is a better camera than that one.

Any suggestions? Do you think a Rebel is good enough for a starter or do you agree that I should go with the Nikon?

Thanks for any and all opinions!

PS - I just want a camera that takes nice quality pictures. I do not aspire to be a professional nor do I plan on taking lots of night pictures. I'd like to capture soccer games and vacations!

Oh dear well lets start from something basic. You have to realize its not going to be the camera that takes good pictures for you...its you that uses the camera to take good pictures. Leaving these cameras on auto mode like made people do for a point and shoot is "risky" in my opinion because on a DSLR missing focus is a much bigger deal. If you let the camera decide what to focus on there is no telling what it may pick.

So that's the first thing, if you are going to get a DSLR I STRONGLY suggest you at least venture out into "P" mode where you can adjust some settings like ISO, flash, exposure compensation, and the focus point.

Now in regards to cameras. Don't let any store pressure you in to any model. Fact is any DSLR can take excellent pictures. Starting out, and even after shooting with the camera for years YOU will likely be the limiting factor. That's not just true for you, but most people here will likely admit that when a picture doesn't come out right it was often their own fault.

In regards to value, you need to judge how much you can spend. Realize that these DSLR's are often hundreds of dollars cheaper if you buy online. Also realize that the way it fits in your hand is very important. That's why I ended up with the Canon 50D. It fit like a glove. The Nikon D90 and XSi(newest rebel at the time) were also considerations but neither were as comfortable for me to hold. When my brother was at a best buy with me I pointed this out to him and had him hold a T1i and a D5000 to see which he liked the feel of better. He preferred the T1i grip and that's a good starting point for finding a good DSLR for you. Everyone has different size hands and therefore it is important that using the camera be easy as a difficult camera is one that sits in the bag!

Lastly the D3000 is similar to the XS in my opinion in quality. Realize it is actually 10MP although this has VERY LITTLE to do with its picture quality relative to point and shoots. The salesman may have been talking about the Nikon D40 which is 6MP. He is probably right, that camera would probably be more than enough for you at this point but it is becoming a bit old for me to recommend. The D5000 is more comparable to the T1i from Canon than the XSi. The XSi is somewhere between the D3000 and D5000. In my opinion the best value is had at the T1i/D5000 level but if that's above your budget then that matters little. Get what you can afford.

Take a look at other brands as well. Pentax, Sony, Olympus and panasonic all make great entry level cameras. Each model has its pros and cons. Maybe you can list whats important to you so we can better assist.

 

[Frantasmic]

Make sure you look at both. A camera store that pushes an item that "happens" to be $200 more than a product they also carry AND decrys the quality of that very product product that they themselves also sell has trained their salespeople to go for the money.

Both cameras will be a good choice for you, I suspect. The Rebels won't have video; the D5000 will. That is the real reason for any price difference. So, you should look at both of the cameras and see which one you prefer.

If you are really wanting good soccer pictures, you will have to get a faster lens than the one that will come with your camera. Price those too when you look at both cameras.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Thank you for your responses!

If I were to pick one thing I want my camera to do it would be to take pictures quickly. The shutter lag on my current camera makes me lose many great shots.

From what I understand, I will need a better lens for action shots and Nikon lenses are more reasonable priced. I liked the feel of the Canon better (it felt lighter) but I have a lot more reading and researching to do.

I don't need my camera to have video. I have a great Sony and a Flip for everyday use.

Thanks for your help!

 

[boBQuincy]

Although we kid around among ourselves that "our" brand is obviously the best I doubt few of us really think that one brand has it all over the others. I use Canons but would be just as happy with Nikons (or others). Manufacturers carefully target a product against a competitors product and there is usually no clear winner, just some features that one has over the other. In that regard almost all of the entry level cameras are very similar and it is very unlikely anyone could reliably look at a photo and tell which brand it came from.

Rebels come in three ranges now (Xs, Xsi, T1i), Nikon's entry level cameras do too afaik, and the other brands pretty much do the same. There are many models of each brand and $200 often gets us to the next model up, so for the salesdroid to proclaim that Canon is bad and Nikon is good is total BS.

