I'm finally going to be getting an SLR! I've started doing research and I've narrowed it down to canon and nikon.
These are the three I'm most interested in:
1. Canon EOS Rebel T1i
2. Canon EOS Rebel XS
3. Nikon D60
Keep in mind, I'm looking at $800 being the most it could be and I'd like the lens to be included. That's why the Canon's are so appealing, especially the T1i.
I really appreciate everyone's opinions! I'm feeling overwhelmed and could use some expert advice!
I have a Cannon EOS Rebel XSi I bought in a kit with two Cannon lens for about $650 from Costco. Just looking at their website they have some "kits" up for some of the models you're looking at.
All the models you've listed are quality. I went with Cannon because I had some old SLR lens that I could use with it.
I just got to play with a friend's canon and I have to say it is lighter than the Nikon D60 (which is what I shoot on), and seemed to have some cool auto features, but I was unclear how one adjusted manual settings quickly. I would recommend going to a camera store and holding, and shooting with all three models. Get a feel for their auto features and manual settings. A good camera store would let you shoot the test models and may even have a mock studio set up. See how easy it would be to change your exposures quickly (as you sometimes need to when shooting manual and going from shade to direct sun). Good luck and congrats. SLR's are a ton of fun.
I like Canon...just because I'm used to them ! I bought the XS kit last year....$700.00. The kit lenses leave a lot to be desired though ! With the camera I got the 18-55mm and the 75-300mm. They're ok, but the better I get with photography the more I can see upgrading the lenses in the future ! They're ok...but I tried a Canon "L" lens...the difference in quality is night and day !!
I have a Nikon D5000 and I LOVE IT!!! It's in the top of your price range. I think its about $750ish with the Nikkor 18-55mm lens. I got that and the Nikkor 55-200mm lens for around $1000.
I shot Nikon film cameras for years, a couple of Nikon DSLR models, and now I'm strictly Canon digital. BUT, either is a good choice. They both have advantages, both have their quirks, but both are great systems that will produce outstanding image quality. If I lost all my photo gear in a fire, I would almost be flipping a coin between the two to replace it all.
Canon, generally, are a little bit cheaper for a similar product. A decent portrait lens, for example, you can pick up for about $100 if you go Canon (50mm f/1.8). To do that in Nikon you're looking at closer to $200 last I checked. Also, Canon are much more happy to give away access to their proprietry file formats - many programs out there can open CR2 files. Not so many can open and edit NEF. So, if you want to shoot in RAW and don't have a healthy budget for software like Lightroom, Canon may be a better choice.
I'll add that it'd probably be a good idea to spend some time in a shop that stocks both, having someone knowledgeable show you how to do all the major things on each one and how their interfaces work. Might be good to factor in how well you can jive with the thing too.
If you are on a budget and hope to upgrade your lens kit with lightly used equipment I would check the auction sites and craigslist. See what would be most available and the cost for the lenses you will be saving for. I've saved 20-30% buying Canon L series lenses this way, they have been from 3 years to 1 month old. In my experience Canon has been very helpful in servicing L series lenses. I've had one major repair on a lightly used lens, that was out of warranty, performed at no cost.
To paraphrase @jinximages and @eyebrows, they are very similar and you need to go and play with both to decide what you like using. I'm Canon and I love it, but I know Nikon users and they swear by their equipment. It's just about what you prefer, so ignore people who blindly say one over the other and test them for yourselves.
I bought the Canon Rebel (300d) second hand in 2007 - WAS A BLAST after point and shoots after the Pentax SLR died. Daughter has 'borrowed' if for her uni work 1200km away so I JUST HAD TO upgrade - another 2nd hand and now trying to get my head around a Canon 5D mark I - BTW I only source my camera's via camera clubs. I know they have been looked after, usually get great extra's and back up support long term.
@nyweb - saving up to get better glass - when I get better and have a real 'need' for them or the tax man allows me the luxury of rebate ... maybe next year.
I second the used full frame.... if you don't care about sensor size... i would look at the pentax kr or kx
if you want something trying great! Fuji's X1000 come out in march... looks like a Lecia Range Finder with a C sized sensor, but only one fixed lens...
one of the 4/3 EVIL cameras are great too... but the rebels are fine... they work if you are really stuck on get a SLR...
I am super happy with my Nikon D5000. Good luck with your decision. It's one I mulled over for months. Ultimately, in my opinion, both are great but the real love affair starts when you learn more and more about the functions on the one you choose.
work out what features you desire and cull out the options that dont have it or arent compatible for future investments. \
im canon, started with 450d have just upgraded- was going for the 5d, but when i found out the 7d had faster fps (frames per second) i went with it- and the faster shooting speed of some of the nikons would be ( if any) reason for me to switch teams.
