DSLR Comparisons

[ColleenSwerb]

Jordan said that I could use some of my tax return money, and buy an SLR. ( I owe him money, and I'm supposed to be saving for a car, AND we want to build a deck and a fence for the house, so I'm WAY surprised he said I could do this.) I e-filed my return this afternoon, and did the direct deposit into my checking accounts, so I should see the money within 2 weeks. So I want to start doing some serious comparison shopping.

Jordan SWEARS that he will use this camera more than he has his P&S (which would be never, and he's giving it to his little sister next time we see her), and is pushing a Canon big time. I'm a Nikon girl. I KNOW that we have to go to a store and play with both and get a feel for which we actually like using better.

But I'm looking for some good sites that show comparisons. I'm leaning towards the D80 for Nikons. I think it will be a good fit, and something that won't be totally obsolete in a year. Jordan has looked into Canons and wants the 30D I believe (somewhat comparable to the Nikon D300 I think?) which I think is WAY too much camera to get as an intro into SLR's. He only wants it cuz it's the biggest and the best and the newest (you know boys and their toys).

So opinions are always welcome of course, but can you point to any good sites you found when researching this yourself? Thanks so much!

[Paula]

I just have to say that I LOVE my Nikon!! Can't go wrong with them!

[rainydays]

I just got a Nikon D40 and I love it! Still figuring all the settings out but the shutterbug challenges are helping with that!

Let us know what you get, lucky girl!

[mrs_jb]

I'm a Canon girl, but one thing I will say is that if I were you, I would use some of the money on lenses as opposed to getting only a top of the line camera. I've always been told that it's the lenses that really make the difference.

I would recommend a 50 mm in addition to the kit lense.

[meems]

I go to DPreview (however I never know what they are actually talking about)

[ColleenSwerb]

Thanks Mimi

Jac I'm definitely planning on getting a 50mm in addition to a kit lens. So many people swear by them. I really want to expand my photography skills, but I know I don't need the top of the line. Like you said, I'd rather get the D80 and a lens, instead of the D300 and nothing extra.

[amyb]

I just got my Canon 30D after Christmas. It's my first DSLR and I LOVE it!! It is easy to use and takes awesome pics. However, I do agree with the lens comment - you do need to invest in a nicer lens than the standard but that is probably also true with the Nikon. For SLRs good lenses are really important. But, I love, love, love my 30D and I'm saving for a better lens!

[ditzyscrap]

Just going to second Mimi's suggestion of DPreview.

I don't have a DSLR, I don't have a CLUE how to use one, lol. I upgrade in increments...so once I figure out how to use this little in-between one, I'll get a big girl toy.

[scrappychic]

No help here, but I just wanted to say congrats! Have fun shopping, I went to DPreview too the read up on diff cameras before getting my Fuji 6000f (P&S).

[MikkelPaige]

Col, glad you posted this! I'll know for 16 years from now when I get one (LOL).

I just wanted to give you a heads up that if you are interested in buying a Canon Digital Rebel the latest model comes out soon (the model after the XTi). So either you can wait til that comes out to get it OR if you wait until that one comes out I'm guessing that will make the XTi go down in price.

[uptowngirl]

Man, I sure would love one but am completely intimidated!!!

[BrattyMeg]

I myself am a Canon girl but I dooo love the newest Nikon in my grubby little hands!!

I agree on the 50mm..my FAVE lens woot

[delofamily]

I bought the Canon 30D in July of last year after playing with all the cameras in the store. I ultimately went with the Canon because of the speed... I have little ones that like to run right when I am about to get the perfect shot

I love it! I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about photography It has become an obsession

Have fun playing!!!


I also have the 50mm lens

[Becca Bonneville]

Oh I this is my dream! I would love to get a DSLR! I hope to own one someday soon!

[ColleenSwerb]

Thanks for all the help ladies! I'm hoping to get some time this weekend to myself to go to a camera store and play around with them and get a feel for what I like better.