As for MP, 6 is pretty low these days but dSLR pixels are *much* better than P&S pixels so going for the maximum MP is not really worth much.
Look at DPReview for some reviews instead of listening to a sales pitch from a know nothing.

 

[VVFF]

Thank you for your responses!

If I were to pick one thing I want my camera to do it would be to take pictures quickly. The shutter lag on my current camera makes me lose many great shots.

From what I understand, I will need a better lens for action shots and Nikon lenses are more reasonable priced. I liked the feel of the Canon better (it felt lighter) but I have a lot more reading and researching to do.

I don't need my camera to have video. I have a great Sony and a Flip for everyday use.

Thanks for your help!

Two things. People will claim you need a better lens for soccer pictures....you really don't necessarily. It depends under what conditions you are shooting. If its a bright sunny day a "fast" lens won't be needed. Overcast conditions may result in having to bump the ISO up a bit. Night games can cause problems those for slower lenses. Basically if you could take the shot and have it exposed properly with a point and shoot, you should have no issues with a DSLR.

Secondly, Nikon lenses aren't necessarily better nor are they cheaper. Nikon's high end lenses are typically more expensive than their Canon counterparts but the "consumer" lenses are pretty much on par with one another cost wise.

Both cameras kit lenses are OK. The Canon 18-55 and 55-250mm both resolve detail very well. They are indeed slower than more expensive lenses but their decent. Same with the nikon counterparts from the research I have done for my friends. Both companies produce great lenses and cameras and each always seem to have something that people that shoot the other brand want!

Again, remember there are other brands than just Canon and Nikon. Sony is very prevalent in stores and some stores sell panasonic, and pentax. Don't think I've seen many olympus in stores but dedicated photography stores may.

 

[MinnieForMe]

My first mistake was listening to the salespeople! They told me I'd pay more for the Nikon but less for lenses. Perhaps, it's just their pricing! LOL!

I plan on taking classes once I get my camera so hopefully that will help me understand how to work my camera's manual functions! I expect a learning curve with any camera!

 

[VVFF]

My first mistake was listening to the salespeople! They told me I'd pay more for the Nikon but less for lenses. Perhaps, it's just their pricing! LOL!

I plan on taking classes once I get my camera so hopefully that will help me understand how to work my camera's manual functions! I expect a learning curve with any camera!

http://www.radiantlite.com/2008/07/canon-versus-nikon-lenses.html

That gives a decent summary of prices. Only bad thing I see is there are some specialty lenses that Canon has that have no nikon equivalent but they pair them with a much cheaper and different type of lens. But for the most part you can see the prices are so similar that the price of lenses is mostly a non-issue. As I mentioned before, often the highest end lenses are more expensive from nikon. That is out of most people's price range though so take it worth a grain of salt.

Also good for you for wanting to take classes! Those will improve your photography much more than any fancy camera ever could.

No reason not to start learning now though. The internet is full of all the information you need to know. Start with a understanding of aperture, ISO, shutter speed, exposure and Depth of focus.

 

[ssanders79]

The internet is full of reviews. Take some time to really consider all models in your price range. Do your own research then go to the store or online (you will not have to pay sales tax) and make your purchase.

I spent 6 months reading up on all the brands and avaliable models. At first I determined my price range which really narrowed things down. Then I tried to find as many reviews both customer and editorial that I could find.

 

[e6bflyer]

Here is a wonderful site that I used recently to help me decide between a 35mm or a 50mm lens for my D40.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

I am a bit confused about the megapixel issue. 6.1 MP is still quite a lot and it sounds like you won't be cropping and making large posters, even then 6.1 megapixels will do it sufficiently.

 

[nigelp]

Here is a wonderful site that I used recently to help me decide between a 35mm or a 50mm lens for my D40.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

I am a bit confused about the megapixel issue. 6.1 MP is still quite a lot and it sounds like you won't be cropping and making large posters, even then 6.1 megapixels will do it sufficiently.