Oh my goodness I didn't expect this much feedback!
I really appreciate everyone's opinions! I'm definitely going to go into a store and get hands on with Canon's and Nikon's to get the feel for them.
All of your comments are valuable and they're much appreciated!
Thanks guys! =)
I love my Nikon D90 and I believe you could pick up a used one in your price range. Otherwise, I'd go with the Nikon D5000. The D7000 is due out soon and there are a lot of D90s showing up in the classifieds because people plan to upgrade.
With a Nikon, i've been told you can buy second hand lenses that were sold with film SLRs and most will still mount to your DSLR, which may be a way to save you money. I'd check with a camera shop owner before you try though, to get confirmation from them. Also, why the D60? Why not the D5000?
@nyweb - sorry to burst your buble but I have the 50mm, a 75-300 and a 150macro already, looking for 'other' static lens' and options to 'play' with ... I have a kind tax officer who allows me purchases against my income. make the most of it and play i say.
@wormentude I think the 5D might not be compatible due to it being 'Full frame' so the mirror is quite large, but the 450 - 550D range (The Rebel range the rest of the world) certainly are.
Look up 'M42 Canon' in eBay to see just what's available.
Canon changed their mount quite some time ago to the EF system. Lenses from before that can't generally be used with the new DSLR cameras. That said, any EF system lens will fit on any EOS DSLR (including the full frame 5D, 5D Mark II, 1Ds series, and 1D series 1.3 crop cameras). EF-S lenses are those designed for the APS-C sensor cameras (1.6 crop sensor) and those will not fit on the 5 and 1 series at all (well, without some fiddling which could damage your gear and void your warranty - yes, the EF-S 10-22mm can be used if you remove the rubber gasket and have really steady hands, which I personally would not attempt).
Nikon's current mount has been around longer, iirc, but the issue is with AF. Older Nikkor glass was focussed by a motor in the camera, whereas the new glass has a motor in the lens. If you have one of the entry-level models, like a D40X, those old lenses will be manual focus for you because your body does not have the motor to drive it. Something to check before you buy a Nikon body, if you plan to use glass you already have, or if you plan to buy second-hand lenses.
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All the models you've listed are quality. I went with Cannon because I had some old SLR lens that I could use with it.
Canon, generally, are a little bit cheaper for a similar product. A decent portrait lens, for example, you can pick up for about $100 if you go Canon (50mm f/1.8). To do that in Nikon you're looking at closer to $200 last I checked. Also, Canon are much more happy to give away access to their proprietry file formats - many programs out there can open CR2 files. Not so many can open and edit NEF. So, if you want to shoot in RAW and don't have a healthy budget for software like Lightroom, Canon may be a better choice.
I'm sure you'll be happy no matter what you get!
if you want something trying great! Fuji's X1000 come out in march... looks like a Lecia Range Finder with a C sized sensor, but only one fixed lens...
one of the 4/3 EVIL cameras are great too... but the rebels are fine... they work if you are really stuck on get a SLR...
im canon, started with 450d have just upgraded- was going for the 5d, but when i found out the 7d had faster fps (frames per second) i went with it- and the faster shooting speed of some of the nikons would be ( if any) reason for me to switch teams.
I really appreciate everyone's opinions! I'm definitely going to go into a store and get hands on with Canon's and Nikon's to get the feel for them.
All of your comments are valuable and they're much appreciated!
Thanks guys! =)
I JUST got the T1i !!!
http://365project.org/discuss/tips-n-tricks/1562/m42-lens-adaptors
I've not used my 'proper' lenses since!
But I like Nikon too.
Look up 'M42 Canon' in eBay to see just what's available.
Canon changed their mount quite some time ago to the EF system. Lenses from before that can't generally be used with the new DSLR cameras. That said, any EF system lens will fit on any EOS DSLR (including the full frame 5D, 5D Mark II, 1Ds series, and 1D series 1.3 crop cameras). EF-S lenses are those designed for the APS-C sensor cameras (1.6 crop sensor) and those will not fit on the 5 and 1 series at all (well, without some fiddling which could damage your gear and void your warranty - yes, the EF-S 10-22mm can be used if you remove the rubber gasket and have really steady hands, which I personally would not attempt).
Nikon's current mount has been around longer, iirc, but the issue is with AF. Older Nikkor glass was focussed by a motor in the camera, whereas the new glass has a motor in the lens. If you have one of the entry-level models, like a D40X, those old lenses will be manual focus for you because your body does not have the motor to drive it. Something to check before you buy a Nikon body, if you plan to use glass you already have, or if you plan to buy second-hand lenses.
I really appreciate all of the opinions and help!