Mikkel thanks for the heads up! I'm leaning towards the D80 or the Rebel XTi, so if I decide I like the Canon better I might just wait a bit. A friend said they usually have coupons and rebates in the fall (Canon does) and they saved almost $300 by buying then. I just don't think I can wait that long now that I've finally gotten the ok to buy one, lol.

[AmyM]

That's exactly what I did with my tax return! I bought a Nikon D40 and I am in loooovvvvvvve with it! I originally planned on going in there and just getting the D40x, but I decided for the price I'd get the D40 with two lenses. One is a 200mm with vibration reduction (here). I researched for two weeks and whined and questioned everybody that would listen LOL. What finally made the decision for me was one of Ken Rockwell's articles, how the camera felt in my hand (compared to the canon digital rebel), and my dad's experience with nikon (rifle scopes). Check out this site, it might be helpful

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

Unfortunately the price dropped by about 50 bucks two weeks after I bought it, but oh well. The camera, two lenses, carrying case, two DVD's, 20 free prints, a free photo book, free camera classes and some other goodies totaled $800 with tax. I think I got a good deal.

[Shawna]

I'm a Canon girl as well, I have the XTi with the kit lens and the 50mm 1.8 which is my fave lens! I bought mine back in August and prices have dropped quite a bit on them!! I just saw a post by KellieP over @ MSA that she got the XTi with kit lens through Dell for like $479 or something which is a great price! And then the 50mm is around $80 from Amazon or B&H Photo.

[ColleenSwerb]

Thanks for that Ken Rockwell link Amy. He really pushes the D40. Makes me wonder about the D80. He's got some good points I need to consider.

Yea it seems like everyone likes Amazon, B&H, or Ritz for their camera needs. There's a Ritz near our house, so I'm going to go there and check things out. My friend just got an Olympus 510 (I think) for christmas through them.

I'm leaning towards the D80 or the Rebel XTi. They're "cheap enough" that I can buy the 50mm lens right away without any guilt, lol. But I also think they will be a good fit for what I want to do.

[Leila]

Originally Posted by BrodoNY0123

Thanks for all the help ladies! I'm hoping to get some time this weekend to myself to go to a camera store and play around with them and get a feel for what I like better.

Mikkel thanks for the heads up! I'm leaning towards the D80 or the Rebel XTi, so if I decide I like the Canon better I might just wait a bit. A friend said they usually have coupons and rebates in the fall (Canon does) and they saved almost $300 by buying then. I just don't think I can wait that long now that I've finally gotten the ok to buy one, lol.

If you're really digging the XTi, you really should wait for the XSi. The upgrades they've made are marked improvements.

Rebel Xsi on Canon
Rebel Xsi on dpreview

I'm holding out for the Xsi since I can't swing the cost of a 30D or a 5D. I'm currently using a four year old Rebel (300D).

[MikkelPaige]

I would say it wouldn't hurt to bargain for a better deal if you are buying a few things from a store (camera, lenses, case, memory cards - so instead of the flat total of it all, let's say $900, tell them you'll buy it all right then and there for $700). Also SHOP AROUND and go prepared with comparison prices. If I owned a camera store and someone said they could get a better deal elsewhere I'd match the price...especially because TONS of stores carry this stuff!

Also, I know Best Buy does price matching for 30 days. You should ask other stores' policies about this!

[AmyM]

I was really surprised by this, but Ritz/Wolf Camera was the cheapest place at the time I bought mine. I could have ordered from amazon for 5 bucks less but I wouldn't get to see it first that way. I would have thought that places like Best Buy or circuit city would be cheaper but at the time that was not the case. Weird huh. The people at Wolf were very helpful.

[ColleenSwerb]

Thanks for that Leila, I'll keep it in mind. It'll all come down to which I prefer holding in my hand, you know?

[ColleenSwerb]

EEEE!!! I just checked my bank account and both my refunds are in!! I might be getting my camera THIS WEEKEND!!!