The trouble with that website is that he only considers Canikon products. His Pentax section is dated 2008 and he only cuts and pastes PR info from Pentax so he obviously hasn't touched a Pentax to be able to make a serious recommendation! I expect it is the same with Sony, Olympus etc.

I set a price limit and read a few reviews. I chose a Pentax becasue I got a very good price on ebay for it. I haven't regretted it since - I feel I take much better pictures now (but only after a period of taking rubbish pictures - it is not the camera as someones said).
I expect if I had another brand I would take just as good pictures!

 

[ukcatfan]

Here is a wonderful site that I used recently to help me decide between a 35mm or a 50mm lens for my D40.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

The trouble with that website is that he only considers Canikon products. His Pentax section is dated 2008 and he only cuts and pastes PR info from Pentax so he obviously hasn't touched a Pentax to be able to make a serious recommendation! I expect it is the same with Sony, Olympus etc.

Plus, he is INSANE!!! I do not know of anyone with a larger artificially bloated self importance.

 

[bob100]

Here is a wonderful site that I used recently to
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

I am a bit confused about the megapixel issue. 6.1 MP is still quite a lot and it sounds like you won't be cropping and making large posters, even then 6.1 megapixels will do it sufficiently.

Ken Rockwell - one of the nuttiest of the internet "photographers" !

http://www.kenrockwell.com/analprobe/dissent.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nm/aliens/index.htm

 

[Golf4food]

Megapixels are the most over-rated thing in photography. Ignore them. Anything with 6 or more is more than enough for what you want.

And if you don't need it for professional aspirations, etc. then why not save a little money and ignore Canon and Nikon completely (the two most expensive brands) and look at some of the others, who offer cameras that are plenty good if not equal to the Canikons, but cost a good bit less? Pentax, Sony, Olympus, etc.

 

[MinnieForMe]

You guys are the best! Thank you for all the links and advice. I'm going to spend the next week or two reading everything I can get my hands on!

 

[ukcatfan]

Ken Rockwell - one of the nuttiest of the internet "photographers" !

http://www.kenrockwell.com/analprobe/dissent.htm
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nm/aliens/index.htm

OK, I knew he was crazy and all, but after that I am thinking he will end up in the news one day... and not in a good way.

 

[Steve's Girl]

Megapixels are the most over-rated thing in photography. Ignore them. Anything with 6 or more is more than enough for what you want.

And if you don't need it for professional aspirations, etc. then why not save a little money and ignore Canon and Nikon completely (the two most expensive brands) and look at some of the others, who offer cameras that are plenty good if not equal to the Canikons, but cost a good bit less? Pentax, Sony, Olympus, etc.

This is a very good point. I shoot Nikon and am very happy with Nikon. But, I believe other brands offer a better value for the OP. The only drawback is if you take a photography class, the instructor will likely shoot with Canon or Nikon.

 

[Corey10112]

I'm wondering if a DSLR is what's needed at all in this situation. There are plenty of bridge cameras that will give excellent pictures and control without having to purchase and change lenses. I'm not sure where the shutter delay is on them right now but I know it's significantly better than it was a few years ago. Just a thought.

 

[nigelp]

The only drawback is if you take a photography class, the instructor will likely shoot with Canon or Nikon.

I drive a different car to the one my instructor had.

 

[ford91exploder]

It might be fun to bash the Canikon(s). Reality is that nearly all professionals use one of these brands. So unless you REALLY want to study your manuals a Canikon is your best bet as it will allow you to share experiences and equipment in class.

Back in the film days the photo schools used to insist that you used either a Pentax K1000 or a Nikon FM as both were manual cameras with pretty much identical functionality.

The Sony Alpha's are Minolta mount DSLR and the new Pentaxes are K mount DSLR's

Olympus has always been in their own little world although the OM's were fantastic in the early days (1980's) AFTER they fixed the lens mount (early ones were not hard enough so the metal would come off the lens mount like a hand pencil eraser!!!)