Let's talk cameras!!

[crystalbella77]

So I need a new camera and I am upgrading to a DSLR, but I have no idea what to get. They all seem the same to me even when holding them and all the camera speak in reviews boggles my mind.

I have a friend that has a good deal on her old Nikon D80, but I would love to know what you guys use and what you like/don't like about your cameras. I heard that you cannot use the LCD screen for taking pics on most DSLR's. Is that true?? As someone with annoying glasses I would like it so much if I could use that screen sometimes. lol!

I am willing to go to a lot of effort to get good at taking pics, so I know that I want a DSLR and not another P&S. So anyways.....tell me about your cameras pretty please!

[MelissaL88]

Do you get Consumer Reports? They just did a big spread on Digital Cameras (including DSLRs) in their latest issue.

[MelissaL88]

Of course, I'm no help since I don't have a DSLR. However, I've picked which one I'm going
to buy a little later this summer.

I'm a Canon girl, so that narrowed my choices down a bit. I had the opportunity to use a Canon 40D last Christmas at my Dad's house. I decided that the camera was too heavy for me to carry around all the time, so I nixed that one. After reading the reviews on dpreview dot com, I decided that the Canon XS was the camera for me. The additional features on the XSi (and now T1) were not enough to justify the extra money.

ETA -- I always use the view finder, even though I have glasses, so I'm no help in that matter.

HTH~

[kresta]

Nikon recently came out with the D90 which has live-view (you can use the LCD). I've gotten used to using the viewfinder, so not sure if I would like going back to the LCD like on my P&S, but if that's something you would like, this might be a camera to look at.

I have a Nikon D50 and love it!

[lizzyfizzy]

i'm super used to my viewfinder after i swore i would never get used to it. i also have a nikon D60 (which i regret because there are certain lenses that you cannot shoot on automatic...you have to shoot in manual. no bueno.). if i were to do it all over again i would go nikon D80 or higher or Canon. actually i would go canon. i just think they are better after using my nikon and playing with others canon's.

[jsikardi]

if you want to like nikons go to kenrockwell.com

one of the major differences between the D80 and like the D40/D60 is that the autofocus is in the lenses for the D60. The IS/VR (image stablization is in the lenses) - BUT! they are considerably less expensive than the D80, D90, etc

A D60 vs a D40 difference is that the D60 has a sensor cleaner. but the D40 can still shoot 4 GOOD frames per second - where as the D40x/D60 has about 3 decent frames/second.

haha - can you tell I just talked myself into a D40 not too long ago? I commited to Nikon - and the D40 focusing lenses will work with bigger badder cameras down the line - but I wanted one that's price tag didn't scare me off from taking it actually OUT and using it. And it's fairly lightweight so my wrist isn't going numb like it did with my Canon (film) SLR

And the D40 CAN take other lenses, you just have to manually focus them. No big whoop - people did it for years with old 35mm's right? if it's important to use a certain lense, you can find a way... anyway I digress....

Canon vs. Nikon? Canon has more controls on the outside of the camera - where as Nikon has them in the camera and accessible by LCD screen.

Check out the popphoto.com website - they just reviewed the D500 (less expensive D90 that does decent video) and compared it (without bias it seemed) to a couple of the canons out there (T1 I want to say?)

good luck!

[crystalbella77]

Thanks for all the info girls!! I am not afraid of the view finder necessarily and I use mine on my camera at times, but I do worry that I will like having the screen every now and again.....

I am not set on Canon or Nikon. I have a Canon now and it's only a couple years old, but it's not working right which bothers me, lol! I have been looking at the Canon XS and the Nikon D40 because they are a little bit more in my price range, but I got to looking at that D80 because the deal my friend has is really a steal, so I wonder if it's worth the extra money?

I do not have consumer reports. Can I read an article online or do I have to be a member or something???

