Arrrgh-help me!!!

[Hollie]

Okay this isn't the worst thing but I was just SET on getting the Canon 30D in Sept and now I just looked and wouldn't you know it, Nikon has decided come out with the D80 in Sept. Ugh. You see, I would be going a bit over budget to get the 30D but I was sooooo sure that was "it" I was willing to do it. Now, I am wondering if the D80 will make me happy while I stay within the budget and have a bit more wiggle room for lenses. I'm not as familiar with Nikon as I am with Canon (I don't know why but for some reason I am just partial to Canon, I think--like I said, don't even know why.)

Anyhow, help me sort this out-puh-lease!!! I am super horrible at this kind of stuff!

Thanks:):)

[debbie.pearson]

Hollie, I think no one has replied because, well, when you are comparing between a Canon 30D and a Nikon D80, you're comparing an A+ product to an A+ product. They both are fabulous. So my advice is to go handle each one, see how it fits, how heavy it is, etc.

I'm not as tied to either brand, although I do have a Nikon D70 and love it, but I've heard the same thing from Canon owners. If it were me I'd save the money and buy more lenses so you have more photo options available to you :)

Good luck and let us know who gets your money :)

[Hollie]

hehe--yeah I was hoping someone would know of maybe one specific that might sway me in a direction other than the price thing. It's definitely more practical to get the Nikon, it just stinks when I am so sure of something and then it has to get thrown for a loop like that...but I guess that's always the case in the world of technology, since there is always something new every time you blink-LOL.

Maybe I'll try and wait for the Nikon reviews to come out so I can do some more down and dirty comparisons. If they both have all the same features that really matter to me, I guess it's a no brainer and I'll go with the Nikon:) There are more pixels in it so I am wondering how the higher ISO pics will compare.

[debbie.pearson]

Oh one other thing I would check, where the buttons are to change your focus selection (or any other buttons you use frequently). I don't like where Nikon placed theirs on the D70 because you have to use your thumb instead of on the front of the camera so I could use my index finger. Maybe it's my own clumbsy lack of dexterity, but I find it cumbersome. Maybe the D80 is different.

In the end, I always go with my gut intuition. whenever I try to outsmart myself, I almost always end up unhappy with my decision and wish I would have listened to myself a bit more.

[Lauren]

I would wait until the D80 is out and you can try it. Also you never know what Canon will release in the next month (although it is *highly* doubtful to be in the 30D range of cameras) which may swing you either way.

Personally, I prefer Canons. I love their lenses and the sensors are supposed to perform a lot better at high ISOs than the Sony sensors that Nikon use. I've also never liked Nikon which I can't actually pin a reason to, just gut feeling kwim? But if I didn't have strong feelings either way, I would go with whatever model felt best to hold and use.

[Rae]

I'm a Canon person all the way. 20D here. I can't honestly say anything about Nikon as I've never owned one. However, as someone else mentioned, I tend to go with my gut feeling. I'm always disappointed when I don't. Best thing to do is to research both. Dpreview is great for this as they give indepth reviews. Also, as mentioned previously, go to a camera store and hold each one and see where all the features are located. One camera may feel better in your hands than the other. Some camera stores allow you to rent a camera. If so, rent each one and use it to see which you prefer.

[Hollie]

oh THANKS for all the awesome ideas--I have to wait until Sept anyhow since that's when my B-day is, so holding the cams first is already in the plan:) I will be looking out for button placement when I do!! I've been frequenting dPreview and dcResource for over two years now, so as soon as those reviews come out, I'll be looking at those as well.

I never thought of renting a cam before--if it's not too expensive, that would be a good option. I'll check it out.

ANyhow, for anyone who has a digital SLR--is there any feature(s) you wish it had that it didn't (tell me why too); OR is there a feature it has that seems really silly or un-neccesary that you thought you just couldn't live without.

Thanks again for all the wonderful replies--they totally help a ton!!!

[debbie.pearson]

I wish the Nikon D70 (don't know about the D80) compensated for slight movement when taking photos. Darn it I can't think of the technical name for that right now, brain dead. But I know my hand isn't always steady all the time and I know some of the new cameras handle the slight motion better than others. I don't know about the Canon. Ok, if someone can think of the proper term for this, let me know. I'm so frustrated I can't think of it.

[Lauren]

Debbie - Image Stabilisation. You should be able to get Nikon lenses that have this built in (I think they are the VR lenses??) I have this on my new Canon lens and love it. It's more important in a telephoto since you notice camera shake more on a longer lens, but doesn't hurt to have in the normal range either. At other forums I visit, most people seem to agree that IS/VR in the lens is superior to having it in the body, as it accounts for lens movement and not just camera shake - again, more important in the long lenses.

Hollie - Things over there are usually cheaper, but it's pretty expensive to rent over here unless you do it on a weekend because quite often they'll charge pickup Friday, drop off Monday as only one day instead of three. I don't have any local stores that do this though, have to go up in to London if I needed a rental. So that might depend on where you live.

Ok... the thing I didn't think I'd use was high ISO, since I'm primarily an outdoor shooter. But it is a god send indoors, I'm quite frequently up at 1600 and am VERY happy that Canon is clean. Relating to button placement - if you're planning on learning/shooting in manual mode, check how easy it is to adjust all of the controls you need to. I got quite quick at this on my XT but it is SO much better on the 5D. And another lesson I learnt from the XT is mount the biggest and heaviest lenses you can possibly imagine owning to it and see how it feels. My XT and macro lens were an amazing combo but as soon as I put on the big Ls, the body suddenly felt half the size and was hard to hold.

