I know we've talked about this before, but there are new models out, and new members, so I'd like to ask for some opinions.

Liz and my two sons want to buy me a Digital SLR for father's day. I currently use a Sony DSC-85, 5.1 megapixtal camera. I love it except for the delay in the shutter. I have been told that this delay doesn't exist on digital SLR cameras.

I have a selection of 4 in mind. The Nikon D-70, the Nikon D-100, the Canon 20D and the Canon EOS Rebel XT. I am looking to buy the best camera that serves my needs. I generally like to point and shoot, and I like the clearest, sharpest pictures I can get. If you've seen my photos from all of our meets, I like to "get in your face" and take closeup photos of people. I also like to take action pictures, for example cars moving, my son Andrew skateboarding and Adam riding his bike (I have a lot of difficulty with this with my Sony). At the last Fall Colors I wasn't able to capture any of the cars on the track because by time my shutter would go off, the cars were long past. That wasn't the case with the digital SLRs that I saw at Fall Colors.

I like good resolution as I print out many of my photos, but I don't often print 8x10. Most of my prints are 5x7 (but I do occasionally print 8x10).

We have 3 lenses, a wide angle, a telephoto and a zoom from Liz's Cannon EOS 35mm camera, and they would work with the Cannon digitals. While that is a nice consideration, it is not a deciding factor as I don't much carry lenses, and the standard zoom that comes with any of the choices would probably satisfy me.

Today I went to Best Buy and Circuit City. I saw the Canon EOS Rebel XT. I like it's lightness. I also saw the Nikon D-70 and very much liked the way it felt in my hands and very much liked the shutter response, but, it is bigger and heavier than the Rebel XT. Without knowing anything, I got the feeling that the Nikon was the better of the two, but that's just my uneducated guess. Neither store had the other two.

So, what do you think. Which Digital SLR should I get? I really don't know a lot about them, so any guidance you can provide would be appreciated. Please don't be afraid to voice your honest opinion.

Thanks.

 

Rob, check out the reviews at www.stevesdigicams.com

He does very detailed reviews, with plenty of sample pics.

I'm not up to date on the latest cameras, but the Canons always seem to get great reviews.

 

DD beat me with the referral to Steve's. Definintely check that site out and there are others that escape memory - google for "digital camera reviews" or something. I did hear a tech show on the radio recommend the Rebel XT as being the best bang for the buck. Good shutter response, good for action shots, and a good deal at $800 (i think?) I would go with Canon or Nikon.

 

Dave, Johnny,

I just took a quick look at Stevesdigicam site. The reviews are very impressive.
Thank you.

I will read more later, please continue to post suggestions.

Thanks.

 

Rob:

I got tired of hauling all the bodys and lens's around. Check out the Nikon Coolpix
8800 alot of camera for the money.

Bill

 

This is such an easy question...

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT, 350D!


I bought the Digital Rebel 300D just before Christmas, went to PMA and saw the introduction of the XT, came right home, sold the 300D on ebay and bought he 350D; AND I LOVE IT!

Sure Nikon makes nice stuff, but why would I want to haul around something so big and heavy if I don't have to.

All your Canon 35mm film lenses will work on the 350D, there is however a conversion of 1.6. In the wide angle range this may not be real desirable, but in the higher zoom range it is amazing. For example my Canon 80 to 300mm Ultrasonic Zoom on my Rebel 2000 (35mm) is actually a 128 to 480mm zoom on the new 350D.

Oh, and I just got the battery grip. This alone was worth upgrading to the 350D. You see I go camping (don't have electricity) several times a year at race tracks and that is when I need lots of camera power. The battery grip for the 350D can take two of the Canon batteries or six standard AA batteries. Now I don't think there is a gas station in this country that does not sell AA batteries, but trying to come up with two Canon batteries late at night is some little town ain't going to happen.

 

I did too for a year, but I just got so frustrated with the digital point and shoot because it had virtually no controls. I'm the kind of guy who had a complete B&W darkroom when I was 13, I LOVE photography. All my lenses, lens extenders, cleaning supplies, filters, lens hoods, and more are all worth carrying around to me, because not having the control was just not worth the convenience. Not everybody sees it that way I know, but those are my two pennies...

 

Digital Camera News and Reviews
Rob, this site is an excellent source of digicam info. Good luck! dpreview.com.

 

Hi Rob -

The fact that you have those Canon lenses (especially if they are USM lenses) has got to be a SIGNIFICANT reason for going with either the Digital Rebel ST, or the 20D (unless you have some real strong feelings that are 'anti-Canon'). You will definitely want to have more than an 17-55mm zoom on the camera (which is the 'standard' lens for the XT, I believe).

The Canon EF-S 18-85 IS USM lens is considerably more money, but a whole lot more lens (but cannot be used to retrofit your older Canon camera).

Both of the Canons 'multiply' any lens you use by a factor of 1.6. In other words, the 18-85 is the equivalent of a 28-135. The 20D will shoot faster, more frames/second, at a higher ASA, and longer 'bursts'. None of that may be important, and if it isn't.... then save the $$$ and go for the Rebel XT (or put the difference towards a 2nd lens that expands your range).

I've now shot more than 8000 frames with my 20D, and really appreciate the higher frame rate and longer burst rate, and because there is so little 'noise' in the images have used the higher ASA 3200 more than a couple of times. The 1/8000 max shutter speed hasn't been a factor in anything that I've done. Had the Rebel XT been available when I bought my camera, it would have caused me a real dilemma.... and I probably would have gone with the XT.... but for the way I like to shoot, the 20D was definitely better for me.

Bottom line is.... do what fits you the best.

Happy Father's Day!

 

[QUOTE=canberra,Jun 13 2005, 11:47 AM] #1
I've now shot more than 8000 frames with my 20D, and really appreciate the higher frame rate and longer burst rate, and because there is so little 'noise' in the images have used the higher ASA 3200 more than a couple of times.