[kscwgirl]

I have the Canon xti. I swore I was going to hate using the viewfinder and after I had it for less than a month, I hate using the lcd screen if I pick up my mom's P&S or something. Hate it. Viewfinder is so much better.

[mummytothree]

Honestly...you can't go wrong with a Nikon or Canon. It really is a "presonally/brand" preference. When I bought my Rebel XT, I held both it and the Nikon D40 in my hands (they were the same price at the time), snapped a few pictures and honestly the Canon just felt better in my grasp!

Now I can help you with the glasses deal, as a momma that has worn them since the 3rd grade , I don't use my LCD screen...infact I don't think you even can on the XT, but I can tel you I have no problem using the view finder with my glasses...non what so ever!! I can spend several hours at the park with my camera out the whole time snapping picture after picture and I haven't had a problem yet (I've own my Rebel for almost 2 years).

Why don't you see if your friend will let you "test drive" the D80 for a couple days...that might really make up your mind!!!

Good Luck Crystal and congrats and happy camera shopping!!!!

[crystalbella77]

oh Thank you so much for the glasses info, Elizabeth! I feel like the only person that wears glasses most of the time! It's so great to hear from someone else that does! LOL!

oh and I LOVE that you used that pic for avi!!! IT's soooooo adorable!!!

[Leila]

Another glasses wearer--I'm darn close to blind without mine, so I have no choice to wear but to wear them when I use my Xsi. Live View (LCD screen) can only be used for a few pictures at a time or it will overheat and melt the sensor, so I do my best to avoid it if I can. Not sure about other brands and their screens.

[justanotherjen]

I have a Canon Rebel XTi that my dad bought for me at Costco (came with the camera and 2 lenses). I like it. I'm still learning to use the manual settings though so my pictures are iffy if I don't use it in natural light. My only issue is that the zoom lens that came with it doesn't have a stabilizer on it so you have to really get still or use a tripod (which I don't have on hand...I so need one of those little mini ones).

My dad has a Nikon (his preferred brand since forever) that is comparable to the XTi (not sure which one it is off hand) and I've tried it but I like the Canon better...except that his zoom lens has a stabilizer which makes taking pictures so much easier.

I've never had a problem with the viewfinder. I wear glasses. The viewfinder is also adjustable so you see clearly with it (within reason). My dad sets his for his failing eyesight and when I try to use his camera with my glasses on everything is blurry even when the camera says it is in focus. Confused me at first until I figured out what was going on. But I've been taking pictures with my dad's old 35mm film camera since I was like 8 so the DSLR are very familiar to me. Heck I remember the camera I started on didn't even have auto focus so I learned to focus by hand at the age of 9 or so. His last film camera had auto focus on it which I thought was just the coolest thing in the world (he got it when I was a teen).

[flattsgurl]

Crystal I am right there with ya about the glasses thing. I have a canon rebel XT and I will be honest and say it drives me nuts sometimes to use the view finder and wearing glasses. I will take my glasses off and put them on my head or the front of my shirt if they irritate me. LOL But it is just me...and my pesky annoyances. LOL I don't miss using the LCD though....I would rather have the camera up to my eye...plus all of your setting are visible "inside there" and it just works out so much better. I don't have suggestions as far as a camera...I'm sorry. I think that either the Nikon or Canon would be great choices. Happy shopping!!

[lovely1m]

I have a Canon Rebel XTi. I love it. I looked at the Nikons and just prefered the Canon. You won't use the screen when taking pictures, you get very used to it and hate having to use it later.

[ColleenSwerb]

I agree with Elizabeth. See if your friend will lend you the D80 for a night or two so you can get a feel for it. You can't go wrong with either a Canon or a Nikon. It's YOU that makes the pictures, not the camera, kwim?

I bought my D80 just over a year ago and I love it I could care less about the live view function, or the video capabilities of the new D90, so I don't regret getting mine. I only regret that I got my D80 before the D90 came out, cuz if I waited I could've saved some $$ LOL!