Oh! Does Nikon use CF cards? If so (because I know Canon does) I'd buy one in advance of checking them out in the store, take it in and ask to take some test shots on both models. You can then take it home and have a chance to really see the quality difference between the two models, instead of trying to figure it out on their LCDs. You'll need the cards, so it's not a wasted purchase. If they use different cards, you could still buy both then sell the one you no longer need afterwards.

[debbie.pearson]

ahhh, image stabilization. That's it! Now I didn't know it was specific to lens. I just assumed it was specific to camera body. Hmm, I may have to look into replacing my 70-300 zoom lens. Without a tripod I only get 1 out of 8 pictures that turn out not blurry.

[Lauren]

Debbie, I actually ventured over to the Nikon side of my favourite camera shop and it looks like a new Nikon 70-300 with VR (vibration reduction) is coming out in October and it's probably going to be around the US$600 mark.

Here's a copy of the announcement on dpreview:
http://www2.dpreview.com/news/0608/06080901nikonafs70-300vrlens.asp

[debbie.pearson]

$600 {gulp} maybe I need to learn to hold still, LOL. I bet I could sell my old lens to help make up part of the cost.

[Hollie]

Thanks again! SUPER ideas!! Usable high ISO is one of my reasons for wanting to jump to an SLR. Well, also an optical viewfinder, and a bunch of other stuff I can't even think of right now-LOL. My current cam has image stabilization and I never had a digital cam without it but I know I'd love to have a lens with it!! I'll probably have to save up for that though. I am pretty sure I read the D80 will take SD cards, which is what I currently use. It's a bonus, but not something to sway me in that direction. I'll have to buy a CF card to test the Canon. I really just wish the D80 wasn't coming out so I wouldn't have to have anything to compare-LOL. What a problem--having two super good choices--I guess this is a good thing, right?? My husband will say otherwise, since he knows I'll be a nut trying to decide:)

[Hollie]

Okay here's another question--about lenses...

I notice that a lot of people on the boards (here and other boards too) have mentioned the Canon 50 mm 1.8 lens and said they love it. I also noticed in a cam review on one of the sites I frequent mentioned how sharp the shots were with the 50 mm 1.4 lens. BIg price difference--any opinions on the two lenses? I don't want to end up buying both, so will I be happy with the cheaper one, or should I go with the other? And is it reasonable to use a 50 mm indoors? Or would I need a wider angle lens for that? I just can't afford much after the intial camera body purchase if I go with the Canon, so I'd like to use my $$ as wisely as possible on a reasonably versatile lens.


Thanks again!!!!

[Lauren]

The 50 is fine to use indoors unless you have small rooms, you might find yourself backed up against the wall. But I constantly shot at 60mm and the only room that didn't work in was our ensuite which is TINY. You actually have to be more careful going wider as it'll cause distortion if you're too close with a wide angle, not the most flattering thing for portraits! Lately I've been shooting quite a bit at 100mm indoors and loving it, but I think I have telephoto eyes. :lol:

The 1.4 has better build quality and lets in a bit more light but optically, they are quite similar. The 1.4 is nicer as it has more aperture blades to produce better bokeh (background blur) but the 1.8 is still pleasing and very sharp. I personally would go with the 1.4 because I know I really dislike the noise of the 1.8's AF motor but if that doesn't bother you (it doesn't bother anyone else I know who's used it, lol) you'd be fine with the cheaper option!

[Hollie]

Hmmmm, how small is small? Our house isn't too big (okay I mean for us Americans who think gigantic is normal-sized-LOL), but I usually take most indoor photos in the largest room in the house (it has the best light). I'll really have to think about the lenses. I have been known to buy the cheaper thing only to go back and get the more expensive one b/c I wasn't satisfied. So I am always apprehensive about choosing the cheaper thing. So many people have commented they were happy with the 1.8, and I've seen a bunch of photos taken with it, so I am hoping I will be happy with it too. BUT, I am just so super picky, arrgghh, that I might just go ahead and get the 1.4, provided it is in the budget:)

[Hollie]

You actually have to be more careful going wider as it'll cause distortion if you're too close with a wide angle, not the most flattering thing for portraits!


You mean like this:
http://www.smugmug.com/photos/87725235-M.jpg

Hehe--I got up sooo close to take that photo--TOO close but I thought it was cute with the distortion. I had a better one that was funnier but I can't find it now. I am just glad I didn't get my lens licked!!!

[Lauren]

Hehe, distortion is cute on dogs! People don't seem to like it though. ;)

If it helps, pick up the 50mm new/as new at the cheapest reputable place you can find and if you don't like it, sell it on eBay. This is what I did and I actually made a profit on it! I sell every single lens I'm not using any more and the Canon lenses all tend to hold their value fairly well, especially in demand lenses like Ls and surprisingly, this one. The biggest hit I've taken is selling off my one Sigma lens, don't normally do third party but I bought it specifically to go on holiday with and it lost about a third of the value in a month. :roll:

As for room size, our living room is HUGE by UK standards at about 16' square. Our bedrooms aren't even 10' (just measured - 9' with 4-6' of usable floor space for backing up depending where DH was) and they handled the 60mm lens fine for portraits. If you're wanting full body though, you might need wider but for kids it could be OK (I only have hubby to annoy with the camera, lol). I actually didn't have a problem with the kit lens for the couple of times I needed this - my copy was quite sharp. All of the photos on this old layout (http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=808846) were taken using the kit.

[Hollie]

I think I will be okay indoors with a 50 mm then. At least in our living room, which is where I take most pics:) I love the LO you have there--super photos and just overall design. I'm sure my DH would be happy to know you are recommending the cheaper lens:) Not going to tell him though--hehe--just in case I decide on the other.

Thanks for all the help and ideas--everyone--I am getting excited now to get a new cam and take pics with it!!!