Purchasing a DSLR!

[Seefutlung]

Remember that you are buying into a camera system ... so you need to look at the whole spectrum of what the manufacturer is offering. Both Nikon and Canon are pretty equal in their offerings. If you have a particular speciality ... say sports or macro or astro, et cetera, make sure the camera maker speaks well to that speciality.

At ISOs under 400 and at at sizes of 8x10 or less ... won't you see any difference between a Canon and a Nikon image.

But, (the big but), in all but their most expensive cameras (D3 and D300), Nikon uses Sony made CCD sensors.

The CCD sensor performs poorly, when compared to a CMOS sensor, at elevated ISO/low light situations. THe CCD produces more noise (looks like film grain) than a CMOS sensor. The higher the ISO the more noise. I am not saying that a CMOS sensor doesn't produce noise either ... but the RAW CMOS image quality at similar/compariable elevated ISOs is superior with far less noise than a CCD sensor.

To get a CMOS sensor you have to purchase a $5,000 D3, an $1,800 D300 or and Canon camera including the XT and XTi.

If it was I ... for about the same monies ... I'd go with a camera that performs well in all types of lighting and which has a full choice of lenses available ... as opposed to a camera whose performance drops off in low light and has only a select number of lenses that will work with auto focus.

Gary

PS- I don't think that the select len issue is very significant ... but it is there nonetheless.
G

 

[calledthestig]

Just another quick question that I had while researching -- I had noticed that the Canon Rebel XTi boasts a self-cleaning sensor unit, while the XT does not. Is this something that I should have or is it a process that a camera store can perform for me for a nominal fee or something?

BTW you guys rock! :hail: :lmao:

 

[Tayfun]

There are no lens restrictions with the D80. I know nothing about the D60 but I suspect that Nikon learned a lesson and, like the D80, it will autofocus with all lenses.

The D40 is quite possibly the best camera for the money with the D40X being second best. The D80 (which I have) is significantly more expensive with features, important to me, that most others will never use.

D60 is announced as it didn't have an internal focusing motor like D40/40x. I think Nikon will continue on this series as a new class product which is cheap and DSLR. D40/40X is not my favourite camera but actually many of my friends prefer it to a DSRL-like camera and I totally agree with them.

 

[Seefutlung]

Just another quick question that I had while researching -- I had noticed that the Canon Rebel XTi boasts a self-cleaning sensor unit, while the XT does not. Is this something that I should have or is it a process that a camera store can perform for me for a nominal fee or something?

BTW you guys rock! :hail: :lmao:

Dust is something one just has to contend with when operating a camera that uses interchangeable lenses. If you change a lens ... you will get dust on the sensor. Just like taxes and death ... an unavoidable unpleasantness of life.

But ... unlike taxes and death ... dust isn't that big of a deal. When it first pops up you notice it on your images and you clone it out then you clean your sensor. Cleaning your sensor is like changing the oil on your car ... a simple procedure. No big deal.

But a camera that reduces the times you need to clean your sensor is worth a few extra bucks. (AKA a car that can go 10,000 between oil changes is a nice feature.) I have a friend that shoots at least three times a week and has six+ lenses. He uses his XTi as a backup so it doesn't get as many lens changes ... but he has noticed that the system does work and has significantly reduced the need to clean the sensor. He has gone months between cleanings and we live in SoCal which is a very dry/dusty climate.

Sensor cleaning will not directly improve IQ ... but it will make your photographic experience more pleasurable (like changing your oil .. sensor cleaning is easy but still a pain.)

Gary

 

[calledthestig]

That's really good advice, hmm. I am really not sure if I am going to go with the XT or the XTi -- I went to the store yesterday and held those and the Nikon in my hand and the Canon just feels more comfortable in my hand so I am going to go with Canon, but the other debate continues.

I found a really good deal on the XT so I think it might make it worth it to get it for so cheap, but I still have a few days before the deal expires.

 

[Seefutlung]

That's really good advice, hmm. I am really not sure if I am going to go with the XT or the XTi -- I went to the store yesterday and held those and the Nikon in my hand and the Canon just feels more comfortable in my hand so I am going to go with Canon, but the other debate continues.

I found a really good deal on the XT so I think it might make it worth it to get it for so cheap, but I still have a few days before the deal expires.

The good thing about the XT is that it actually has better (less) noise in the shadow areas and at higher ISOs than the XTi. Many things will cause noise and one of which is cramming in too many pixels in a confined space. Seems the XTi suffers from this. Remember it takes about 50% more pixels to see a visible difference in Image Quality ... the 2MP dif between the XT and XTi is an insignificant difference/advantage for the XTi.

The XT/XTi are on the smallish size ... get a battery grip and it will not only feel better but also help balance out the camera when using long lenses.

Gary

 

[calledthestig]

Do you recommend a certain battery grip? Does this contain an extra battery in it for longer battery life or it just is a weight to add to the camera to make it balanced?

 

[Seefutlung]

Do you recommend a certain battery grip? Does this contain an extra battery in it for longer battery life or it just is a weight to add to the camera to make it balanced?

There is a Chinese one which is half the price of Canon ... $75 or so verses $150 or so ... Optech I think is the manufacturer. But feels cheaper than the Canon (different plastic) but other than that it is the same grip (I believe Optech actually makes the Canon grip.)

The grip holds two batteries .. so double the shooting ... and it has an additional shutter release and setting wheel for easy vertical shooting. Very handy when you go vertical.

Gary

 

[JimmyO]

Do you recommend a certain battery grip? Does this contain an extra battery in it for longer battery life or it just is a weight to add to the camera to make it balanced?

My friend has an XTi an has the canon battery grip. It has room for 2 normal betteries, and it also come with this thing that allows you to use a bunch of AA batteries. The main reason he bought it is becuase it has a trigger button on it that allows you to use the comfortably when shooting "Vertically" i think its called.

Ohhhh, and it also makes the camera look sooo much cooler

 

[adolan20]

Have you actually felt the XT or Xti? Do this first then decide.

 

[calledthestig]

Ok so I went to Best Buy today and spoke to the camera specialist there who was very helpful to me and it was nice to learn a few things, but anyway.

I played with the Canon Rebel XT and the XTi and found that I really liked the larger screen on the XTi, but is the screen really worth the extra $120? Are there any feature besides a larger screen and the self-cleaning sensor that are useful on the XTi that trump the XT? I really love the way the Canon fit in my hand as opposed to the Nikon, but based on my test pictures I have a lot to learn.

Thanks again for all fo the advice you guys have given!

 

[chris_arnet]

get the XTI with kit lense. Drop like another $60 for the Canon 50mm 1.8, its a great learner lense. If you ABSOLUTELY cant afford that extra 60 than wait for the XSI to come out and rebel prices will drop. Or just get the XT now.

 

[Stranger]

get the xti... same quality, (pretty much, little better) but the screen and viewfinder (i think there is a diff?) will make up for it!

But if you dont have the $120 save it and get the xt and keep the $120 for glass

 

[calledthestig]

Does anyone know of a good deal on the Canon Rebel XTi?

I found the Canon Rebel XT w/ kit lens for $400, but the cheapest I can find the XTi w/ kit lens is $600 and I don't think the $200 price difference is worth it for the larger screen.

 

[iriairi]

I have an XT and went to the XTi for several different features. The screen has been really nice in some of my outdoor shots. I think that it is easier to see than on the XT. Haven't regretted the choice. I didn't realize there was supposed to be more noise in the dark areas. I will have to keep my eye out for that.