My personal opinion is that you should always get the best camera you can afford. So if you can afford the D80 from your friend, instead of the D40, I would go that route. Once you get started you'll always want the next best thing, so you might as well cut some of that off at the pass and start at the top of what you're able.

[Shawna]

Another Canon girl here (I have the XTi and <3 it) and I also wear glasses most of the time and have never had any problems using the viewfinder with them. You really do get used to having to use the viewfinder pretty quickly. Also any of the newer models that do have the Live View (like the XSi or the D90), using it is probably going to drain your battery faster.

[sevenupps]

Nikon girl here. I have the D90 and love, love, love it. If you're just starting out with a DSLR the D60 would be great for you!

[clearskies]

I went with the Nikon D40 both due to budget and Ken Rockwell's recommendation. (Several people pointed me to his site.) I have no complaints. I used to money I saved over the D60 or D80 to get the 50mm lens and the Speedlite flash (a must, I think, for indoor shooting...LOVE it!!!). I just got the 18-200mm lens two days ago (which cost more than the camera), but am already loving it. Great for taking pictures of kiddos to have everything I need in one lens.

I have transitioned to using the viewfinder and actually enjoy it. I still keep my Canon P&S in the diaper bag as the Nikon is bulky with the lens and flash on. I do a lot of manual focus and find it rather fun. I get my fair share of fuzzy shots, but I've gotten some incredible ones as well.

Overall, very satisfied.

[Kara]

I have the Nikon D40 as well for the same reasons Clearskies mentioned, and so far I've been pretty happy with it.

[kim21673]

I HAD the Nikon D40x and sold it..outgrew it after a year.

I now have the Nikon D90 and LOVE it!!!

[scrappurple]

I have the Canon Rebel XTi and LOVE IT!! I don't wear glassed, but I do know that there is a knob that you can switch the eye piece to adjust to your eyesight.

One thing to take into consideration is the lens. Most people start out with the kit lens. I would advise against it. I have the 17-85 IS lens and love it. It give you more telephoto than the 18-55mm lens that comes with the kit. So, while researching your camera, think about lenses. You want to spend the $ now and not buy the kit lens only to not like it and then buy a new one. What ever brand you go with make sure you get Image stabilization with the lens. It is more $ as well, but you will be a happier photographer because of it. Spend the $ once ... happy photographer all the time.

[Sharon Kay]

Hi! I wear glasses and I own a Rebel XTi. You can change the diopter (by the viewfinder...has a little knob to adjust to your eyesight) to help with viewing without your glasses. I have used it a lot for basketball pictures...the action is fast and just found it easier to use than leaving my glasses on (they are up on my head)...and for outdoor pics because my glasses have the feature where they change to sunglasses...which makes it hard to see anything through the viewfinder or the LCD screen. However, as a note, I have a stigmatism and it means that it won't be quite as sharp as if I were looking with my glasses...but it was close enough for me!

What my optometrist is doing now is putting me in some trial contacts...they are setting me up for Monovision...the contacts for my right eye is for distance (thus the one I use for looking through the viewfinder...and the left eye is for reading up close. I have bi-focals in my glasses...but since I have a stigmatism, I can't use contacts like I use glasses. So far it seems to be working...they are still getting just the right prescription for me before we order a years' worth. However the dr told me it won't be as clear as wearing my glasses. ...but it sure is nice not to have to mess with the glasses when I take pictures...and since last year I took well over 10,000 photos...this will be great!!

It will also be a lot easier to take photos at robotics competitions as I won't have to wear glasses, with protective glasses over it, and then look through the viewfinder! (jeesh what a pain that was!).

The monovision is becoming a popular way to get contacts...and I am one that never thought she would ever stick her finger in her eye!

One other thing to think about is it's really hard to use the LCD screen on a digital camera out in the bright sunlight...you end up using the viewfinder anyway.