Which Digital SLR?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm looking to purchase a digital SLR to replace my compact digital camera. My maximum budget is £400 (excluding or including lenses). I have asked here as owners can detail their problems with their chosen camera to help me in my search. Please include any websites I may find useful, either for buying or researching the cameras.
Cheers,
I'm looking to purchase a digital SLR to replace my compact digital camera. My maximum budget is £400 (excluding or including lenses). I have asked here as owners can detail their problems with their chosen camera to help me in my search. Please include any websites I may find useful, either for buying or researching the cameras.
Cheers,
Even though I am a big fan of Canon, I would check out the Nikon D50. For the price it seems like a very capable camera. Bear in mind that a digital SLR is a very different thing from a high end point and shoot. They require a considerable investment in time and money to get the best out of them. If that doesn't sound like your thing then I would recommend a bridge camera like the Canon Powershot S3.
Thanks for the website. I do realise the large step between my point and shoot and an SLR but I am prepared to work on my photography - I have the time to do so. I have narrowed the list down to the Canon EOS 350 and the Nikon D50. I believe the Canon is on top at the moment, but it does cost a bit more!
Have a chat with Andy or one of the guys at Chiswick Camera Centre (google for the number). Andy is a good buddy of my OH Happy Snapper. We were talking to him today about a similar DSLR for me and he was talking about the new Nikon D80 and the effect that this might have on pricing of the existing models.
Platinum said:
Anyone elses D50 make a 'rattley' sound when tipped upside down??
Don't worry about that - they all do that sir
That's the microswitch that tells the camera that you are holding it in portrait orientation (on its end) and then the camera can rotate the image accordingly.
HTH & don't panic...
Chris
chris.mapey said:
Platinum said:
Anyone elses D50 make a 'rattley' sound when tipped upside down??
Don't worry about that - they all do that sir
That's the microswitch that tells the camera that you are holding it in portrait orientation (on its end) and then the camera can rotate the image accordingly.
HTH & don't panic...
Chris
Cool....
goes to test 'rattley' thing again
robdickinson said:
Canon has some advantages over the nikon. DOF preview, 8vs6mp, ISo 100.
Apart from that go with which feels better in your hands, which control system is preferable, thats more important.
Apart from that go with which feels better in your hands, which control system is preferable, thats more important.
Though DOF preview is a nice feature, ISO 100 will (unless doing stock photography
) rarely be used, and 8MP v 6MP won't yield any discernable difference. I'd watch for D70's, though. Now that the D80 is being launched, D70's should be able to be had for even less than they are now. Then you would get a DOF preview button, and you wouldn't have to put up with the silly SD memory like in a D50.
But probably the most important thing to check before getting a 350D is how it feels in your hand; to many people it will feel too small and the controls will be cumbersome. And if you don't like holding the camera, you won't take as many pictures. So, ultimately, the best camera is the one you like to hold the best.
imperialism2024 said:
robdickinson said:
Canon has some advantages over the nikon. DOF preview, 8vs6mp, ISo 100.
Apart from that go with which feels better in your hands, which control system is preferable, thats more important.
Apart from that go with which feels better in your hands, which control system is preferable, thats more important.
Though DOF preview is a nice feature, ISO 100 will (unless doing stock photography
) rarely be used, and 8MP v 6MP won't yield any discernable difference.some of my stock stuff was shot at iso 1600 but then I have a canon lol
imperialism2024 said:
8MP v 6MP won't yield any discernable difference.
Depends if you are going to print and, if so how large, but it does make a difference
you wouldn't have to put up with the silly SD memory like in a D50.
My camera has both a CF and SD memory. There is no discernable difference between the two except thier physical size/shape.
Depends if you are going to print and, if so how large, but it does make a difference
you wouldn't have to put up with the silly SD memory like in a D50.
My camera has both a CF and SD memory. There is no discernable difference between the two except thier physical size/shape.
robdickinson said:
D50 only takes SD memory??? I thought it was a proper camera!?!
D70 has noise issues the d50 doesnt.
I use ISo 100 when I can too, always an advantage to extend shutter time too.
D70 has noise issues the d50 doesnt.
I use ISo 100 when I can too, always an advantage to extend shutter time too.
The D70 has noise issues?? Never noticed, in fact. It's also important to bear in mind that ISO vs. noise on a DSLR is much different than in P&S cameras. ISO 100 in a 1/1.8" P&S will yield the same amount of noise as, oh, ISO 800 or ISO 1600 in DSLR.
Regarding Martin's comments: While 8MP squeezes in a little more resolution, the small differences it makes shouldn't be a deciding factor. If it were a 10MP v. 6MP difference, then it would start to become a deciding factor.
As for SD memory... while SD and CF perform similarly, CF is still the card of choice for higher-end cameras, whereas SD is intended for lower-end cameras, generally. Getting a camera using SD means that it's very likely that when you upgrade, you'll have to get new memory.
Zad said:
Be aware that the Nikon are due to announce the successor to the D70/D70s tomorrow (9th August). Additionally, Canon will reportedly be announcing the successor to the 350d at Photokina at the end of September. Both releases will bump the prices of existing cameras down a notch.
Though the D80 is supposed to use SD memory. And while it does have the D200's sensor, I believe it still only has 1/250 flash sync. I mean, I don't really see anything wrong with the D70 that needs improvement, except maybe throwing in a faster burst mode. But even then, 3FPS is sufficient.
Zad said:
Be aware that the Nikon are due to announce the successor to the D70/D70s tomorrow (9th August). Additionally, Canon will reportedly be announcing the successor to the 350d at Photokina at the end of September. Both releases will bump the prices of existing cameras down a notch.
Zad, Any more info on the 350d replacement? Major or minor changes?
Mark
SD memory used to be more expensive and slower, dont know about now tho. Certainly isnt as robust, nor is as common in the dSLR users camera bag.
Dont lecture me on noise, I had a minolta A2, know all about it!
Have a 350d now. The D50 exhibits less noise at higher ISO than the D70 (as tested by dpreview etc). Probably because its the same sized sensor & technology but has larger photo receptors.
As for the 350D replacement, hard to see where they can improve it a whole lot yet avoid stepping on the 30D's toes.
Dont lecture me on noise, I had a minolta A2, know all about it!
Have a 350d now. The D50 exhibits less noise at higher ISO than the D70 (as tested by dpreview etc). Probably because its the same sized sensor & technology but has larger photo receptors. As for the 350D replacement, hard to see where they can improve it a whole lot yet avoid stepping on the 30D's toes.
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