ease of use for a beginner

[keystervr6]

i'm lookin at buying either a nikon d40 or cannon rebel xt....

i've read all the reviews but none say which is the easiest for a novice? contols and settings wise?

 

[Joves]

Im a Nikonian but not a fan of the D40. The reason being that to use your AutoFocus you have to stay with AF/S or, AF/I lenses. All of the other lenses you will have to manually focus. But granted there are more manufacturers making lenses for it now. So the options are opening up.

 

[Big Mike]

i've read all the reviews but none say which is the easiest for a novice? contols and settings wise?

The differences are inconsequential. I'd suggest you got into a store and hold both models. Play with them a bit and see which one feels best in your hands.

 

[Alfred D.]

If, as you say, you're a novice to (digital) photography a dSLR will be expensive overkill that you cannot nearly use to its full potential. I.o.w.: a waste of your money.
I suggest you first get a compact point & shoot camera – with a viewfinder! – to learn to apply the general principles of photography and (maybe) get a dSLR in a year's time or so (your compact will then be your trusted backup camera) when you know a bit of what you're doing.

You must learn to walk before you can run.

Have fun!

 

[Village Idiot]

If you're a novice that's serious about photography, get the DSLR, because in a year's time the DSLR type P&S's won't be worth nearly what you paid for it and you'll wish you spent the extre money on buying additional lenses rather than doing a swap of camera bodies.

The only time I reccomend buying one of those things is if you don't have a lot of money to spend and aren't planning on buying additional lenses for the camera.

 

[Big Mike]

If, as you say, you're a novice to (digital) photography a dSLR will be expensive overkill that you cannot nearly use to its full potential. I.o.w.: a waste of your money.
I suggest you first get a compact point & shoot camera – with a viewfinder! – to learn to apply the general principles of photography and (maybe) get a dSLR in a year's time or so (your compact will then be your trusted backup camera) when you know a bit of what you're doing.

I disagree. Any DLSR can be used as simply as any P&S digital camera. In fact, there are many, many DSLR owners who never take them out of full auto mode. But with a DSLR, you have every opportunity to explore photography and try things that you may not be able to do with a digicam.

If you bought a lesser camera first, and then upgraded later...you could consider the digicam a waste of money.

If you have the foresight to see what you will want to use in the long run, it's cheaper to buy it first and grow with it.

That being said, make sure that you want a large camera that you are willing to take it places and use it. Some people may find that they don't use an SLR camera because they prefer to grab a compact instead.

 

[Village Idiot]

I disagree. Any DLSR can be used as simply as any P&S digital camera. In fact, there are many, many DSLR owners who never take them out of full auto mode. But with a DSLR, you have every opportunity to explore photography and try things that you may not be able to do with a digicam.

If you bought a lesser camera first, and then upgraded later...you could consider the digicam a waste of money.

If you have the foresight to see what you will want to use in the long run, it's cheaper to buy it first and grow with it.

That being said, make sure that you want a large camera that you are willing to take it places and use it. Some people may find that they don't use an SLR camera because they prefer to grab a compact instead.

Hell, Nikon even markets the D40 as a P&S.

 

[Big Mike]

Hell, Nikon even markets the D40 as a P&S.

That's because their largest target market for a camera like that are the so called 'soccer moms'. They want something good but don't want to have to learn how to use it.

 

[Village Idiot]

That's because their largest target market for a camera like that are the so called 'soccer moms'. They want something good but don't want to have to learn how to use it.

1 stroke 'o genius.

 

[Alfred D.]

Hell, Nikon even markets the D40 as a P&S.

That's because their largest target market for a camera like that are the so called 'soccer moms'. They want something good but don't want to have to learn how to use it.

What a waste all around.
I bet most of those soccer moms won't even bother to take that D40 to the 3rd game, and further, because it's simply too big, too heavy, and with too many confusing buttons.
And soccer dad can pay for all that wasteful frivolousness.

 

[Big Mike]

It's still not as bad as the home exercise equipment industry. Millions and millions of dollars are spent every year on things that people hang their clothes on

 

[Dao]

Yes ... it is all marketing. Most of the time it is not what the consumer need to buy, it is what the manufacturer want us to buy. They create the market and we follow. Like bottle water.

All they need to do is make some tv commercials that show how good the photos come out with the camera and the soccer mom will think she can take the same good looking photos with that camera. And she looks cool with the camera as well.

 

[Dao]

As for the original poster questions. I had the XTI and I had a chance to play with the D60. I like them both (as far as size, weight, control ...).

As for the Xt with D40, I will think it will be something similar. Really, try them and see how you like them. If the price it right, I do not think you will regret if you choose one instead of the other.

 

[Crosby]

I don't know how relevant this comment is, but here goes...

I started out with p&s until I felt they could not get the quality of picture (and camera since I seemed to break them) I wanted. So, I got a Canon Rebel K2 film camera and really liked it. The quality was way better and it peeked some real interest for me. I started using manual controls, and got even more interested.

I decided to get a DSLR and the prices were disappointing to say the least, (I can be a tight wad) but I thought with the interest and motivation I had, I would want a good one. So, I researched and checked out a few Canons and boiled it down to the Xti, Xsi. Until I saw I could get a 30D (body only) at the same price as an Xsi. I bought it and love it. I think my learning curve increased by getting the DSLR since I can shoot and see the results quicker.

Bottom line for me is trusting my interest and motivation to learn it. I've picked up a lot of little hobbys and gadgets along the way that have been abandoned somewhere. So, when I decided to get the 30D, I made sure I was willing to go the distance... now I just need more time off from work

edited: Oh, yea, as far as ease of use: As long as you read your manual and keep it handy, its real easy! My 30D is not as 'user friendly' as I'd like, but once you learn the controls, its no problem. Search or buy a photography book (search TPF for which ones) and go shoot some pics.

 

[LateModelSedan]

i'm lookin at buying either a nikon d40 or cannon rebel xt....

i've read all the reviews but none say which is the easiest for a novice? contols and settings wise?

i own the rebel xti and the D40 and they are equally simple to adjust according to your needs. right out of the box i'd have to say i was more pleased with the image quality from the D40 though. the nikon 18-55 kit lens is definitely superior to the canon 18-55.