Simple Q: Canon 450D or Nikon D5000?

[Giles993]

Finally narrowed it down to these two. Not terribly bothered by the video mode of the D5000 and I can get either for about the same price.

Cheers!

Giles

[RobDickinson]

I dont think theres much in it, D5000 is newer and the 450D is probably deleted by now.

Go hold both see how they feel.

Some thing the xxxD line is too small, I think Nikons have too many buttons to make it easy to change settings whilst looking through the viewfinder.

[Giles993]

Thanks Rob. Will do again tomorrow before I make my final decision but just wondering if anyone had any particularly strong reasons for advising for or against one or the other.

Giles

[Ravell]

Go to a shop that sells both and try them out. If you don't have a prefference for either in terms of features, you'll still prefer one or the other for ergonimics. Some like Nikon, some like Canon.

Having a bunch of random people vote seems a bit of a silly way to make a decision...

[Giles993]

Why are there so many choppers on the photography part of Pistonheads? I've obviously been to have a look at both and will do again before ultimately deciding but I'm interested in other people's opinions, if they might be helpful.

[RobDickinson]

450D should be a couple of hundy cheaper than the D5000?

[Giles993]

Rob, buying it in Jersey so saving VAT and there's a £50 cashback offer from Nikon on the D5000 at the moment.

[GlenMH]

I took a long look at the D5000 and ended up with a D90 as I wanted something that was a bit better built.... The moveable screen is a bit of a gimmick for me.

[Giles993]

Hi Glen, the cashback brings the D5000 into my price-range. Really like the D90 but it's just a bit more than I want to spend.

I've just realised that Canon are also doing a cashback on the 500D of £60 but you have to send them an old SLR and I'm very attached to my old Contax... Does anyone have an old SLR they wouldn't mind donating?!

Cheers again,

Giles

[Kermit power]

I'm not sure that the D5000 was out when I went looking, but it would've immediately dropped off my shopping list because I wouldn't want to pay a lot more money for the video recording gimmick I'll never use.

I ultimately chose the 450D over the 40D, partly because I could pretty much get a 580EX II for the price difference, but mainly because I preferred the size of the 450D, and I absolutely love it.

If I was buying today, I think the 500D and the D5000 would both fall by the wayside at the first stage due to the annoyance of the video recording, and the 50D is just too much more expensive than the 450D, so I reckon I'd make the same choice again.

[Simpo Two]

Giles993 said:

Why are there so many choppers on the photography part of Pistonheads? I've obviously been to have a look at both and will do again before ultimately deciding but I'm interested in other people's opinions, if they might be helpful.

Does 'choppers' mean people who don't express a preference?

If so that's because different people like/use/want different things about their cameras, and what they like may not be what you like. For example, I don't use a D300 for weddings because I can't get both 100% crop view and a single large histogram with a single button press. There's another reason regarding RAW processing which is probably specific me and how I like to process RAW files.

From that I would say 'don't get a D300'. However, many people happily use D300s because they don't use/want/need both functions quickly available and have different processing/workflow strategies. Indeed, I've never read of anyone who finds the issues a problem.

ATEOTD other people's opinions will give you the opinions of other people (see above). What is actually important is your own opinion, because you are the one who will be using it. That's why you need to make your own mind up based on anticipated future usage and needs

[Giles993]

Simpo, understood and agreed but, as a novice, it's useful to know why people do or don't like them as it's likely that those reasons are ones I won't know about until after I've bought either i.e. too late.

[jon-]

D5000 -> 450d -> d90

Personally buying again i'd probably move to Nikon, but that's because i love off camera flash, and the Nikon flash system is a little easier to use.

[Stickers]

I admit to knowing little of the Digital Nikon SLR's, but the 35mm versions differed significantly from Canon..........Does the digital Nikon's still adopt the focus motor in the body as opposed to in the lense as with Canon?

[Simpo Two]

Stickers said:

Does the digital Nikon's still adopt the focus motor in the body as opposed to in the lense as with Canon?

Only the D40/x and D60 lack the focus motor in the body.

[Stickers]

Simpo Two said:

Stickers said:

Does the digital Nikon's still adopt the focus motor in the body as opposed to in the lense as with Canon?

Only the D40/x and D60 lack the focus motor in the body.

Thanks for the info - As I can only give the benefit of my experience, due to useage, the motor in the Nikon body is a lot more likely to fail than those akin to Canon lenses.......unless the exact same lense is used at all times.

I remember the problems & expense caused by Nikon's F4 motor failures, including down time where Canon users would have simply swapped lenses (not that the Canons lense mounted motors ever failed).

[GlenMH]

Simpo Two said:

Stickers said:

Does the digital Nikon's still adopt the focus motor in the body as opposed to in the lense as with Canon?

Only the D40/x and D60 lack the focus motor in the body.

And the D5000 ISTR?

ETA: yes the D5000 does lack the body motor:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond5000/page33....

Edited by GlenMH on Sunday 5th July 15:22

Edited by GlenMH on Sunday 5th July 15:26

[Simpo Two]

GlenMH said:

And the D5000 ISTR?

Sorry, I'm not up to speed with the new entry-level models - but it's Nikon's way of keeping costs down (and most 'normal' lenses are AF-S now anyway)

[Giles993]

Just popped into Jessops again and it's now between the 450D for £434 and 500D for £513. Naturally erring towards the newer version but reviews seem to suggest they're very evenly matched in terms of picture quality with the 450D even edging it in low light. Higher res. screen on the 500D though...

Too much choice - I'm sure I'll be chuffed with either.

[Kermit power]

Giles993 said:

Just popped into Jessops again and it's now between the 450D for £434 and 500D for £513. Naturally erring towards the newer version but reviews seem to suggest they're very evenly matched in terms of picture quality with the 450D even edging it in low light. Higher res. screen on the 500D though...

Too much choice - I'm sure I'll be chuffed with either.

Are you sure you've got that price for the 500D right?

I know you're in Jersey, but even so! The Jessops UK web site has the 450D with lens at £499 and the 500D at £659. You sure it wasn't £613 in Jersey?